Advice for the Class of 25

f4fwildcatfm2

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Nov 2, 2019
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Hey guys!

I'm a doolie and with your basic coming up, I wanted to share some advice.

1) First of all, basic training feels like it never ends but you gotta remember that it is only a really small part of your academy experience. So embrace the suck and remember that it will end. You're going to meet people who are going to end up being your closest friends and have some of the coolest but hardest experiences of your life. Basic is genuinely some of the most fun you'll never want to have again.

2) Pay attention in the briefs they give you. You'll get into a lot of trouble if you or your wingman fall asleep and you might miss some information that is actually important and will impact you in the academic year. For me personally, I got put in a language class I didn't want because I didn't pay attention during a brief.

3) I day really sucks but in hindsight it is not that bad. Just pay attention to what they tell you, don't look around, and at least come with the basic responses memorized. I mean you don't have to but it will make your experiences on the footprints more enjoyable. If you're asked a why question, make sure you reply with: "Sir the answer is ....." if you don't do that you'll get destroyed.

4) Don't be the person who brings a suitcase to I day. You'll have a miserable experience.

5) Unless your roes get changed, you can have food in your room. Don't bring any with you, but you can stockpile from meals.

6) Be a team player. If you're really athletic, help out the people who are struggling. If you're good with knowledge, help the people who are struggling with quotes.

7) Don't take anything personally or too seriously. Have fun in basic when you can!

8) Your cadre are going to try and scare you and will tell you that you can fail basic. I'm gonna tell you right now it is extremely hard to do so. Maybe if you assaulted an officer you would have a chance but other than that don't be too worried. And most paperwork they give you like negative 341s don't matter.

Good luck y'all!
 
Hey guys!

I'm a doolie and with your basic coming up, I wanted to share some advice.

1) First of all, basic training feels like it never ends but you gotta remember that it is only a really small part of your academy experience. So embrace the suck and remember that it will end. You're going to meet people who are going to end up being your closest friends and have some of the coolest but hardest experiences of your life. Basic is genuinely some of the most fun you'll never want to have again.

2) Pay attention in the briefs they give you. You'll get into a lot of trouble if you or your wingman fall asleep and you might miss some information that is actually important and will impact you in the academic year. For me personally, I got put in a language class I didn't want because I didn't pay attention during a brief.

3) I day really sucks but in hindsight it is not that bad. Just pay attention to what they tell you, don't look around, and at least come with the basic responses memorized. I mean you don't have to but it will make your experiences on the footprints more enjoyable. If you're asked a why question, make sure you reply with: "Sir the answer is ....." if you don't do that you'll get destroyed.

4) Don't be the person who brings a suitcase to I day. You'll have a miserable experience.

5) Unless your roes get changed, you can have food in your room. Don't bring any with you, but you can stockpile from meals.

6) Be a team player. If you're really athletic, help out the people who are struggling. If you're good with knowledge, help the people who are struggling with quotes.

7) Don't take anything personally or too seriously. Have fun in basic when you can!

8) Your cadre are going to try and scare you and will tell you that you can fail basic. I'm gonna tell you right now it is extremely hard to do so. Maybe if you assaulted an officer you would have a chance but other than that don't be too worried. And most paperwork they give you like negative 341s don't matter.

Good luck y'all!
Do you suggest a duffle bag or backpack? Also, what basic responses do cadets need to learn?
 
Do you suggest a duffle bag or backpack? Also, what basic responses do cadets need to learn?
It's up to you. I recommend whatever you think you can most easily carry one handed.
when you are asked the seven basic responses you'll answer like this: Sir (or ma'am) the seven basic responses are as follows:
1) yes sir
2) no sir
3) no excuse sir
4) sir may I make a statement
5) sir may I ask a question
6) sir I do not understand
7) sir I do not know
you may be asked to give them in a different order. I'm pretty sure this was how we had them ordered
 
Are first year cadets allowed to receive care packages (mailed) after basic is ended? I heard that they will hold all mail until after basic is complete. I hope more cadets are able to do the Jack's Valley stuff. It is something my DS is really looking forward to.
 
Are first year cadets allowed to receive care packages (mailed) after basic is ended? I heard that they will hold all mail until after basic is complete. I hope more cadets are able to do the Jack's Valley stuff. It is something my DS is really looking forward to.
Yeah they are allowed once basic is over. The mail room normally gets really backed up in the start of the academic year so I'd recommend sending it to his sponser
 
When are sponsor families determined? Before Basic Cadet Training or after?
It depends. Sometimes people have friends in the area who sponsor. other times you'll vibe really well with the family you go to for doolie day out during basic and you'll chose them for your sponsor.
 
