Parent's Weekend

falcondan

5-Year Member
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Jul 1, 2013
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4
Hi, should we bring civilian clothes for our cadet to wear during his time away with us from the Academy or are they required to wear their uniforms? My son only has the civilian clothes he wore there. Thank you.
 
I believe they are instructed to wear their uniforms while in public for PW.

I am curious if this requirement extends to recreational activities during the weekend, i.e. horseback riding, hanging at the hotel pool, rafting, etc.
 
Recreational activites = PT gear. Unless the rules have changed, NO civilian clothes are allowed at any time over PW, unless within a hotel room/rental home (not in public). So you could bring some favorite sweats or PJs but other than that, I wouldn't, they are just a temptation.
 
when they get released, what uniform are they in? they report back to the football game in bdus?

side question - if they are in uniform, are there any perks at restaurants or attractions? maybe free food or admission?? LOL just curious.
 
Last year they were released in blues and wore them throughout the weekend including to the football game, out to eat, movies, Target, etc. No civilian clothes allowed for C4C on PW, except in their hotel room as USAFA10 said.
 
when they get released, what uniform are they in? they report back to the football game in bdus?

side question - if they are in uniform, are there any perks at restaurants or attractions? maybe free food or admission?? LOL just curious.

I don't know if any establishments in CS will give free food, but Pat's Steaks in Phila gave my son a free cheesesteak when he was in uniform a couple of years ago.
 
oh LOVE Pats or Ginos theyre all really good

There are a lot better than those. We were on our way to the airport on a Sunday and it was convenient. Mama's in Bala Cynwyd is way better than either of those.
 
Many restaurants and other establishments in Colorado Springs offer cadets discounts -- whether in uniform or not. They will learn to ask for military discounts where ever they go -- my daughter (a new 2nd Lt.) was just in Chicago and asked for military discounts at all the museums, etc. At most of the principle Chicago museums, landmarks and visitor sites she got in for free. Cadets will quickly learn which restaurants and other businesses give discounts to cadets. In other (non-military) parts of Colorado, like Boulder where we live, fewer businesses give military discounts, but it never hurts to ask. My daughter was able to get a free gym membership this summer in Boulder while home on her 60 day post-graduation leave. The gym felt like it was the right thing to do for someone who is active duty. Cadets and active duty traveling through the Denver airport -- in uniform or not -- are able to use the USO lounge for sandwiches, internet, etc.
 
Many places which charge nominal fees (museums, etc) will allow your in-uniform cadet to enter free!

And do encourage your 4* to be in uniform. The 2*'s and firsties won't care but newly minted 3*'s might be on the watch for your former basic.
 
Hi, should we bring civilian clothes for our cadet to wear during his time away with us from the Academy or are they required to wear their uniforms? My son only has the civilian clothes he wore there. Thank you.

They will NOT have access to the clothes they wore to I-Day until after recognition. Also, your cadet will know what his/her orders are. Ask him/her. If they don't know they are in the best position to find out. Best wishes.
 
They should know, too, that areas like hotel dining rooms are places where uniforms are required, even if it's just breakfast, even if other people are in pajamas.
 
Depending on where you and your son/daughter plan on going for parent's weekend, I would probably bring 1 pair of jeans and a shirt of two.

Honestly; MOST cadets simply want to SLEEP!!! The want to spend time with family, sleep, eat good food, sleep, maybe see a movie, sleep, But sometimes, the family talks their son/daughter into doing some sight seeing in the local area. E.g. Garden of the Gods; Pike's Peak; horse back riding; 7 falls; etc... These are not places your cadet will want to explore while in service dress uniform. And it is expected that if they were doing any of these things, that they wouldn't be doing it in uniform. And sometimes, PC clothes aren't the right option either. So definitely bring them a pair of jeans and a couple shirts. They have sneakers, underwear, jackets, etc...
 
But sometimes, the family talks their son/daughter into doing some sight seeing in the local area. E.g. Garden of the Gods; Pike's Peak; horse back riding; 7 falls; etc... These are not places your cadet will want to explore while in service dress uniform. And it is expected that if they were doing any of these things, that they wouldn't be doing it in uniform.

Are you suggesting that if they go to these places that they don't need to be in service dress? If so, that is wrong. Anyplace that they are in public during PW they are expected to be in uniform as 4 digs. Several of son's friends Doolie year were "busted" at Pike's Peak not in uniform and suffered consequences upon returning to USAFA on Monday.

Stealth_81
 
Are you suggesting that if they go to these places that they don't need to be in service dress? If so, that is wrong. Anyplace that they are in public during PW they are expected to be in uniform as 4 digs. Several of son's friends Doolie year were "busted" at Pike's Peak not in uniform and suffered consequences upon returning to USAFA on Monday.

Stealth_81

I'm not talking about driving to pike's peak and getting out and looking at the sights. I'm talking about actually hiking, camping, etc...

