Ask new C4Cs anything!

Campfamily said:
Here's a question.....with all of the resources available today that weren't available 10 or more years ago (such as this forum, other forums, YouTube, the 1st year video, etc) it seems as though an incoming Basic has a pretty good idea what was going to happen during BCT. My question is, what experience can you share that was truly a surprise to you? What episode, when it happened, gave you a "hey, I wasn't expecting that!!!" to go through your mind?

Keith
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I think I watched pretty much every USAFA video that youtube has to offer haha. I pretty much knew exactly what to expect to the point that I was mouthing the speech the cadre gave on the bus to USAFA. There was a certain special surprise towards the end of BCT that no one knew was coming, particularly because this was the first year it's ever been done. I hope it's done in the future though, it was a great experience and one of my favorite things about BCT.

haleym said:
While this is a great question, you might want to consider the implications of giving away those moments to people who have not experienced it. Some things are meant to be kept a surprise and are earned by those who come through the institution.

However, even though I'm not an 18er, the one thing I can let you know is that you can never REALLY fully prepare. You may understand that someone will yell at you or push you to your limits. You may have seen what you will experience in a video or heard it from a friend, but the fact is that you won't really "get it" until it happens to you. And if you want to know what it REALLY feels like.... take the first step and apply.
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This is 100% true. No matter how many videos I watched, or threads I read, nothing really prepares you for actually being here. Even though I knew exactly what was going to happen that first BCT wakeup, nothing can prepare you for exactly what happens. It was nice knowing what was going to happen at times, but other times it sucked. Knowing how hard the assault course was before going into it just made me incredibly nervous, it would probably have been nicer if I hadn't known anything about it. Adding onto what haleym said, "you may understand that someone will yell at you or push you to your limits," but you'll never truly understand that until you're on your 400th four-count flutter kick and you and your classmates are dying while the cadre are still going strong and encouraging you on. Or that feeling you get when the assault course cadre ask you to read the sign at the end of the assault course, and then tell you to get over their wall. It's been an incredible experience so far and it's only been around three months, I can't wait for the next four years! :thumb:
 
haleym said:
While this is a great question, you might want to consider the implications of giving away those moments to people who have not experienced it. Some things are meant to be kept a surprise and are earned by those who come through the institution.

However, even though I'm not an 18er, the one thing I can let you know is that you can never REALLY fully prepare. You may understand that someone will yell at you or push you to your limits. You may have seen what you will experience in a video or heard it from a friend, but the fact is that you won't really "get it" until it happenst to you. And if you want to know what it REALLY feels like.... take the first step and apply. :thumb:
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Haleym - thank you for the reply. Yes, you are right, there are certain experiences of the academy that should be kept to those that have actually experienced it. Since I am 53 years old, I will never be able to experience what you guys and gals have experienced. I can tell you that watching the class of 2018 on WebGuy the past couple of months, a class that included my son, was absolutely thrilling. I can only imagine the shock incoming cadets must have had before the age of the Internet.
 
My DD's first letter - "This is sooo much harder than I expected. Even the yelling is starting to get to me." She, too, had seen every video and has a dad who could tell her what to expect. You've got to live it to believe it, I guess.

Parent of DD c/o 2018
 
How did programs like JROTC/Sea Cadets/CAP help you with drill and other military training?

What was your favorite thing about BCT? :smile:
 
Runner2020 said:
How did programs like JROTC/Sea Cadets/CAP help you with drill and other military training?



What was your favorite thing about BCT? :smile:
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Never did any of those, you pick it up fast. From what I saw, those who were in it stood out at first, but then we all were at the same level. And I enjoyed most all of BCT, but Jacks was my favorite part.


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Runner2020 said:
How did programs like JROTC/Sea Cadets/CAP help you with drill and other military training?

What was your favorite thing about BCT? :smile:
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I am also a 2018er. I was in the Civil Air Patrol for four years and I can back up mja2014 in saying that knowing all of the military stuff like standing at attention and marching is very helpful in not getting yelled at or beaten (PT'd), but mainly in the beginning. Granted, some cadets are still pretty terrible at marching, even after BCT, but again like mja2014 said, you pick it up fast.
One thing that really surprised me was the amount of "mental game" that started affecting me. I was in CAP, I went to USAFA Summer Seminar, I knew what to expect. But I also didn't know what to expect, because BCT was SO much more difficult. A short amount of yelling is fine, but after a few days of constant yelling and the cadre saying that you know nothing and you're scum really does get to you.
The worst part of BCT for me hit me on Doolie Day Out. I was pretty down that day, and I was fed up with those certain few classmates who just weren't trying. I wanted to leave; I really did. But now I can say that even though it's still difficult, even though it will not get easier, there isn't any other place I'd rather be. The bonds with people that you make here and the experiences you get will last you a lifetime.

P.S. My favorite thing in BCT was going to sleep at night. It was utterly glorious. I've never felt so tired in all of my life...
 
