A Parent's Guide to Year One at USAFA

DS was a Falcon Scholar who attended NWP. You can easily pick out the NWPers each I-Day. They are the ones in the Hawaiian shirts. DS was on the footprints for 3 entire cycles and received lots of attention, but that is the tradition for the NWPers, the cadre all know it, and the shirts are a form of comradery and a right of passage. DS is a 2016er and proud to be a Falcon and is so glad to have attended NWP.

The Basic that surprised me was the one who showed up in a Spock uniform complete with the haircut. DS was a cadre that year and he, like many of the other cadre, went over to view this "unique" Basic.
 
I thought I would chime in. Our DD wrote us letters during BCT and they were descriptive. Her toughest episode was the "Gas Chamber". One has to be in the chamber with concenrated teargas (or something like that) for about a minute. The last 15 seconds you to have to remove your gas mask and say something. In her case, she either did not have the mask on right or the filter did not work - she thinks the latter. She started gagging and coughing on entry. She was still crying 5 minutes after exit. A "near death" experience is how she put it. Anyway, she survived and so did everyone else. All is well. I think WebGuy rates difficulty levels at Jacks Valley on his website and rates gassing as #2. Our DD rated it #1
 
Another funny story about the tear gas, during one of the assault course runs DD was on, the Cadre accidentally used tear gas canisters instead of smoke grenades.
 
Thank you Daretodream- as a mom of a c/o 2021 cadet, I really appreciate this.

Question regarding A-day food. How do we as parents know if we need to bring food(picnic) like you did or if the squad has the food taken care of?
We hosted as a local for our son and a sunset of his squadron....there were multiple going on that day, so they seemed to have fun hitting a few...we coordinated via email and FB with the other parents and designated spot....had a pop-up with chairs/tables near the Field House parking lot
 
For those veteran parents, what time on Friday can families begin touring campus with their cadet? We have flight options to DEN for either Thursday night or one that arrives Friday morning at 7AM, so I'm trying to determine if we'd miss any time by showing up Friday morning. Thanks.
 
For those veteran parents, what time on Friday can families begin touring campus with their cadet? We have flight options to DEN for either Thursday night or one that arrives Friday morning at 7AM, so I'm trying to determine if we'd miss any time by showing up Friday morning. Thanks.

Are you talking about Parents' Weekend?

If so, on Friday last year, from 0820 - 0850, there were aviation demos from Wings of Blue, Gliders, and powered aircraft. The Cadet Wing parade starts at 0910. Campus tours begin after the parade, around 1000.

So, if you do not arrive in Denver until 0700, you will be pushing it to get to the parade based on time in the airport, rental car agency, drive time from Denver.
 
We arrived on Thursday of Parent's Weekend his Doolie year and were able to sneak in a quick visit with our son by meeting him at the Chapel after dinner. Friday's schedule starts pretty early as Capri120 said, so by arriving at 0700 in Denver you would miss most of the morning's events.

Stealth_81
 
For those veteran parents, what time on Friday can families begin touring campus with their cadet? We have flight options to DEN for either Thursday night or one that arrives Friday morning at 7AM, so I'm trying to determine if we'd miss any time by showing up Friday morning. Thanks.

7 am is going to be too late. Give 30 mins deplaning, luggage, waiting for rental car shuttle. Another 15-20 to get out of rental car lot. 75-80 mins to get to USAFA. 15-30 mins parking and walking up to Stillman field. You would miss the pre-parade stuff plus the march on at least.

Get in on Thursday around 4 ( before gate closes), bring food and find a spot to eat with your cadet. Much more enjoyable. Wake up later on Friday, eat breakfast and get to the academy around 730 if you want.
 
DH, DD's big sis, and I arrived around 4pm as well that Thursday (we drove) and were able to see DD and the D&B practicing their tunnel show moves on the field. Afterward, we were able to join her and the other members for a cookout and conversation for about an hour or so.
 
