2014 BCT Packing List

An important item is the backpack itself. Find one that is very light. The backpack can weigh more than the items that it contains.
 
Rocko said:
Below is directly out of the Instructions to Appointee booklet. I'd assume they should follow this. It seems very specific as far as underwear and T-shirts go.

The Academy DOES NOT issue bras or briefs to women or briefs and V-neck t-shirts to men. FemalesMUST bring eight white
sports bras and twelve pair of white cotton briefs. MenMUST bring 12 pair of plain white underwear (boxer briefs must not extend
below mid-thigh) and 8 plain white V-neck t-shirts. Please mark all under clothing with the first initial of your student id (found on
your application portal). The laundry marking should be approximately one inch high and one and one half inches wide.
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I haven't quite figured out how marking those items with the first Letter of DS's ID will enable those same items to get back to DS in the laundry. No telling how many others have the same initial, so we're confused. Help?!
 
Rocko said:
Below is directly out of the Instructions to Appointee booklet. I'd assume they should follow this. It seems very specific as far as underwear and T-shirts go.



The Academy DOES NOT issue bras or briefs to women or briefs and V-neck t-shirts to men. FemalesMUST bring eight white

sports bras and twelve pair of white cotton briefs. MenMUST bring 12 pair of plain white underwear (boxer briefs must not extend

below mid-thigh) and 8 plain white V-neck t-shirts. Please mark all under clothing with the first initial of your student id (found on

your application portal). The laundry marking should be approximately one inch high and one and one half inches wide.
Click to expand...


Absolutely follow the instructions to appointees since things can change every year. When son went they issued tighty-whiteys and undershirts to all the male cadets. Must be the victim of budget cuts.

Stealth_81


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1.Compression shorts are smart. Bring the recommended underwear, but I would highly advise compression shorts. I personally don't know anyone who had theirs confiscated...but even if they were, it wouldn't be a big deal and they'd just be stored with other contraband during BCT (phone, watch, etc)

2.For us our laundry mark is the first digit of the last name plus last four of social (A1234, for example)...that direction seems sort of unclear in the booklet from this year, I suppose.

3.You should be issued shirt garters, and you don't really need them for the vast majority of basic since you'll be in ABUs. You can probably bring blousing straps if you want but you should be issued those too. I know my flight wasn't issued them at first and had to purchase them from the c store.
 
Yes it is sort of unclear, actually its not clear at all. Too bad whoever wrote it didn't complete their thought on this important item for all. We've been waiting and not marking anything in case the Portal shows something else at a later date. If all fails, contacting someone might be in order.
 
Blackbird said:
... and you will end up being the 2018 Box Boy.
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A lady at the appointee forum said she was sending a vertical steamer with her kid to BCT so he could get the wrinkles out of his clothes. She seemed very adamant on it, said it was expensive and he'll need it. I tried, told her not to, but she seemed set on it. Hope she rethinks that.
 
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cybersnyder said:
A lady at the appointee forum said she was sending a vertical steamer with her kid to BCT so he could get the wrinkles out of his clothes. She seemed very adamant on it, said it was expensive and he'll need it. I tried, told her not to, but she seemed set on it. Hope she rethinks that.
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Well keep your eyes open for the poor Basic carrying this around on I-Day!

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pointguard said:
I haven't quite figured out how marking those items with the first Letter of DS's ID will enable those same items to get back to DS in the laundry. No telling how many others have the same initial, so we're confused. Help?!
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I had the same thought. When my husband was in the Navy he marked everything with the first letter of his last name and last four of ssn. If anyone finds out if the instructions inadvertently left out the ssn part, let us know. Thanks.


Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
So on the backpack...does it have to be black or is that just recommended? Would grey be ok?
 
There's not much harm in carrying a grey one around on I-day, but you would never be able to use it in uniform post-BCT or post-Recognition.
 
If its 90% black with a little grey would that be ok for after in uniform? I'm trying to find a really light weight one but maybe one that could be used better as a backpack for books etc might be better?
 
pointguard said:
I haven't quite figured out how marking those items with the first Letter of DS's ID will enable those same items to get back to DS in the laundry. No telling how many others have the same initial, so we're confused. Help?!
Click to expand...

Your DS will write X#### (e.g. D3249) on each article of clothing for laundry. There are 260,000 different combinations (permutations, actually) and only around 4000 cadets. His 'code' should be unique to him. Also, DS will put dirty duds in an issued laundry bag. The cleaners will return the clothes in the same bag. The clothes are never removed from the bag by the cleaners.

Bottom line: USAFA has been doing this for 60 years. They will take care of your DS. After all, they are investing a lot of time and financial capital into turning him into an officer.
 
Dad said:
Your DS will write X#### (e.g. D3249) on each article of clothing for laundry. There are 260,000 different combinations (permutations, actually) and only around 4000 cadets. His 'code' should be unique to him. Also, DS will put dirty duds in an issued laundry bag. The cleaners will return the clothes in the same bag. The clothes are never removed from the bag by the cleaners.

Bottom line: USAFA has been doing this for 60 years. They will take care of your DS. After all, they are investing a lot of time and financial capital into turning him into an officer.
Click to expand...


Thank you, be assured that my son is very ready for what he needs to do and will do his best. He has traveled the country as a national level athlete, he is hardly a rookie at what it takes to exist away from home. All I asked was what Letter, and what 4 numbers is he to use to pass on to him. If they would have indicated the actual numbers I would not have asked. I'll assume his Student ID is where its from. The first of the 5 Letters, and the 4 numbers at the end. That's what I needed, not a speech, I am way to old, and intellectual, for that.
 
pointguard said:
All I asked was what Letter, and what 4 numbers is he to use to pass on to him. If they would have indicated the actual numbers I would not have asked. I'll assume his Student ID is where its from. The first of the 5 Letters, and the 4 numbers at the end. That's what I needed, not a speech, I am way to old, and intellectual, for that.
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Sorry about "the speech". :redface: After re-reading your original post a bit closer, I understand your confusion and am more than slightly embarrassed in regards to my response. Please accept my sincere apology. :redface:

In the past, cadets put the first initial of their last name followed by the last 4 of their SSN. It sounds like the instructions to 2018 candidates have changed and are not as specific. I would suggest having your DS contact his admissions representative at USAFA for clarification and post his findings on SAF.
 
All true. But, one would think that if a cadet could successfully apply for a nomination and an appointment that he/she could figure out how to label their underwear without parental involvement.
 
Maplerock said:
All true. But, one would think that if a cadet could successfully apply for a nomination and an appointment that he/she could figure out how to label their underwear without parental involvement.
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Seriously?
 
Identifiers for laundry, etc.

The USAF Academy, per direction from SAF and DOD, is systematically eliminating the SSN as an identifier (including the "last 4"). The "student ID" assigned by Admissions is the official replacement. All appointees will find their student ID prominently displayed on their portals.

Insider
 
Insider said:
The USAF Academy, per direction from SAF and DOD, is systematically eliminating the SSN as an identifier (including the "last 4"). The "student ID" assigned by Admissions is the official replacement. All appointees will find their student ID prominently displayed on their portals.

Insider
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
Insider said:
The USAF Academy, per direction from SAF and DOD, is systematically eliminating the SSN as an identifier (including the "last 4"). The "student ID" assigned by Admissions is the official replacement. All appointees will find their student ID prominently displayed on their portals.

Insider
Click to expand...

Outstanding, perfect, will pass it along to clear up the confusion here in PA. Thank you!
 
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