Any one here no much about the US Airforce Academy? Im looking at transfering there next year ( I only became aware I could be eligible for the academy just recently). Apparently they take some International students through the foreign defence departments(Canada for me).
I figure I will appy next year, I would hopefully get the football coach using his pull and I know a West Point grad who would be able to get me a letter of Recomendation.
I know its like a one in a million shot, but hey might as well try to get into the best school in the United States. Any advice would be great.

 

Don't kid yourself. Military academies are not even close to being "fine" institutions of learning. However, if you insist on going to a military academy, it would be a great way to get into the U.S. Military. Having been there, I don't reccomend it.

 

I'm a USAFA grad, '69. My advice: don't listen to folks like Skybus. See where your dreams and talents can take you. It's a damn fine school, and a sure-fire ticket to UPT, as long as you're physically qualified. Can't speak for others, but I wouldn't trade my 20 year career for anything, either. I was lucky, got fighters after a year as a FAC (OV-10) in SEA, and the E-ticket ride for the remaining 18 years in F-4s, F-111s, and F-16s was gratifying and fun beyond description. As it was though, I don't recall any foreign cadets being there during my time...perhaps that has changed.

 

I'm a Naval Academy grad ('96) and I remember a few foreign midshipmen while I was there. We had a Turkish guy in my company. I don't remember what the other guys' nationalities were. Good luck!

 

My brother is currently a student at the USAFA; it sounds like things suck pretty bad your first year there and they work you pretty hard all four years (like 20+ credits some semesters). It's a great school with a great reputation; I believe it was ranked like the #2 engineering school in the country. Colorado Springs sounds like a pretty cool place - lots of stuff to do, it's a short drive from Denver, and it is beautiful area. I remember my bro mentioning something about some French guy from one of the French military schools being in his squad, so there are some foreigners there. Good luck.

 

Linebacker, the direct answer to your question is yes, there are dozens of foreign cadets that have attended and graduated from USAFA, literally from all over the world, and gone on to highly successful professional careers, military and civilian, in their home countries. Like anything worth achieving -- such as a career flying incredible aircraft on awesome missions -- it can be a lot of work over the 4 years. No question some days at USAFA suck, particularly in the cold of winter with a 20 credit hour course load, pulling an all-nighter to finish 2 papers, and trying to cram for your 3 exams tomorrow. We called that "The Dark Ages." The rules of APC prevent me from telling you about some of the crap that was done to me. But on the whole, many more days of great challenges and experiences that will serve you so incredibly well in whatever you do in life. Many people initially attend and leave having determined it's not for them, and that's fine. And many folks that graduate do not end up having "fond memories of a wonderful collegiate experience" at USAFA for all sorts of reasons, and that's fine, too. You have to decide what your dreams and goals are. It is a great institution with absolutely phenomenal facilities and resources--athletic, academic, flight training, spiritual, social, etc. And I assure you, your graduation day will forever be on the top of the most important and pride-filled days of your life, right along with earning your pilot wings, finding your life soulmate, and the birth of your kids. Good luck and Godspeed.

WestWithTheNite
Class of 85

 

85 had a weak "Beast"













- The truth only hurts if it should -

 

That is a moronic statement I suspect you never attended one of the federal service academies. I also suspect you have never worked in fortune 500 America where ex-military, academy grad types are highly sought-after recruits for management positions. Don't let the word academy confuse you, Army/Navy/Air Force are fully accredited universities with high academic standings (in addition to the other benefits). Annapolis is probably slightly more academically oriented than the USAFA.

Not sure whether you're bitter about something or just totally clueless, but don't spread the bad gouge.

To address the original question...Annapolis and West Point have a fair number of foriegn students, I assume the air force would also.

 

Well, it's not the best school in the States for sure, but it is one of the best. The best feature of the Academies is the student to instructor ratio, which is usually 20 to 1 (I don't know what the average is for a civilian college, but it is not nearly as good); also, you have much better access to your instructors outside of the classroom where in a civilian college you may only ever see the professor's assistant if you need any extra tutoring in a subject.

The military discipline (hazing, getting hassled, etc.) is pretty severe the first year, but it is considered a rite of passage. I'm surprised there isn't more bickering between the classes. I heard that '87 had a weak Beast (BCT) complete with cookies ; but I don't want to start anything

Maybe Skybus can explain his complaint with the academy, it sounds like he could have gotten a bad deal; but usually things in life work out as a result of the effort that you put into it.

If you have any questions, please ask. One, we won't ramble on here with information you may not care about and Two, you won't have any surprises when you do get in.

Best of luck.

Dave "89, Wings that Shine!" P2

By the way, where in Canada are you from? My family is from Grand Falls, NB.

 

Im from out west, Calgary Alberta. And thanks, if I have any questions I will ask for sure. The Academy has actualy been more helpful than my own government in trying to get this sorted out. Im still trying to find someone in the Defence department that knows what to do. Im really hoping I get everything sorted out, I would love to go to the Academy. So yah if I have any questions ill be sure to ask.