2021 purchasing cleats necessary?

[SunnySkies]

I see older threads on cleats saying they weren't necessary to bring on I-Day. Not sure if things have changed recently though and would appreciate input on whether or not it is necessary for DD to purchase a pair and bring them with her for I-Day.

 

[hopefulmom182]

Cleats are not necessary for BCT. If your DD plays a D1 sport and needs them for that sport, perhaps they are necessary. My DS' cleats are still at home, with his first year almost finished. You need to bring a good pair of running shoes and a pair of coyote brown boots.

 

[Peter2025]

Cleats are not necessary for BCT. If your DD plays a D1 sport and needs them for that sport, perhaps they are necessary. My DS' cleats are still at home, with his first year almost finished. You need to bring a good pair of running shoes and a pair of coyote brown boots.

Even though the instructions say to bring them?

 

[hopefulmom182]

Does it say to bring them, or does it say it's optional? Last year, it was an optional item on the list. Parents of upperclassmen stated on facebook pages they weren't necessary, and they turned out to be right. Also, the underwear they tell you to bring don't have to be white.

 

[Sprinter00]

Does it say to bring them, or does it say it's optional? Last year, it was an optional item on the list. Parents of upperclassmen stated on facebook pages they weren't necessary, and they turned out to be right. Also, the underwear they tell you to bring don't have to be white.

I assume that also means that we can bring spandex. Enlisted BMT allows both, so I assume I will be fine bringing them.

 

[HCopter]

Agree with posters above; my DD did not bring cleats and has never needed them. If you are in a sport that needs them, then of course bring them. The 2025 Appointee book on the website shows cleats are on the packing list. Regarding undergarments, DD felt more comfortable bringing all white, but I agree you can bring other colors, especially if you have worn undies now that will get trashed during BCT. For ladies, just remember you will be wearing white shirts, so white/nude/flesh tone might be a good strategic choice there.

Candidates will likely have their own slack or social media platform to meet and ask each other questions. I don't know exactly what DD was on last year, but got a lot of good information. Reminder: you always want to project the educated, literate officer you aspire to be.

From others on that slack (or whatever that platform was) I do recall she was surprised even with careful attention to the Handbook, she missed something - it's in the 2025 Appointee Handbook, page 4, section on The Armed Forces Officer Reading Assignment Instructions. I also recall she thought it was very dry, and Cadets might want to chime in whether it's a critical reading item. I don't know, all i'm doing is citing DD's experience and what was in her 2024 Handbook and the current cycle's as well.

 

[TLR2025]

Agree with posters above; my DD did not bring cleats and has never needed them. If you are in a sport that needs them, then of course bring them. The 2025 Appointee book on the website shows cleats are on the packing list. Regarding undergarments, DD felt more comfortable bringing all white, but I agree you can bring other colors, especially if you have worn undies now that will get trashed during BCT. For ladies, just remember you will be wearing white shirts, so white/nude/flesh tone might be a good strategic choice there.

Candidates will likely have their own slack or social media platform to meet and ask each other questions. I don't know exactly what DD was on last year, but got a lot of good information. Reminder: you always want to project the educated, literate officer you aspire to be.

From others on that slack (or whatever that platform was) I do recall she was surprised even with careful attention to the Handbook, she missed something - it's in the 2025 Appointee Handbook, page 4, section on The Armed Forces Officer Reading Assignment Instructions. I also recall she thought it was very dry, and Cadets might want to chime in whether it's a critical reading item. I don't know, all i'm doing is citing DD's experience and what was in her 2024 Handbook and the current cycle's as well.

Yep. Guilty! We all read the appointee book and no one in our family mentioned the pre-reading. It's such a tiny paragraph. lol Thank you.

 

[Firstgo]

Our daughter is a 2024 at USAFA. She brought a newer pair of running shoes and coyote brown boots. She said only those that were recruited athletes may have needed the cleats for their practice sessions. Running shoes were trashed at end of basic and she needed another pair. Remember you have to carry everything you bring the first day so keep it to the basic. On I-day she brought a black backpack for her personnel belonging that she used for her books after basic. She also brought spandex but found out her under wear worked also.