Contacting Parents/Friends

RogersCO'19

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Feb 9, 2015
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287
I have been appointed to the class of 2019 and I was wondering how I'll be able to communicate with the "out side world" after BCT. Will I get my phone, can I access Facebook and ooVoo for contact, or do I have to rely on letters?
 
Yes. You get your phone back for "accountability." ooVoo or Google Hangsouts are allowed, Skype is not. As for Facebook, etc., I believe the official view is no, but ...

Remember, that almost all privileges are squadron specific. So, if one squadron allows something, it doesn't mean another will. My DD is in CS10, arguably the most strict last semester and she had her phone and ooVoo.
 
Yes. You get your phone back for "accountability." ooVoo or Google Hangsouts are allowed, Skype is not. As for Facebook, etc., I believe the official view is no, but ...

Remember, that almost all privileges are squadron specific. So, if one squadron allows something, it doesn't mean another will. My DD is in CS10, arguably the most strict last semester and she had her phone and ooVoo.

Thank you so much, I haven't been away from my parents for long so I'd like to know I can speak to them. Also I have a very close friend who lives in Colorado springs, would you know if is be able to see her and if shed be able to come and see me after/during the acceptance parade?
 
Yes. You get your phone back for "accountability." ooVoo or Google Hangsouts are allowed, Skype is not. As for Facebook, etc., I believe the official view is no, but ...

Remember, that almost all privileges are squadron specific. So, if one squadron allows something, it doesn't mean another will. My DD is in CS10, arguably the most strict last semester and she had her phone and ooVoo.

Thank you so much, I haven't been away from my parents for long so I'd like to know I can speak to them. Also I have a very close friend who lives in Colorado springs, would you know if is be able to see her and if shed be able to come and see me after/during the acceptance parade?

Yeah, homesickness is a very real thing. Especially during the first semester. You'll get opportunities to leave some weekends to visit your sponsor family. That will give you a chance to visit your friend. In fact, you could ask her family to fill out the paperwork to become a sponsor family & you can request them (and they you.) I know for a fact that USAFA is looking for more sponsors. Anyway, the first chance you'd be able to see them is on Doolie Dining Out (after Acceptance).
 
Yes. You get your phone back for "accountability." ooVoo or Google Hangsouts are allowed, Skype is not. As for Facebook, etc., I believe the official view is no, but ...

Remember, that almost all privileges are squadron specific. So, if one squadron allows something, it doesn't mean another will. My DD is in CS10, arguably the most strict last semester and she had her phone and ooVoo.

Thank you so much, I haven't been away from my parents for long so I'd like to know I can speak to them. Also I have a very close friend who lives in Colorado springs, would you know if is be able to see her and if shed be able to come and see me after/during the acceptance parade?

Yeah, homesickness is a very real thing. Especially during the first semester. You'll get opportunities to leave some weekends to visit your sponsor family. That will give you a chance to visit your friend. In fact, you could ask his/her family to fill out the paperwork to become a sponsor family & you can request them (and they you.) I know for a fact that USAFA is looking for more sponsors. Anyway, the first chance you'd be able to see them is on Doolie Dining Out (after Acceptance).

I don't believe her family is air force, the dad is Retired army I believe and the mum is active duty. Not sure if they are/were officers though. Does that matter? And is it okay if I ask what Doolie Dining out is?
 
Nope, doesn't matter that they aren't Air Force or officers. Some sponsor families have never had anyone in the military, but more often than not, they have. Many are not officers. In fact, its not a bad thing to get to know a few NCOs since these are the people you'll be in charge of some day. :)

DDO is the first time you're allowed to leave and relax after BCT. You have to go with a sponsor family (temp one or permanent) - the Academy has a very tight grip on you while you're a doolie.
 
Nope, doesn't matter that they aren't Air Force or officers. Some sponsor families have never had anyone in the military, but more often than not, they have. Many are not officers. In fact, its not a bad thing to get to know a few NCOs since these are the people you'll be in charge of some day. :)

DDO is the first time you're allowed to leave and relax after BCT. You have to go with a sponsor family (temp one or permanent) - the Academy has a very tight grip on you while you're a doolie.

Thanks so much, you've been a great help. I feel a little more at ease knowing at some point I'll be able to see a familiar face from home.
 
I think sponsor families have to complete an application process, letters of recommendation and attend a half-day course. It is not hard to do - and very worth it to have a home away from home. Our cadet's sponsor family were family friends and were critical to first year success. We are so thankful for them and everything they did to maintain some sanity.
 
I think sponsor families have to complete an application process, letters of recommendation and attend a half-day course. It is not hard to do - and very worth it to have a home away from home. Our cadet's sponsor family were family friends and were critical to first year success. We are so thankful for them and everything they did to maintain some sanity.
Thanks for the extra info, I'm going to pass it on to the family.
 
I think sponsor families have to complete an application process, letters of recommendation and attend a half-day course. It is not hard to do - and very worth it to have a home away from home. Our cadet's sponsor family were family friends and were critical to first year success. We are so thankful for them and everything they did to maintain some sanity.

