# @af_academy on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc3cefEmyVs
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70073420-af-academy-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/002214df20.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-04T13:00:47.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** U.S. Air Force Academy (@af_academy) — https://gondola.cc/af_academy

## Caption

Meet C1C Simeon Rate from Valrico, Florida.
 
An Aeronautical Engineering major with a Pre-Med minor, Simeon chose #USAFA to challenge himself, develop his character and build the mental and physical resilience needed to become a usairforce officer.

Experiences that helped shape his development include:
🫡 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Served on Group Staff during BCT, strengthening his interpersonal skills, critical thinking and ability to solve problems in a fast-paced environment.
🚑 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺. Gained experience in emergency response and medicine, shaping his goal of becoming an Air Force physician.
🎖️ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. Was Squadron First Sergeant, BCT Group First Sergeant and Chief of Staff, Wing Staff and Squadron Commander, learning the importance of giving others the resources, guidance and trust needed to accomplish the mission.
 
Through academics, military training and leadership opportunities, Simeon says the Academy has prepared him to remain resilient, adapt to changing circumstances and approach difficult problems with confidence.
 
“𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱.”
 
#FirstieFriday #USAFA2027 #AllEarnedNothingGiven #CadetLife

## Stats

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## Tags

firstiefriday, usafa, usafa2027, cadetlife, allearnednothinggiven

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