Red dot on Lanyard-BCT

EagleDriver

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5-Year Member
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What does a Red dot on the Lanyard mean for Basics during BCT?
 
I'm starting to believe that they change the meanings of these things every year. The blue belt meant injury/sickness/restricted activity last year. Doesn't appear to be the case this year. I think that red dot has taken on that meaning.

Current Cadets?
 
Ok. On the parent's group facebook page, they said: Orange dot means Brought their own Boots. :confused2:

Seriously though, you're going to drive yourself crazy trying to figure out what all those belts, dots, etc. mean. I should know! Haha!
 
I have read on other sites that it might have to do with missing paperwork/forms. It is a way to keep track. Also, the basics wear blue reflective belts in the morning which some have confused them with the injury/sickness/restricted activity belt. We asked a Cadre and the restricted activity belt is worn from the shoulder to hip. If you look at pics, there were literally hundreds of Basics wearing a blue belt and there could not have been that many on restricted activities.
 
I guess we really do not know for sure.
So true. DD wore the blue belt when she was injured last year. She had it around her waist.
I'm pretty sure they all wear the blue belts when they have to train in the dark, though.

In any case, they will that care of the basics. Don't worry too much about injuries. They've been doing this for a long time!
 
If the red/orange dot means missing paperwork, what happens next? Will AFA be contacting the families for anything? Or is it something the cadet can address? Also, does missing paperwork mean that the cadet is in trouble?
Thank you! As you can tell I am very nervous mother!
 
I am sure they are fine. Deep breathes. Also remember your kid is now an adult and in the military. If they need paperwork your kid is responsible and would be the one to contact you if something is needed, I doubt that is needed. All kinds of privacy things now kick in and can only be disclosed with your child's permission. And every new Cadet at this point probably hasn't done nearly anything right... So they are in 'trouble' as in getting corrected nearly every waking moment of the day. Hang in there Mom, the new cadets are well taken care of. The new cadets are moving out of shell shock at this point and starting to figure things out and work as a unit. Hang in there, deep breathes and remember 10s of thousands of folks have made it through there, so can your son or he wouldn't be there.
 
I was luckier than most since DH had gone through this himself and could tell me to "calm down, she's an adult now. Let her do her job" whenever I started worrying if she's got everything taken care of. And guess what? She did take care of it. ;)
 
After Basic your cadet may even try to get you to do things for him. Last year I saw a parent asking how their cadet could get a replacement flight cap because he had lost his. Really? Push back. Everything they need is at USAFA. They just need to ask.
 
Also I believe the orange dot is "brought boots". My DS had all his paper work and brought his boot from Prep. I saw a few of of his friends from Prep that I know and they had dots too.
 
I once heard of a basic writing home asking his mother to purchase him a new IRON because he couldn't find the one he'd just bought at the cadet store. (and NO! it was not one of *my* basics.)

Seriously parents.... take a deep deep breath. They'll be FINE.

Just don't go buy them any irons.
 
I once heard of a basic writing home asking his mother to purchase him a new IRON because he couldn't find the one he'd just bought at the cadet store. (and NO! it was not one of *my* basics.)

Seriously parents.... take a deep deep breath. They'll be FINE.

Just don't go buy them any irons.
Haha! Well, they aren't stupid, that's for sure! If Mom is willing to buy it then why not ask? Just remember, they actually do get a paycheck, albeit a small one that first year.

I have purchased things for DD, but only when I wanted to. I usually get texted, "Mom, I could have gotten this myself, but THANK YOU!"
 
Just remember, they actually do get a paycheck, albeit a small one that first year.

Some months smaller than others....I remember a $0 paycheck one month.
Ha! Well, I'll let DD know that she shouldn't complain about that $0.27 paycheck then.

Parents - don't worry about the pay, either. When DD got that paycheck, it was because she had to purchase her mess dress. That usually isn't required in their first year. :)
 
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