Cold weather coming soon - What does my DS need?

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Can anyone tell me what, if any, cold weather items the cadets are issued? Do they provide them with warmer socks, thermal underwear, hats, gloves, etc? I am asking because I need to know what I should send to my DS, to wear during cold football games, outdoor activities, or if he goes on ski trips with the ski club. We are from Florida, so he currently has nothing to wear in cold conditions. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Also, for ski club, what can be rented, and what do they need to own? Thank you
 
Why don't you ask HIM what he wants or needs. The academy issues him warm military clothing. And considering, except for something like a ski trip, a C4C is going to wear their uniform all the time until spring, he probably doesn't need a lot of things. But again, the "Right" answer won't be found here. It will be found asking him what he feels he needs or wants. People acclimate differently to weather. Even with today being in the 40-50's, I still wear short sleeve shirts and no jacket; but each is different. Ask him.
 
As far as I remember with our sons experience, the Academy issues everything they need for life on campus...cold weather clothes, gloves, hat etc. there is not much freedom to wear anything but the uniform until recognition in March.
 
The Academy issues cold weather gear, like Christcorp said, however it is pretty generic and basic stuff. One thing that I would suggest if you want to get him something nice, is a set of base-layer clothing. By that I mean high quality long underwear top and bottoms. Stick with synthetics because they wick moisture away from the skin best. Cotton is very comfy when you put it on, but when you sweat it gets wet and uncomfortable. Look to spend up to $50 per piece for good stuff. He will be able to wear it for football games under his uniform and also skiing. A good base layer makes everything else better when it comes to cold weather. Take it from a guy who goes out in the Wisconsin northwoods and sits up in a tree for 8 hours when it is -10 degrees waiting for a deer to walk by.

The outdoor rec center can rent everything they need for skiing or snowboarding. Once he does it a few times he will probably want his own stuff since the rental equipment is used and abused like most rental equipment.

Stealth_81
 
Stealth_81 said:
The Academy issues cold weather gear, like Christcorp said, however it is pretty generic and basic stuff. One thing that I would suggest if you want to get him something nice, is a set of base-layer clothing. By that I mean high quality long underwear top and bottoms. Stick with synthetics because they wick moisture away from the skin best. Cotton is very comfy when you put it on, but when you sweat it gets wet and uncomfortable. Look to spend up to $50 per piece for good stuff. He will be able to wear it for football games under his uniform and also skiing. A good base layer makes everything else better when it comes to cold weather. Take it from a guy who goes out in the Wisconsin northwoods and sits up in a tree for 8 hours when it is -10 degrees waiting for a deer to walk by.

The outdoor rec center can rent everything they need for skiing or snowboarding. Once he does it a few times he will probably want his own stuff since the rental equipment is used and abused like most rental equipment.

Stealth_81
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Thank you Stealth_81, that was a VERY helpful answer! I have asked my DS, and he doesn't know, because he has never lived in weather like that. I will look into getting a "base layer" like you said. I probably would have gotten cotten, so i'm glad you said synthetic, and told me why. I will get they type you said. I wasn't sure if I should get some of those hand and feet warmer things for football games and stuff. This may seem like a dumb question for most people, but like I said, we live in Florida, so we have no idea what type of stuff is necessary or good to buy. Thank you :)
 
Our sponsor sons and daughters at USNA from warm weather states quickly learned from company mates and classmates from cold weather states how to cope with mid-Atlantic humid, bitter cold and wet, what to get, how to augment issued uniform gear with Under Armour layers and sock liners. They figure it out. The USNA Mid Store is well-stocked with Patagonia, Under Armour, North Face, camping/trail socks, etc. I suspect other SA stores are appropriately stocked.

Our USNA '14 sponsor daughter, down from grad school at MIT for N-AF football, is a Texas native. Froze her butt off the first year at USNA, acclimated, and she now has a full wardrobe of wet proof lined boots, down vests and jackets, performance layers, LL Bean "duck boots," polartec lined wool hats with ear flaps, and thinsulate 200 lined wet proof gloves. She laughed appreciatively when I showed her the post, saying "just ask the local cadets, it will be fine." She has enjoyed texting photos of herself building massive snowmen at MIT this past winter, still amazed her Texas blood has thickened up.

Gift cards to LL Bean always handy, when civilian clothes are needed.
 
