# @af_academy on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DdbfnagATNB
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70654799-af-academy-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/d251ea0f73.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-18T13:00:53.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** U.S. Air Force Academy (@af_academy) — https://gondola.cc/af_academy

## Caption

Meet C1C Joseph Fitzsimmons from Fort Collins, Colorado.
 
An Aeronautical Engineering major, Joseph chose #USAFA because of his commitment to service. Coming from a military family, he was inspired by his father, uncle and grandfather, who all served as usairforce pilots.
 
Experiences that helped shape his development include:
✈️ 𝗦𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴. Became a Soaring Instructor Pilot, developing airmanship, task management and instructional skills while learning to operate effectively in the cockpit.
🎖️ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. Serves as Cadet Wing Chief of Staff, gaining experience making decisions, managing competing priorities and leading across a large organization.
🛩️ 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Soloed a student for the first time as a glider instructor, helping take a student from no flying experience to operating an aircraft independently.
 
Through academics, military training and leadership opportunities, Joseph says the Academy has strengthened his decision-making, time management and ability to perform under pressure while preparing him to lead in the Air Force.
 
“𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐢𝐧, 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝. 𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐀 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧.”
 
#FirstieFriday #USAFA2027 #AllEarnedNothingGiven #CadetLife

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 2,410
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 11

## Tags

firstiefriday, usafa, usafa2027, cadetlife, allearnednothinggiven

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