Class of 2015

Oh yeah, clean your room before you leave so it's nice the first time you get a chance to come home. Don't leave the task for Mom and Dad, they've done a lot and will continue to do so for you.

Haha I dont have a choice, my padres are making me clean everything up, not limited to my room. They want to get as much out of me as they can before I go to school :eek:
 
Thank You & Good Luck

Pima

Thank You and all the Guardians of this Forum for your wonderful advice, patience with all the Candidates and keeping our spirits high!

My best wishes to the Class of 2015 -- Keep The Faith.

Charlie

One of my favorite and inspirational quotes -- thinking of the courage it took to send it and to receive it.


"Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have
striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The
hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.
In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on
other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war
machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of
Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well
equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of
1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats,
in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their
strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home
Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions
of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men.
The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to
Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in
battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great
and noble undertaking."


SIGNED: Dwight D. Eisenhower
 
Hey, just wanted to check in and see how everythings going with 2015's DS's/DD's! Our DS is having a blast. Said most that didn't pass first time on the APFT did the second time, and they're all working hard together to make sure eveyone's does the next go-around. Loves running the lanes, says a lot of things he learned in Boy Scouts has helped. Lots of smiles and high 5's when he wears his ACU on Wednedays.

Read in some othe posts and agree that there is a lot of uncertainty out there. Please try and remeber a couple of things. First, the only constant in life is change. Embrace it or you will be left behind. Second, we have all done our job to get DD's and DS's to this stage in their lives. They are incredible in what they are all willing to do in the next phase of their lives!

God Bless, MN Dad2015
 
Good luck to all

Hey, just wanted to check in and see how everythings going with 2015's DS's/DD's! Our DS is having a blast. Said most that didn't pass first time on the APFT did the second time, and they're all working hard together to make sure eveyone's does the next go-around. Loves running the lanes, says a lot of things he learned in Boy Scouts has helped. Lots of smiles and high 5's when he wears his ACU on Wednedays.

Read in some othe posts and agree that there is a lot of uncertainty out there. Please try and remeber a couple of things. First, the only constant in life is change. Embrace it or you will be left behind. Second, we have all done our job to get DD's and DS's to this stage in their lives. They are incredible in what they are all willing to do in the next phase of their lives!

God Bless, MN Dad2015

My DS said same thing: most did not pass on first (he did and felt pumped) more passed on second but others still trying. He said working all summer in the heat and humidity paid off. He too loves every minute of it and says the respect is awesome in his ACU.
My best to all of you as you get used to balancing it all without the guidance of parents. You will do fine. Make good decisions - think before you act.
 
My DS said same thing: most did not pass on first (he did and felt pumped) more passed on second but others still trying. He said working all summer in the heat and humidity paid off. He too loves every minute of it and says the respect is awesome in his ACU.
My best to all of you as you get used to balancing it all without the guidance of parents. You will do fine. Make good decisions - think before you act.

Funny, I started a thread about PT scores for that same reason, most failed at my son's school as well even all but one scholarship cadet.

Son is finally settling in with school/ROTC/Frat, a lot on his plate. PT 5 days a week but loves it. He had the highest MS1 PT score and fastest run in the battalion. He is starting Ranger Challenge as the one freshman on the team and is excited, he just needs to stop getting blisters,

Here is a tip for all the parents of new freshman. I have a MS4 son at the same school and we learned early to buy them new/different boots right away. The ones they are issued are terrible for the feet. Have them as the older cadets which boots to get, most get a certain brand, be careful because not all after market boots are regulation, check to make sure. They will make a world of difference, it the best $120.00 or so they will spend.

Good luck Class of 2015
 
Crazy Boots

Funny, I started a thread about PT scores for that same reason, most failed at my son's school as well even all but one scholarship cadet.

Son is finally settling in with school/ROTC/Frat, a lot on his plate. PT 5 days a week but loves it. He had the highest MS1 PT score and fastest run in the battalion. He is starting Ranger Challenge as the one freshman on the team and is excited, he just needs to stop getting blisters,

Here is a tip for all the parents of new freshman. I have a MS4 son at the same school and we learned early to buy them new/different boots right away. The ones they are issued are terrible for the feet. Have them as the older cadets which boots to get, most get a certain brand, be careful because not all after market boots are regulation, check to make sure. They will make a world of difference, it the best $120.00 or so they will spend.

Good luck Class of 2015

Why do they even issue boots if they don't care if they fit?

DS is also having a blast and already requested the different boots. He too had the fastest run of the 53 cadets and also was appointed class leader. Not too sure what that means other than he had to recite the Soldier's Creed week two in front of the rest of the class. Hardly recognized the guy in his uniform. Already made a trip to the emergency room which meant no push ups or sit ups until his hockey injury heals. Less than two weeks until his weekend off campus at the Ft; he knows that land nav skills are crucial to learn thanks to this forum.
 
Class of 2015 --- sounds like a lot of you are off to amazing starts:thumb:

DS passed APFT today, starts actual classes tomorrow(already had a reading assignment due for first class:eek:)

The boots are a joke. DS has one pair from National Guard and requested 2 sizes smaller from ROTC, they are better but not great. He already has put in the Christmas gift request for a new pair from Santa:wink:

Most incoming freshman did pass this official APFT after more than half failed a month ago at a diagnostic during orientation. A few that are still not passing are very close (a few su/pu, everyone passed the run:thumb:) DS thinks next weeks will get everyone passing - It was 50degrees and raining this morning in Ohioland, haven't seen much of that this summer at all and the entire test is done outside:eek: I'm glad for the lower temps and rain, but probably not the best weather for everyone.

