Tips on Things to Bring Post-BCT

I

Ifnot2025then2026

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Jun 2, 2020
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Hello!

I'm aware that once BCT is over you are allowed to have personal items. I've heard you can have them shipped to you and also that it might not be a bad idea to have your parents just bring you stuff during Parent's Weekend.

In terms of academic things, personal things, or quality of life things, what are you glad you had/have or wish you had/have at the Academy?

Should I have my parents bring me notebooks and highlighters or is that kind of stuff provided? Is bringing a separate personal laptop worth it? I really like to hike, is it worth having my trail shoes shipped/brought or do will I really not have that opportunity at all Doolie Year?

Other than the specific questions above, I'd really appreciate some unintuitive/outside-the-box tips if grads/cadets have any. (For example, in Sea Cadets I've always told new recruits to bring loads of hangers since people are always in need of them and extras can always help with Hospital Corners and things like that. Though, as a recruit I would have never thought to have done this.) Anything that you never would think to bring but made life easier?

Thank you so much.
 
C4Cs are technically not allowed to have a personal laptop. I had one doolie year, so I’m not going to tell you not to, but I never really needed it. The laptop you are “issued” works very well. Hangers are not needed, as cadets are issued too many, and you have to use the hangers the academy provides. Anything you want after basic you should have your parents mail you, as parents weekend takes place about a month into school. I’d recommend not to have your parents get you notebooks and all that, because you can buy whatever you want at the cadet store (nothing besides a laptop is issued for school, you need to buy it). It might be worth it to bring school supplies you used a lot in high school (pencil case, calculator, etc). If you’re big into hiking, you can have boots, but don’t expect to be allowed to wear normal hiking clothing. You are not allowed to be in civilian clothing, “civies”, until after recognition (mid March).
 
Ifnot2025then2026 said:
Hello!

I'm aware that once BCT is over you are allowed to have personal items. I've heard you can have them shipped to you and also that it might not be a bad idea to have your parents just bring you stuff during Parent's Weekend.

In terms of academic things, personal things, or quality of life things, what are you glad you had/have or wish you had/have at the Academy?

Should I have my parents bring me notebooks and highlighters or is that kind of stuff provided? Is bringing a separate personal laptop worth it? I really like to hike, is it worth having my trail shoes shipped/brought or do will I really not have that opportunity at all Doolie Year?

Other than the specific questions above, I'd really appreciate some unintuitive/outside-the-box tips if grads/cadets have any. (For example, in Sea Cadets I've always told new recruits to bring loads of hangers since people are always in need of them and extras can always help with Hospital Corners and things like that. Though, as a recruit I would have never thought to have done this.) Anything that you never would think to bring but made life easier?

Thank you so much.
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Our daughter just finished her first year at the AFA. During the first semester we took a mountain bike to her. You do have time for hiking and biking on the weekends but will have to wear issued athletic gear. We took her an IPad that she really likes and also a mini projector and speaker that her and her roommates would watch movies on in their room since you don’t have a tv.
 
Firstgo said:
Our daughter just finished her first year at the AFA. During the first semester we took a mountain bike to her. You do have time for hiking and biking on the weekends but will have to wear issued athletic gear. We took her an IPad that she really likes and also a mini projector and speaker that her and her roommates would watch movies on in their room since you don’t have a tv.
Click to expand...
A speaker and mini projector is a great idea!
 
Invest in a good laser printer. Inkjets tend to run out of ink fast due to the extremely dry temps in the Springs and you don't want the stress of not being able to print your papers the night before its due having printer problems. Also, have a backup toner on hand. It should last you all 4 years, so it won't be a huge investment, but one you will be glad to have. My DS had a nice color laser printer and friends were having to use his printer fairly regularly because theirs was running out of ink. He left it after graduation to an underclassman
 
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