From the First Orientation April 12-13
We found orientation to be worthwhile, not only from the information given in the powerpoint briefings, but in particular meeting dozens of future cadets and their families throughout the day and at the pre-orientation dinner hosted by bsa07eagle at the Olive Garden. For parents and future attendees (approx 220 future cadets and about 300 family members in attendance) the orientation was broken down into three main areas: Academics, Military, and Physical Training (sports.) Various speakers representing these aspects of the academy spoke for 30 to 45 minutes. At 4:00pm the students left the auditorium to meet with their cadet "shadow"and with whom they'd spend the next 20 hours. The final session for parents involved the Association of Graduates and meeting "webguy" who will soon be our best friend because he posts tens of thousands of pictures taken during BCT.
Day two was comprised mostly of the 2 hour campus tour and picking up your son or daughter.
In a nutshell: Welcome to the Academy, you're the best and brightest, the next 4 years will be rewarding beyond your dreams, basic cadet training will be very difficult and you will be motivated to do things "in our own special way." You'll have opportunities to travel, learn to glide, jump out of perfectly good aircraft, and receive an education that is second to none.
We met at least a dozen parents who I look forward to seeing again at I-Day and Parents Weekend. Mike