So how did your S/D make THE decision?

hornetguy
Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:58:50 +0000

Dknightfam:

>One SA is recruiting him for an athletic team, the other doesn’t show much interest. Is it easier to make it thru the SA while on a team (i.e. chances to bond with upperclassmen faster, trips off campus for matches to break-up the long year, etc) or is there too much on thier plates already?



One SA has a specific Major (War Studies) that really interests him, whereas the other is a more generic History degree. How crucial is a specific course of study at the SA’s, or is 95% of your 4 year course load pretty generic in the grand scheme of things?



Obviously there are a ton of other deciding factors (who gives him a higher chance of becoming a pilot, etc) but I’ll post this thread “wide open” for you experienced folks to comment on, asking for your continued advise on how to support a youngster with the biggest decision of his life.



Here’s my perspective on these questions.

1) While being an IC may help 4 dig year since you miss training sessions and sit at rest at lunch with your team; typically its much more difficult to bond within the squadron and often you may not be looked on highly by uppers or classmates. Really, I think it makes it more difficult, especially AFTER 4 dig year due to squadron jobs or activities. You become a strong unit with the team, but less with the squadron. My experiences, but not everyone is like this.

2) Courses are not very generic. After 3 or 4 semesters, the majority of classes will then be major’s courses. One semester I have 15 credits worth of chemistry classes and 3 credits core. So, once 4 dig year is over (and probably a semester of 3 dig), its much more specialized.

3) For the pilot decision. I think the Navy waivers more and the restrictions are much less…but think about the lifestyle. You would be based at sea on the carrier for months at a time. AF, you get to stay on bases for years at a time. Simplification, but it gets the point across.