My DD's sponsor graduated from USAFA with my husband, so that was incredibly awesome for DD. :)

The link I posted above has the sponsor requirements and paperwork on it. And before I forget again - RogersCo'19, congratulations on your appointment! Hang on, it's a wild ride!
 
I think sponsor families have to complete an application process, letters of recommendation and attend a half-day course. It is not hard to do - and very worth it to have a home away from home. Our cadet's sponsor family were family friends and were critical to first year success. We are so thankful for them and everything they did to maintain some sanity.

My DD's sponsor graduated from USAFA with my husband, so that was incredibly awesome for DD. :)

The link I posted above has the sponsor requirements and paperwork on it. And before I forget again - RogersCo'19, congratulations on your appointment! Hang on, it's a wild ride!

I was curious as to whether sponsor families are typically just in the Colorado Springs area or are some in the Denver area?
 
I think sponsor families have to complete an application process, letters of recommendation and attend a half-day course. It is not hard to do - and very worth it to have a home away from home. Our cadet's sponsor family were family friends and were critical to first year success. We are so thankful for them and everything they did to maintain some sanity.

My DD's sponsor graduated from USAFA with my husband, so that was incredibly awesome for DD. :)

The link I posted above has the sponsor requirements and paperwork on it. And before I forget again - RogersCo'19, congratulations on your appointment! Hang on, it's a wild ride!

I was curious as to whether sponsor families are typically just in the Colorado Springs area or are some in the Denver area?

I believe some are in/near Denver. If I remember correctly, you have to be within a certain radius. You can email them to get the answer (or maybe someone else knows?) cadet.sponsor@usafa.edu
 
I was curious as to whether sponsor families are typically just in the Colorado Springs area or are some in the Denver area?

I have not seen any sponsor families from as far North as Denver. It would be a 2+ hour round trip to pick them up and another trip to drop them off. Many of the sponsor families live in Monument or Castle Rock which are to the North, but Denver would be a bit far. I am not saying it was never done, but it would take a large commitment from the sponsor family.

Stealth_81
 
I have not seen any sponsor families from as far North as Denver. It would be a 2+ hour round trip to pick them up and another trip to drop them off. Many of the sponsor families live in Monument or Castle Rock which are to the North, but Denver would be a bit far. I am not saying it was never done, but it would take a large commitment from the sponsor family.

Stealth_81

Yeah I do that drive every time my DS calls me and says "I'm coming up (sometimes with a friend) for the weekend." It's a bit of a drive but hey I guess he's worth it... sometimes... :yllol:
 
Lol, Boozebin! I didn't know you were her in CO, too!
I would love to get your guys' perspective on choosing your own family as sponsors, which I believe is a realistic possibility in my case, as my parents happen to be moving even closer to USAFA than we already are (not because of me, though).
 
I really hope there will be more families signing up to be sponsors. I know of several doolies this year who haven't been assigned a sponsor family. My DD's family just picked up a 4th cadet and were asked to take a 5th - which they had to decline since they also sponsor a Wounded Warrior.

These cadet are really great - courteous & helpful (not to say that there aren't exceptions.) I was there one weekend when 5 cadets, 2 Wounded Warriors and a Warrior's German Shepard were there. DD baked a cake for dessert which prompted the question, "YOU baked a cake?" She responded with, "Yes, I fly planes AND I bake cakes."

Anyway, I highly recommend doing the sponsor program if you are able. It's an incredibly rewarding experience.
 
Lol, Boozebin! I didn't know you were her in CO, too!
I would love to get your guys' perspective on choosing your own family as sponsors, which I believe is a realistic possibility in my case, as my parents happen to be moving even closer to USAFA than we already are (not because of me, though).

Yes ma'am, lived in beautiful CO for longer than I've lived in my home town of NY, err I mean CO is a frozen tundra and it snows all the time and you don't want to move here at all! :zip:. My DS's mom lives in The Springs and is the home of record for him.

To be honest I don't know how it works for those that come from here. I think you get assigned one anyway but you don't have to go to their house and most sponsors get it if you have family here. I'll have to check with my DS to see if he knows how it works once he reaches the Hill. He's at Prep right now and the rules are a little different they get a little more freedom at a faster pace. I'll check back in on this thread once I know or not if someone beats me to it.
 
I think sponsor families have to complete an application process, letters of recommendation and attend a half-day course. It is not hard to do - and very worth it to have a home away from home. Our cadet's sponsor family were family friends and were critical to first year success. We are so thankful for them and everything they did to maintain some sanity.

My DD's sponsor graduated from USAFA with my husband, so that was incredibly awesome for DD. :)

The link I posted above has the sponsor requirements and paperwork on it. And before I forget again - RogersCo'19, congratulations on your appointment! Hang on, it's a wild ride!

Thanks! I'm super excited for the ride! All this info is great! Do any of you guys understand how the cadet pay works? I have yet to read a post that makes sense to me.
 
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