Former cadet relates experience
Air Force Academy discipline rigid
By JOHN B. HALL Kansan Writer
(The facts of this story are true, only the name has been changed to protect the innocent from low-level Air Force surveillance flights.)
The Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado, is one of three government-sponsored military institutions of higher learning.
The Academy has always maintained high standards for admittance and for conduct after acceptance. It has a reputation for enrolling only the very best young men, offering superior educational opportunities and developing outstanding military personnel.
These facts, coupled with a phenomenal degree of espirit de corps, account for the Academy's prestigious position in the ranks of American institutions of higher learning.
"That's a farce!" says one ex-Academy cadet currently attending the University of Kansas.
"Out there you do what you do because you have to do it. There is little place for self-motivation."
Bob Smith, as the student will be called in this interview, graduated in the top one per cent of his high school class and was an exceptional athlete. A late application to the Academy was responsible for Smith spending his first college year at KU. But he was invited to the Academy for the fall 1969 semester.
This was a long-awaited chance for Bob, since one of his goals was to become a pilot. Was this Bob's only motivation?
"Oh no. I thought I could get a good education. I also thought this was the opportunity to really work and make something for myself . . . a meaningful direction for the future," he said.
Apr. 15
1970 KANSAN 7
Smith mentioned that most cadets are attracted by the Academy's educational offerings and its prestige. However a large number of cadets applied for financial reasons since Uncle Sam picks up the tab for four years education plus $220 every month for each cadet. Of course, there are some cadets who want a career in the military.
I asked Bob how large a factor the Academy prestige and spirit was in the cadets' daily lives.
"That's where the real farce occurs. The single most discouraging element I encountered there was Apathy!" he said.
The educations system at the Academy is organized around 22 different majors. Most of these are math, science and engineering oriented studies.
During the four years every cadet must take 188 credit hours while maintaining a 2.00 overall grade point average on a 3-point scale.
"Well, we actually had only two to three hours a night to study." (Classes and physical activities last from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for everyone.)
I asked Bob how he managed to survive under such large semester loads.
"The only reason most everyone makes it, is the distorted curve the instructors employ in grading. The majority of cadets get 'B's,'" he said. "Before long I found myself skimming a lot and learning little."
According to Bob, though, the weakest aspect of the institution's education is the instructors.
"Most of the instructors are Academy graduates themselves, and the epitomy of the professional soldier," he said. "They tend to be biased in the presentations and generally are not open to questions other than the very elementary."
As may be expected the Academy maintains an atmosphere of rigid military procedure.
"There is a constant undercurrent of military indoctrination felt by everyone there," Smith said.
As freshmen, the cadets are known as "doolies" and are fair game in the open harassment season sponsored by the upper-class cadets.
"Doolies may never lift their eyes from the ground except when spoken to and then they may not break eye contact until the conversation is completed," said Smith.
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after graduation. How then was Smith able to return to KU?
"Well, I damaged the cartilage in my left knee and was no longer flight qualified, which was the main reason I was willing to 'stick it out' at the Academy."
Upon request, Bob Smith was officially released from his obligation. He was happy about that.
There are daily room inspections and more detailed personal inspections on the weekends.
"I never felt as though I was using my full potential as an individual when I spent one to one and a half hours eating each meal," he said. "Here at KU you do what you do because you want to do it. I get a great deal more satisfaction from self-discipline."
The social life of the cadets is almost non-existent.
"As freshmen, we got two nights off the base each semester. Seniors get one night each week until 11 p.m." he said. "I guess social life is replaced by the intramural activities."
such as the correct placement of socks in drawers or the proper display of underwear," Smith said.
"That's really not so bad though. It's just a matter of getting a routine established."
"It takes about one and a half to two hours a day to prepare your room and uniform for the next day. And of course there is a prescribed method for everything,
Every cadet must spend two to three hours each day involved in intramural athletics or varsity sports.
Having experienced both types of education, Bob commented, "It really makes you appreciate college."
The cadets are contracted by the Air Force to serve a minimum of four years active duty
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