LemonZest said:
I was pretty down that day, and I was fed up with those certain few classmates who just weren't trying.
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Wow, really? I would think the cadre would ... encourage ... those that weren't trying. What makes you think they weren't trying?
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
Wow, really? I would think the cadre would ... encourage ... those that weren't trying. What makes you think they weren't trying?
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Some people simply just wouldn't try in certain things, like knowledge tests, or putting out in PT. It's pretty easy to tell when someone isn't giving it their all.


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mja2014 said:
Some people simply just wouldn't try in certain things, like knowledge tests, or putting out in PT. It's pretty easy to tell when someone isn't giving it their all.


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Interesting. So, seeing how this has been declared the toughest BCT in years, how did the cadre handle the slackers?:confused:
 
BTW, I'm not trying to be difficult.
None of the Basics who are appointed to a SA are what we'd ever think of as slackers. They are bright, athletic, etc. Otherwise, they wouldn't get an appointment. If there really were Basics that didn't try their best - and only they would know - I have to wonder what motivational tactics were used. Or is it because some of them are terrible at memorizing (being good at figuring out math problems is a different skill) and others were injured or sick in a way that wasn't readily apparent?
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
BTW, I'm not trying to be difficult.
None of the Basics who are appointed to a SA are what we'd ever think of as slackers. They are bright, athletic, etc. Otherwise, they wouldn't get an appointment. If there really were Basics that didn't try their best - and only they would know - I have to wonder what motivational tactics were used. Or is it because some of them are terrible at memorizing (being good at figuring out math problems is a different skill) and others were injured or sick in a way that wasn't readily apparent?
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Yes, there really are. Remember all the times posters said getting in is the easy part? They weren't kidding. Everywhere you go you will meet people who do the bare minimum to skate by, and this place is not an exception. The cadre can't be blamed for someone who chooses not to put out. Motivation to be at USAFA and stay here comes from within. Don't get me wrong, leadership can inspire you, but I promise that every flight had at least one "problem" basic. Maybe this is harsh, but it is ultimately YOUR decision to stay strong and motivated, and if you CHOOSE not to, you don't belong here.
 
haleym said:
Yes, there really are. Remember all the times posters said getting in is the easy part? They weren't kidding. Everywhere you go you will meet people who do the bare minimum to skate by, and this place is not an exception. The cadre can't be blamed for someone who chooses not to put out. Motivation to be at USAFA and stay here comes from within. Don't get me wrong, leadership can inspire you, but I promise that every flight had at least one "problem" basic. Maybe this is harsh, but it is ultimately YOUR decision to stay strong and motivated, and if you CHOOSE not to, you don't belong here.
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I don't disagree with that. If you aren't motivated to stay, then you probably won't do your best. By my calculation, some 83 basics left (for various reasons including medical turn-back.) Of those that stayed, would you agree that they are "motivated" to stay. Why then go through all of that if you don't want to be there?

I know this isn't necessarily something anyone can answer. It just baffles me. Personally, I like to give the benefit of the doubt to anyone who survived BCT, especially this year given the rigor. But that's just me, I guess.
 
I also realize that a cadre may take offense assuming that I'm saying that the leadership didn't inspire. That can't be further from the truth! It's exactly the opposite. I would expect that the cadre would know which basics aren't giving their all (taking into consideration the health of the basic since that is their job) and provide the motivation that is necessary. It's those that don't know all the facts who MAY be too quick to judge. Again - only my humble, lowly opinion.
 
Cadre are still learning, some mistakes will be made.
I ran into a few cadets who realized they made the wrong choice in accepting an appointment, and others who had very different expectations on entry but adjusted their attitudes and performance over time. I know a couple ICs who didn't do enough research, and struggled with the demands of cadet life for quite a while. Some quit and went elsewhere, and some stayed.
 
Do you still have to greet every upper classman by their full rank followed by their full name after BCT?
 
dorado.soldado said:
Do you still have to greet every upper classman by their full rank followed by their full name after BCT?
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What BlahuKahuna said ^ In our squad, while we're in the squadron area, we're supposed to greet with full rank and job title, but once the upperclassman know that we know them, we normally just have to say "Hey, Cadet "so and so"." While we're outside, it's just normally a "Good afternoon, Cadet _____. How are you, sir/ma'am?" And most of the upperclassmen in our squad our chill, so you can just walk by and be like "What's up?" as long as you can actually greet them, you're good. You're expected to greet group and wing staff with full rank and title all the time, but I don't think I've ever seen a single staff member before out on the T'zo.
 
Swamped to the eyes with homework, but enjoying it none the less. Reminds me a lot of tech school with a lot more restrictions. The PFT is somewhat easy, the academics is a little challenging and I already have the military side of training down because Im applying what I learned during my enlisted training (BMT, tech school) at the prep. Bottom line, the prep school is almost exactly how I imagined it was going to be like and is treating me well, just as long as I treat it well, if that makes any sense. & thanks for the heads up, looks like ill be doing a lot of PT. I'm not good with remembering 20 names, let alone 50 people's names, ranks and positions, but on the bright side, I'd be one strong cadet lol. We will see. I heard cadet squadrons 1-10 are the hardest squadrons to be in as freshmen.
 
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