Basic Training Questions

AROTC-dad said:
Okay, so just ask this question: "Why is the Academy so "mean" as to not allow photos during BCT?

Think about it. One of the biggest problems to overcome during BCT is "homesickness." During BCT, they will keep your basic so busy and exhausted that they will not have TIME to get homesick.....UNLESS they have a sentimental photo of family/girlfriend/boyfriend staring at them in the face!

There are reasons that rules are in place.
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Here is another way to look at the situation based on AFROTC-dad's comment above. BCT is the start of a Cadet's path towards leadership and teamwork. One thing that is maybe glossed over is the fact each and every Basic experiences personal, introspective growth during BCT. BCT forces Basics to ask themselves questions such as: Who am I? Why am I here? Am I cut out for this? Can I be a leader? Having pictures may very well distract a Basic from this time of growth if they are able to look at them.
 
AROTC-dad said:
+1 @parktrack....

but...I'm not sure why so many people keep transferring my DS to the Air Force. :rolleyes:
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Guilty as charged. Freudian slip I suppose, since this is the Air Force Academy discussion. Those of us tied to USAFA see an 'A' and naturally there is an 'F' after it. ;)
 
parktrack said:
Guilty as charged. Freudian slip I suppose, since this is the Air Force Academy discussion. Those of us tied to USAFA see an 'A' and naturally there is an 'F' after it. ;)
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All is good. My late father served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II (23rd fighter group), so there is common DNA.
 
Be calm. BCT is a learning experience. There is PLENTY of oversight. Your kids will be ok. It is designed to be stressful and tough, but it is also carefully controlled (and has 50+ years of lessons learned behind it).
 
I have seen this from both sides.. photos are very personal and affect basics differently, usually not positive.
What I did, knowing it was to be collected, is send short inspirational quotes by well known military figures (yes I know they enough to worry about remembering!). I also scoured the internet for memes, cartoons that depicted certain well known military circumstances, especially those that expressed a superiority of USAF over the other branches!!
My son as Cadre said that while these were confiscated, they did give 'mail call' a little humor, and especially esprit de corps if it dug a little at the other services in good humor!
These items were always on a separate page and thus if confiscated, would allow the letter portion to be retained.
 
Also adding, that I did prepare several 'Easy Letters' (my tm!).
These were either fill in the blank or circle one of several comical choice answers to simple questions.
These always were returned, especially when accompanied by a SASE!
Remember they have no energy and are extremely tired so this made it so simple for a response.
 
On the topic of mail during BCT - can we send a greeting card? Plain envelope outside, card with generic illustration or photo on the outside, handwritten note on the inside?
 
rosepetals said:
On the topic of mail during BCT - can we send a greeting card? Plain envelope outside, card with generic illustration or photo on the outside, handwritten note on the inside?
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My grandma sent that type of card all the time. It might have been borderline questionable but I never had any problems.
 
rosepetals said:
On the topic of mail during BCT - can we send a greeting card? Plain envelope outside, card with generic illustration or photo on the outside, handwritten note on the inside?
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My cadre confiscated everything that anyone got with pictures/illustrations, even if they were generic. So it totally depends on the cadre!
 
backpacker20 said:
My cadre confiscated everything that anyone got with pictures/illustrations, even if they were generic. So it totally depends on the cadre!
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With this possibility in mind, I would write the contents of the message on a plain piece of paper inside the card so that even if the card is taken the message can still be retained.
 
Just a suggestion but I would keep the mail fairly generic and upbeat. Mail is important due to the fact that the basics are in a new world and like the contact with the "outside" world, but the rules are in place for a reason. It may not make sense now but it will in short order and it's a proven method. Also, knowing for some it will be the first time that many will have been away from home but again, there is method in the madness and it's only for 6 weeks or so. Can't stop the clock. Hopefully, the routine is such that you / they, as the case may be, is such that you /they don't have a lot of time or energy to dwell on much else but getting to the end.
 
After Basic, we sent a digital photo frame to DD & she liked it very much.
 
Any thoughts on memorizing jokes for BCT? I have heard from some people that cadre will ask you for jokes and to memorize some others say it is not really that important?
 
ihatepie said:
Any thoughts on memorizing jokes for BCT? I have heard from some people that cadre will ask you for jokes and to memorize some others say it is not really that important?
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Let's put it this way, you probably won't get punished for not knowing jokes but you might get rewarded for knowing them. I'd know at least one funny one (it can be short) as I can think of at least one occassion where you may be asked for a joke and you'll be very relieved if you know one.
 
This is a joke from a previous poster:
One cold afternoon, an AMT was walking on the Tzo with 2 cadets when they came across an old lamp. When rubbed, a genie appeared and granted each one wish. The first cadet stated, "I wish to be on a beach in Hawaii" and instantly was transported there. The 2nd cadet stated, "I wish to be on a beach in Florida" and was gone as well. The genie then turned to the AMT who said, "I want them both back here by 1500 for training!":)
 
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