2009 Cadet Drop off Questions

mike6700

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On the day a cadet is dropped off for basic training:

Does the Academy fly and transport them to the Academy?

If the parents wish to attend, what time that day does the cadet have to report?

What clothing or supplies will the cadet need?

Can the cadet contact their parents during basic training?
 
A lot of good questions. I'll try and answer each one below:

On the day a cadet is dropped off for basic training:

Does the Academy fly and transport them to the Academy?
If that's what you want them to do, then yes. They will buy the appointee an airline ticket and provide transport to the academy. In this case, you would want to check with the academy and organizations like the AOG to arrange to arrive the day before and spend the night.

If the parents wish to attend, what time that day does the cadet have to report?
In-processing starts, I believe, at 9am. It could be a little earlier. It continues with waves of appointees in groups 1 right after another. I.e. everyone is in line and they take groups of say 25-50. As long as you are in the line, you are good. I believe the line continues on until about 11:00 am. If your appointee is ALSO an recruited athlete, most times the sport will coordinate with you to all meet together and have a little get together prior to inprocessing. So the appointees can meet the other team mates. Then all go an inprocess together. Still go in the same long line, just together.

What clothing or supplies will the cadet need?
This is very easy. Only bring the clothes on your back. If you had to spend the night, you might have the one extra pair of underwear or change of clothes. Then, just bring personal items; e.g. deoderant, shampoo, tooth paste. And ALL your paper work. And boots if you bought them early. Try not to have more than say a back pack. Once you are there, they will take that back pack away from you and you won't get to see it again for 6 or more weeks.

Can the cadet contact their parents during basic training?
Yes, but ONLY VIA SNAIL MAIL. The U.S. Postal service. No email. No phone calls. Recommend you bring a couple of post cards with you. Already stamped and addressed. Then just fill them out and send them. When parents/friends/etc... write you, have them include a post card that is already stamped and addressed. It makes sending a note much easier for the appointee. They don't have a lot of time.

Hope this helps answer some questions. later.... mike.....
 
Thank you very much.

Does this mean the Academy actually foots the bill for the cadet's flight?

Do most families travel to Colorado Springs the night before and drop off the cadet, or do most cadets go alone?
 
The Academy will foot the bill for the cadet to be's flight.

Depends on the family as to whether they will go too. I had my parents stay behind at home. Others said goodbye at Doolittle hall. It's a decision to be made within your family.
 
I didn't have my parents come. And it was a good thing. My dad cried the whole way to the airport and the whole time while waiting for security. I cannot imagine what would've happened if he came to Doolittle Hall.
 
I didn't have my parents come. And it was a good thing. My dad cried the whole way to the airport and the whole time while waiting for security. I cannot imagine what would've happened if he came to Doolittle Hall.


Your dad cried? If I get accepted I dont think my dads gonna cry, I've only seen him cry once, at my grandfathers funeral, my mom will be balling though :D
 
well, I don't live with my mom. My dad has been my only parent for about 10 years. We are very close and we've been through some really tough times together. I was also the first child to leave. It doesn't help that he doesn't agree with my dicision to join the military or move out of state.
 
For what it's worth. ALL DADs cry!!! Most just don't let you see it. My wife and I dropped off our son. We took him through the line and into Doolittle Hall. That was the LONGEST and QUIETEST line in the world. Almost no one was talking. After he went upstairs, we went outside and around the side. Where we watched him come out of doolittle, down the path, over the bridge, back to get his back pack, and then on the bus. And after we left, we went to the visitor center to pick up a couple of t-shirts. I stayed outside to have a cigarette. (So I told my wife). And when she went in, I stayed in the car and broke down more than I ever had before in my entire life. My daughter was starting her senior year in college, but even since day 1 with her, I knew she could come home any weekend she wanted to. With my son leaving; watching him walk that long line and eventually get on that bus. NOT to be seen of again for almost 2 months; a piece of my heart was cut out that day. I was left with a permanent picture/feeling that was burned into me. That feeling is one that I can't explain. I love my wife and daughter so much, but the LOVE/HATE relationship that I had with my son; which most fathers and sons have; runs very deep. When he left, so did a piece of me forever.

Don't get me wrong. There is also a lot of other feeling there also. Pride, respect, etc... I myself spent 20 years in the Air Force, so I knew exactly what to expect. We are fortunate to live only 2 hours away. We see him at football games and he's built up a lot of passes so even came home for a weekend. But even with knowing all of what was going to happen; and did right on schedule; it still tore me up. So, you might not think your dad cries. Or that he's super tough. But the truth is, just about all fathers cry. They just don't let you see it. And the older we get, the more we cry realizing how short life is. And the closer we are to our children, the more still we will cry. But I would NEVER second guess our decision to take my son there and drop him off. If parents can afford it, then do it. Matter of fact; I suggest taking the family on a vacation to colorado springs. Bring the son/daughter and brother/sisters. Spend a week TOGETHER at Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, checking out the academy, other surrounding areas. Then, when the whole family drops the cadet off, it will feel complete. Of course, only if you can afford it. But that makes things easier. We brought our son to the academy a number of times. For summer seminar; football visits; spring game; orientation; and finally inprocessing. We were use to it by then. But I still cried when he finally got on the bus.
 
My dad came out for Parents weekend, but he ended up leaving a day early. It was not fun. Next year, I'm just going to buy my sister a plane ticket and me and her will spend the weekend together! much better! as for thanksgiving, I am planning on spending a LOT of time with my friends! There is a lot to catch up on!
 
This is my first time posting...but I have been "lurking" for a few months now. My daughter received her appointment to the class of 2013. Of course, her Dad and I are VERY PROUD! Of course, as her Mom, I am dreading the day I put her on that plane. I am missing her already, I swear.

Christcorp, I loved your post. I really relate to how you feel, even though I haven't gone through it yet. We are planning on going out with her for the orientation in April, but cannot afford to fly with her in June. Also, I think it would be terribly hard to watch her walk off and line up...sigh...just thinking about it! I will probably be like that other parent, who cries all the way to the airport.
 
Welcome SpaceMom!

I think my parents and I will go out there for Orientation, not sure about I-Day, though. I'm betting they will also bring me out there then.
 
I think at least for me my dad is going to go with me to orientation, but my whole family will accompany me to I-day. Then they'll most likely stick around the area for a day or two.My parents are going to be a wreck though
 
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