Mail in Jacks Valley

[the tone]

I was wondering if they get, can they send, mail during the approximate 2 weeks at Jack's Valley. Anyone?

[dohdean]

Yes, they can both send and receive. In fact, your Basic may get their mail more frequently in Jack's than they have the last couple of weeks at the Academy. The reason is -- cadre drive back to the Academy virtually every day to pick up various items, etc. That means they also pick up the mail bag for their Basics on those trips. At Jack's, the cadre don't have to make special time to march the Basics to the mailroom -- our DD had an easier time getting mail at Jack's. Don't know that your Basic will necessarily write to you more often -- but they will be allowed to write and receive mail. We always folded a self addressed stamped envelope and a sheet of notebook paper or a self addressed stamped post card in every letter to her -- made it super easy for her to write a reply (assuming she could find/borrow a pen or pencil! Keep those cards and letters flowing to your Basic!

[flieger83]

BE SURE to write what "Squadron" they're in: GUTS, INTERCEPTOR, etc...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

[cadet15]

If you don't know their squadron, they should still be able to get the mail so don't freak out if for some reason you are unable to find the squadron.

[flieger83]

Originally Posted by cadet15

If you don't know their squadron, they should still be able to get the mail so don't freak out if for some reason you are unable to find the squadron.

True.

This just makes it "easier" on the mail folks and the cadre...usually.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

[Candace]

Okay, we were looking at the online pictures tonight and our DS is wearing a blue sash. Does anyone know the meaning of this?? Also, DS already looks at least 10-15 pounds thinner. (and really didn't have a lot to lose) We saw him in several pictures, but this evening has been the first for the sash. We also saw at least one other cadet wearing a blue sash. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Candace

[LFry94]

Originally Posted by Candace

Okay, we were looking at the online pictures tonight and our DS is wearing a blue sash. Does anyone know the meaning of this?? Also, DS already looks at least 10-15 pounds thinner. (and really didn't have a lot to lose) We saw him in several pictures, but this evening has been the first for the sash. We also saw at least one other cadet wearing a blue sash. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Candace

It means he is injured or sick in one way or another. (Source)

It allows the cadre to keep an eye on them and monitor their health to make sure they are taken care of.

[kdc246]

Weight loss is common during BCT. Rest assured that they are weighed weekly and given supplemental Boost shakes to compensate for the loss. My son has also lost weight and he says he is on 3 shakes a day.

[attybella]

We are fortunate that my husband's work allowed us to move to Colorado about 10 months ago. We are our DS' official sponsor and saw our him for Doolie Day out for 8 hours on Sunday, he lost weight too. He said meal times were not easy because they have to sit at attention, pass the food a certain way, chew after putting their hands on their laps, etc. but they get enough to eat and drink all day. He's over 6 feet tall so he gets Boost shakes too, not sure how many per day. He gained 3 lbs. of muscle weight but he still looked skinnier than when he in-processed.

He also said they get exhausted physically and emotionally with all the things they have to do everyday. He mentioned the high attrition rate for his class already. He said he feels good going to Chapel on the weekends for faith services because he sees other NWP preppies there and feels comforted being in their company. He said BCT was very hard and on some days, when they are able to get their mail, he couldn't even read the letters because he started to tear up, so he waited to get to the dorm and read them there. But he said he has great roommates, and they try to laugh at something at the end of the day and then fall asleep fast. He said he's adjusted to the routines but still has a hard time with all that happens at BCT, but he understands that it is not supposed to be easy. He teared up a bit talking about some incidents, it was not easy watching him do that.

I made his favorite brunch, he ate heartily, and mentioned how he loves not having to be at attention while eating, and then he had to nap in his own bed. We planned on taking him to see Spiderman3 but he scratched that for more nap time. When he woke up, he called a few people, we went shopping quickly for compression shorts (they are allowed to wear those in his squadron) and an electric shaver. I made an early dinner before taking him back.

We all cried as he left the car.

[MN-Dad-2016]

My 6'3" DS said he eats like a horse. He had the nomenclature / procedures down early because he wasn't afraid to make the inevitable mistakes to get 2nd's and 3rd's. Those mistakes came with some undesirable consequences . He told us he literally practices the verbage to get good at it while others prefer to be out of the spotlight. I guess his roommate lost 10 pounds and was 140 pounds. My DS is still at the same weight but a bit more muscle than when he started.

He said he has had some incredible memories and some dreadful ones. But all-and-all he said it was exactly what he was looking.

He also said that the food was awesome. Or maybe our cooking isn't that good.