Any questions for a freshman?

Do you know if Drum and Bugle counts as a club?

Thank you for all of your time and help, this is incredibly helpful!
 
What is the dating scene like? USAFA is not a typical college and male to female ratio is not balanced. For lack of a better term, how much "hooking up" goes on either on or off campus.
 
Do you know if Drum and Bugle counts as a club?

Thank you for all of your time and help, this is incredibly helpful!

At least a couple of years ago and I suspect it is still similar, D&B is more than just a club. They have some "privileges" similar to IC athletes. They meet for practice every day of the week for 3+ hours. During this time, they not only practice their routines and music, but also accomplish training that is normally done with the squadrons. They also eat dinner together during this time as a group. When DD was in D&B, practice began around 1600 or so, then lasted until 1930 or later.

It is a huge time commitment with the daily, sometimes weekend practices, especially in the fall semester. D&B supports all home and away football games as well as many other sports games at the Academy and away. The group goes on some awesome trips as well. They marched and performed during Mardi Gras in New Orleans when DD was with them.
 
Do you know if Drum and Bugle counts as a club?

Thank you for all of your time and help, this is incredibly helpful!

At least a couple of years ago and I suspect it is still similar, D&B is more than just a club. They have some "privileges" similar to IC athletes. They meet for practice every day of the week for 3+ hours. During this time, they not only practice their routines and music, but also accomplish training that is normally done with the squadrons. They also eat dinner together during this time as a group. When DD was in D&B, practice began around 1600 or so, then lasted until 1930 or later.

It is a huge time commitment with the daily, sometimes weekend practices, especially in the fall semester. D&B supports all home and away football games as well as many other sports games at the Academy and away. The group goes on some awesome trips as well. They marched and performed during Mardi Gras in New Orleans when DD was with them.

Whoa! That's nothing short of amazing!

Thank you for the information! It's a huge commitment for those who join it seems, but wowza! What an opportunity!
 
How strict is the academy when it comes to shaving during BCT? DS has nearly super-human abilities when it comes to facial follicles: as in there are times he shaves in the morning AND touches up in the afternoon (#testosteroneboy!) Not only does it grow really fast, but it super coarse and hard to manage. DS is concerned that he may have issues with shaving and training. (I know this sounds trivial, but the kid had had a terrible time managing the situation at prep school, want to figure all of this out before basic.)
 
How strict is the academy when it comes to shaving during BCT? DS has nearly super-human abilities when it comes to facial follicles: as in there are times he shaves in the morning AND touches up in the afternoon (#testosteroneboy!) Not only does it grow really fast, but it super coarse and hard to manage. DS is concerned that he may have issues with shaving and training. (I know this sounds trivial, but the kid had had a terrible time managing the situation at prep school, want to figure all of this out before basic.)

Kidchaor is doing a great job here on this thread, please don't let me steal your thunder or hesitate to chime in. As a fellow classmate (CHAP) I figured I may be able to provide some insight on this one.

If your son is coming from the prep school then he should have an understanding of what the expectation is. Being clean shaven in compliance with dress and appearance regulations is important throughout all four years at the Academy and beyond. He will be expected to follow those regulations. If that means shaving in the afternoons as well, then that is the expectation.

That being said, if he is unable to get a clean shave without developing bumpy skin, ingrown facial hair, or for another medical reason, then he can apply for a shaving waiver from the medical clinic which will allow him to grow his facial hair provided it is kept short and neat.

Hope this helps and congrats on your appointment.
 
What is the dating scene like? USAFA is not a typical college and male to female ratio is not balanced. For lack of a better term, how much "hooking up" goes on either on or off campus.

Like you said, the Academy is not your typical college. There are many graduates who met their spouse during their time as a cadet. Upon graduation, when you are no longer a cadet and therefore allowed to marry, the cadet chapel will be quite full with weddings. So dating between cadets certainly does happen.

That being said, the environment of USAFA changes this. For example, fourth-class cadets (freshmen) are not allowed to date upperclassmen. As a third-class cadet, you can date within your class and second-class cadets.

Cadets are not permitted to date within their chain of command. Additionally, understand that the Academy is small. Cadets live and work with each other, so be careful in terms of pursuing a relationship in case things do not last.

Lastly, there are so many other things worth focusing on at this point, namely completing the appointee paperwork and getting in the best physical shape that you can for BCT.

Hope this helps, if you had any specific questions feel free to message me.
 
How strict is the academy when it comes to shaving during BCT? DS has nearly super-human abilities when it comes to facial follicles: as in there are times he shaves in the morning AND touches up in the afternoon (#testosteroneboy!) Not only does it grow really fast, but it super coarse and hard to manage. DS is concerned that he may have issues with shaving and training. (I know this sounds trivial, but the kid had had a terrible time managing the situation at prep school, want to figure all of this out before basic.)

Kidchaor is doing a great job here on this thread, please don't let me steal your thunder or hesitate to chime in. As a fellow classmate (CHAP) I figured I may be able to provide some insight on this one.

If your son is coming from the prep school then he should have an understanding of what the expectation is. Being clean shaven in compliance with dress and appearance regulations is important throughout all four years at the Academy and beyond. He will be expected to follow those regulations. If that means shaving in the afternoons as well, then that is the expectation.

