Parental advice for parents of Class of 2021

tex2021 said:

Indeed it does.

I have a question regarding going to CS a week earlier to get the body acclimated to the CS altitude. We live pretty much at sea level and have NOT experienced any altitude sickness in our prior visits to the area. Are there any advantages to going earlier than a day ? Thoughts ?

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Some people came in weeks earlier. I am not sure if there is a benefit. USAFA does a good job in helping the cadets get acclimated during BCT. We came in the day before and just dropped them off. We stayed a few days after and were able to catch lots of photos at the wall.

We dropped off our DS on I Day and stayed the night in Colorado Springs. We came out the next morning for the parade and swearing-in then headed to the mountains for a weekend of hiking and rafting. For us, it helped ease the pain of dropping our DS off and letting go of him.

Badfinger said:

I have two questions:

1. I have read different things about Cadets setting up a bank account. In this world of electronic finances, are they able to use an existing bank account, or are they required to set up an account at a specific institution? If they can use an existing, then we need to make sure he brings the numbers along.

2. We have decided to let our son fly to Colorado Springs rather than accompanying him there. Does the USAFA setup transportation/lodging between the time his flight arrives and his report time (I assume the next day)? Is that when he would meet his support family?

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In response to Question #2, our DS flew out on his own. Flight arrangements were made through and paid for by USAFA. Sign up for the bed and breakfast program (nominal fee) for the night before I-Day. The bed and breakfast host may not necessarily become the sponsor family but will house the incoming Basic and transport them to USAFA the next day. In our DS's case, the host did become his sponsor family.

We decided that we would get a longer goodbye at home and the airport rather than at USAFA/COS. Also felt that the expense to fly out wasn't worth it with A-Day, PW and other travel on the horizon. I also believe (although DS has never really said) that him flying alone allowed time for all of us to process the coming changes as he moved into this new phase of life.

Great compilation of advice Daretodream! I have no doubt that this will be helpful to 2021 parents.

For my input, I strongly recommend going to A-Day. While the time with your DD/DS is limited to around 2 hours, it is an awesome experience to see them in formation and receiving their shoulder boards. And if you do go, be prepared for the fainting as was previously mentioned. I thought I was prepared until cadets started fainting. It was quite unsettling to watch them drop. And it happens to all of them - Doolies and upperclass alike.

I didn't decide to go until the day before A-Day but I'm so glad I didn't miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience. My wife had already planned to go so the car rental and lodging were already in place. I was able to book a last minute flight (at a premium!) but it was worth every penny. I have the video of my DS receiving his shoulder boards and I watch it often. And as someone else has mentioned, be flexible with your plans if you go to A-Day. For food we purchased pre-made hoagies and other items that were easy to eat or give away if unused. Flexibility is the key, as you want to spend as much as possible time with your DD/DS. Remember that your time with them is short and being in that moment should be the focus.

parktrack said:

Great compilation of advice Daretodream! I have no doubt that this will be helpful to 2021 parents.

For my input, I strongly recommend going to A-Day. While the time with your DD/DS is limited to around 2 hours, it is an awesome experience to see them in formation and receiving their shoulder boards. And if you do go, be prepared for the fainting as was previously mentioned. I thought I was prepared until cadets started fainting. It was quite unsettling to watch them drop. And it happens to all of them - Doolies and upperclass alike.

I didn't decide to go until the day before A-Day but I'm so glad I didn't miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience. My wife had already planned to go so the car rental and lodging were already in place. I was able to book a last minute flight (at a premium!) but it was worth every penny. I have the video of my DS receiving his shoulder boards and I watch it often. And as someone else has mentioned, be flexible with your plans if you go to A-Day. For food we purchased pre-made hoagies and other items that were easy to eat or give away if unused. Flexibility is the key, as you want to spend as much as possible time with your DD/DS. Remember that your time with them is short and being in that moment should be the focus.

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I agree with your comments about A Day. A trip well worth the cost, but in no way comparable to PW if you must choose between the two. A-Day experience allows for the contact and ability to speak with DS about experiences. We had the opportunity to share lunch with his roommate. The supermarkets the night before are filled with parents all looking to be blessings for cadets. A fantastic trip.