Keep checking in everybody, it is still very comforting to hang out with all of you:smile:
 
Class of 2015 --- sounds like a lot of you are off to amazing starts:thumb:

DS passed APFT today, starts actual classes tomorrow(already had a reading assignment due for first class:eek:)

The boots are a joke. DS has one pair from National Guard and requested 2 sizes smaller from ROTC, they are better but not great. He already has put in the Christmas gift request for a new pair from Santa:wink:

Most incoming freshman did pass this official APFT after more than half failed a month ago at a diagnostic during orientation. A few that are still not passing are very close (a few su/pu, everyone passed the run:thumb:) DS thinks next weeks will get everyone passing - It was 50degrees and raining this morning in Ohioland, haven't seen much of that this summer at all and the entire test is done outside:eek: I'm glad for the lower temps and rain, but probably not the best weather for everyone.

Keep checking in everybody, it is still very comforting to hang out with all of you:smile:

For AROTC definitely go out and get your own boots. Sometimes you will get lucky and get issued a gore-tex Belleville pair but that is rare. Rocky, Oakley (some types), Danner and Bates all make really good boots....Stay away from out there designs that might be out of regs and Nike boots...comfortable but not durable for FTX/rucking
 
My son is attending a school on the quarter system and is ITCHING to go and join "fun" ... especially since his siblings are at schools on semester system ... glad to hear the upbeat reports
 
Checking in...

DS is having the time of his life! How do I know this? He doesn't call, he doesn't write, as he told me a while back..."Mom, you know I love you but I really don't have time to check-in! Don't worry, I'm fine!" :shake: Ironically, he just texted me today asking if I would edit a paper for him and to tell me his NROTC unit is taking the REAL PFT test this Friday. He said he should do fine, he currently runs a 9:50 1 1/2, 91 su, 61 pu. He was glad he didn't have to participate in the FEP (fitness enhancement program) lol lol. He loved every minute of freshman orientation week and thought the leadership activities at Ft. Dodge were pretty cool...
All in all, as I read all the posts I am so proud to be a part of this wonderful journey with all of you and our DS/DD's and I stand in awe of their commitment, dedication, and drive. Keep up the good work everyone!!!
 
For AROTC definitely go out and get your own boots. Sometimes you will get lucky and get issued a gore-tex Belleville pair but that is rare. Rocky, Oakley (some types), Danner and Bates all make really good boots....Stay away from out there designs that might be out of regs and Nike boots...comfortable but not durable for FTX/rucking
Looks like the Battalion DD is at issued the Altama 3LC
http://www.patriotsurplus.com/a4158.html
 
DS picked the Bates M8 as it appeared to be the best of the options USMA allowed for BEAST when he tried them all on. It really paid off, no blisters even after the long ruck marches!

He was issued one of the other Bates or Belleville (310??), and they are so much less comfortable he does not wear them at all.

I tried a pair of Bates M9's (very similar civvy version), and I have to say they were very comfortable!
 
DS picked the Bates M8 as it appeared to be the best of the options USMA allowed for BEAST when he tried them all on. It really paid off, no blisters even after the long ruck marches!

Ditto here. DS didn't have a single blister during Beast wearing Bates M8.
 
OK, two weeks ago I suggest my DD might want to get a 2nd pair of boots, perhaps the Oakley or Nike, specifically for long ruck marches or intensive training. She strongly declined. No MS1 wants to stand out as different.. I get that. He cousin got through all 4 years in Annapolis with those old model Oakley's, same pair lasted the whole time, and never had a blister once, including at the Marine training one summer.

Well, she signed up for Ranger Challenge three weeks ago. Now, that means 5x/wk training approx. double that of regular PT in intensity. So she goes on a long Ruck March with her Ranger team yesterday. I asked her to call me when she was done.

The call arrives, exactly as I expected.

Her: "Hi Daddy"
Me: "Hey, how are your feet?"
Her: "Well, not good. I taped my feet, put 2 pairs of socks, and now the skin is coming off on the tape!"

Next time I have a suggestion, she just might consider that I have good intel!
 
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Tell her to go and buy Moleskin, they sell it at CVS. It adheres to their feet and will be a blessing to her.
 
Does anyone have any tips on how to lessen shin splints when doing ruck marches? I'm good for about a mile or two then they start killing me and I start to drop back slowly. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
Ranger Challenge Equipment

OK, two weeks ago I suggest my DD might want to get a 2nd pair of boots, perhaps the Oakley or Nike, specifically for long ruck marches or intensive training. She strongly declined. No MS1 wants to stand out as different.. I get that. He cousin got through all 4 years in Annapolis with those old model Oakley's, same pair lasted the whole time, and never had a blister once, including at the Marine training one summer.

Well, she signed up for Ranger Challenge three weeks ago. Now, that means 5x/wk training approx. double that of regular PT in intensity. So she goes on a long Ruck March with her Ranger team yesterday. I asked her to call me when she was done.

The call arrives, exactly as I expected.

Her: "Hi Daddy"
Me: "Hey, how are your feet?"
Her: "Well, not good. I taped my feet, put 2 pairs of socks, and now the skin is coming off on the tape!"

Next time I have a suggestion, she just might consider that I have good intel!

Don't overlook a set of gloves for rope climbing in Ranger Challenge. A young person of my acquaintance slid from the top of the rope climb (poor technique) and is now trying to grow a new set of fingertips. Also, many cadets seem to favor gloves for the one-rope bridge crossing.
 
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