So how did your S/D make THE decision?

redhead89
Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:27:20 +0000

Sorry, Air Force is better. No question. Navy’s ok. I guess. But I should be nice since my sister is enlisted Navy. And since I applied to Annapolis myself! :)

I actually started laughing when I read your post, nurseypoo, because your son sounds exactly like me when I got home from USAFA summer seminar. I came away from the Academy absolutely pumped and I had to make myself shut up after a couple of hours blabbing to my sister on the phone in the airport. I first found out about the service academies my freshman year when my brother applied to the Naval Academy, and kind of had them in the back of my mind until my junior year when a cadet from my hometown came back and talked to one of my classes about the Air Force Academy.

I applied to USAFA, West Point, and Annapolis, in that order of preference. Looking back, I wouldn’t be able to pinpoint one specific thing that made USAFA number one for me. Part of it, I’m sure, is that I’ve never had the opportunity to visit either West Point or Annapolis. I know more about USAFA and I know that I will be happy there. It’s possible that I would like one of the other academies better, but I just had to accept that it wasn’t possible to explore each one.

Another huge factor for me was that I just really felt like God was leading me to USAFA specifically. When I went there for summer seminar, I just really felt at peace and I somehow knew that it was where God was calling me for the next 4 years. I can’t say that I wouldn’t have liked to see the other academies so that I could make a more informed decision, but it just wasn’t possible and I had to trust that God knew what He was doing and that I must not have needed to visit West Point or Annapolis, because the Air Force is where I belong. I have to trust that that’s where He wants me.

I also really agree with making your decision based on the branch of the service itself and not on the Academy. One of my USAFA friends went on exchange to West Point this year, and she observed that both academies are really pretty similar. It’s what comes after you graduate that’s vastly different. She actally appreciated the tradition at West Point, but preferred the career opportunities in the operational Air Force better than those available in the Army. One reason that I chose not to go to West Point is because I don’t really want to end up marrying a guy who goes career Army. That may sound ridiculous, but it was a factor for me. I’ve heard that it’s easier to have a family in the Air Force and also that they treat their people better. And in all likelihood I’ll probably marry someone in whatever branch of the service I enter, so… And I don’t want to be out at sea, so it wouldn’t make too much sense to go to Annapolis.

Another thing to consider is that if you don’t end up liking the operational Air Force, it is easier to cross-commission into another branch than if you graduate from, say, West Point. At least, that’s what I’ve heard. Army doesn’t let it’s people go once it has them, because they need all of the officers that they train, whereas on the other hand the Air Force is faced with a reduction in forces.

And plus, I’m a West Coast girl. Can’t help it. I love Colorado. And I know I will love the Air Force Academy. That’s what helped me make my decision on which appointment to sign. There are many more reasons why I love the Air Force Academy, but I’ll be quiet now. :)