<p>JAM, I do not want to see someone come in here and get completely rocked by the cadre. You think we’re beating up on flyboy? Sorry you feel that way. Better he understands where we come from now than to enter and be chastised here. His classmates in BCT and cadre will not be excited by that enthusiasm, it will only lead to problems. WE SPEAK FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. </p>
<p>You suggest we let him learn the hard way then? “Wait until he gets to the academy - take him out there.” Excuse me? This contradicts the whole supposed point of your post. Our goal here is to help these guys prepare for USAFA a bit better than people who don’t have this resource (or don’t see it out). That’s not just raw infomation about academics or SAT scores, that’s attitude and behavior that will help here. No one says don’t have goals, telling everyone that you are planning on being an F-22 pilot by doing this and that, doing things earlier than normal people would, etc. is not going to sit well with a large portion of people here. That’s a self-centered sounding path, and the famous phrase here is: “Collaborate to graduate.” </p>
<p>About meeting him in person. Yes, we did. It confirmed our fears from the forums and made us realize that he should know before entering what to expect.</p>
<p>Others influenced by posts…why does this make me wonder. O yes, the banter and absolute crap that occurs on the USNA boards for one. The USAFA board has become huge in the last 2 years. That’s because we are blunt and offer the answers to questions without flaming like some do. The cadets here love offereing advice and tips on how to get in and how to succeed while here. I’m sorry you are one of only two who think differently. Those that have posted like missmuff, CAfalcon, nobility, hneedle, af16, and so many others have been awesome to talk to on here and a pleasure to meet in real life. Same with the 2011ers last year. I don’t think it has come back to haunt them in bad ways at all. Unless you count a couple snickers and a phone call at the end of basic courtesy of the 2010ers (and soon 2011ers). </p>
<p>Speaking of, this place isn’t anonymous in a way you can hide behind the monitor and say what you want. The cadets on this forum have been willing to put our identity out there and won’t hide behind an internet persona. We love helping and staying anonymous doesn’t help. </p>
<p>Until you understand the culture and live it like we do daily, do not chastise US for trying to help someone else from being disenchanted by his cadre and classmates when he inprocesses.</p>