**A thread for the Girls**

USAFA83GradWife said:
Yes. Your hair has to remain in regs whenever you're in uniform (service dress, ABUs, etc). There are no exceptions to that for basics.

You may be able to wear your hair in a ponytail when in PC gear, but my DD never did. She's has very curly hair & once dry, it's harder to get into a bun & look neat.

Funny story: When DD was home over Christmas break, whenever we left the house, I'd catch her looking around before she walked out. I asked her what she was doing. She said, "I was looking for my cover."
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That's so funny!
Over Christmas break, was that the first time she was allowed to wear civvies?
 
baileydb said:
That's so funny!
Over Christmas break, was that the first time she was allowed to wear civvies?
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For the most part, yes. You can wear civvies at your sponsor's house, but must change into uniform if you go somewhere.

Tomorrow, DD will be presented with civvies. A whole new world will open up for her. :)
 
OMG I bet that will feel so weird for her to get to wear civvies on campus! Have you heard from her since recognition started or will she not be able to talk to anyone until she is done?
 
baileydb said:
OMG I bet that will feel so weird for her to get to wear civvies on campus! Have you heard from her since recognition started or will she not be able to talk to anyone until she is done?
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Complete radio silence until tomorrow evening. No phones. No computers. Even Webguy isn't allowed to post any pictures. It's all hush hush.
 
On the shaving question - you should probably not bother shaving your legs. I think I tried once when we had a luxurious 3.4 minutes in the shower. For the "usual" 2-min shower, I used shampoo--that's it. I'd rub down my hair, lather a bit where I needed it most (ended up using it as body wash and soap), and rinse. If I had gotten into the shower in a reasonable amount of time, I'd run a razor under my arms. This I did consider worthwhile... helps keep the BO down. Do what you need to to keep yourself sane. You can wash your face afterward at your own sink, and you can wash hair there too if you really want. I'd sleep or write letters, but that's just me. Basic is NOT a time you should expect to look pretty.

Hair--I don't know the exact regs on bangs, but everyone I can think of who has them pins them back so I imagine there's a rule about it. We have rules about everything here. Hair down is OK as long as it doesn't go below the collar. Don't push it on that... it's the equivalent of the guys with "the flow"... unprofessional and a little silly. (Also... "the flow"? Worst. Haircut. Ever. Cadet guys, take note.)

Look, one way or the other, don't stress! Come prepared with hair supplies and a little practice, and you'll be fine. Will you damage your hair during Basic? Yes. Possible quite a lot. Fortunately, hair grows back. More important is that you face the "girl issues" with a sense of humor and don't let it slow you down. Keep it tame and during the school year don't be the girl with a bun that's actually more of a ponybun.
 
On the shaving question - you should probably not bother shaving your legs. I think I tried once when we had a luxurious 3.4 minutes in the shower. For the "usual" 2-min shower, I used shampoo--that's it. I'd rub down my hair, lather a bit where I needed it most (ended up using it as body wash and soap), and rinse. If I had gotten into the shower in a reasonable amount of time, I'd run a razor under my arms. This I did consider worthwhile... helps keep the BO down. Do what you need to to keep yourself sane. You can wash your face afterward at your own sink, and you can wash hair there too if you really want. I'd sleep or write letters, but that's just me. Basic is NOT a time you should expect to look pretty.

Hair--I don't know the exact regs on bangs, but everyone I can think of who has them pins them back so I imagine there's a rule about it. We have rules about everything here. Hair down is OK as long as it doesn't go below the collar. Don't push it on that... it's the equivalent of the guys with "the flow"... unprofessional and a little silly. (Also... "the flow"? Worst. Haircut. Ever. Cadet guys, take note.)

Look, one way or the other, don't stress! Come prepared with hair supplies and a little practice, and you'll be fine. Will you damage your hair during Basic? Yes. Possible quite a lot. Fortunately, hair grows back. More important is that you face the "girl issues" with a sense of humor and don't let it slow you down. Keep it tame and during the school year don't be the girl with a bun that's actually more of a ponybun.
 
