<p>In thinking about your question, Rachel, a few things come to mind (I hope you don’t mid a reply from an ex-Air Force active duty guy with a daughter currently at the AFA). </p>
<p>As the father of a female cadet at the AFA, I can tell you that there are differences between the girls and guys in how their experiences at the academy pan out. I can tell you that my daughter did have to work extra hard to get through basic; she’s short, blond and cute (and that, at a male dominated school…makes, by definition, my daughter a target; good, bad, or indifferent), but my daughter handles it with strength and grace, like most of what she does. She doesn’t get worked up over whispers she hears that girls are weaker, or when she gets hit on by random dudes. The eyes upon her were critical ones, but as all cadets do, she did her thing, gelled with her squad and has gone on to finish her first two years very respectibly. Upper body stregth (the ability to do pullups and pushups) and running helps… a lot… the air is thin up there and even the most conditioned athlete finds parts of basic to be challenging. </p>
<p>There are differences, even amongst the girls; as in the world in general, there are girly-girl types and not so girly girl types (I won’t go further into this…suffice to say there are all different types of people in this world). Strangely, one would think that the girly-girl types would have a tougher time fitting in with it being a military academy, however, this is not the case. In my opinion, from what my daughter has communicated to me, both types fit in pretty well at the academy. As with anything, in addition to walking the military walk of attending a military school, one also has to find their niche, and such niche’s are there for you… you just have to find yours if you’re chosen to attend. You might get yelled at by most (as a first year cadet), but you’ll seek solice and security from the friendships you will have developed.</p>
<p>USAFA10’s is on the money and on to something… the cadre, or training instructors during basic (because this is a cadet led basic training program…), are a bit rough on their own types (female to female that is…), but as stated, you can persevere through if you’ve prepared your body and mind in advance; be attentive to commands, and support your squad before considering yourself… remember, it’s not all about you anymore: this is the military and you’re now a contributor to the successful outcome of a team.</p>
<p>Upon entering the academy, my daughter didn’t bring very much at all: if you’ve chosen to attend (or more correctly, have worked towards and have earned the privilage to attend), you will be told what to bring and what not to… you won’t be left in the cold on this one. On a typical day, my daughter, in the morning, had to have her hair up and done in a minute, but had to get her hair done about shoulder lenght at basic. USAFA10s can give you more info here than I can.</p>
<p>Finally, your question about hazing… well, there isn’t any hazing as such, but be prepared for getting yelled at (sometimes more than others), getting pushed up to your limits, spending many, many nights up late doing school and military work… and being able to carry your daypack full of books in one hand as you run on grid pattern marble tiles. Basically, be ready for what the Powers That BE (PTB’s) want out of you: discipline, readiness, action, and an increasing expectation that you will continually improve yourself, you know… .military stuff (this IS a military institution). Men get treated pretty equally as crappy as girls in this regard and knowing this in advance will get your mind used to the idea; the first two years are arguably the toughest at the AFA. </p>
<p>If the aforementioned sounds good to you (or anyone of your mindset) and the idea of serving your country as an Air Force Officer is where you want to be in the future, then perhaps this is your cup of tea; my daughter likes it, and so do her friends (who are a healthy mix of guys and girls alike). </p>
<p>Last thing to ponder, a personal peeve of mine: like all military academies, the Air Force Academy is a stepping stone in a military career, a career that if pursued correctly, can give back what you’ve placed into it, however, many enter the military not really thinking things through… .that is, the real repurcussions of joining the military. Along with receiving an education and an opportunity to eventually serve as a commisioned officer, know that you might also be faced with making the ultimate, and very final and real sacrifice, of giving your life to defend your country. Many people who apply and enter the military just don’t consider this to be a very real possibility; well, it is, and recent grads from the AFA have died serving their country… men AND women. </p>
<p>Rachel… bottom line: the food kinda stinks but the experience is pretty priceless… one of the hardest things you’ll never want to do again, but as stated, if you’re in the mindframe of going to the AFA, with the goal of becoming a career officer, the price you pay, in my opinion, is offset by what you will recieve in return. </p>
<p>I wish you luck in your endevours…</p>