Teach me about AFSC's

bulletandpima
Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:26:25 +0000

I know you love her and want the best for her, BUT a couple of issues gave me a little bit of heart burn.

1.I was a bit saddened that my DD sounds like she isn’t so keen (at this time!!) about attempting to be a pilot.

You need to remember this is her career. I have always stated to every candidate don’t go to the AFA to be a pilot…GO to serve in the AF!

UPT is very difficult, and just like getting into the AFA, those who do not want it bad enough, tend to have problems. Do you want her to go UPT because you think it is the best career path, only to her wash out and be emotionally heartbroken? I don’t think so. I think she is politely telling you that too.

There are a lot of Generals who were never pilots.

2.She is so happy at USAFA and is really enjoying everything now that she is an upperclassman

It is hard to cut the apron strings, but now is the time. Before you blink your eyes again you will be at the AFA for graduation. It is her life, and as parents, all we can do is rejoice in the fact that they are happy.

3.Sooo- What does a behavioral scientist really do? What options are available in force support? ETC…

I understand you want to be involved and understand her career path, but sometimes TMI is not the way to go. Bullet’s mother thought she understood the system, and many times her questions of “did you think about this?” or “why don’t you go this route” was very frustrating to him. The reason why, was a trust issue. You raised a smart individual trust her to make the right choice for herself.

OBTW, she also felt the need to ask why are you going to go there? Why didn’t you ask to go here instead. Best was when she was upset that we went to Elmendorf instead of Hickham, because the internet said they have Strike Eagles there…yes, they do, but not an Operational squadron, which was the reason we went to Elmendorf. A few yrs later it was why Leavenworth for school and not RI, maybe because the AF said Leavenworth?!?

The AFA is going to be the place where she gets the most information to make the best decision for herself. WHEN she makes her decision instead of asking why? Ask what the future holds for her and celebrate with her the now unknown future. Ask her about the AFSC that she can’t wait to be a part of. Ask about where the school/training will be, how long, do they typically send you overseas at first, etc. etc. etc.

Bullet was an AD flier for 20 yrs, our DS opted AFROTC over AFA, in honesty probably to be a college kid and still in the AF. He wants to be a pilot, but he also has his back up plan too. We understand that even 20 yrs in the AF, the AF is different now than when Bullet entered back in 88. We want him to live his AF dreams, without any emotional input. In other words, it is his life.

I know this may have come across wrong, I am not intending to be offensive, I am saying this as a loving parent to another loving parent, that sometimes our best intentions do more harm than good. I also say this because as a parent, our children will leave us for AD soon enough, for me, the best way to know that life will be good for him is if I keep my big fat mouth shut, and say, honey, it’s your life and as long as you’re happy, I am happy. And then I sit down and let him tell me all about HIS plans.

I don’t want the AF descriptor to be a part of the equation, I want his emotions to be the descriptor in his AF equation.