@Daretodream- I so appreciate this thread! I am so very hopeful that my child will be in the class of 2022 USAFA- these threads help me bone up and prepare to be in this elite class of families!

One thing I didn't see mentioned was the picnic that the Colorado Parent's club hosts after you drop off your cadet on I-day. They have coffee and donuts and then burgers etc. Its a great place to go mingle with other parents and they have a letter writing station set up so your cadet will get letters first time they go check their mail. Its on the base and I highly recommend attending. Also be prepared to shop. The AOG will have a tent set up with items and they have different items then the visitors center gift shop. Be prepared to buy at both

My advice is save up and go to all if possible. The first semester is tough and these are memories that will last you and your DS/DD a lifetime.

I Day is a great chance to meet other families in person. It is a great chance to see in person the early transformation that takes place. It is a great time to learn a lot about Academy life, clubs, finances, etc. The swearing-in at the parade the next day will bring tears to your eyes.

A Day was amazing. They have been through so much and you have barely heard from them. The parade with the inverted V symbolizes the start of the year (the V is reversed for graduation which symbolizes the end of the year). Seeing the happiness on your Cadet's face to get their bars and get that special hug and kiss you have waited 6 weeks for is indeed special. Is isn't about the time you spend with them, but the fact you are there to share the moment with them. It is also a great time to meet many of their new friends from BCT.

Parents Weekend is amazing. You see the gliders, jumpers and activity that makes the Academy special. You get to tour the entire facility. You get to tailgate with your Cadet and their squad. You get to meet parents of Cadets in the squad and the squad's leadership. The most amazing part is you then get to spend the entire weekend with your Cadet. After a couple of months away, you will cherish the few days.

tex2021 said:

Indeed it does.

I have a question regarding going to CS a week earlier to get the body acclimated to the CS altitude. We live pretty much at sea level and have NOT experienced any altitude sickness in our prior visits to the area. Are there any advantages to going earlier than a day ? Thoughts ?

Click to expand...

You should already be in great physical condition or you would not have been appointed to the Academy so the altitude should not be an issue for BCT1. BCT1 is not very physically demanding and is more military training than anything else. By the time you make it to BCT2 and march to Jacks Valley for the Physically demanding portion your body will be well acclimated to the altitude. The only effects of altitude you might get would be headaches caused by dehydration at altitude but you will be issued a camelback which you will constantly wear while being reminded to drink water constantly. Please note in BCT1 they will break you mentally and in BCT2 they will break your physically. BE PREPARED.

Tommyboy said:

You should already be in great physical condition or you would not have been appointed to the Academy so the altitude should not be an issue for BCT1. BCT1 is not very physically demanding and is more military training than anything else. By the time you make it to BCT2 and march to Jacks Valley for the Physically demanding portion your body will be well acclimated to the altitude. The only effects of altitude you might get would be headaches caused by dehydration at altitude but you will be issued a camelback which you will constantly wear while being reminded to drink water constantly. Please note in BCT1 they will break you mentally and in BCT2 they will break your physically. BE PREPARED.

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Thank you.

This is a great thread. I wanted to chime in on my take on I-day and parents/family as a former cadet, from a totally non-military family that said goodbye at the airport in Oregon and did the bed and breakfast program.

I-day is tough, not only is it often the first time being away from home for a long time, but the stress level is cranked times 1000 because of the prospect of basic. I was sooooo glad I said goodbye to my family at the airport. Everyone came (including my best friend), we went early, had a nice breakfast at the airport and then we said goodbye and I was on my own. My mom was definitely holding back some serious tears and it made it really tough for me. I can't imagine trying to do that goodbye and then dive right into I-day. I needed the day to get my head straight and the bed and breakfast program was perfect for that. I was focused, ready and past my goodbyes by the time I arrived at USAFA on I-day and it meant I was way less stressed. Every kid is different, but I highly encourage everyone to at least have the discussion. If you are a particularly emotional parent (first or last kid to college, first-time military family, or just know you are going to lose it) you may want to consider encouraging an airport goodbye. Sure you probably want that extra day, but it may not be the best choice. Also, if it's a choice between flying out for A-day or I-day, I'd say A-day every time. My family couldn't make it that day and it was hard. I was "adopted" by one of the other families and still had a good lunch, but I really just wanted a hug from my mom (I know, cheesy, but so true).