Orientation Parent Report

[Mikeandcris]

It's the first day of Orientation for the 2014 class and I'm at the Academy Hotel after a long and interesting day. Here's some tips in a nutshell for those of you coming in the next couple weeks: Go to the dinner set up by bsaeagle on Sunday afternoon. That was a great start. Many of the parents later hung out in the hotel lobby while 15-20 orientees chatted around the jacuzzi. Get to breakfast early. At the Academy Hotel, there is a good sized crowd for breakfast by 6:45. Be ready to leave by 7:25. Our bus left the parking lot at 7:32am. There's no such thing as aloha time at the Academy. It goes without saying, but be ready to meet dozens of people from every corner of the US.
The first day is largely lectures and powerpoint presentations or "briefings" in the auditorium which cover many aspects of the Academy. All were interesting, but it does make for a long day. The students were split from the parents at 4:00pm. We returned to our hotel by bus around 5:00pm. Right now, it feels like the life has been sucked out of the hotel. Parents are tired and all those students are gone. By the way, there were about 213 orientees and 324 parents and a few grandparents and siblings (I may be off by a few.) About 80 orientees have not accepted yet.
Everyone is extremely friendly and there is a strong sense of community for cadets, parents, alums and sponsor families. Overall, this is a great experience. My son is now shadowing a cadet overnight and we'll meet sometime after lunch.

[Seamonkeydo]

Mike, all good information and all true. A long tiring day for sure. It was enjoyable meeting you and several others. The Class of 2014 have some wonderful parents, excluding myself of course.

[pos2013falcon]

Thanks to you for posting orientation info. We are going to orientation next weekend. We are also from California. Are you taking the tour on Tuesday? Keep any info coming!!

[ElSib]

Thanx for the post. We're coming to the third session and all hints & tips are welcome!

[packermatt7]

Appointees: This will be your least tiring day at the Academy

[RPT1981]

Son really enjoyed night and day with the cadets -- classes were interesting and he saw a bball and football player he recognized from the season past -- he also enjoyed meeting his future classmates from around the country

[laxfan17]

thanks for the info, looking forward to going in two weeks!!!

[laxfan17]

packermatt7, you are too funny!!!

[tandre87]

I am just now getting on this after meeting the wonderful parents and future cadets of class of 2014 at the orientation dinner. I won't be able to be a "prolific" as my son, bsa07eagle, but will keep up with what is going on. I hope everyone really enjoyed the time, even with the crazy wind on Tuesday. Just think, we could have had a snowstorm. Hopefully the other orientation groups will miss the traditional April snowstorm we often get. Parents, let me know if you need any info or connections from Colorado Springs. I'm retired (Class of 87) and also used to teach at the AF Academy for 7 years (up until a couple years ago). So, know a little bit about the academic side of the Academy.

[CadCandMateus]

if you are going to wear AF stuff, please do it at Inprocessing :)