Basic Cadet Training

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benton23

USAFA '21
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
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19
I report for BCT on July 29th, so I'm starting now in my preparation for those crazy weeks. Any insight or advice people can give on what to expect, especially physically? I understand that there's no way to be 100% perfectly prepared for what will come, but my ALO stressed the importance of how much better BCT can be if you are prepared (I understand how to prepare mentally, not as much what to expect physically). Thanks in advance for the help!
 
Fyi, BCT for the Class of 2021 is 29 June.

My DS is thinking about going there a week ahead of time to acclimate to the elevation.
 
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Generally, be fit. You should focus on endurance. Cardio is tougher at 7258ft, if you are from sea level! Also, push-ups, sit-ups, and flutter kicks are common exercises. If you are weak at any of that, I'd start practicing more.

Other than that, enjoy the end of high school.
Show up realizing that criticism is there to guide you to better performance, and isn't personal. Put in the work, help your classmates, and keep going...
 
I concur with raimius. Running, push-ups, sit-ups (and other ab exercises), are key. I'll also add pull-ups, planks and other core exercises. You may be expected to hold the pushup position for several minutes, so quality of the push-up and holding the position is just as important as the number of quick repetitions you can do.
 
buffalo said:
I concur with raimius. Running, push-ups, sit-ups (and other ab exercises), are key. I'll also add pull-ups, planks and other core exercises. You may be expected to hold the pushup position for several minutes, so quality of the push-up and holding the position is just as important as the number of quick repetitions you can do.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, the front leaning 'rest'.
 
Padre101 said:
Fyi, BCT for the Class of 2021 is 29 June.

My DS is thinking about going there a week ahead of time to acclimate to the elevation.
Click to expand...

There is no need to show up a week early to acclimate to the climate. USAFA understands the altitude issues and their program accounts for it. Additionally, if you are from a hot/humid area of the country (IMHO), being able to run in hot and humid conditions offsets the effects of altitude.
 
Just as stated just above me no need to acclimate or buy the silly masks, etc.

If you are in good shape and can run you will be fine.
 
Low-landers (well, 1000 ft) here, and my sons had a couple days of headache & nausea, but nothing bad. USAFA knows that not everyone has grown up at 7000+ feet and take that into account.

Run, then run more, then run harder, then in your spare time, do more running.
 
I think the advice is all good about running, sit-ups, leg raises and pull-ups. I suggest buying your boots, if possible, ahead of time and exercising in them. It allows you to get used to wearing and running in them, and gives you a little edge with broken-in boots. They will still give you boots and make you wear them at times, but having your own is a slight advantage according to my DS.

I advise understanding fully that you will fail. In fact, you will fail most days at some point in the day. Even if you do great in most things the Cadre will find something for you to fail. It is part of the BCT process. It is about learning to listen and learn. It is about improving and growing.

The other thing to know is the process is about a team. You are only as strong as your weakest link. So helping out others even when told not to may be needed at times.

I asked my DS over Thanksgiving what he wished he had known or done differently during BCT. His response was to enjoy it more. He said they couldn't touch you and the Cadre was really great and wanted you to succeed. He said working and understanding that would have caused him less stress when he made mistakes.

Best of luck. Enjoy the remaining time with your friends and family. Watch videos of BCT to get ideas of what you will be in for and work out. However, do not injure yourself. They will get you in shape when you get there.
 
All are sage advises. Here's one item that not many considered but has a lot of impact (per my DS): standing at attention for hours and hours. That was my DS's stressful moment. The Cadre would make his squadron stand and stand.....and most of times in the hot sun too. Not sure how one can train for it but be aware that there will be many boring periods of standing at attention.

From my experience with my DS going through BCT this year, it was not knowing the status of his welfare. So, I highly suggest to have your parent(s) sign up with WebGuy. It was a blessing for me. It was a very memorable experience to daily going through hundreds of pictures posted by WebGuy and hoping to catch a glimpse of your DS/DD. It was a daily routine for me and I truly enjoyed it. It almost felt like I was there with them during BCT. And, slowly you get to recognize the many faces of the cadets and Cadre.

Oh, make sure to pose! Don't be camera shy. Pictures are daily but snail mail letters are not (many are many days apart and not necessarily in order). Some cadets gave hand signals and occasional smiles to pass the message to parents. What a sight it was for me when my DS gave me the "Naruto ninja" hand sign when he was doing the Obstacle Course. What a sight indeed.

Anyways, good luck to you all!!
 
They will be on their feet for extended periods of time, but they will not be standing at attention for hours and hours.

They need to get used to being tired and the best way to do that is to be in top physical condition.
 
@Cerberi - it is up to the Cadre. My DS's Cadre made them stand for a long time. Lack of sleep also made things very challenging. Indeed, the two words they will welcome to hear the most are "At Ease". (Again, this was according to my DS and others may experience things differently).
 
Don't lock your knees! Best way not to faint during extended at-attentions.

What may feel like a really long time at attention to a basic, may in fact, not be too long. But they don't love it, and it's uncomfortable, and taxing... so it just seems so so so long.
 
Advice from a 4 *:

As far as mental preparation goes, It's almost impossible to prepare for what you get thrown in to. The transition, the non-stop yelling, the quick thinking and the belittling all seems to come at you at once, especially since the cadre can modify their training to how they see fit for your group. Sometimes that's standing at attention for long periods of time while "studying" knowledge. Nothing can prepare you for that, it just sucks. As long as you come in with an open mind and are prepared do anything with a good attitude you should do well.
Physically, in my squad at least, they emphasized the team aspect pretty heavily; the whole "you're only as strong as your weakest link" type of thing. It really helps if you're in decent physical shape so you can help out your squad mates when they're "breaking" during push-ups, runs, flutter kicks, etc. One huge misconception that I had going into basic is that my performance from basic wouldn't affect me during the academic year. Well so far I've seen my basic cadre every day, since I live with them, and their first impression of you is obviously going to be from BCT. They may not be your cadre during the year, but they play pretty big roles in determining your stratification in your squad which weighs heavily on your MPA. Just stuff to start thinking about before you come, but enjoy the rest of the time you have at home with your family and friends while you can.
 
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