The cadets most definitely need to talk to their AOC, but for such activities that are for sure going to destroy a service dress uniform, the academy has never had a problem. Obviously, as soon as they were done with that hike or overnight camp out, or whatever, they were expected to be back in uniform. Also, many similar activities can be done in their PT gear. I.e. If the cadet and their parents really want to play a game of golf, they aren't expected to do so in their service dress uniform. But that is an example of where PT clothes would probably work.

Most definitely, the cadet needs to check with their AOC about the specific activity they have in mind. But there are exceptions whereby they can be out of uniform. E.g. Waterworld in Denver is a simple logical example. There are others.
 
My wife and I went to Seven Falls last year without our C3C. We saw several cadets hiking in dress uniform. It is a tough hike - even without dress shoes. The first ladder is a killer at that altitude.

Also, don't think that it would be safe for your C4C to make a quick run up to Walmart or Noodles in shorts and a t-shirt. The Springs turns into a very small town during PW. Cadets are everywhere. Don't take the chance.
 
Just a small point of clarification, but they would want to talk with their cadet leadership rather than the AOC.

Guidelines are pretty straightforward.

If the 4* is out in town the expectation is service dress / blues. If the 4* is engaged in physical activity (i.e. taking a hike) the expectation is their PC uniform.


I'm not talking about driving to pike's peak and getting out and looking at the sights. I'm talking about actually hiking, camping, etc...

The cadets most definitely need to talk to their AOC, but for such activities that are for sure going to destroy a service dress uniform, the academy has never had a problem. Obviously, as soon as they were done with that hike or overnight camp out, or whatever, they were expected to be back in uniform. Also, many similar activities can be done in their PT gear. I.e. If the cadet and their parents really want to play a game of golf, they aren't expected to do so in their service dress uniform. But that is an example of where PT clothes would probably work.

Most definitely, the cadet needs to check with their AOC about the specific activity they have in mind. But there are exceptions whereby they can be out of uniform. E.g. Waterworld in Denver is a simple logical example. There are others.
 
Just a small point of clarification, but they would want to talk with their cadet leadership rather than the AOC.

Guidelines are pretty straightforward.

If the 4* is out in town the expectation is service dress / blues. If the 4* is engaged in physical activity (i.e. taking a hike) the expectation is their PC uniform.

Agreed. Squadron leadership is their first stop for clarification. And yes, as I said, PC gear is usually the first choice of uniforms for physical activities. I clarified however that it depends on WHAT activity the C4C/Family were going to do. E.g. Swimming/Water World; Camping; (Can't really stay in shorts all night); etc...

I don't want anyone to read too much into this. I made a simple yet accurate statement. Probably 95+% of all cadets are not going to want to leave the Colorado Springs area for any indepth activities. They will want to sleep, eat, sleep, visit family, sleep, etc.... Most of the posts here mentioned that family didn't need to bring any type of civilian clothing, because the C4C is not allowed to wear them during parent's weekend. That is true.... For about 95+% of the cadets. But there are scenarios whereby the cadet may be involved in an activity that wearing their uniform is not going to be practical or appropriate. If you are a parent asking if you should bring anything, just keep this in mind. The academy has understood that some cadets and their family may engage in certain activities where a uniform is not possible.

One activity that I know of first hand, where the squadron and/AOC specifically said they were allowed to wear civilian jeans/cloths, was because the cadet and entire family; 8 of them; went Paint Balling. But as others have said, the cadet needs to clarify with their squadron leadership, who in turn will clarify with the AOC if necessary. Just mentioning possible scenarios where bringing a pair a jeans and a shirt might be advisable.

"Although, albeit expensive; it would be funny to watch a squadron wide paintball tournament done in service dress". LOL!!! Naaaaaaaa
 
Let's see how good my memory is... My 2016 was in blues for Acceptance Day and the few hours afterward. During Parent Weekend, he was in blues for the presentation of all the squadrons and for his classes that day. He left USAFA in blues, went to the hotel with us, and was in blues for the football game the next day. After that, he was still in blues for the remainder of the weekend. He was never in civilian clothes other than at the hotel.
 
Let's see how good my memory is... My 2016 was in blues for Acceptance Day and the few hours afterward. During Parent Weekend, he was in blues for the presentation of all the squadrons and for his classes that day. He left USAFA in blues, went to the hotel with us, and was in blues for the football game the next day. After that, he was still in blues for the remainder of the weekend. He was never in civilian clothes other than at the hotel.
And for the overwhelming majority of cadets who will simply be staying in the hotel with family, going shopping, dinner, movies, etc... you are 100% correct. That is policy and that isn't going to change. That's why I mentioned that if the family and cadet have any unique/specific plans for their 3 days off, they need to clarify it appropriately with their leadership. There are exceptions.
 
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