Parent planning questions

Boots

Attybella, some cadets get their boots ahead of I-Day, but the vast majority get them on I-Day. Our DS got his on I-Day and had no problems whatsoever. He suggests your DS hold off on buying boots ahead of I-Day. (Also, it's one less item to carry!) And as a lifetime runner, vaseline jelly applied to a blister works wonders. Just put a liberal dallop of vaseline on the blister and put your sock on as usual. You're (almost) good to go.
 
Yeah this is a newbie parent question, but is bringing Vaseline to apply to prevent blisters allowed also? I am inclined to send my appointee off with some sports blister prevention stick (Bodyglide, Hydropel or some equivalent - they both work great) but wasn't sure if additional products like this would be allowed? I guess I could just send him in with them and if they are allowed, they are......and if not, they aren't.
 
Theresa said:
Yeah this is a newbie parent question, but is bringing Vaseline to apply to prevent blisters allowed also? I am inclined to send my appointee off with some sports blister prevention stick (Bodyglide, Hydropel or some equivalent - they both work great) but wasn't sure if additional products like this would be allowed? I guess I could just send him in with them and if they are allowed, they are......and if not, they aren't.
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I too am sending my son with Bodyglide. I am not sure about the Vaseline. He will be taking moleskin as well, though I think he would prefer Duct Tape(?). I also got him some compression shorts to wear under his uniform. This is squad dependent as to if he will be able to keep them or store them for later. From my daughter's experience the uniform pants chafe the thighs really bad early on. If he can't wear the compression shorts, I will advise him to wear his PT short under the uniform (there will be enough room).
 
Mikeandcris said:
Attybella, some cadets get their boots ahead of I-Day, but the vast majority get them on I-Day. Our DS got his on I-Day and had no problems whatsoever. He suggests your DS hold off on buying boots ahead of I-Day. (Also, it's one less item to carry!) And as a lifetime runner, vaseline jelly applied to a blister works wonders. Just put a liberal dallop of vaseline on the blister and put your sock on as usual. You're (almost) good to go.
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Thanks for the response! :smile: It might not be a problem if he gets the boots on I day. It will be one less thing to carry for him. DS has been running 5 miles a day at least five days a week now so he shd be ok.

I have another question: Did your DS bring a passport or his original birth certificate? The instructions said "required" docs are to be hand carried and not left in the bag, but are not going to be returned. If he brings his passport, won't he get it back? Also were they allowed to use their own toiletries during BCT? Can they bring a small antibiotic ointment, small Vaseline, and a few bandaids for blisters or cuts?

Tsk tsk details... Thanks for your response!
 
attybella said:
Thanks for the response! :smile: It might not be a problem if he gets the boots on I day. It will be one less thing to carry for him. DS has been running 5 miles a day at least five days a week now so he shd be ok.

I have another question: Did your DS bring a passport or his original birth certificate? The instructions said "required" docs are to be hand carried and not left in the bag, but are not going to be returned. If he brings his passport, won't he get it back? Also were they allowed to use their own toiletries during BCT? Can they bring a small antibiotic ointment, small Vaseline, and a few bandaids for blisters or cuts?

Tsk tsk details... Thanks for your response!
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I would skip the boots, too, and just get the ones issued on I Day--my son said they are comfy. If your son is running 5 miles a day, he'll be fine, even when he has to run in boots.

My son took his birth certificate, and got it back. He took a few toiletries--deodorant, shampoo, soap, etc. that he was able to keep/use during BCT. Cadre/medical staff will have Bandaids etc. for BCT. He really needs to keep what he brings to a minimum because he'll be carrying in his left hand (not wearing) his backpack and things he gets issued all day, and won't always be allowed to put his backpack down on the ground. :shake: I went for A Day and took more things for him to keep in his room (Bandaids, cough drops, foot powder, Tylenol, etc.). My son e-mailed me with a list of wants before I flew out, then I shopped once I got to Colorado Springs. There is a cadet store where they can purchase things, but during BCT cadets only get to go when their squadron goes. That's when they will buy cleaning supplies, iron, ironing board, etc.
 
Last year on I-day we were lucky enough to be escorted around campus by our daughter's coach well after most parents had left. It was painful to watch the new cadets trying to carry all their new equipment in one hand as they marched across the Terrazzo. They were having a really tough time. I agree with the other posters - the less they have to carry the better. Just get the boots at school.
 