My son asked for chemical hand warmers. As the Captain said, cadets learn from each other. The AF gives them what they need. What isn't working week, the cadets quickly figure out work arounds.
 
Christcorp said:
Why don't you ask HIM what he wants or needs. The academy issues him warm military clothing. And considering, except for something like a ski trip, a C4C is going to wear their uniform all the time until spring, he probably doesn't need a lot of things. But again, the "Right" answer won't be found here. It will be found asking him what he feels he needs or wants. People acclimate differently to weather. Even with today being in the 40-50's, I still wear short sleeve shirts and no jacket; but each is different. Ask him.
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Ha! Remember the 2009 TCU football game? I was not warm in the Academy issued blues, parka, low quarters, etc.

Just looked at the football schedule and it looks like the actual times of their final few home games are TBD. However, if they follow what they've done in past seasons, they'll be at night when it's cold and miserable. I generally agree with the consensus that some good base layer clothing will really help under the uniforms during football games.
 
My sons still talk about that Sunday night game (or maybe Sat night) where the high that day was 4*, and there they were... FREEZING!

Chemical hand & foot warmers. yes
 
The thing is, there are 3 years of cadets who have been through the Colorado cold. This is where most cadets get their experience. By talking to their squadron mates who have been there. Whether it's clothing, inspections, banking, leave policies, vacation schedules, assignments, jobs, and pretty much anything else. If there's a cadet at the academy, especially a C4C, they can get 99.9% of their questions answered with a lot more accuracy, by asking their upper class squadron mates, AOC, and enlisted training staff, than they can on this or any forum.

Now, those applying, especially with no military background or ties, this forum definitely has some of the best and most accurate information available. In my opinion, even better than any official academy forum or site.
 
Usually, by winter of the 4* year, it is best for parents to leave "daily living" to cadets and their squads. Send a care package with cookies and a gift card. Leave the dressing to those who live it.
 
Dad said:
My son asked for chemical hand warmers. As the Captain said, cadets learn from each other. The AF gives them what they need. What isn't working week, the cadets quickly figure out workarounds.
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My DS is FROM the Springs and he himself said he got pretty cold pretty fast sitting in the stands during Prep year. What saved him? Yup you guessed it chemical hand/foot warmers. Said it was the "best single purchase he made all year and can be used in other strategic locations other than hands and feet."
:jaw:
 
fencersmother said:
My sons still talk about that Sunday night game (or maybe Sat night) where the high that day was 4*, and there they were... FREEZING!

Chemical hand & foot warmers. yes
Click to expand...

I was at SERE this past December. During the week in the woods, it never went above freezing, and it was in the single digits each morning when we woke up. But I still remember being more miserable at that game...
 
Yea, even us hardcore "Thudgaters" had a hard time with that game. I'm use to the Rocky Mountain weather, but going from rain, to snow, to sleet, to hail, back to freezing rain, and then adding in the wind; it was the worst experience I've ever had. I've hunted in some miserable weather, but nothing like that. For those who weren't there, imagine 4000 cadets taking shifts in the "Rest Rooms" just to keep warm. I got up to use the rest room, could barely get in, and no one was actually "Doing any business". Just hanging out trying to keep warm. I get back to my stadium seat, and there's now a SHEET OF ICE where I was sitting. I've never left a game early, and I didn't leave that one early, but I sure in hell thought about it.

.The worst part............ That was the same time as year as TODAY. It was October 10th. And on top of all that, we lost ONLY by 3 points. Even the TCU and Air Force players just wanted the game over with. They didn't care who won.
 
For birthday/Christmas gifts, see if you can get him to make a list or tell you of some warmer civilian type cloths he would want to have during his C3C year. I know my family is constantly asking me what gift can they give instead of just money.

As Stealth mentioned, the under cloths are great, and I know many parents who have sent care packages which include hand and foot warmers. If I remember right, amazon prime has the hand and foot warmers, as well as some clothing. I use it a lot as the membership includes shipping. With all that I have used it for, the shipping fees I saved far exceed the amazon prime membership.
 
Like everyone else said - the chemical hand and foot warmers. My DD spent a lot of time in the restrooms to warm up during games. During especially cold games, they will have "warming buses" for the cadets to get into to warm up a bit before going back out.

Another thing I got DD was Hot Chilis long underwear. They're thin enough to wear under their blues, but really helps with staying warm. DD wore them all through winter -- as an AZ kid, she highly recommends.
 
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