Review of USAFA freshman year: It’s tough

[@ryandickson2224]

Hey Charles. I'm currently enlisted, trying to commission through USAFA (will most likely go through prep). I'm curious about your interactions with prior enlisted candidates/cadets. Do they seem to be having an easier time than the students fresh out of HS, or seriously questioning their life decisions? Either way, I hope to see you up there at some point, brother. Stay safe

[@charlesliermann8911]

Hey man, I will say the prep school was really helpful to a lot of prior enlisted but I'd say it's a mixed bag of people seriously questioning whether if that's the place for them and a handful ended up going back to enlisted. I'd say there was only one prior who was really ahead of those out of HS, other than that it was a pretty even playing field in academics. If you don't feel confident in your academic skills I'd take advantage of the prep school as it will help you IMMENSLY. They do seem to take things like punishment on the chin better than directs, and are somewhat more respected than directs, but like now I almost see no difference between enlisted and direct. I say it really only matters in the beginning. I hope to see you up here at some point as well!

[@charlesliermann8911]

Hey man, I will say the prep school was really helpful to a lot of prior enlisted but I'd say it's a mixed bag of people seriously questioning whether if that's the place for them and a handful ended up going back to enlisted. I'd say there was only one prior who was really ahead of those out of HS, other than that it was a pretty even playing field in academics. If you don't feel confident in your academic skills I'd take advantage of the prep school as it will help you IMMENSLY. They do seem to take things like punishment on the chin better than directs, and are somewhat more respected than directs, but like now I almost see no difference between enlisted and direct. I say it really only matters in the beginning. I hope to see you up here at some point as well!

[@mightymj1095]

Hey I just graduated from the prep school, and was curious about freshmen year. They did told me that my freshmen year was harder but in a different way from the prep year. Also comparing from the prep year, how was the schedule? Was it a bunch of briefing or military time? Also I’m in Demons too :)

[@charlesliermann8911]

I actually have no idea, because the daily schedule is changing the year you come in, so we're all going to have to adapt to a new time regiment. It is supposed to help us get more time back to ourselves. But the way it can be harder is that you will have quite a bit more responsibility depending on your squad which is 16-20 depending on what flight you're in. You will be quite a bit busier at least it was that way for me. There is a little more academic pressure and quite a bit more pressure from squad compared to the P. Hope this helps you and not scare you lol.

[@Gabrieeelpogi-]

is it hard at prep school

[@charlesliermann8911]

I mean it's all relative. For me it was hard for me for many different reasons from academic to familial. But all in all, I'd say it was easier than Freshman year, again I say that as relative to me and can't really say for others.

[@Gabrieeelpogi-]

@@charlesliermann8911 Uhh ive been thinking how could i join usafa perhaps im from Philippines and currently 14yrs old i wonder if i go there with only green card could i still join without citizenship? my whole life i wanted to be in America. I have huge patriotism in that country

[@charlesliermann8911]

@@Gabrieeelpogi- Yeah, I think that would be awesome! Personally, I don't know much about foreigners getting into USAFA but here is a link with some info: www.academyadmissions.com/prepare/international/#:~:text=International%20students%20cannot%20apply%20directly%20to%20the%20Air,commitment%20to%20serve%20in%20the%20home%20country%E2%80%99s%20military. The only advice I can give you is to do the absolute best you can in school get good grades and be able to rely on others to help you.

[@Gabrieeelpogi-]

@@charlesliermann8911 Thank you. If i fail in first attempt joining usafa could u join prep school everytime you fail. i mean every year or everyone at prep school after 10 months they will be appointed ty and God bless

[@charlesliermann8911]

@@Gabrieeelpogi- So I actually don't know if foreigners can get accepted to the prep school, and I have no idea who to ask about that either but maybe when you're applying make it known that if you don't get accepted that you'd like to go to the prep school. But yeah! Keep up the hard work and I hope that you do get to make it here one day!