My freshman year my family flew in on Thursday and I met them at the Chapel after tennis practice and before ACQ (academic call to quarters) where they brought me a pizza for dinner :) definitely made my day
 
We arrived on Thursday of Parent's Weekend his Doolie year and were able to sneak in a quick visit with our son by meeting him at the Chapel after dinner. Friday's schedule starts pretty early as Capri120 said, so by arriving at 0700 in Denver you would miss most of the morning's events.

Stealth_81

We were able to do the same last year. It was great getting to see DS on Thursday night. Agree with the rest of the comments relating to the schedule of events.
 
Her toughest episode was the "Gas Chamber

I recall with horror (and, ok, pride) Twin#1 telling us about his gas chamber experience. He wanted to prove to himself just how tough he was so he went in TWICE! I think he got a Snickers bar as a reward, but later, couldn't keep it... down, if y'all know what I mean.
 
Class of 2022 parent here - could someone give me a rundown of A-day activities including a general time table. We are a Colorado family so we're likely to attend for the experience and would like to plan ahead. Also, nothing on the AFA calendar that I've looked at says "A-day" - exactly what would be the date this year - is it the Saturday after BCT?
 
I would anticipate A-Day being Tue August 7th this year. That is my educated guess based on past years' experiences. The rundown - parade usually begins at 0900. Plan to arrive much earlier. Position yourself in the stands so you will be nearest to your doolie's squadron. You will receive more details on that seating map as it gets closer.

Usually, doolies will be free after the parade. For our ds (2019) and dd (2021), that was around 1015 or so. Families can join them on the field after the formalities are concluded. Your doolie will remain with his/her squadron until getting their shoulder boards pinned on. We were able to position ourselves within arm's length of where our cadets' shoulder boards were pinned on. Got great photos and videos. It was worth the long trip to see their faces at that moment.

We brought food with us onto campus and had it in coolers in the car. The first time around, we brought lots of extra food...but everyone else had, too. So we wound up carrying it all back up to ds's CQ desk. We were smarter the second time around. Brought a few extras and used them on dd's friend, but didn't over purchase. Ordered from the grocery deli in advance, and picked up the food before arriving at USAFA on A-Day morning.

You need to stay on campus while you have your doolie. One of the times we just hung out in a tent with other families, then spent time with ds in his room helping him with a few things. The other time we went to the BMX to buy supplies, then back to dd's room to help her with a few things. Whatever you do, plan to get your doolie back to the ECP (to enter cadet area gate) ahead of time. If memory serves me, both years our cadets had to be back in squad by 1300. Don't cut it too close. They have briefings that afternoon, and you don't want to set them up to be late on their first day of self-management :)

They will be super glad to see you, but remember they just came out of BCT...most of them are sick and coughing. They will be exhausted, but pumped up on adrenaline. Stress levels will be fairly high. Just be a good listener and roll with whatever is going on. Don't arrive with expectations. Just be happy for that hug and be proud of their accomplishment...the first of many to come!!
 
Class of 2022 parent here - could someone give me a rundown of A-day activities including a general time table. We are a Colorado family so we're likely to attend for the experience and would like to plan ahead. Also, nothing on the AFA calendar that I've looked at says "A-day" - exactly what would be the date this year - is it the Saturday after BCT?
Not necessarily the "official" calendar, but the USAFA parents link gives several "important dates", one being Acceptance Day (A-Day) on 7 August.
https://www.usafa.edu/app/uploads/Prep-School-Important-Dates.pdf
 
Class of 2022 parent here - could someone give me a rundown of A-day activities including a general time table. We are a Colorado family so we're likely to attend for the experience and would like to plan ahead. Also, nothing on the AFA calendar that I've looked at says "A-day" - exactly what would be the date this year - is it the Saturday after BCT?
Not necessarily the "official" calendar, but the USAFA parents link gives several "important dates", one being Acceptance Day (A-Day) on 7 August.
https://www.usafa.edu/app/uploads/Prep-School-Important-Dates.pdf
Thanks for the quick responses!
 
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