<p>I wouldn’t–for many of the same reasons I mentioned in my story. I didn’t consider ROTC either, and I know a lot of cadets and grads who didn’t either. for them it was, “I either go to USAFA or I don’t bother.” If “v” decides to go to USAFA, then what I do suggest is that you make an etched in stone commitment to stay for a least one full year–through the summer after your freshman year. Don’t go into BCT or even your first semester thinking that Yale’s an option if you drop out. If you do–you’ll drop out. It’s the easy way to go.</p>
<p>People can talk all they want about commitment to the military and service, but I for one don’t think that it’s reasonable to think that many 17- and 18-year-olds know what life in the military and at a service academy is REALLY like. I didn’t. Heck, my SON didn’t. Unless you’re absolutely sure that you want to spend your life as a military officer, then, the best you can do is to give it a fair and honorable shot. To me, that’s one FULL year plus the next summer. If you can’t see the opportunities available to you by then, formed bonds that will keep you there, and decided that the AF just may be a good enough quality of life that you’re willing to commit for the next 8-10 years, then USAFA and the AF haven’t done their job.</p>
<p>I know my views on this may not seem all that mainstream, but I’ve seen too many gung-ho kids show up at USAFA committed to 30 year careers that quit in a few weeks or months, and likewise seen some pretty cynical, low-key folks turn into truly superior cadets and officers to think that predicting success or expecting a life-long commitment out of a 17-year-old is realistic or prudent.</p>