What to Bring as an Incoming Freshman...

Stealth_81 said:

Our cadet (now 2d Lt.) actually just did what Buffalo suggested and just checked his backpack as luggage.

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Good idea, but hold on to your in-processing paperwork. You wouldn't want that in your backpack if the airlines lose your baggage.

Also, while I generally prefer separate shampoo and body wash, for basic I would recommend bringing a 2-in-1 bottle of cleaner. You won't have enough hair (males) to need dedicated shampoo and it will save you some precious time in the shower.

I won't speak for girls, but for guys, you don't need really anything. Take a book bag back pack from high school. Put an extra pair of underwear and socks in it. Put a toiletry bag with a tooth brush; toothpaste; deodorant; bar of soap, a razor, and razor blades. Bring a folder with a copy of EVERY PIECE OF PAPER you did in the application/appointee process. If you filled it out or sent it to the academy, you SHOULD have made a copy of it. Make an extra copy to leave at home with mom/dad, and bring the other copy. Shot records, security, etc... everything.

You don't need anything else. Bring your cell phone if you have one. But anything else you need will be issued to you, or you'll be able to buy it there. Girls might be a little different because I don't believe they're issued underwear and must bring their own. Plus anything needed for girl stuff. Hair, Body, etc... But the point is; don't make this complicated. Don't over think. I saw a travel show a week ago where people go CAMPING at camp sites. Some people actually brought air conditioners and generators. Along with blenders and other luxuries. Sorry; that isn't camping. But that's besides the point. There is very little that you need to bring to the academy for BCT. After BCT, your parents can send you a package with whatever you need/want.

Christcorp said:

I won't speak for girls, but for guys, you don't need really anything. Take a book bag back pack from high school. Put an extra pair of underwear and socks in it. Put a toiletry bag with a tooth brush; toothpaste; deodorant; bar of soap, a razor, and razor blades. Bring a folder with a copy of EVERY PIECE OF PAPER you did in the application/appointee process. If you filled it out or sent it to the academy, you SHOULD have made a copy of it. Make an extra copy to leave at home with mom/dad, and bring the other copy. Shot records, security, etc... everything.

You don't need anything else. Bring your cell phone if you have one. But anything else you need will be issued to you, or you'll be able to buy it there. Girls might be a little different because I don't believe they're issued underwear and must bring their own. Plus anything needed for girl stuff. Hair, Body, etc... But the point is; don't make this complicated. Don't over think. I saw a travel show a week ago where people go CAMPING at camp sites. Some people actually brought air conditioners and generators. Along with blenders and other luxuries. Sorry; that isn't camping. But that's besides the point. There is very little that you need to bring to the academy for BCT. After BCT, your parents can send you a package with whatever you need/want.

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Agree 100% christcorp!

Christcorp said:

I won't speak for girls, but for guys, you don't need really anything. Take a book bag back pack from high school. Put an extra pair of underwear and socks in it. Put a toiletry bag with a tooth brush; toothpaste; deodorant; bar of soap, a razor, and razor blades. Bring a folder with a copy of EVERY PIECE OF PAPER you did in the application/appointee process. If you filled it out or sent it to the academy, you SHOULD have made a copy of it. Make an extra copy to leave at home with mom/dad, and bring the other copy. Shot records, security, etc... everything.

You don't need anything else. Bring your cell phone if you have one. But anything else you need will be issued to you, or you'll be able to buy it there. Girls might be a little different because I don't believe they're issued underwear and must bring their own. Plus anything needed for girl stuff. Hair, Body, etc... But the point is; don't make this complicated. Don't over think. I saw a travel show a week ago where people go CAMPING at camp sites. Some people actually brought air conditioners and generators. Along with blenders and other luxuries. Sorry; that isn't camping. But that's besides the point. There is very little that you need to bring to the academy for BCT. After BCT, your parents can send you a package with whatever you need/want.

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speaking of which, does anyone have a list of all the papers that we should bring with us?

