BCT preparation

2018mom

5-Year Member
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Nov 21, 2013
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My DS has received his appointment to the USAFA and is planning a trip to Europe after High School graduation and before he reports to BCT. My concern is that he should be spending that time preparing for the physical requirements of BCT and making sure he is not exhausted from his trip when he reports June 26th. Any feedback?
 
Our DD has already started the PACT Pre-Arrival Cadet Training. It would also help to arrive early to get used to the fact your at 1 1/2 miles up and the air is thin. The PACT is on the forum somewhere I don't know where she found it. I think its also on the AFA website.
 
If you're not in shape, you're going to have a bad time.
 
In my personal opinion, he should enjoy the trip. He can prepare before he leaves. Depending on the length of the trip it should not be a big factor, he can still do some of the exercises daily while on the trip. It may be one of those things he can look back on fondly during the harder days of BCT when he is trying to make it meal to meal or hour to hour(there are those kids who, that is the only way they make it through). They need to enjoy the time before just a much as staying fit. Their college experience will be much different than their peers, why start making it harder before they get there? I know at least one of my kids and probably both would have resented me terribly if this was them.
It is also tough adjusting to altitude, however neither of my kids went early enough to make a difference in the adjustment. It truly takes them 3-6 weeks to adjust. The Academy knows this! Not going to lie, it was hard on them (coming from sea level) but both made it through BCT with a sense of accomplishment.
 
My DD is a gymnast and reported to BCT in amazing shape. That being said - she threw up most of that first week from the exertion and altitude. If I remember right you take the fitness test on day two. If your son thinks he is in good shape he is probably not ready to take it!
 
I was nervous about our DS going on a 7 day wilderness hike after graduation. You kind of want to wrap them up in bubble wrap to make sure nothing happens. But, you come to realize they are there because where they are going, will require the utmost sacrifice and they have to responsible for all their decisions. Once I realized that, I was able to sit back and encourage him, but let him make his own decisions.
 
Just a word of advise for the altitude. I train at the Olympic Training Center which is located not far from USAFA and as an athlete it has been my experience that the altitude did not affect my performance as much as I had thought. What I found after talking with some sport therapists is what really is going to determine your ability to cope with this is how well your body can take in oxygen. If your out of shape, get winded easily you will struggle (SERIOUSLY STRUGGLE) but on the other hand if you are in really good shape the altitude will be less/un noticeable. If you want to show up early to get acclimated what we do at the training center is go up to pikes peak for a day (not to far away form the springs) and do cardio exercises for a few hours. Just my two cents for what I experienced while training in Colorado Springs.
 
My personal opinion is that he should GO! ENJOY! He should relish the last bit of freedom and fun he can have before he heads off to USAFA. My DD is also a gymnast and she was in great shape and she continued to do her regular workouts up until she left for BCT and she still got hammered during BCT. Does this mean I think she should have stepped up her workouts to be prepared? Heck no...she made having fun a priority during her last weeks at home. As long as he doesn't do anything stupid (like drink to excess and the like), he can use it as a good opportunity to break in his boots (usually lots of walking is involved in trips to Europe!). Congrats to your son, and good luck!
 
I think he should go and enjoy his time! But MAKE SURE that he keeps working out, as others have mentioned, if he arrives out of shape...basic will be even worse. Plus he can always "return" to that trip when the days seem especially hard.
 
There is no harm from him going on a trip for 1 week. He should go. By the way, he still can do push ups, sit ups, and run while on vacation! And congrats!
 
Thanks for all the input. I would selfishly like to keep him home up to the minute he leaves, but he would not be happy and this trip is an opportunity he won't have for the next four years. Hopefully he will keep up his work out regimen while he is on his trip and not arrive at the Academy too tired. But if he is (too tired) then that will be a learning experience for him too!
 
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