Chris Slauson says he keeps his eye on the long-term goal of becoming an fighter pilot/astronaut.
That’s how he deals with the everyday pressures of life at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Slauson, a 2000 SHHS graduate, is nearing the end of his first year at the Academy, working toward a goal he set as a junior high school student.
Last week, Slauson, the son of Rob and Nancy Slauson of rural Sweet Home, visited Cathy Ives’ sixth grade classroom at Oak Heights Elementary School. It’s where his sister, Allie attends and his alma mater.
“The biggest surprise for me was realizing just what it means to be at a military academy,” Slauson said.
Slauson said it was a tough adjustment but it was eased by his desire to fly fighter jets and to eventually become an astronaut.
Slauson showed an Air Force promotional video, then answered questions from the class members ranging from what time each day he gets out of bed (5:30 a.m.) to what he does with his free time (playing sax in the jazz band).
Acceptance into the Academy is based on numerous factors, including grade point average, SAT scores, and extracurricular involvement. Slauson was active in numerous programs at SHHS including music, basketball, water polo, track and student government.
He would like to join the Academy ski club and perhaps play water polo.
The Air Force offers cadets a “nearly countless” number of job opportunities, Slauson said. His major will be astronautical engineering.
“It is a transition going from Sweet Home to the Academy which has 4,000 students, all leaders and achievers,” Slauson said. “It’s very strict.”
Slauson said he felt well prepared academically at Sweet Home Schools for the Air Force challenge.
“You need to get involved in your classes,” Slauson advised.
After his four years of education, Slauson will be required to spend at least five more years in the Air Force. Once he completes fight pilot training, he will be required to spend at least 10 years in the Air Force.
Slauson said his Air Force education is valued at more than $300,000.
When asked if he ever regrets choosing the Academy, Slauson quickly replied, “Never!”
Although the education structure is rigid, Slauson said there is time to have fun such as dances or traveling.
“There are many opportunities to travel,” Slauson said. “If you play in the band, it travels with the football team. Clubs take trips and if you can get involved in summer immersion trips to foreign countries.”
Slauson traveled with the Josai exchange program at SHHS and left last Tuesday for two weeks in Rome where his family will visit with the family of a foreign exchange student they hosted two years ago.
Academy accommodations are fine, Slauson said. Food is good, event though the staff feeds more than 4,000 persons each meal.
“We earn about $600 per month as beginning cadets,” Slauson said. “We don’ get to see that money, only about $80 of it. It’s put away for us to use later.”
As cadets progress through the Academy the gain more privileges. As a new cadet, he is required to walk every on campus at attention. In his third year, he will be allowed to have a vehicle.
Of the 4,000 cadets, about 10% are female, Slauson said.
Slauson said the Academy’s honor code–to not lie, steal, cheat, or tolerate anyone who does–is the foundation of developing leaders.