Parents Weekend - What to Bring?

Mawilhite2

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Just wondering, what are good things to bring out for parents weekend that a doolie wouldn't necessarily think of until its too late?;)
 
Our C4C just asked for a variety of civilian clothes to wear. We're assuming they're allowed to be out of uniform off base.


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Our just asked for a variety of civilian clothes to wear. We're assuming they're allowed to be out of uniform off base.


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Pretty certain that they are required to be in uniform whenever out in public. I think if they are more than a certain number of miles (can't recall the number exactly) from USAFA they are allowed to wear civilian clothes. They will also be required to wear their uniform when they travel home this year, at least until after Recognition. At least that is how it was two years ago. Of course current cadets will know the requirements.
 
The training regulation usually says no civvies until you've reached your final destination on leave. 4* definitely have to be in uniform off base and traveling with very few, specific exceptions(skiing, specialized sports activity, OCONUS travel, etc.) It's usually a pretty big deal if you're caught with civvies off base or in your room before Recognition, so I wouldn't encourage the behavior.

If it makes y'all feel any better, at USNA they're not allowed to have civvies until their second class year, and I know the other academies have similar rules.
 
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Our C4C just asked for a variety of civilian clothes to wear. We're assuming they're allowed to be out of uniform off base.

C4Cs can wear them in the hotel room and also at their sponsor's house. They can't wear civvies outside of the hotel room or the sponsor's home. Mine requested extra civvies to be kept at his sponsor's home because the C4Cs are not allowed to have civvies at the academy till after recognition. My son already had a sponsor at the time of parent's weekend, so it wasn't an issue.
 
That's 100% not true. They're not allowed to wear civvies even at their sponsors house or in a hotel room during parents weekend. Sure, people do it, but it's definitely not allowed.
 
If your 4 degree is planning on getting a ski/snowboard pass for the winter, then some civvies might be smart to bring (and usually their coach will keep the clothes in their room)- otherwise, there isn't a reason they will need them. If they are seen off base in civvies by upperclassmen or the clothes are found in their room, they can get in quite a bit of trouble. I don't recommend it, although I will admit that this gave me quite the laugh.
 
That's 100% not true. They're not allowed to wear civvies even at their sponsors house or in a hotel room during parents weekend. Sure, people do it, but it's definitely not allowed.

Okay this might seem like a stupid question but can they go swimming at the hotel? Is it okay for them to wear civvies just to go to the pool?
 
Civilian swimsuits are generally fine-the issued ones are pretty awful, and there's some exception in their 4-degree rules about specialized athletic clothing. Other than that they should be in service dress or their physical conditioning gear though
 
DS clarified that his request was indeed just for clothes for the hotel pool. Thanks for all the good intell. We will reel in / resist our instincts to pack/bring way more than he could use...


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When they are passed out in the hotel room (due to sleep deprivation from the last couple months), they don't need to wear their blues...

If Mom and Dad are still raring to go, check out Colorado Mountain Brewery next to the Drury Inn at Interquest and I-25. Great Food, Service, and Craft Beer:)
 
That's 100% not true. They're not allowed to wear civvies even at their sponsors house or in a hotel room during parents weekend. Sure, people do it, but it's definitely not allowed.
Technically they can wear PC gear in the hotel room, correct?

If I remember correctly, my DD only wore civvies at the sponsor's house when she was doing laundry. The sponsors were pretty lax about that. However, going out to eat, shop, etc --- they have to be in their blues.
 
For those who will have sleeping cadets, there is a group of AF parents who will be climbing the incline in manitou springs at 7am Sunday morning. It's quite a climb, but a great workout.
 
They can wear PC gear or civvies so long as they are 100% sure they won't be seen by an upperclassman. When DS and his buddies would come over to our house the first thing they did was slip out of their uniforms.
 
For those who will have sleeping cadets, there is a group of AF parents who will be climbing the incline in manitou springs at 7am Sunday morning. It's quite a climb, but a great workout.

Great idea Usafamom, this is a tremendous workout! If you can beat your age, in minutes, during the trek you are in good shape. I think the record is around 17 minutes, which is ridiculous. I can usually do low 40's...
 
They're definitely allowed to wear PC gear in a sponsor's house or in the hotel room, but if they're unsure, have them reference their 4-degree ROEs.

Saying "they can wear civvies as long as they're sure they won't be seen by an upperclassman" is sort of a ridiculous attitude to have towards blatantly encouraging your child to break academy rules. That's like saying "they can drink underage/cheat on tests/park illegally as long as they don't think they'll be caught."

And yes, I'm aware of the hyperbole.
 
They're definitely allowed to wear PC gear in a sponsor's house or in the hotel room, but if they're unsure, have them reference their 4-degree ROEs.

Saying "they can wear civvies as long as they're sure they won't be seen by an upperclassman" is sort of a ridiculous attitude to have towards blatantly encouraging your child to break academy rules. That's like saying "they can drink underage/cheat on tests/park illegally as long as they don't think they'll be caught."

And yes, I'm aware of the hyperbole.

No one said anything or suggested that "they can wear civvies as long as they're sure they won't be seen by an upperclassman."

At one point the understanding was once they reached their final destination, it was to be seen as their "home location." Thus they could be comfortable as long as they stayed inside the room and only blues were permitted when out in public. Perhaps this is a squadron specific thing. I also know that expectations can change from year to year.

To be sure I understand you. Are you saying that if a cadet lives locally, and goes home, he can not wear his personal clothing while inside his own home? Is this the regulation?
 
They can wear PC gear or civvies so long as they are 100% sure they won't be seen by an upperclassman. When DS and his buddies would come over to our house the first thing they did was slip out of their uniforms.


^actually, someone did say that. haleym would have the best understanding of this year's wing-wide regulation, but typically the instruction is to wear PC gear, not civvies, in a hotel room during Parent's Weekend.

If they're just going home for a weekend as an unrecognized 4-dig, technically they should be in PC gear. If they're on leave and have reached their final destination, they're good to wear civvies, whether that's in Castle Rock or California.
 
They can wear PC gear or civvies so long as they are 100% sure they won't be seen by an upperclassman. When DS and his buddies would come over to our house the first thing they did was slip out of their uniforms.


^actually, someone did say that. haleym would have the best understanding of this year's wing-wide regulation, but typically the instruction is to wear PC gear, not civvies, in a hotel room during Parent's Weekend.

If they're just going home for a weekend as an unrecognized 4-dig, technically they should be in PC gear. If they're on leave and have reached their final destination, they're good to wear civvies, whether that's in Castle Rock or California.


My bad. I missed that post. I apologize.
 
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