Spoke to DD some more about the hair - she would put conditioner in it when in the shower, then wash it at the sink (after BCT). She has super curly hair & this was the only way to get a brush through it.

For BCT, she agreed with using shampoo to wash hair & body. Or use liquid body soap. When I asked about shaving during BCT, she laughed. Not going to happen. Everyone tries it once & then decides it isn't worth it. Besides, you're not wearing shorts.

As for female issues - get over the embarrassment now. You may have to ask a male cadre to allow you to go to the bathroom. They are trained, they understand, and they expect it. It's not a big deal. :)
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
Spoke to DD some more about the hair - she would put conditioner in it when in the shower, then wash it at the sink (after BCT). She has super curly hair & this was the only way to get a brush through it.

For BCT, she agreed with using shampoo to wash hair & body. Or use liquid body soap. When I asked about shaving during BCT, she laughed. Not going to happen. Everyone tries it once & then decides it isn't worth it. Besides, you're not wearing shorts.

As for female issues - get over the embarrassment now. You may have to ask a male cadre to allow you to go to the bathroom. They are trained, they understand, and they expect it. It's not a big deal. :)
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Is there any way to get medication to help with cramps? PLEASE say there is! Should we just bring our own Advil and hope they don't take it from us?
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
For BCT, she agreed with using shampoo to wash hair & body. Or use liquid body soap. When I asked about shaving during BCT, she laughed. Not going to happen. Everyone tries it once & then decides it isn't worth it. Besides, you're not wearing shorts.
:)
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You definitely will be wearing shorts at some points...most girls don't shave super regularly though, and definitely not in the shower. Regarding meds just follow the directions of your cadre. You won't have a problem getting pain meds as long as you communicate with your cadre-they take medical very seriously during BCT
 
baileydb said:
Is there any way to get medication to help with cramps? PLEASE say there is! Should we just bring our own Advil and hope they don't take it from us?
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You are actually issued OTC meds during in processing as well. The list will be on your portal.

I should have been more clear about the "not wearing shorts". I meant during BCT2.
BUT, BlahuKahuna would most definitely know better than I! All I know is that you don't care what you look like during BCT and neither does anyone else. EVERYONE looks terrible. Let's face it - the guys just got their heads shaved. ;-)
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
You are actually issued OTC meds during in processing as well. The list will be on your portal.

I should have been more clear about the "not wearing shorts". I meant during BCT2.
BUT, BlahuKahuna would most definitely know better than I! All I know is that you don't care what you look like during BCT and neither does anyone else. EVERYONE looks terrible. Let's face it - the guys just got their heads shaved. ;-)
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So could we also get issued allergy meds in I-Day if we need those, too?
Lol, I forgot about that! Well, if the basics get along well and like each other, we know it's for the right reasons!!!
 
We got issued over the counter allergy medicine. They give you basically everything you need in terms of medicine minus BC and any other approved prescriptions. Some prescriptions, such as pills for acne, are considered non-essential and you can't have. You want to bring the least amount of stuff possible. If the Academy doesn't provide something you need, you have a chance to go to the store about a week into BCT and you can purchase it then.
 
It's like the cadets on here have said, it's the responsibility of the cadre to care for their people. If they don't then THEY get in trouble. It's all part of the training. They'll train you hard, but they are responsible for your health.

For the parents: There's always Permanent Party (officers/senior enlisted) oversight. The upperclassmen run BCT as part of THEIR training, but safety is always top priority. Having said that, injuries do occur. As my husband told me, "if they break you, they fix you."
 
Godzuki said:
In regards to the underwear, is there a specific type we should get?
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Just follow the guidance in the appointee booklet and get something comfortable that you won't mind throwing away after six weeks. Some people like to get more expensive underwear than others.
 
Unlike a lot of girls, I chose to buy expensive and comfortable underwear that would last me past the six weeks of basic. I bought all black underwear so the color wouldn't look dirty after they were washed. They held up fantastically and I still wear them. It's very much a personal preference though. And even though the appointee kit says to buy white, the cadre cannot and will not check your undergarments.


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