Got a letter from the Air Force today...

[Leah]

Awesome!

[Denny]

so when did that stop you?

[KBScobravert]

Congrats to him Matt......well, and you too.

[03trubluGT]

Interesting. I've never heard of a service academy approaching anyone like that. Is he a Jr? It is actually illrgal for someone to actively try to recruit 9th or 10th graders.

He will be a Junior next year. It is a showcase type game competition.

Here is a breakdown of age classification from USA Hockey:

USA Hockey Age Classifications (2011/2012 Season):



(USA Hockey Season: May 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012)



Youth Teams



Year of Birth Age Category Age Division



1993 18 Years Midget 18 & Under

1994 17 Years Midget 18 & Under

1995 16 Years Midget 16 & Under

1996 15 Years Midget 16 & Under

1997 14 Years Bantam 14 & Under

1998 13 Years Bantam 14 & Under

1999 12 Years Peewee 12 & Under

2000 11 Years Peewee 12 & Under

2001 10 Years Squirt 10 & Under

2002 9 Years Squirt 10 & Under

2003 8 Years Mite 8 & Under

2004 7 Years Mite 8 & Under

2005 6 Years Mite Silver 6 & Under

2006 5 Years Mite Silver 6 & Under

[Vertnut]

Since the Air Force Academy doesn't offer "athletic" scholarships, they have some flexibility. All cadets have "full ride" scholarships if they can meet all the requirements. Admission is VERY tough. If they can't get in, they have a "prep school" that feeds the academy.

[Denny]

Ya, the admission process is tough. My son has been building up his resume for it and has his appointment letters confirmed if he meets all the other criteria, come time for graduation.

Good luck to your boy.

[akfodysvn]

yeah going to take a lot more than being an athlete to get in there, I think it takes congressional nominations where each member of congress or senate has a limited number of nominations to give. Get him in other extra curricular activities outside of sports and some volunteering in that you probably already do since you work in the public service area.

What a great opportunity and I hope he chooses to go that route. It will only change his life for the better. Being a stud at hockey and being recruited will help him out for sure, especially if he isn't able to pull down those high ACT/SAT scores. I can only hope that when I have kids they are in the same position as your son some day!

[Vertnut]

yeah going to take a lot more than being an athlete to get in there, I think it takes congressional nominations where each member of congress or senate has a limited number of nominations to give. Get him in other extra curricular activities outside of sports and some volunteering in that you probably already do since you work in the public service area.

What a great opportunity and I hope he chooses to go that route. It will only change his life for the better. Being a stud at hockey and being recruited will help him out for sure, especially if he isn't able to pull down those high ACT/SAT scores. I can only hope that when I have kids they are in the same position as your son some day!

I've probably already brought this up, but my oldest daughter (who was an '03 grad from Desoto) has a buddy that was admitted to the academy on graduation night. She is now a pilot in the Air Force. They valued that education at $250k back then.

[Denny]

I've probably already brought this up, but my oldest daughter (who was an '03 grad from Desoto) has a buddy that was admitted to the academy on graduation night. She is now a pilot in the Air Force. They valued that education at $250k back then.

I've had an uncle and two cousins go. They all had to prep for years. It's not like someone just decides to go one day. I bet she was very disciplined and worked most of her high school career to get ready.

[Vertnut]

I've had an uncle and two cousins go. They all had to prep for years. It's not like someone just decides to go one day. I bet she was very disciplined and worked most of her high school career to get ready.

VERY dedicated and a great kid. They knew each other in middle school and she was wanting to be a pilot even back then.

[Denny]

Very cool. Trey has been working it since he was 12. He currently holds the #1 spot in his class (at this school), just got his O-2 in Civil Air Patrol, works several volunteer programs, student council, NHS, 1st team all-district baseball, two commitments for appointment letters... blah, blah, blah

All that and we're STILL sweating the admission.

[Vertnut]

Very cool. Trey has been working it since he was 12. He currently holds the #1 spot in his class (at this school), just got his O-2 in Civil Air Patrol, works several volunteer programs, student council, NHS, 1st team all-district baseball, two commitments for appointment letters... blah, blah, blah

All that and we're STILL sweating the admission.

I guess they still admit about 1200 a year, so his odds are pretty good. I think Maggie was top 10 in her class (out of 440) back then. They definitely look at all aspects of the person, and not just grades/rank.

[Denny]

Right. They look for leadership quality in everything you do. I know I would have gone through some ROTC program somewhere else. At that age, I didn't have the drive or type-a personality they're looking for.

[pr1042]

Maybe they can teach him how to drive in the military?

[Vertnut]

Maybe they can teach him how to drive in the military?

Zing!