Any current/past cadets want to share the mix of emotions they felt on I-Day? I'm an appointee and I'm considering the Bed and Breakfast option. I know from a parental point of view it can lead to some anxiety, but how did some cadets feel once they were actually on their own but before entering Basic? What are some pro-cons to bringing your parents (or leaving them at home)? I already know mine wouldn't be coming to A-Day, but are def planning on Parents' Weekend.
I-Day Emotions (for Appointees)?
- Thread starter jetset15
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It was a while ago (I am class of 2012) but I was pretty nervous on I day and my mom was REALLY sad to say goodbye, but I am very happy that I did the bed and breakfast program. It let me say goodbye to my mom at the airport so that I could focus on what was coming and have some time to squash my emotions about saying goodbye. I know my mom would have started crying when I said goodbye on I day if she had come, and that probably would have made me a little teary eyed at least. I was pretty excited and just tried to remember that I am not alone and to think of it as a challenging game.
My DS does not post, but he told us he was much more relaxed and ready for IDay without my drama that morning. Saying goodbye at the airport the day before was much better for him emotionally. That morning all he had to focus on was the academy. He would do it that way again, and would recommend for anyone with a sad, sobbing parent. 
If you're a parent than you really have no perspective. So, yeah. I will assume as i please. "Everyone shows up in comfortable clothes." WOW THANKS. If i asked "Hey, i'm in high school, i'm going directly in to the USAFA, what should i bring with me, what should i wear to I-Day?" That would have been a great response. But, i didn't.
Christcorp
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John; scraper is correct. You are assuming that prior enlisted or prior prep are somehow all set to go with in-processing. Don't assume. Are you prior enlisted or prior preppy? If you are, you'll be in-processing just like everyone else.
Oh; also, this will come up before I day, but people might want to hear it now.
Don't come to "I-Day" trying to stand out or "Proud". Be humble. There's 1100-1200 others just like you. DON'T wear your JrROTC or CAP t-shirts. Don't wear ANYTHING Air Force or Military related. Don't wear shirts/hats that brag about you in any way. It doesn't matter how proud you are of your achievements. Considering the company you are in, it's quite arrogant to try and bring attention to yourself. And you WILL bring attention to yourself if you wear any of that.
It's june. Wear some shorts, polo or similar shirt, and a small light back-pack with an extra set of underwear and your basic toiletries. And don't forget to have a COPY of ALL PAPERWORK you have since the beginning of the process. It doesn't matter if you sent it to the academy or not. Have a copy of your transcripts; shot records; etc... EVERYTHING. Don't believe me? Ask the individual who the academy misplaced his shot records that he sent to them. He received a Shiite load of shots in that first day or too.
Anyway; this will all come up again in a few weeks. But the point is; blend in. You'll have plenty of time for the cadre and other trainees to get to know you. Don't TRY and stand out by wearing "Look at me" clothing. Especially if it's "Military Wannabe" related; like JrROTC, Civil Air Patrol, air force, etc... You'll find out quick enough that those things were impressive during the application process, but that is all over. BCT and "I-Day" is a totally different world. Best of luck. Mike.....
Oh; also, this will come up before I day, but people might want to hear it now.
Don't come to "I-Day" trying to stand out or "Proud". Be humble. There's 1100-1200 others just like you. DON'T wear your JrROTC or CAP t-shirts. Don't wear ANYTHING Air Force or Military related. Don't wear shirts/hats that brag about you in any way. It doesn't matter how proud you are of your achievements. Considering the company you are in, it's quite arrogant to try and bring attention to yourself. And you WILL bring attention to yourself if you wear any of that.
It's june. Wear some shorts, polo or similar shirt, and a small light back-pack with an extra set of underwear and your basic toiletries. And don't forget to have a COPY of ALL PAPERWORK you have since the beginning of the process. It doesn't matter if you sent it to the academy or not. Have a copy of your transcripts; shot records; etc... EVERYTHING. Don't believe me? Ask the individual who the academy misplaced his shot records that he sent to them. He received a Shiite load of shots in that first day or too.
Anyway; this will all come up again in a few weeks. But the point is; blend in. You'll have plenty of time for the cadre and other trainees to get to know you. Don't TRY and stand out by wearing "Look at me" clothing. Especially if it's "Military Wannabe" related; like JrROTC, Civil Air Patrol, air force, etc... You'll find out quick enough that those things were impressive during the application process, but that is all over. BCT and "I-Day" is a totally different world. Best of luck. Mike.....
I'm not assuming that they will completely set for in-processing. I know it will have to be done, just as if i were PCSing. I will be a prior preppie, hopefully. AND, i am currently enlisted. The main focus of my question was: Will we be reissued uniforms, or how does that work? Sorry if i didn't word it as it was processing in my head.
I'm not trying to be proud. Far from it, I could care less that i'm a prior. I'm not going to be like "I know everything, i'm prior enlisted."
I'm not even going to say anything about being prior enlisted. Because, it doesn't matter.
I'm not trying to be proud. Far from it, I could care less that i'm a prior. I'm not going to be like "I know everything, i'm prior enlisted."
I'm not even going to say anything about being prior enlisted. Because, it doesn't matter.
Christcorp
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John, the PROUD thing was not directed towards you. I write in the 3rd person. In other words, besides answering a direct question, i bring up info for ALL OTHERS who are reading the post/thread. It was asked what to wear. Comfortable and not much is the right answer. i simply added "FOR ALL OTHERS READING", not to wear air force, JrROTC, CAP, or similar clothing. It wasn't directly addressed to you.
As for your question; YES, you will be issued all new clothing when you get there. Everyone will wear exactly the same thing. And your blues aren't the same as academy/officer blues. But the point is, you will be going through the line just like you did at lackland. If you happen to already have some military clothing, great. You'll have some extra later on. But other than a change of underwear and tooth brush, razor, etc... Don't bring anything else with you.
Now; if you're asking about going to the prep-school, that's pretty much the same thing. Just go there with the most basic of belongings.
OH; as far as being Prior-enlisted.... You won't have to tell anyone you're prior-enlisted. They'll know. How? First time you wear blues. You'll have ribbons that they don't have. You'll have a maintenance badge or similar that they don't have. There's no hiding that you're prio-enlisted.
Wow... just my opinion of course but that was rather rude. This board will be full of "moot questions" for the next 3 months. I hope our goal is to help them, not insult them.
Just a thought.
scraper
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scraper
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Thank You
Christcorp
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It will all calm down in a couple weeks. This is a very emotional time of year. There's a lot of people who didn't get appointments, many still waiting and unsure of their future, and many who are already talking about applying. Either for the first time or again because of a TWE. Things will calm down. There's no rudeness here. It's a forum. So many things are said that are misunderstood. You don't have immediate feedback in a forum. Accept for a couple of us, most people don't know each other personally here. Sometimes things are said to the masses or generically, but someone takes it personally. Just remember; NOTHING here is personal. How can it be? You have to "KNOW" someone for it to be personal. And some people wonder WHY I can be "Long Winded" at times. It's for this exact reason. To hopefully make myself clear with my words. But even with a 4 paragraph post, there will be someone who misunderstands it; doesn't understand it; needs clarification.
Just to clarify. I hope you don't feel proud that ChristCorp is backing you up.
"You are assuming that prior enlisted or prior prep are somehow all set to go with in-processing."
This is wrong. I wasn't assuming that, and i'm pretty sure that's not what you thought i was assuming. So, piss off. If you don't have helpful comments, why post at all?
