Contrails before I-Day?

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raptor2026

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I was recently appointed to the USAFA '26 and I am super excited for what the future holds. Would it be smart to get a copy of Contrails to read before BCT starts? It seems that it would help a lot to have a grasp of the information.
 
Each year, a committee is convened to make selections for the next release of Contrails. It is not the type of publication that remains the same from year to year. While enticing to get ahead, you also do not want to be the star student who seems to just know things when classmates are struggling.

Imagine being in an 8' wide hallway turned inward and asked to "assume the position" (front leaning rest -- aka push up position). Then, there are 25 of you all preparing to push for an indeterminate amount of time. A voice from above yells out "UNIFORM OF MY COUNTRY QUOTE - GO" and you casually begin to recite "Sir, the uniform of my country quote by Captain Karen Dorman Kimmel is as follows.... Without a word, this uni --" It is just then that you realize, you are the only one of the 25 reciting the quote.... All eyes aim at you. The cadre volume intensifies. Your force field is worn down by the laser death ray eyes of your classmates who just received the book the night before but could not dedicate time to studying this week's assignments because they were learning to shine shoes and fold clothes. You just became enemy number 1 and have a neon sign on your chest that says DOES NOT PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS.

It is a book and it contains many things. There are military ranks, facts about planes, quotes, and much more. Be careful with quotes because they are often extracts and selected portions of larger works. Studying the full version of quotes today could prove harmful when you are only asked to know a subset.

If I am you, and I am wanting to do some advance work - study the ranks of the military branches. You need to know the name, the order, and what the rank looks like for visual recall. That will not change and you will be expected to know the entire library -- not a subset.
 
shiner said:
Each year, a committee is convened to make selections for the next release of Contrails. It is not the type of publication that remains the same from year to year. While enticing to get ahead, you also do not want to be the star student who seems to just know things when classmates are struggling.

Imagine being in an 8' wide hallway turned inward and asked to "assume the position" (front leaning rest -- aka push up position). Then, there are 25 of you all preparing to push for an indeterminate amount of time. A voice from above yells out "UNIFORM OF MY COUNTRY QUOTE - GO" and you casually begin to recite "Sir, the uniform of my country quote by Captain Karen Dorman Kimmel is as follows.... Without a word, this uni --" It is just then that you realize, you are the only one of the 25 reciting the quote.... All eyes aim at you. The cadre volume intensifies. Your force field is worn down by the laser death ray eyes of your classmates who just received the book the night before but could not dedicate time to studying this week's assignments because they were learning to shine shoes and fold clothes. You just became enemy number 1 and have a neon sign on your chest that says DOES NOT PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS.

It is a book and it contains many things. There are military ranks, facts about planes, quotes, and much more. Be careful with quotes because they are often extracts and selected portions of larger works. Studying the full version of quotes today could prove harmful when you are only asked to know a subset.

If I am you, and I am wanting to do some advance work - study the ranks of the military branches. You need to know the name, the order, and what the rank looks like for visual recall. That will not change and you will be expected to know the entire library -- not a subset.
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Brilliant visuals, there. You don’t want to be “that guy/gal.”
 
7 Basic Responses....

Yes Sir (or Ma'am)
No Sir (or Ma'am)
No excuse Sir (or Ma'am)
Sir (or Ma'am), I do not know
Sir (or Ma'am), may I ask a question
Sir (or Ma'am), may I make a statement
Sir (or Ma'am), I do not understand
 
Does USAFA do “sir/ma’am sandwiches” if people don’t seem to be catching on? Nothing like repetition drills to increase the suck factor.
“Ma’am, no excuse, ma’am!”
 
Capt MJ said:
Does USAFA do “sir/ma’am sandwiches” if people don’t seem to be catching on? Nothing like repetition drills to increase the suck factor.
“Ma’am, no excuse, ma’am!”
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No sandwiches. Some will try, but will get it yelled out of them quickly.
 
Agree with all the above!
But, if this were a poll with just yes and no, i'd pick no
and put Clean your room AND closet! in the comments section.
 
Falconiform-mom said:
Is this always the order or does it change?
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Order is not important, but the syntax is. One's response is situational.

Question: "4-degree, why does your roommate know this quote and you do not?"
Answer: "No excuse Sir!"

Situation: Freshman observes smoke coming from a dorm window.
Question: "Sir, may I make a statement?"
Response: "What is it smack?"
Statement: "Sir, there is smoke billowing out of that window."

Situation: Obstacle course orientation for climbing tower and the instructor explains the part that ensures you do not fall and die.
Statement: "Sir, I do not understand"
Response: "What part do you not understand Doolie? I thought the 'don't step here or you will die part was really clear?'"
Statement: "Sir, the XYZ..."

Question: "What is the speed of an unladen swallow?"
Answer: "Sir, I do not know."
 
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Anonymous121 said:
Sir, is that an African or European swallow, sir?
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Nope. You have invited undue attention on yourself and your classmates.... gotta follow the format and play the game.

"Sir, may I ask a question <wait for affirmative acknowledgement>, Sir, is that an African or European swallow?"

No Sir sandwich on the end or that will open a completely new can of worms and terror that will reign down.
 
The answer to a why question is ALWAYS “no excuse sir”. If the cadre want an actual reason they will say “for what reason …”

And whenever answering with an answer say “sir the answer is….”

Also you usually cannot speak without reporting in. To even get to ask a question or make a statement you have to follow a script. In the script below, Cadet Doe is your cadre

“Cadet Doe pardon me please” (wait for acknowledgment). “Sir Basic Cadet Smith reports as order.” (Wait for affirmative to continue). “Sir may I ask a question?” (Wait for permission) “sir… (ask question)”
 
Ah, fond (hah) memories for all those here wearing or formerly wore a uniform, the joys of that first accession experience.

I was hammered on a room inspection as to why there was condensation on the outside of my upper-story room window in King Hall at Navy OCS. Thank God for my former enlisted roommate for her coaching on how to properly respond to no-win questions.
 
Contrails is edited every year and issued to each new class member. Don't waste your money/time/effort buying one before hand. Part of the INTENTIONAL plan is to get you used to learning under stress and with time limits.
 
First question I got asked on the footprints:
Cadre: "Why is it raining?"
Thinking it was an attempt to make me laugh, I said nothing.
Cadre: "What is the answer to a why question?"

If at any point they say why, the answer is no excuse, sir. It gets pretty fun to abuse
 
Loving all the callbacks to BCT...

But to answer the question, no, do not try to get a contrails beforehand... You're going to have way more than enough time to study that thing. I started reading mine in the line to draw blood on I-Day. I look back and wish I had spent that time talking to other basics instead of studying.
 
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