Are first year cadets allowed to receive care packages (mailed) after basic is ended? I heard that they will hold all mail until after basic is complete. I hope more cadets are able to do the Jack's Valley stuff. It is something my DS is really looking forward to.
While packages aren't allowed until after basic, letters are allowed. While I believe that mail distribution procedures are squadron specific, my DS was able to send and receive letters all through basic. Also, as stated above, package delivery is frustratingly slow, especially at the beginning of each new semester, due to cadets ordering textbooks, etc. This is why it is suggested to use your sponsor for mailing packages-- they will be delivered much sooner and also help alleviate the bottleneck in the mailroom. If your DS/DD is not assigned a sponsor immediately, you can always reach out in the parent facebook groups. There is always someone local on there that will respond that they can accept/deliver your package.
 
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While packages aren't allowed until after basic, letters are allowed. While I believe that mail distribution procedures are squadron specific, my DS was able to send and receive letters all through basic. Also, as stated above, package delivery is frustratingly slow, especially at the beginning of each new semester, due to cadets ordering textbooks, etc. This is why it is suggested to use your sponsor for mailing packages-- they will be delivered much sooner and also help alleviate the bottleneck in the mailroom. If your DS/DD is not assigned a sponsor immediately, you can always reach out in the parent facebook groups. There is always someone local on there that will respond that they can accept/deliver your package.
Those first couple letters received are tough. The ones I received were from a physically and mentally exhausted kid. But as the summer progressed they got better. We went to PW and brought the things he needed then instead of sending to the academy or a sponsor family. There is a local person that for a fee will deliver to the academy anything you want. The information about them is in the Facebook Parents Page.
 
Parent perspective on mailroom: your job is to get it to the PO Box (letters or anything small enough, say a 5 x7 padded envelope). Bigger stuff you can only get it tracked to wherever it's received by USAFA (ie, tracking shows delivered but it could be quick or take a few days for your DD/DS to get a slip in their box saying the package is ready to be picked up) or somehow get it to Arnold Hall for pickup.

@f4fwildcatfm2 , from a Cadet's perspective, it would be interesting to hear how you like to receive packages after BCT.

For parents, your choices are:
1. In person - best of all, for obvious reasons! Hopefully you'll see them or get packages to them for Doolie Day OUT, A-Day, PW, and many weekends!
2. Through traditional mailing. I suggest packages via Fedex ground or UPS, not USPS. FYI you can use the free boxes at USPS and blatantly put stuff in them and take them to Fedex, they'll still send it! No need for brown paper concealment!
3. Sponsors, especially those with DOD access to get on base. There's a shortage of sponsors, so my DD found one she liked and asked to be adopted. Her sponsor mom can't say no and has 18 Cadets (at that time, probably more now!)
4. Make friends with facebook parents as they will identify themselves - they live locally and have DOD access!
5. Use a new service (not sure I can say the name, but you'll quickly learn who it is) that will deliver packages on selected days to Arnold Hall for a very small fee. You would mail the package to their house and then they deliver. If you are in town, they may pick up from you and deliver. Find out which Target and Whole Foods they will pick up and deliver - your Cadet (or you) can order stuff online, and they go pick it up and deliver!
 
3) I day really sucks but in hindsight it is not that bad. Just pay attention to what they tell you, don't look around, and at least come with the basic responses memorized. I mean you don't have to but it will make your experiences on the footprints more enjoyable. If you're asked a why question, make sure you reply with: "Sir the answer is ....." if you don't do that you'll get destroyed.
I thought the only real response to a why question was "No excuse, sir!"
 
I thought the only real response to a why question was "No excuse, sir!"
Well "why does the military have planes?" wouldn't be a good one to respond with "no excuse" ;). The "Why did something go wrong questions" might be no excuse.
 
"we're going on a trip, in our favorite rocket ship sir!"
Please and I mean please find the girl with a Hawaiian shirt and short hair and stand next to her in the '26 group. That will be me and I have zero problems getting in trouble for laughing at that (which would be the first bearing test I've lost).
 
Please and I mean please find the girl with a Hawaiian shirt and short hair and stand next to her in the '26 group. That will be me and I have zero problems getting in trouble for laughing at that (which would be the first bearing test I've lost).
Will do, let me know which Hawaiian shirt you'll be wearing so we can match. I'll probably get in more trouble for saying that, but I have no issues if I get other people to laugh.
 
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