Usafa bct 2014

sarahann

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
59
Hey I know BCT for the Class of 2018 is pretty far away. But, I was looking at this calender for the school year 2013-2014 and it says BCT starts June 26th. I plan, if accepted, going to the USAFA. My Mom is getting married in July of 2014 and I'm positive I can't leave BCT and she doesn't believe me. Can a ALO or someone comment and prove to her that BCT is crucial and you can't leave! Thank You!
 
You can't. Call your ALO and put him/her on the phone with your mom. End of story.
 
1000% disagree with HeWants.

This takes a gentle hand approach and throwing a stranger in the mix, when they are not even assigned to them yet. It IMPO wrong and adding fuel to a fire.

Additionally, ALO's are volunteers. They have lives, jobs, children, etc. Their 1st priority right now after their personal needs, as an ALO is class of 17, not students that have yet to fill out their PCQ, to get in between Mom and child.

Go to Mom, ask her for you to please go on this site and spend sometime reading threads.

You need to do the time and investigate threads that you would like her to read...if it means opening multiple portals, than do so. You should bring up last yr BCT threads, because it will illustrate to her, they take it seriously. You could get approved for 4 days...I don't know, just assuming. However, 3 yrs ago when the Swine Flu (H1N1) so many cadets were sick they thought of going over the 8 day rule. Those 3-4 days will impact you...twist an ankle it could mean a turnback for a YEAR.

I am assuming you have no military background/connection at all. Your Mom needs to understand this is not equivalent to applying to an IVY. Admission rate, yes, but not the application process.

Ivies don't require an applicant to pass a fitness test. Ivies don't require a medical clearance to be admitted...i.e. vision, asthma, allergy waivers. Ivies don't request a nomination from an MOC, and in some states it could be 10 out of 700+ that get the nom.

She needs to understand this is not like college at all, even from the get go for admission purposes.

I would also show her forums like SA parents, Noms and DoDMERB. The more she is educated, the sooner she will get it. Chances are after a few threads she will get it, and realize it on her own.

DO NOT shove it in her face by handing over the phone to a stranger, that she will feel is on your side.

Do not ask an ALO to get on the phone to convince her. Is that the 1st impression you want to give to your ALO? I doubt it! Many ALOs talk to family members regarding supporting the applicant.

This is not 4 yrs. It is going to be at least 10 yrs of her life too. 1 yr in HS as a candidate, 4 yrs at the AFA, 5 yrs ADAF. Pilot training on the table, you are looking at 17 yrs. 1yr to wing, and 10 yrs owed. 2030!

Just my 0.0197534 cents, but your Mom is just being a Mom, thinking BCT is equivalent to freshman orientation at a traditional college.

She needs to be informed at her own speed. She will also want to be part of this site come next yr. Her friends, her siblings, cousins with kids that went through college admission process, but not SA or ROTC scholarship won't be able to get the frustration or elation. It is a unique world.

Help her by asking her as her child please for me, just spend 2-3 hrs. read these threads. If, after reading she doesn't get it, than I think there is a bigger issue...probably her not wanting this path for you as a parent.

Don't force her to speak to a stranger when it is a family matter (wedding). Respect her for raising you. A child in my opinion that is very level headed and goal oriented. You are a reflection of her yrs dedicated to you.

OBTW, if our kids did what HeWants told you to do, this is how it would have played out in my home.

Politeness to the ALO...listen with 1 ear, and thank you for the time. Argument as soon as I hung up the phone. Calling an ALO to intervene for your position would hurt me, as a Mother. Hence, why having her at least lurk on this site, she gets to see how much it matters to you. How this means so much to you to attend the AFA, she may change her mind.

sarahann,

For your Mom.

From one Mom to another Mom. The AF will become her family too. She may miss birthdays of her own children. Most likely celebrate only 1 out of 3 holidays with you... Thanksgiving or Xmas, not both when she enters AD. Yet, her peers in the AF will pick up the kids when she is late, will invite her to their home for the holidays, go on vacations with each other, and when the car breaks down give them a ride.

This is a life when they enter as a cadet you have to accept that they are flying away from the nest. It is hard. Yet, when you see them soar, you scream keep flying, go further.

They will always be our kids, but understand if she does get approval, there will be peers living with no cell phone or skype while she is gone. They will not be able to take 30 minute showers or leave the bed undone, and wet towels on the floor.

She is being placed between a rock and a hard place. She will feel guilty for missing your wedding, and guilty at your wedding knowing what cadets are enduring while she is gone.

She will live in concern that her plane will not be delayed on her way back, and hope she doesn't injure herself for the day count regarding BCT.

I am not about to get into the wedding issue, I am only saying that your wonderful DD is concerned.

Congrats on the upcoming nuptials.

Hug that girl...she loves you a lot!
 
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Great points. But my mom actually met me ALO ( I insisted) so to me the ALO isn't a complete stranger to my mom.
 
Very well stated, Pima. I missed my dd's 18th birthday last August while she was in USAFA Prep School. We sent her chocolate chip cookies, and they did provide a birthday party for all of those celebrating in August. Welcome to the military, her new "family".:thumb:
 
You could get approved for 4 days...I don't know, just assuming. However, 3 yrs ago when the Swine Flu (H1N1) so many cadets were sick they thought of going over the 8 day rule. Those 3-4 days will impact you...twist an ankle it could mean a turnback for a YEAR.

There is no way to leave for an event during BCT. Even if something as severe as a close family death occurs, your options are basically 1) finish Basic and then take emergency leave to see your family, or 2) take a turnback, go to the funeral, and come back next year. Harsh, but there is too much to learn in BCT to take time off. You MIGHT be allowed to call your mom on her wedding day to wish her well. That will be up to your BCT squadron/flight leadership.

As Pima said, in normal years, (ie no swine flu epidemic) if you are sick or injured during BCT, you can be on bedrest (but still in the training enviroment) for up to 8 days before being medically turned-back.
 
There is no way to leave for an event during BCT. Even if something as severe as a close family death occurs, your options are basically 1) finish Basic and then take emergency leave to see your family, or 2) take a turnback, go to the funeral, and come back next year.

NOT true -- at least not during BCT for 2013. DS knows of someone whose father died during BCT in 2009 and that cadet was allowed to go home for the funeral and was not turned back.
 
NOT true -- at least not during BCT for 2013. DS knows of someone whose father died during BCT in 2009 and that cadet was allowed to go home for the funeral and was not turned back.

Exception that proves the rule, maybe?
 
This somewhat relates to the topic at hand. BCT is said to start 26 June 2014. I do not graduate until 28 June 2014. Can anyone give me any sort of information as to what to do with this situation?
 
This somewhat relates to the topic at hand. BCT is said to start 26 June 2014. I do not graduate until 28 June 2014. Can anyone give me any sort of information as to what to do with this situation?

Welcome to the SAF. Should you receive and accept an appointment, you would need to advise your admissions counselor of the date of your HS graduation. I believe that USAFA would expect you to be there for In-processing as soon as possible after graduation probably June 29 or 30.
 
I'm in the same situation. If you want to be at the Air Force Academy that badly, high school graduation shouldn't be that big of a concern. If you make it through the four years, USAFA graduation will be way better than any high school graduation will ever be.
You will won't be able to do both.
 
This somewhat relates to the topic at hand. BCT is said to start 26 June 2014. I do not graduate until 28 June 2014. Can anyone give me any sort of information as to what to do with this situation?

Most likely, you'll have to miss HS graduation.
 
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