BRODHEAD - It took Andrew Gibler, Brodhead, two tries before he was accepted to the United States Air Force Academy.
However, the first attempt probably shouldn't count - he was only in the sixth grade.
"This is what I always wanted to do," he said, with a laugh. "I applied when I was in sixth grade, but they told me I was too young."
After he grew up a bit, he applied again. This time he was accepted.
He was nominated for the academy by U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison. Applicants to the Air Force Academy must apply for nomination from their U.S. congressman or senator and take the SAT or ACT college entrance exam. Candidates for the academy must be of "good moral standing" and be between the ages of 17 and 23.
Gibler left for the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., shortly after he graduated from Brodhead High School in 2008.
It was quite a change to go from Brodhead to the academy, Gibler said.
"It was nothing like a small town," he said.
His first few weeks at the academy were taken up with basic training, which is physically demanding, he said. Two years ago, as a freshman, he was on the lowest rung of the leadership ladder. This year, as a junior, he'll oversee the freshman who come to the academy. It will be his job to help the new students get adjusted to their surroundings. Gibler will leave for his next semester Thursday, but it won't begin until September. Gibler is returning now because of his role as a freshman helper, he said.
Gibler's typical day begins at about 7 a.m., sometimes earlier, and he will spend about seven hours each day in class.
Gibler also spends a few hours studying at night. Studying is necessary after a long day in the classroom and briefings with his squadron, he said. The course work at the academy was tougher Gibler expected, he said. Despite taking advanced classes in high school, he needed many hours of studying every day to keep up, Gibler said. His classes included calculus, physics, basic engineering, economics, philosophy and chemistry, as well as English and history.
"There's a lot of paper writing. It took me about a month to get used to it," he said.
Chemistry was always one of Gibler's strong suits, he said. His high grades in the class helped him with his grade point average. The rest of his course work required serious studying.
"I spend Fridays and Saturdays writing papers and Sundays doing homework," he said.
As a junior, Gibler also needs to get ready for what he wants to do after he graduates.
Gibler plans to attend flight school to be a pilot.
The academy is tough, but Gibler wouldn't change his decision to attend, he said.
"It's definitely worth it," he said. "I've met a lot of great people here."
However, the first attempt probably shouldn't count - he was only in the sixth grade.
"This is what I always wanted to do," he said, with a laugh. "I applied when I was in sixth grade, but they told me I was too young."
After he grew up a bit, he applied again. This time he was accepted.
He was nominated for the academy by U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison. Applicants to the Air Force Academy must apply for nomination from their U.S. congressman or senator and take the SAT or ACT college entrance exam. Candidates for the academy must be of "good moral standing" and be between the ages of 17 and 23.
Gibler left for the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., shortly after he graduated from Brodhead High School in 2008.
It was quite a change to go from Brodhead to the academy, Gibler said.
"It was nothing like a small town," he said.
His first few weeks at the academy were taken up with basic training, which is physically demanding, he said. Two years ago, as a freshman, he was on the lowest rung of the leadership ladder. This year, as a junior, he'll oversee the freshman who come to the academy. It will be his job to help the new students get adjusted to their surroundings. Gibler will leave for his next semester Thursday, but it won't begin until September. Gibler is returning now because of his role as a freshman helper, he said.
Gibler's typical day begins at about 7 a.m., sometimes earlier, and he will spend about seven hours each day in class.
Gibler also spends a few hours studying at night. Studying is necessary after a long day in the classroom and briefings with his squadron, he said. The course work at the academy was tougher Gibler expected, he said. Despite taking advanced classes in high school, he needed many hours of studying every day to keep up, Gibler said. His classes included calculus, physics, basic engineering, economics, philosophy and chemistry, as well as English and history.
"There's a lot of paper writing. It took me about a month to get used to it," he said.
Chemistry was always one of Gibler's strong suits, he said. His high grades in the class helped him with his grade point average. The rest of his course work required serious studying.
"I spend Fridays and Saturdays writing papers and Sundays doing homework," he said.
As a junior, Gibler also needs to get ready for what he wants to do after he graduates.
Gibler plans to attend flight school to be a pilot.
The academy is tough, but Gibler wouldn't change his decision to attend, he said.
"It's definitely worth it," he said. "I've met a lot of great people here."