Bringing a Backpack

Don't worry too much about this site, cadre generally won't check family's facebook pages or anything either. In my experience the only people who get in "trouble" for facebook are the people who post things calling out cadre or otherwise being pretty cocky before they get here.

I would lay low on your appointee facebook group too, but if you're responsible online, nobody will care if they find that you have a facebook page.
 
To add to this: as long as you don't make yourself a target, you won't be a target. I monitor Instagram on a regular basis, but only by looking at who is using hashtags related to USAFA. So note: do NOT post outrageous things publicly, or you will end up on somebody's radar. I don't go out of my way to look for people, and I'm sure that other cadre feel the same- we're too busy for that. Just remember that everyone is going to get called out at some point (regardless of your internet activity), and that's just part of the process.
And to be fair, sometimes you find things out about people that are just plain funny. One of my cadre found something of mine that I posted TWO YEARS before I entered the academy, and it was definitely embarrassing to me- but pretty goofy as well. It made for lots of laughs during Basic, and I don't regret it. Maybe someday you'll learn what it was. ;)
 
Yeah, I'd probably stay away from using the hashtag #youracademy for the foreseeable future ;)
 
baileydb said:
Do you think it's okay to stick around on this site if we don't use our full names? Other than this forum, I don't have Facebook or anything.... Do they check out parents'/ siblings' FB?
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If it were me, I wouldn't worry about that. You can't be tagged in a post unless you have an account, since the tag requires an id on that social media site to link too. Most of the stories over the years from BCT are tied to basics who develop a reputation as a big mouth and/or big attitude/ego. In other words, the cadre were inspired because a basic just couldn't resist pushing the envelope or poking with a stick. Or the basic had a big mouth before attending BCT and posted it in social media for everyone to see. The "look at me" syndrome.

If you want to look at this logically, it takes a lot of time and effort to track specific relations down. Can you imagine trying to track down the relationships and social media pages of every parent, sibling and best friend of each basic at BCT? Especially those associated with a basic who doesn't have a social media account? Logistically, it's a nightmare.

Another parent said to me, "Oh my, you are posting there with a child in BCT, is that wise?" And my thoughts on that is this (though I was far more polite ), "Why would they care? Why would they bother with the effort? I am completely and utterly unimportant. I have no power or influence. I just happened to give birth to and raised a kid who was accepted by the USAFA."

Don't become paranoid and overly worried. The cadre aren't evil omnipotent beings. They have and serve a purpose, and one of them is to teach you that the "we" is more important than the "me." If you go about looking to push their buttons and poke them with a stick, then expect the "inspired" consequences.
 
Along the line of things to bring, should we be okay with travel size shampoo and body wash, or should we bring the big bottles? My concern is that I'll run out of shampoo/ body wash before we get to go to the store (I have super thick hair so I use lots of shampoo). I bought some travel size empty bottles at Target which I plan to fill from the big bottles, will they let me come in with those, since they are unlabeled? (I am thinking of leaving the large bottles at home)
Also, should we bring sunscreen and lotion? I don't think they were on the list, but I would find them to be very useful! (CO is dry and hot in June!)
 
I'd think buying a big bottleof shampoo/conditioner in COS before might be the ticket, @baileydb. My son is going with the "not on the list, not bringing it" mantra.
 
haleym said:
To add to this: as long as you don't make yourself a target, you won't be a target. I monitor Instagram on a regular basis, but only by looking at who is using hashtags related to USAFA. So note: do NOT post outrageous things publicly, or you will end up on somebody's radar. I don't go out of my way to look for people, and I'm sure that other cadre feel the same- we're too busy for that. Just remember that everyone is going to get called out at some point (regardless of your internet activity), and that's just part of the process.
And to be fair, sometimes you find things out about people that are just plain funny. One of my cadre found something of mine that I posted TWO YEARS before I entered the academy, and it was definitely embarrassing to me- but pretty goofy as well. It made for lots of laughs during Basic, and I don't regret it. Maybe someday you'll learn what it was. ;)
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That being said, I know for a fact that some cadets do monitor facebook pages. My DD was accidentally friended by an upperclassman who had to identify himself and apologize, then unfriend. She had the opportunity to ask a couple of questions, which was nice. Personally, I think it must have been he and his friends & one of this friends was messing with him. Anyway, I've always told my kids that nothing on the internet is truly private. Nothing. Don't post anything that you'd be embarrassed to show your mom.
 
Advice to live by.... If you wouldn't want it printed in the local paper, or wouldn't want it said to your grandmother, don't post it.

As for backpacks.... I slightly disagree. While USAFA will issue you everything you need (save for what's on the appointee list), you may still want a nice travel backpack for weekends to sponsor, T-Day, Xmas, etc. We bought both kids really excellent travel backpacks to take to I-Day that could be used as carry ons (handles on multiple sides, internal suspension, straps that zip away, etc). They use them all the time... son even used it to travel to Italy on Thanksgiving break and daughter uses constantly for trips with her group.

One nice example.... Osprey Farpoint
 
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shellz said:
I'd think buying a big bottleof shampoo/conditioner in COS before might be the ticket, @baileydb. My son is going with the "not on the list, not bringing it" mantra.
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My son went only with what was on the list. During the first 2 weeks, they get to visit the Cstore where they can shop for additional items. He brought enough shampoo, deodorant, soap and toothpaste to last him through BCT.

As for conditioner....you will get basically 5 minute showers during BCT (and if you are really lucky, there will be steady hot water). I would advise a shampoo/conditioner in one product for girls with thick hair, because you will not have the time for a shampoo and condition rinse.
 
MombaBomba said:
My son went only with what was on the list. During the first 2 weeks, they get to visit the Cstore where they can shop for additional items. He brought enough shampoo, deodorant, soap and toothpaste to last him through BCT.

As for conditioner....you will get basically 5 minute showers during BCT (and if you are really lucky, there will be steady hot water). I would advise a shampoo/conditioner in one product for girls with thick hair, because you will not have the time for a shampoo and condition rinse.
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Yeah I already got some 2 in 1....Conditioner is a luxury for after BCT haha!
 
Just bring only what they tell you to bring. That way, you have no "special attention" and you know, they really do know what they're doing. After A-day, you will see what your squadron will allow for its 4*s.
 
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