Attybella, yes our DS brought his passport (because he happened to already have one). He did get it back eventually, and even used it to travel to the Bahamas for spring break. As for personal items, he brought a minimum - shaving gear, toothpaste, toothbrush. The list sent by the Academy tells you what you can or cannot bring, and if your local Parents' Club has a pre-I-Day meeting you will receive LOTS of information from 2015 parents who went through the process most recently.
 
Much gratitude

Thank you for the responses! :smile: I'm glad I got some clarity about the birth certificate/passport question. DS has both so he can just bring his birth certificate.

I feel for the basics now, gosh to have to carry their things in the left hand. I definitely will skip the boots! He has molded cleats but maybe we can just bring those for A day? From what I read, those won't be needed until intramurals. Is that true?

I wish I could attend the Colorado Parents club meeting June 2nd but I have to to be in CA that weekend to help DS pack and get ready to fly to CO. I know lots of information about I-day will be given out then. I wonder if there is a way to attend a later appointee meeting. I will try to email somebody at the CO parents club.

Thank you all again for your generosity and help! :thumb:
 
attybella said:
I wish I could attend the Colorado Parents club meeting June 2nd but I have to to be in CA that weekend to help DS pack and get ready to fly to CO. I know lots of information about I-day will be given out then. I wonder if there is a way to attend a later appointee meeting. I will try to email somebody at the CO parents club.
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No need to attend the CO parents club meeting - attend your local CA parents club one. They will have lots of info for you from parents from your local area.

And as for packing -- not much to pack since for guys, everything is issued.
Only need to hand carry those ID items & toiletries (and the clothes you show up in on I-day)
 
attybella said:
Thank you for the responses! :smile: I'm glad I got some clarity about the birth certificate/passport question. DS has both so he can just bring his birth certificate.
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My son has both as well but will have to take his passport anyway, b/c he will have to have it to come see us for Christmas break. Should he take both as well or just the passport and get it back?
 
attybella, my son took cleats but to this day has never used them. I think its personal preference. The basics will play intramurals during BCT, as well as during the school year.

Proudmom 2016, the passport should be sufficient. My son took his birth certificate since he doesn't have a passport, but in case he didn't get his back I just went to the county records office and got another official copy--stamped with the seal, signed, etc. Worked fine! If he's nervous about getting back his passport since he will definitely need it next fall, then send both and have him just use the birth cert. for in-processing. The cadets have a locked drawer in their rooms where they can keep stuff like that.
 
My kids got back all their official documents they brought with them to USAFA. One son put his neatly away and four years later, knows exactly where they are. One son, sigh, did not.
 
fencersmother said:
My kids got back all their official documents they brought with them to USAFA. One son put his neatly away and four years later, knows exactly where they are. One son, sigh, did not.
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This gave me a big smile! :shake: Only one of my kids is at the AFA, but if both were there, this is probably what I would be saying! How can 2 kids, same parents, same living circumstances, same activities, etc. turn out so differently? :rolleyes:
 
AFAYahoo said:
This gave me a big smile! :shake: Only one of my kids is at the AFA, but if both were there, this is probably what I would be saying! How can 2 kids, same parents, same living circumstances, same activities, etc. turn out so differently? :rolleyes:
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I'll go one step further - 2 kids, a year apart, same upbringing, shared a room their entire lives ... completely different. Different political beliefs, religious beliefs, outlook on life and basic personality!!! Best friends and that twin-type connection thing. One has wanted to go to academy since small, the other when asked if she wants to go says "I don't like to be told to do useless things or be yelled at." Go figure.
 
Fencingmama is my friend, so I don't mind digging. But if u didn't know, her 2 sons r twins. Lol...
 
Thanks for the Info!

Thanks for the additional info!

I got a copy of my DS's birth certificate through the mail from his county of birth, since we don't live there anymore. It was a lot easier and quicker than I thought.

Sounds like we will get the molded cleats before DS leaves for BCT, but bring them with us for Parent's Weekend, rather than have him take them along in June. Thanks for the advice.

For the boots, I've read the advice, and we thought we might buy a pair from the online store recommended in the Appointee Handbook (same as issued AF type), and have DS run in boots to get used to it at home prior to BCT. Then leave the boots here (he can always use them later), and get issued the boots when he arrives at BCT. Then he's acclimated, but doesn't have to carry them.

I really appreciate the advice about vaseline and Bodyglide. I knew vaseline helped with chafing, but never heard of bodyglide. DS already wears compression shorts and wants to take them, so he is. Hope he can use them.

