I-Day Prep

DS has been reading the "Instructions to Appointees" pdf file and he went to his physician to complete the immunization form. He received a couple of shots and a TB test that the academy requires within six months of I-day. DS told me this morning that his arms felt like they were going to fall off. I told him better now than to have received these shots on I-day. So I would advise everyone that gets the their BFE to accomplish this task as soon as they can so that they are as "comfortable" as possible dury BCT.

Almost everyone gets shots during BCT. I had gone to the base hospital with my shot record the week before (I live in town) and asked them if I had everything I needed so I wouldn't have to get any shots in Basic. Actually talked to one of the techs that I saw during basic. Still got 2 shots...

-Brian

DS and I are are going to the military immunization clinic (husband is retired) on Monday. He has school off and we need the TB and I believe Polio as they have to have that within six months of reporting as well. The rest of his shots are up to date except the flu shot, and if he needs that too, he will get it. DD, class of 2014, as I recall maybe got flu shot when she arrived at the Academy. She had her yellow record as well as the Academy record duplicate, as that is all I think they will accept for verification (I have been wrong before, so don't quote me on that).
On a side note, do several sets of push-ups after getting the shots. It helps move the medicine around so the arms don't hurt as much later. It looks kinda weird but it does work (learned this on Active Duty). Tylenol before works to an extent also.

USAF463, I think that's good advice--as many as you can get ahead of time to minimize whatever may be needed at the academy is smart. Some things come in a series--for example the Hep A 3 shot series that has to be given in specific intervals/months apart. My son had the first one at home, the second should have come during Basic (and didn't, even though the medical staffer my son talked to before reporting said it would be scheduled based on the immunization records required at In Processing and he would be called to the clinic). Once school started in August, the last thing on a cadet's mind is scheduling a shot. I'll probably recommend he get the second shot over spring break at home, and maybe the last one over his summer leave if the timing works out.

carry two copies with you of your record at ALL TIMES on I-day. I almost had to get a bunch again because they didn't have my updated record and I had left one copy in my room with all my stuff. Thankfully I had stuffed a copy in my pocket when they told me to leave my stuff so I had it and got zero shots on I-day.

My DS is going on Saturday to have his ppd read and get whatever other shots he needs also. Great idea to get as much out of the way so when I Day comes, less for them to be anxiuos about.

USAFA10s, great advice about 2 copies of immunizations. I would expand that to include all paperwork--after a candidate accepts an appointment, he/she will get a bunch of paperwork to complete (and it doesn't all come at once). Some gets sent in, some you will be told to bring with you to sign during In Processing (since it has to be witnessed). My son kept a copy of everything, since with 1000+ appointees reporting on the same day, something is bound to get lost or messed up for someone. Better to have copies of immunizations, final HS transcript, security clearance, etc. than to have to scramble, call home, etc. to come up with the info.

When DD went in 2014, we sent her with copies of everything in one of those plastic snapping envelopes(already have DS and am filling it with the paperwork so far). Not bulky, and I am sure it save her more than once. I had tabbed everything with post-its so she would know what it was without having to pull out all her papers in a rush and drop them. We had another set of duplicates at home and could have faxed them in a pinch. I will tell DS to keep a duplicate shot record in his pocket at all time during I-day, hope he remembers to put it in his uniform after it is issued

The hardest thing for my 2014 ds was having blood taken on I-Day. The technicians had to stick him about 5 times before they got blood. He said that was much worse than the rest of the stuff that was going on. Now he is going cadre for 1st beast and is getting his beret ready. Good luck to all the appointees!

tutmom said:

The hardest thing for my 2014 ds was having blood taken on I-Day. The technicians had to stick him about 5 times before they got blood. He said that was much worse than the rest of the stuff that was going on. Now he is going cadre for 1st beast and is getting his beret ready. Good luck to all the appointees!

Click to expand...

We live in Colorado and the one thing that the med folks tell me when I go to have blood drawn is to stay hydrated. Drink lots of water. The air here is dry. Also it will take "low landers" on average about 2 weeks to adjust to the higher altitude.