Cadre Taking Questions

I have heard that class of 2018 will be the first year with the multicam patterned camos instead of the tigerstripe pattern. Are the ABUs changing?
 
Do you have any tips for dealing with all of the stress that we will be under on I-day, and for that matter, throughout boot camp?
 
Should everyone get their hair pre-buzzed or just buzzed on I-Day? What's the cadre's opinion on that?
 
Should everyone get their hair pre-buzzed or just buzzed on I-Day? What's the cadre's opinion on that?

Buzzing your hair yourself saves about an hour of time waiting in like. You can utilize this time to getting moved in.
 
@ Keg -

A couple:
-Relax, it's all a game. The cadre are not really angry at you, or at your flight, or really angry at all. They are playing a part (big, mean cadre) just as you are playing a part (meek, useless basic). Are you actually a worthless human being? Do you actually fail at everything? No! Of course not! Laugh it off (internally) and move on.
-Live meal to meal. After wake-up? Almost breakfast! Post beat session #1 of the day? You're almost to lunch! Etc. I'd also recommend keeping your own "calendar" (mine was scribbled on the back of some of my notes) so you can have the satisfaction of crossing the day out and saying "X days down!" each day.
-If you are remotely religious, go to chapel whenever it is offered (Should be 2x a week). You can cry and get a hug or just sit there and try not to fall asleep. I'd also recommend getting involved in SPIRE (Bible studies on Mondays) once you get to the school year--huge stress relief.
-Be a stealth cadet. Less attention = less stress. If you are a good team player, try hard, and don't give up, your cadre will notice and your life will be better.
-Take it seriously, not personally. They are NOT going to "kick you out" of basic unless you are a) seriously injured, in which case you can come back next year, b) decide to quit / have a flagrantly bad attitude, which you completely control, or c) do something that's actually illegal, which you also control.
-Don't be afraid to rely on your teammates. Unless you are secretly a superhero with superhuman intelligence, strength, and endurance (unlikely), you will not be the best at everything. Let others help you if need be, and spread the love by helping others with things you ARE good at.
-Laugh! A lot of funny things will happen. In your room at night, while you're putting things in order, go over the hilarious occurrences of the day (those you can remember.)
 
Medical turn back, quitting, and a poor attitude are the top 3 reasons why basics don't make it.

What exactly constitutes a medical turn back? For example, would I get in trouble if I experienced really bad allergies during BCT?
 
Don't sweat the small stuff. The academy has been doing this for over 50 years. Most of the details are worked out.
You don't need to shave your head early. You don't need to be practicing marching or the seven basic responses. You are smart people, and basic is a time to learn.

Pay attention, work hard, and support your classmates--that's really about all it takes.
 
@ Distance Man -

A medical turn back would be for something that takes you out of training for more than I think 7-ish days or prevents you from getting through the required courses. Think major injuries, illness, etc. Allergies... probably not so much.
 
What exactly constitutes a medical turn back? For example, would I get in trouble if I experienced really bad allergies during BCT?

No seasonal allergies isn't going to get you sent back. It's for serious injuries and illnesses. The turn back process can be case by case. Two basics could have the same injury and yet one be sent back. If one cadet breaks his/her hand and refuse to participate in any physical activity they will probably be sent back (this is just an example). While another cadet could break his hand and do 1 arm front leaning rest, participate as much as he can, etc.. and graduate basic.

It depends, there's no shame in coming back next year, your just wasting time.
 
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Either is fine one just lasts longer. We take you to get your hair cut throughout BCT.

I completely shaved my head before BCT and didn't have to get a haircut on I-day, for what it's worth.


I have heard that class of 2018 will be the first year with the multicam patterned camos instead of the tigerstripe pattern. Are the ABUs changing?
All the service branches are changing to multicam, but I'm pretty sure that's the Class of 2020, not 2018, that will be the first to get them.

It's a very welcome change. I hope the blues and AF Service Dress are the next to be changed :p


Don't sweat the small stuff. The academy has been doing this for over 50 years. Most of the details are worked out.
You don't need to shave your head early. You don't need to be practicing marching or the seven basic responses. You are smart people, and basic is a time to learn.

Pay attention, work hard, and support your classmates--that's really about all it takes.


It'll help a lot if you're a slow learner. My best friend here, for all his heart, hard work, and dedication to being a good cadet, still gets looked down on by everyone in our squadron for struggling in basic.

It's infuriating to see.
 
It depends, there's no shame in coming back next year, your just wasting time.

If you were sent back during basic for something like a medical reason, would you have to reapply the following year or would you already have a spot reserved?
 
If you were sent back during basic for something like a medical reason, would you have to reapply the following year or would you already have a spot reserved?

If you have to miss 6* or more days due to illness/injury after taking the oath, you are sent home as a medical turnback. This means you have a slot saved for you in the incoming class the following year. No reapplication necessary. If you trip, fall, and tear your ACL prior to taking the oath (fall off the bus), you will have to go through the application process again.


* I recall the number of days being 6, but I may be wrong and/or it has changed.
 
All the service branches are changing to multicam, but I'm pretty sure that's the Class of 2020, not 2018, that will be the first to get them.

It's a very welcome change. I hope the blues and AF Service Dress are the next to be changed :p

What is your source for that information?
 
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For anyone concerned, especially any moms out there, a 'beat session' is just a heavy physical workout. They actually don't beat the basics.


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