Air Force Academy recruiting process

If they are still around there are posters whose kids played at the academies. If so, I’m sure they will respond. Somewhere in the deep archives of the site is at least one thread on the process at academies.

Wish I could help. A HS teammate of jr.'s went on to West Point, following a coach who recruited him to another school. Ironically, jr.'s college teammate was also going to go there, but offer was rescinded when the coach was fired/left, and the new coach came in.

   I think the main thing is to be sure that you want to be in a service academy, AND, that they want you. If you can answer yes to both questions, then you'll be able to figure it out, with a little help from your local politicians for the nomination.

  If you are still playing footsie with other schools, you are going to have to make a decision soon. IMO, if your son's main interest is in baseball, then a service academy is probably the wrong place for him. They are very serious places, for serious people.

My son is a freshman (plebe/doolie in academy parlance) at one of the other service academies, but he went through the appointment process for USAFA as well.  I will tell you that Service Academies are a very different animal. 

You must earn a congressional nomination, pass the Dodmerb (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) medical screening, and pass a Cadet Fitness Test (CFA) before you are even eligible for an appointment to the academy.  The nomination activities must be completed by recruited athletes, just like all other candidates, and it takes several months to complete the process.  Dodmerb can reject an athlete, who is in excellent physical condition, for something like a peanut allergy.  The CFA is a fitness test that includes a basketball throw, shuttle run, pull ups, sit ups, push ups, and a one mile run; it has tripped up otherwise excellent athletes who just could not pass certain parts of this test.  

The academies are just below the Ivies in academic rigor.  The average unweighted GPA for USAFA cadets runs at around 3.88 and the average ACT score is 30.  Most of the cadets were at the top of their class in high school, and academic competition at the academies is ruthless.

As for Baseball, my son's experience, albeit limited, is that the academies over recruit.  In some ways, I suppose that it's understandable.  Once a cadet is accepted into the academy, he can quit playing his sport and not lose his "scholarship."  Almost every year there are athletes who use the recruitment process to get into the academy, then quit once they have secured an appointment.  My son said that there was a significant number of "recruited" players in his class who did not make the fall team, and even fewer will make the team this spring.  Some are disillusioned and may leave the academy at the end of the year.  Most will stay and take full advantage of receiving a world class education, on the governments dime, then repay the costs through service to their country.

If your son has dreams of playing baseball professionally one day; the academies are not the way to go.  If your son wants to have a normal college experience; the academies are not the way to go.  If your son doesn't want to serve his country for at least five years after he graduates; the academies are not the way to go.

If your son does decide to pursue and ultimately secures an appointment, get ready because your in for a wild ride.

BBMomAZ posted:

Help! I searched the forums but couldn't find any up-to-date information. Does anyone have insight into the recruiting process for the Air Force Academy? What happens after you get an "offer"; my assumption is that it is all contingent upon meeting physical requirements, getting a nomination, etc?  When do things get finalized? Do you continue down the path with other schools simultaneously? My son is finding himself much further ahead in discussions than he anticipated :-) and we could use your expertise! Thanks so much!

I assume when you say "offer", the coach told you he would support your son (or identify your son as a "blue chip" athlete) through admissions.  Assuming he's a 2019, the coach should have done a pre-read with admissions and gotten a green light to make the offer.  He should also assure you that you will receive a Letter of Assurance (LOA) once the application is complete, which is like an Ivy Likely Letter and is essentially a guarantee of admission (as long as you pass your medical exam and fitness test).  Once you get an LOA the congressional nomination process is a virtual lock as far as I know, although you still have to apply as any candidate does.  Throughout this process and at each step your son should be in contact with the coach and he'll give additional guidance if needed.  As long as he's gotten his LOA, passed his medical exam and fitness test, and completed his congressional nomination applications, he should be good to go (the nominations aren't issued until December or later).  I suppose it won't hurt to apply to other schools just in case, but I'm told this isn't necessary (if he's a "blue chip" athlete).  If he's a 2020 then this process starts next spring.

The only catch is most of the time the coaches will help you with the appointment.  if they get rejected they will normally point your toward The Citadel or VMI which are military schools but not as stringent on some rules.  If he is considering The Citadel, let me know.  My middle son played there on scholarship.

57special posted:

 

   I think the main thing is to be sure that you want to be in a service academy, AND, that they want you. If you can answer yes to both questions, then you'll be able to figure it out, with a little help from your local politicians for the nomination.

  If you are still playing footsie with other schools, you are going to have to make a decision soon. IMO, if your son's main interest is in baseball, then a service academy is probably the wrong place for him. They are very serious places, for serious people.

A former student of mine and teammate of son's was recruited and "signed" with a service academy. I was surprised with the decision having seen his work habits in class; i didn't think it was a good fit. Mom thought that he would be more disciplined at service academy, because he'd have to be. Never saw his name listed on roster. Eventually found he transferred to Big State U.

Thank you everyone for your insight. My son is a 2020 so if he decides he wants to make this commitment, there are still a lot of variables. 

BBMOMAZ:  PM me with details about your 2020.  I'm happy to assist.

(I've mentored kids to get accepted to the Academy, I've been on the Service Academy Selection Committees, been connected to the coaching staffs, son was offered, and I'm an AF Academy grad)

Hear from you soon.

jdb posted:

My son is a freshman (plebe/doolie in academy parlance) at one of the other service academies, but he went through the appointment process for USAFA as well.  I will tell you that Service Academies are a very different animal. 

You must earn a congressional nomination, pass the Dodmerb (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) medical screening, and pass a Cadet Fitness Test (CFA) before you are even eligible for an appointment to the academy.  The nomination activities must be completed by recruited athletes, just like all other candidates, and it takes several months to complete the process.  Dodmerb can reject an athlete, who is in excellent physical condition, for something like a peanut allergy.  The CFA is a fitness test that includes a basketball throw, shuttle run, pull ups, sit ups, push ups, and a one mile run; it has tripped up otherwise excellent athletes who just could not pass certain parts of this test.  

The academies are just below the Ivies in academic rigor.  The average unweighted GPA for USAFA cadets runs at around 3.88 and the average ACT score is 30.  Most of the cadets were at the top of their class in high school, and academic competition at the academies is ruthless.

As for Baseball, my son's experience, albeit limited, is that the academies over recruit.  In some ways, I suppose that it's understandable.  Once a cadet is accepted into the academy, he can quit playing his sport and not lose his "scholarship."  Almost every year there are athletes who use the recruitment process to get into the academy, then quit once they have secured an appointment.  My son said that there was a significant number of "recruited" players in his class who did not make the fall team, and even fewer will make the team this spring.  Some are disillusioned and may leave the academy at the end of the year.  Most will stay and take full advantage of receiving a world class education, on the governments dime, then repay the costs through service to their country.

If your son has dreams of playing baseball professionally one day; the academies are not the way to go.  If your son wants to have a normal college experience; the academies are not the way to go.  If your son doesn't want to serve his country for at least five years after he graduates; the academies are not the way to go.

If your son does decide to pursue and ultimately secures an appointment, get ready because your in for a wild ride.

JDB is right on with his assessment of USAFA. My son is there now, not as a baseball player but as a cadet. If your son is there just for the baseball then probably not the place for him. I also saw that GOV had offered up his service, I would contact him as he is very knowledgeable. Good luck!    

Have a friend who’s son was 2018 MVP. Not sure about the requirements, looks like several on here are.