Class of 2018 Female, happy to answer questions

#17 said:
afacademychic said:
Averyc, my biggest piece of advice is to find a group or club, or any other extracurricular that you feel comfortable being yourself in. I struggled immensely with not losing myself in all the doolie year pressures, but I joined the choir and that helped me greatly. I developed strong friendships that make the bad times more bearable. However busy you are, always take a moment to collect yourself and appreciate the little things you have. Hope this helps!
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I've always wanted to join a choir group but was never able to join a professional one other than my small church choir. How good do you have to be to join choir at USAFA? I have a basis of music from playing the piano and enjoy singing during my free time.
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My roommate does choir and she says that the director is awesome, and that if you have a desire to sing and be in the choir, then they will take you. So there is no pressure there. It's apparently a very positive, fun environment that has many opportunities like trips and singing for various important people (my roommate sang for the Japanese consulate, the Superintendent, Graduation stuff...)
 
Best advice given to my son by upperclassman was to take only one extra curricular and focus on getting schedule under control with PT, Academics, and Military duties fighting for every minute of your time. Upperclassman warned: "This is not high school, do not run around and join every club. You barely have time to get done what needs to be done without adding more stress by juggling more balls than you can handle. Plenty of time later to pick some additional activities later."
Had to be the best advice and made 4th class year a non-event for my DS!!
 
#17 said:
I've always wanted to join a choir group but was never able to join a professional one other than my small church choir. How good do you have to be to join choir at USAFA? I have a basis of music from playing the piano and enjoy singing during my free time.
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How good you have to be depends on which choir you want to be in. For the Catholic choir, you can just join. I don't believe there is a Protestant choir anymore, though.

There's also the Cadet Chorale. This one is considered a Mission Support Group and requires an audition. Seriously consider it, though! They have sung at Superbowls, baseball games, the Japanese Consulate, etc. DD told me that you need to be able to sight read.

There are also a few cadet organized singing groups: "In the Stairwells" for example.
 
I play the cello. Will there be any opportunities to play it (e.g., an orchestra or string group), or are there only choirs and bands at USAFA?
 
serendipity said:
I play the cello. Will there be any opportunities to play it (e.g., an orchestra or string group), or are there only choirs and bands at USAFA?
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My DS (2016!) is very involved with music at the Academy! There is a cadet orchestra and they are putting together a cadet jazz ensemble! Full disclosure - he only participated in D&B his Doolie year, the other groups came after. I highly recommend the D&B tho, DS has been all over the country, playing for football and basketball games. His Doolie year, he really welcomed the opportunity to study all hours while traveling on C130s or C17's to various college towns :) Seriously tho, I think it helped with his study organizational skills, something he never really dealt with during high school.
 
RogersCO'19 said:
afacademychic said:
You get weighed in that night, and once a week after that during all of basic.
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Ohh, okay thanks!
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RogersCO, don't worry too much about the weighing in. My DD lost 12lbs during BCT and that was AFTER they ordered her to drink 2 Boosts every night. My DD couldn't keep her weight up because she couldn't eat enough in 1 sitting.

Note in your Appointee Handbook: "throughout 2nd BCT the calories increase to 4000-4500 per day"
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
RogersCO'19 said:
afacademychic said:
You get weighed in that night, and once a week after that during all of basic.
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Ohh, okay thanks!
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RogersCO, don't worry too much about the weighing in. My DD lost 12lbs during BCT and that was AFTER they ordered her to drink 2 Boosts every night. My DD couldn't keep her weight up because she couldn't eat enough in 1 sitting.

Note in your Appointee Handbook: "throughout 2nd BCT the calories increase to 4000-4500 per day"
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Thanks GradWife! I didn't take the possible weight loss into consideration
 
soccermii said:
So if we are a little overweight, we will lose it? Or will they make us drink boost to keep our weight on?
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You only get "prescribed" Boost if you fall under a certain weight, or if you are an IC and they expect that you need the extra calories.

DD lost the first 5lbs after BCT 1. The activities get more intensive in BCT 2 and they were concerned that she didn't have enough weight on her (didn't help that she caught the flu & bronchitis at the end of BCT1).

BTW, if you are hurt or sick, tell a cadre. Be assertive about it, too. The cadre try to determine who is really sick/hurt and who's trying to get a little rest. I know someone who's son got pretty sick because the cadre didn't believe him, so don't just let it go!
 
I want to mention that I found it interesting that parents with boys claimed that most of them gained weight during Beast. Probably due to gaining muscle.

The girls tended to lose weight.
 
serendipity said:
I play the cello. Will there be any opportunities to play it (e.g., an orchestra or string group), or are there only choirs and bands at USAFA?
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He can also join the Worship Bands at the Chapel. I'm in one of the groups there and I play clarinet.
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
soccermii said:
So if we are a little overweight, we will lose it? Or will they make us drink boost to keep our weight on?
Click to expand...
You only get "prescribed" Boost if you fall under a certain weight, or if you are an IC and they expect that you need the extra calories.

DD lost the first 5lbs after BCT 1. The activities get more intensive in BCT 2 and they were concerned that she didn't have enough weight on her (didn't help that she caught the flu & bronchitis at the end of BCT1).

BTW, if you are hurt or sick, tell a cadre. Be assertive about it, too. The cadre try to determine who is really sick/hurt and who's trying to get a little rest. I know someone who's son got pretty sick because the cadre didn't believe him, so don't just let it go!
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When I broke my ankle last year during Basic, the Cadre immediately put me on a 2 Boots a day diet. I still managed to loose upwards of 15 pounds in a week.
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
I want to mention that I found it interesting that parents with boys claimed that most of them gained weight during Beast. Probably due to gaining muscle.
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I had the opposite experience. Most of the parents I knew had boys who lost weight. Mine dropped 17lbs over basic. Before basic, he was all muscle and had a metabolism I always fantasized about. He ended up losing muscle and looked so skinny! They put him on boost during basic and he still lost weight. (Again, why didn't I get that metabolism???). What I discovered is boys who were runners or skinny tended to put on weight (muscle), and others with a more developed build tended to lose it.
 
Red2018 said:
Hello,

I am currently a freshman girl at the Academy, and I am happy to answer any questions you have. I know that I had concerns and questions before coming here, and people were forthright and happy to help. So here is me returning the favor. Please don't hesitate to ask.
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I am a bf of a girl who is currently going through BCT at USAFA. From a girls perspective, what can I do to help her while she is away? She was my best friend for over a year before we started to date and I want to help her in anyway I can.
 
lonelyboy2015 said:
Red2018 said:
Hello,

I am currently a freshman girl at the Academy, and I am happy to answer any questions you have. I know that I had concerns and questions before coming here, and people were forthright and happy to help. So here is me returning the favor. Please don't hesitate to ask.
Click to expand...
I am a bf of a girl who is currently going through BCT at USAFA. From a girls perspective, what can I do to help her while she is away? She was my best friend for over a year before we started to date and I want to help her in anyway I can.
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Right now, while she's going through BCT -- write letters. Lots and lots of letters. :)
 
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