All I can think of are:

the national security questionnaire
the SGLV life insurance form
the PADD form
the clothing measurements
the immunizations


did I miss any?

yup: like Christcorp said, bring a copy of EVERYTHING you have ever filled out and send to USAFA.... thats what I'm doing

Christcorp's advice is good -- bring a copy of all of your required paperwork (in a large plastic zip lock bag so that it is easy to find and separate from the rest of your packed items). But don't panic and stress if you don't have a copy of everything you have ever sent to the Academy.

Shot/immunization records are definitely important -- having that record will help you avoid additional shots if your record was somehow misfiled. Putting your driver's license, debit card from your home town bank (if you have one), your passport (if you have one and are bringing it), etc. in the same plastic bag will make those items handy and easy to find if you need them when you are nervous. You may never need to open that bag. My daughter took copies of everything with her two years ago -- and never had to show any of it. Other kids did need to get out their shot record -- make it easy on yourself. Think about the best way for you to find what you might need and reduce your stress level.

For girls the packing is more difficult since you need to bring multiple pairs of underwear -- those bras and underwear take up space and add weight -- put them in a manageable bag that you are able to carry in one hand (not over your shoulder). Once you "go up the stairs" you won't be carrying your back pack or other bag over your shoulder.

If you can, look at the some of the photos on Webguy (if your parents have joined the AOG) and look at what previous cadets are carrying in the InProcessing photos. That will help you judge what has worked in the past.

Above all -- don't panic. It is an intimidating process -- it is supposed to be -- lots of Basics have successfully negotiated this process before you. And you can successfully negotiate it also.

Especially last minute things. e.g.

1. Copy of your final high school transcripts. Most schools will let you have an unofficial copy.
2. Any of the medical forms; eye exams; immunization; etc...

Hopefully you made a copy of everything that was ever sent to the academy; by you or your school. If you didn't... don't know what to say.

DON'T bring anything that is very difficult to replace. E.g. Birth certificate or passport. As long as you have other ID like a driver's license, you should be good. "It has been a couple years since I last looked at the checklist. If it says to bring your birth certificate, then disregard what I just said. But any other thing that could get misplaced during BCT, don't bring if you don't have to. You aren't allowed to wear contacts, but I'd put a month's worth of contacts in your backpack. It will get put away; but once BCT is over, and they let you have your contacts, you'll have enough until your parents can send you a care package with more. Matter of fact; right before BCT, get your prescription filled if you can, and get 6 months or more worth of contacts so you'll be good to go once BCT is over. Remember; you don't have a car, and except for parent's weekend, don't expect to be allowed off the yard much. Getting contacts and similar will be difficult. You'll be stuck wearing your BCG. "Birth Control Glasses".

Keep it simple. You don't need much, and you can have even less. But for 5+ weeks, your stuff will be locked up and you won't have access to it. Don't bring anything you don't have to.

If anyone wants to wear a funny shirt, you won't get yelled at that much. At least in my case, all the cadre just assumed someone else already did or was going to. And later you'll probably see a video/picture of yourself looking ba.

Also, I can remember wishing I had brought a schedule of BCT with me (or mailed to me). If I remember correctly, my Parents' Club emailed my mom a daily schedule of activities. Probably don't want to get caught with that, but just put it in your desk drawer and nobody will check.

Roman said:

Also, I can remember wishing I had brought a schedule of BCT with me (or mailed to me). If I remember correctly, my Parents' Club emailed my mom a daily schedule of activities. Probably don't want to get caught with that, but just put it in your desk drawer and nobody will check.

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Ignore this piece of advice. DO NOT BRING A SCHEDULE OF BCT. SO many reasons. Here's just one: cadre find that and you and your classmates are toast. Don't do it.

That is one of the worst pieces of advice I've heard. I can't get that out of my head. DON'T DO IT. Geez.

hornetguy said:

Ignore this piece of advice. DO NOT BRING A SCHEDULE OF BCT. SO many reasons. Here's just one: cadre find that and you and your classmates are toast. Don't do it.

That is one of the worst pieces of advice I've heard. I can't get that out of my head. DON'T DO IT. Geez.