That being said, if he is unable to get a clean shave without developing bumpy skin, ingrown facial hair, or for another medical reason, then he can apply for a shaving waiver from the medical clinic which will allow him to grow his facial hair provided it is kept short and neat.

Hope this helps and congrats on your appointment.

This is great help! If he has the time, I think he can still maintain during the day, the second time, we just don't know what the time constraints will be like at USAFA.

I appreciate your time and experience, thank you!
 
Armed Forces Bank, AAFCU, or USAA
USAA, all the way. While they all are presumably familiar with the banking needs of Cadets, USAA is my favorite. You get your paycheck with them sooner, and their app is fantastic. Since a ton of Cadets also have USAA, Zelle (USAA's version of venmo) is very useful to pay classmates and send money.
 
I've heard a lot about BCT as far as "the suck" goes, but are there any aspects of BCT that you enjoyed? Any good memories or fun times? Trying to go in with as positive of an attitude as I can. Thanks for your time and sharing all this info!
 
Appointment books recommends bringing cleats to the academy. I assume will only be need after BCT correct?
 
Appointment books recommends bringing cleats to the academy. I assume will only be need after BCT correct?

My DS played on a squadron soccer team during 1st BCT. He was glad that he brought his cleats with him on I-Day.
 
USAA, all the way. While they all are presumably familiar with the banking needs of Cadets, USAA is my favorite. You get your paycheck with them sooner, and their app is fantastic. Since a ton of Cadets also have USAA, Zelle (USAA's version of venmo) is very useful to pay classmates and send money.

My portal suggests opening an account with Armed Forces Bank or AAFCU. Is it fine to stick with USAA and not open an account with either of those? Also, does USAA have ATMs on campus? Thank you
 
USAA, all the way. While they all are presumably familiar with the banking needs of Cadets, USAA is my favorite. You get your paycheck with them sooner, and their app is fantastic. Since a ton of Cadets also have USAA, Zelle (USAA's version of venmo) is very useful to pay classmates and send money.

My portal suggests opening an account with Armed Forces Bank or AAFCU. Is it fine to stick with USAA and not open an account with either of those? Also, does USAA have ATMs on campus? Thank you

If it is a suggestion, then it is not required. It is fine to stick with USAA.

No USAA ATMs, but other brands are available. USAA refunds ATM fees when using another bank's ATM.
 
I've heard a lot about BCT as far as "the suck" goes, but are there any aspects of BCT that you enjoyed? Any good memories or fun times? Trying to go in with as positive of an attitude as I can. Thanks for your time and sharing all this info!

A positive attitude is the best attitude that you can have. And, yes, there is plenty to enjoy about BCT. A lot of it will be of the "Most fun you never want to have again" sort, but there are genuine moments. I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say that its impossible to truly explain some of the funny stuff to people who haven't gone through BCT. Most importantly, bond with and look out for your flightmates.
 
Hello! So I notice basic ends like beginning of August and Parents wkd/start of school isnt til end of August...but what happens the 3 weeks in between? Do parents usually come out for graduation from basic? Do cadets go home for a few days? Or is it just 3 weeks of in-processing/getting settled in dorms?
 
Hello! So I notice basic ends like beginning of August and Parents wkd/start of school isnt til end of August...but what happens the 3 weeks in between? Do parents usually come out for graduation from basic? Do cadets go home for a few days? Or is it just 3 weeks of in-processing/getting settled in dorms?

Looking at the Fall 2019 schedule, Basic graduation happens August 2nd, and BCT completely ends the 3rd. Class starts up August 8th. You'll only have 3 days of transition, and believe me, there's a lot you'll want to get done. You'll get into your real Squadrons, buy books, etc. Parents weekend occurs about a month into the Academic year.

Here's the calendar if you want to see more.
 
I have a question, working on my travel out there to take our DS for I Day in June - 27th is in processing, 28th they parade apparently, but you can’t talk to your cadet....... so what time does that happen and is it worth being there for on the 28th or should we be able to leave on the night of 27th without really missing anything.
Trying to book flights home and also return to work and can’t find an answer anywhere in the parents docs, cadets docs or on this site. Thanks in advance!
 
I have a question, working on my travel out there to take our DS for I Day in June - 27th is in processing, 28th they parade apparently, but you can’t talk to your cadet....... so what time does that happen and is it worth being there for on the 28th or should we be able to leave on the night of 27th without really missing anything.
Trying to book flights home and also return to work and can’t find an answer anywhere in the parents docs, cadets docs or on this site. Thanks in advance!

The swearing-in ceremony is from 8:30 - 9:30 on the morning of the 28th. https://www.usafa.edu/app/uploads/Important_Dates.pdf
They are sworn-in privately but the public ceremony is well worth seeing.

We attended last year for our grandson with his parents. We all were glad we stayed the extra day. It's quite interesting to see the 24-hour transformation and compare that with the acceptance day parade on August 6 if you are able to attend that event.

As it is a once in a lifetime experience for your DS and for you, I would highly recommend you attend.
 
Back
Top