The Air Force Academy process is long, hard and well rounded. To finish it was my goal, and making it into the Academy was always a prayer. At times, I did feel extremely confident in my journey. At times, I knew one-hundred percent that I would not make it. This application is one of my greatest accomplishments, and yet at the same time, one of my most humbling defeats. This artifact has been a part of my life since the second semester of my junior year. When something as simple sounding as a college application takes a year, it changes you.
The application starts simple. You enter your name, date of birth, social security number, grade and your GPA as well as your approximate ACT/SAT scores. This is a preliminary step that many get past. Some will be disqualified here but not many. Get past this seemingly easy step, and you are awarded with:
This is a part of the Candidate Kit that we must complete. It consists of some normal college aspects such as an class schedule, transcript, and a couple of essays. Then there are requirements like the drug statement, "activities record" and a fitness test. In addition, each Candidate is assigned a Liason Officer, who's purpose is to interview the candidate and determine if this candidate is someone to be reckoned with. Or not. You also must pass standard military health regulations, which requires a check up more detailed than any sports physical would be.
The extra catch to this application is that to be even considered for appointment to the Academy, one must receive a recommendation from a Member of Congress, such as Ben Ray Lujan, or Jeff Bingaman. This requires a couple more essays, more recommendation letters, and an extremely over organized interview with a panel of judges, normally consisting of a high ranking military official, a non-military yet highly educated person, and one still high ranking official only slightly lower than the other. Each Congressional Member gets 10 nomination a year, and 5 or 6 are usually given to Medal of Honor Children and guaranteed acceptance candidates. In reality, there may only be 2 or 3 nominees given to High School Students. This process is responsible for eliminating at least 60% of applicants. I am very proud to say that I received a nomination from all 3 Senators and Congressman I applied to.
This minor victory however was quickly over shadowed by one simple fact. I am a small and rather slow and weak person. My preparation for the fitness assessment was the hardest thing I have done. I worked everyday for 2 months to become harder, faster, better and stronger. In the end, I did become stronger. However, I traded push ups, pull ups, and sit-ups, for speed. I ran the worst mile I have ever ran, and did the most push-ups and sit-ups I have ever done. Though progress in my eyes, to the USAFA:
And thus was closed the Military Chapter in my High School Life. However, the outcomes of this application were numerous. I learned what is considered Leadership by those in Leadership positions, I learned how to nail an interview and perfect my oral communication as well as eye contact, I became the strongest physically I have ever been, I learned that some of my greatest strengths are my ability to travel as well as my involvement in churches musically. Looking back, this application showed me who I am and what I can and cannot do. It showed me my greatest strengths, and my numerous weaknesses. I have learned what I am and what I am not. And I thank God for all I have learned.
