2015 Basic Cadet Schedule -Includes Dates and FAQs

tutmom

5-Year Member
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Nov 21, 2009
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Greetings!
I am the Membership Director for the USAFA National Capital Area (NCA) Parent's Club (Includes Northern Virginia, Maryland and DC). I received the following information from BARBARA GUTIERREZ (the USAFA liaison to the Parent's clubs) and she said I could share the information. There is even an email address (at bottom) if you have additional questions. I am the proud mom of a 2014 Cadet and I know this information will be very useful to many of you.
The only item I would highlight is the date and time for Doolie Day In (see below in FAQ's). It is slated for July 9: noon to 6 PM CST. That means your basic will be able to call you between 1 PM and 4 PM CST during that time! Make sure you are available to talk because that will likely be your only conversation for the 6 weeks of BCT.

Enjoy!
Ann Tutundjian

Key Dates of Interest for Parents

Date Time Event Where to be
23 Jun 11 0730 Basic Cadet Arrival USAFA

24 Jun 11 0830 Swearing In Ceremony Cadet Chapel
Observation Area


10 July 11 0630 March Out to Jacks Valley Cadet Chapel
Observation Area/B 52 Static Display

23 July 11 1230 March Back Jacks Valley Cadet Chapel
Observation Area/B 52 Static Display

3 Aug 11 0900 or 1000 ACCEPTANCE PARADE Stillman Field



Basic Cadet Training (BCT) Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I find the dates and times for different events? When can we see cadets?
A: An abbreviated schedule with key dates and times for parents can be found above. At no time will parents or guardians be allowed to communicate person to person with their basic cadet.

Q: I want to watch cadets march to Jacks Valley. Where should I go?
A: The public can observe the march out to Jacks Valley from the Chapel Wall (the wall overlooking the Terrazzo on the east side of the Academy Chapel). This area is accessible from the public areas of the Academy. Additionally, the B-52 static display is available to the public. If friends and family wish to display signs, they should be within good nature.

Q: If my cadet elects to quit or is removed from of BCT, will parents be contacted?
A: Yes. During in-processing, cadets fill out a form with your contact information. If a cadet is removed for any reason from BCT, Academy personnel will contact parents. This process can take up to 10 days from when the basic cadet initiates the desire to resign.

Q: Can parents visit their cadets during Doolie Day In?
A: No. Doolie Day In is exclusively for basic cadets to relax, meet other basic cadets and call home. Cadets may call home from 1300-1600.






Q: Can parents send cadets a care package during BCT?
A: We request that you do not send care packages during BCT. Cadets may receive packages after August 2nd. If you send a package before then, it will be held until August 2nd.

Q: Will my cadet have to do push-ups if I send him a nice care package? I heard that was a tradition.
A: No. Any packages sent to cadets during BCT will be held for them until after BCT. Only send nonperishable items.

Q: Can parents write letters to cadets during BCT? What is a cadet’s mailing address?
A: Parents and cadets can exchange letters. Cadets are assigned a mail box at the Academy’s post office during in-processing. Due to privacy concerns, your cadet will notify you of his/her mailing address in his/her first letter.

Q. Will my cadet have his/her cell phone at the Acceptance Parade so we can find each other?
A. No, cadets will not have their cell phones at the Acceptance Parade, however, family and friends will be allowed on the parade field to meet their cadets following the parade.

Q. Can my cadet bring his/her cell phone and charger with them when they in-process? A. Yes, however, their cell phone and charger will be placed in locked storage and the only time during Basic Cadet Training that they will be able to retrieve them is on 9 July during Doolie Day In. They will be able to use their cell phones and chargers from noon until 6pm that day.

Q: Can I pin my cadet’s boards on him/her during the Acceptance Parade?
A: No. Only upper-class cadets may pin-on shoulder boards. Parents will be allowed to enter the parade field, after the Acceptance Parade, and observe their cadets receiving their shoulder boards.

Q: Can I bring stuff to my cadet at the Acceptance Parade (printer, bike, other large items)?
A: The items fourth-classmen are allowed to have their first year are extremely limited. In accordance with the Cadet Sight Picture, fourth-classmen are allowed two items of personal memorabilia in addition to what they have been issued. All other items need Air Officer Commanding or Academy Military Trainer approval. We advise parents to have cadets verify they are allowed to possess something before parents bring or ship it to cadets.

Q: Can turn-backs bring uniform items from last year?
A: Yes. Blues and ABUs (Airman Battle Uniform) uniform items may be brought.

Q: Who can I contact for any other questions pertaining to BCT?
A: Please forward all questions to the following email address. BCT_FAQ@usafa.edu
 
one correction

We did have our cell phones for the A-Day parade.
 
This is the information that USAFA is officially releasing for now and I imagine they are going with the more conservative approach.
My cadet's squadron wasn't allowed to have their phones on A day- so I think it was based on the squadron. An upperclassmen did lend her phone to my cadet who called me from her phone. So I guess you plan for the worst and hope for the best.
 
We did have our cell phones for the A-Day parade.

Rule#547: Doesn't matter what someone did this year, last year, next year, or even the same year. Every squadron is unique and autonomous. THEY will decide if/when you get your cell phones. Some don't see them until AFTER parent's weekend. Some even longer.
 
Definitely - my son did get his back for A Day and Doolie Day Out a few days later, but due to some miscommunication on the person who had access to all the phones, his squad didn't receive their phones the Thursday of Parents' Weekend - so as we were trying to meet up with him he was having to use his computer and shoot us emails back and forth. He did get it the rest of the PW, but then only a couple weekends from then until Progs (early October) when anyone not on probation got them back full time in his squad.
 
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