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I'm not sure what his edit was, but based on the two ideas he posted I have to believe he is busting chops.

hornetguy said:

Ignore this piece of advice. DO NOT BRING A SCHEDULE OF BCT. SO many reasons. Here's just one: cadre find that and you and your classmates are toast. Don't do it.

That is one of the worst pieces of advice I've heard. I can't get that out of my head. DON'T DO IT. Geez.

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1. Cadre are always just looking for excuses to beat basics.
2. You could memorize the schedule instead.
3. My post was obviously for the risk takers.
4. hornetguy's perspective is completely different from having been an upperclassman for three years.

Roman said:

1. Cadre are always just looking for excuses to beat basics.
2. You could memorize the schedule instead.
3. My post was obviously for the risk takers.
4. hornetguy's perspective is completely different from having been an upperclassman for three years.

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So why give the cadre a special reason to use discretionary time for PT or use the entire time alloted for drill to practice an ORI... Cadre can find creative methods of making a basic's day less than desirable in ways other than 'beating' them.

And why bother with memorizing or getting sent a schedule? Any schedule you would be memorizing would be very generic.

Cadre rarely had any truly personal reason to beat basics or make life miserable. Finding something like a schedule would lead to a very different basic experience. It would be personal and they would actively make life miserable. As cadre, we did our jobs and made it tough. It could be much worse. I've seen it when it gets personal.

More so, you would live your 4 dig year with a bad, bad label. I had a guy in my basic flight do something incredibly stupid, but not quite this bad. He was reminded of it all the time and the upperclassmen took special attention to him all year.

Don't do it. It is stupid on so many levels. Honestly, as a military officer, I would question any subordinate who thought he/she was special and needed to memorize a schedule that they weren't supposed to know. In some training, that would actually be a violation and you could receive very bad punishment for knowing it ahead of time. Don't make this behavior habit.

hornetguy said:

Cadre rarely had any truly personal reason to beat basics or make life miserable. Finding something like a schedule would lead to a very different basic experience. It would be personal and they would actively make life miserable. As cadre, we did our jobs and made it tough. It could be much worse. I've seen it when it gets personal.

More so, you would live your 4 dig year with a bad, bad label. I had a guy in my basic flight do something incredibly stupid, but not quite this bad. He was reminded of it all the time and the upperclassmen took special attention to him all year.

Don't do it. It is stupid on so many levels. Honestly, as a military officer, I would question any subordinate who thought he/she was special and needed to memorize a schedule that they weren't supposed to know. In some training, that would actually be a violation and you could receive very bad punishment for knowing it ahead of time. Don't make this behavior habit.

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I think it's fine that you think this is a bad idea, but you're making this seem MUCH worse than it is. During recognition the upperclassmen knew we had a schedule; they even asked us. Did it make life worse? No. They just got all huffy because it wasn't as cool for them anymore.

I only brought this up because I looked at the basic schedule before going (didn't even memorize it), and it helped me through. For example, I knew that Jacks Valley consisted of one course a day. That's hardly information you're not supposed to know.

And I really don't see anyone getting a bad label for this. Actually, your classmates would probably appreciate you letting them know what's going on.

Bring your cell phone charger. You'll need it for Doolie Day In and for as soon as you get your cell phone back.

Is the suggested back pack a one time use at inprocessing or would it also serve as a book bag during regular school? We have several but was wondering if we should buy another in better condition for long term use.

The backpack is a one time thing. You have to carry one of the issued backpacks (we were given two) until at least recognition.

How about anything that says Airforce on it?

DS got a zip up binder from Summer Seminar. Works well for storing all of his personal paperwork but he is concerned that it draw some unwanted attention during I-Day/BCT. Anyone have any advice on this?

Thanks!

falconfamily said:

DS got a zip up binder from Summer Seminar. Works well for storing all of his personal paperwork but he is concerned that it draw some unwanted attention during I-Day/BCT. Anyone have any advice on this?

Thanks!

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That will work fine. I used mine for I-day paperwork.
Basically, the stuff you want to avoid on I-day is really flashy stuff or things that make you look arrogant.