Air Force Baseball

With any of the Academy's it about whether you want to have that lifestyle during college and after you get out. If your desire is to be a pilot or have a career in the Air force then there is not a better place on earth, if not then probably not.After graduation there is a 6 year commitment. 

My son was recruited by them and decided early in the process that is not what he wanted to do for a number of reasons, but for others it can be a great experience.  

Thanks for the feedback.  They told my son it would be a five year commitment, and I like the idea of a structured environment.  The Baseball Team hasn't been very successful, so that worries me some.  

I work with a guy whose son graduated a couple of years ago.  He was not an athlete.  He had a very good experience and is now serving his commitment.

Thanks 9& 7.  i have heard it is a great opportunity that continues to give as you get older.  (Academy Education, Military Preferences in Hiring, and other perks). i have also heard juggling military, heavy academic load, and baseball is difficult. Son has a lot to consider.  

Great experience, but think way past baseball presently and in the future. My son played for AF baseball. It's quite an undertaking (in the present) if you're not committed to the military lifestyle and academics. For most, baseball comes in a distant 3rd as far as commitment. If the cadet can make the necessary adjustments, baseball becomes a welcome distraction from the daily routine. Beyond baseball the education is second to none and the opportunities to work in an environment of professional colleagues is tremendous for that 5 year commitment period and after if chosen. The new coach there seems to be a pretty good guy and as an alum understands the day to day struggle the academy can be. I think he will be as successful as any military academy will allow given obvious distractions of the setting. The freshman year is by far the toughest because of the culture shock. As you can imagine each year gets better after that 

Thanks Nuklecrv!  this opportunity came out of nowhere, and my son is thinking hard about it.  His mother and I couldn't be more proud, but ultimately it is his decision. He is taking the ACT tomorrow, and they have told him that a 26 is required.  That is obviously a pretty good score, so hopefully he can get it on the first try.  

I would strongly second everything mentioned about admitting to a service academy.  In particular you have to look beyond baseball and appreciate that it is a fantastic opportunity in terms of leadership development.  It certainly isn't your normal college experience in that adding to the academic rigor, you are also training to be a military officer.  Also summer military training limits opportunities for summer ball, although there are still opportunities to play in the summer. My son was recruited to the AF Academy and strongly considered it, but ultimately elected to enter USMA instead.  We were impressed with the AF coach at that time. It sounds like there has been a change in coaches, however. 

Ryno, Just a short note on the admissions process. It's a great experience in itself. A young man will not go through a job interview that compares...EVER! That in itself is an eye opener and worth the time and considerable effort. Enjoy the ride. Let us know what happens.

I have a question about the Service Academies. I know you need to be sponsored by a Congressman. How does that play into recruiting? 

I don't think the Congressman need applies for athletes, but I haven't personally spoken to the coach.  Son has done all the communication.  

Congressional nomination requirement applies to high school applicants who intend to play varsity sports at service academies. The service academy application process has many special requirements that often take a lot of time to complete. This is one reason the service academies are not bound by the rules relating to the timelines for permissible D1 contact by letter/email or telephone.

Most definitely a congressional, senate, or presidential nomination is required. In addition to being an atheletic recruit, you have to compete academically with the entire applicant pool. It's a long process so your son should start no later then his junior year. Best of luck to your son. Everything he'll need to know is on the AF Academy web site. 

Good info. Thanks!  I have not spoken to the Coach personally, so I will do more research as well as ask him about the process.  Son will be attending their Jr. Day in October.  

That recruit day can be informative for an attendee's decision making process. I'm referring to beyond the AFA provided info. Find out what identifies class level and seek out a few cadets that have a couple minutes to talk, then ask about their experience. Make sure you find a couple freshman. They didn't blow any smoke my sons way. The new guys were brutal in their assessments, while the Firsties tended to look you in the eye and ask if you had the stomach for the Academy. I think what really attracted my son to the Academy was the challenge that was presented. One thing that helped him most as a Doolie  was counseling the guys that wanted to leave to give it "One More Day", even though he wanted to quit for the entire first year he was there. It's a pretty serious lifestyle shock for an 18 yr. old that can't be explained...only experienced.

About the "appointment", my son was told if he didn't get one from his congressman, that they had some in their pocket and could provide one, if he was a qualified applicant. He received his own so I'm not sure what would have happened if he had not.

Thanks Knuckle! I have heard the first year is brutal!  Son definitely has a lot to think about.