1 Second Everyday | USAFA Exchange | 2018 (01AUG-13DEC)

This semester, I (along with 6 other 2/C midshipmen) had the unique opportunity to participate in a semester-long exchange program at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. The program itself was a valuable experienced, as I was integrated within a cadet squadron and given a leadership position, learning about the Air Force Academy and Air Force culture as a whole. The week leading up to the Air Force vs Navy football game was an adventure, too. In my free time, I had an absolute blast. My girlfriend, Kate, is a cadet at USAFA, and I felt unbelievably lucky to be able to spend so much time with her after dating long-distance since graduating high school. I fulfilled a lifelong dream by taking part in the Jump (AM-490) airmanship program run by USAFA's Wings of Blue Parachute Team. I completed 5 skydives in that military program, but I loved it so much that I went on to continue working on my civilian skydiving license throughout the semester. I'm currently at 22 jumps, and I'm hoping to finish earning my license over Christmas break. I also got to explore all the beauty that Colorado has to offer, including back-country camping in Rocky Mountain National Park, snowboarding at Keystone and Breckenridge, and climbing a "14er." Even though I loved every second of this semester, I'm excited to get back where I belong at the Naval Academy after Christmas break. Thanks to CS-31 and friends new and old for making this semester so memorable!