Has your DS/DD filled out the Security Clearance form yet? I think that will add another 5 lbs to their backpacks! :redface:

Now, the App. Handbook says to give DS/DD spending money because their pay doesn't kick in -- "discretionary money" it's called. Should we give them cash or put it in their new USAFA accounts? I'm inclined to send DS with $50 and put the rest in his account because he'll have a debit card. Anyone have experience or thoughts on that? I know they will each have a lock box, but . . .

DS will put toiletries, documents, etc, in separate gallon ziplocks, rather than in a shaving kit (that just adds weight to the backpack), or a file folder for docs - that might not withstand the rigors of BCT. :smile: Got that advice from another parent and thought it was a good idea. I can bring his shaving kit at Parent's Weekend, and we can buy other stuff he needs to replace that weekend too.

This weekend is DS's prom and next week is graduation. I am a little stunned, although for the culmination of HS, I've known this was going to happen for 12 (really 17 1/2) years. I am now counting 49 days until I Day. It all seems to be happening so fast.:redface: I am so proud of DS, and humbled by the whole experience, but I'm feeling mixed emotions too. Good thing we are staying busy with all the preparations, and there are other parents like you experiencing the same things.

I sure do appreciate all the sharing of information and tips, especially for the Doolie year. Thank you!
 
Yorkiemom,
I would not put the money in his new account with Armed Forces Bank just yet. They don't typically get that debit card until the end of BCT. We opened an account a couple of months ago for our son through USAA. Right now it is a teen account, so it is a sub-account to ours. There is a two fold reason I like this for now 1) I can see his balance 2) if for some reason he seems to be low on funds I can transfer money into his account easily(in 2010 when DD was there the laundry lost a lot of underwear and kids were having to buy more at the C-Store). I will be looking into a credit card for him soon through USAA also because he might need it for books and school supplies right after BCT. After he graduates BCT he will be able to change his pay to go to this account (we have just found them more user friendly than AFBank)and we will ask USAA to make it an independent account or just change him to a new account, not sure quite how it works but that is the plan for now. I certainly don't want to "Helicopter Parent" his bank account. For me it is just a comfort level knowing he has access to funds without having to carry a lot of cash. Caveat: I will ask DD (c/o 2014) if they can keep existing debit cards, pretty sure they can but will check none the less. The do have incidentals to purchase once they get there, an iron, ironing board, vacuum, cleaning supplies, shampoo, soap.....some things they can share the cost of with roommates and then when the year starts take what they bought and combine with new roommates.
 
kdc246 said:
. . . we will ask USAA to make it an independent account or just change him to a new account, not sure quite how it works but that is the plan for now.
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When he turns 18, the USAA account will change from a teen account into a standard account account under both his and your name. It will stay that way until he requests your name to be removed.
 
Yorkie, just so you know, once he gets to the academy, it doesn't slow down. We, (Parents), get older, and it happens really fast. You'll wake up and visit him for "A-Day and/or Parent's weekend". Then it will be thanksgiving, then christmas, then spring break, then summer break. I woke up the other day and my son finished his last class and went fountain diving (Tradition among firsties who are finished and ready to graduate). Next weekend I pick up a plane full of relatives and drive down to the academy for graduation. I swear we were just at his High School State Football Championship Game a couple months ago.

My biggest problem which most parents go through their first year at the academy, is that i won't get to see him as much from now on. We only live 2 hours away from the academy. We always had/have season football tickets. We'd see out son almost every weekend through christmas. The only thing going for us when he graduates is that he's continuing his education and going to grad school. So flying to/from Los Angeles isn't as bad as visiting Columbus Mississippi. But we will survive.

Just wanted to say that up until the last 6 months, it was like standing in line for a roller coaster. The last few months you actually got on the ride and started moving pretty good. Once he gets to the academy, the ride is going to start some of those really fast drops. There will be a couple of slow downs as you climb the next peak, but it speeds up again. Before you know it..... the ride is over. Then it's time to get on a different ride and see how that one is. Have fun; the price of admission to this theme park is definitely worth it, but there's a lot of slow, fast, up, and down on the rides.
 
Blackbird said:
When he turns 18, the USAA account will change from a teen account into a standard account account under both his and your name. It will stay that way until he requests your name to be removed.
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Good to know, thanks! Guess this will happen before he leaves for the Academy. His birthday present this year is his high school graduation (JK-we will celebrate either early or later)! At least there will be a great party that night-Grad Night 2012 :shake: LOL!
 
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