Current Cadet Answers

jwest182

USAFA Grad '19
5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2014
Messages
120
Hello everyone! It has been awhile since I've been active on here, but with I-Day for 2021 coming up, I wanted to offer an opportunity for incoming cadets to ask any questions they would like-I am more than happy to help where I can, and hopefully some other current cadets are around and can give their perspectives to.

For some background: I am a 2019 cadet, and will be working Medical Cadre for Second Beast, so feel free to ask questions about Basic or the Ac Year!
 
When buying either boxer briefs or compression shorts, other than color or length in question, is it acceptable for large writing to be on the waistband (e.g. Nike compression shorts)?
 
When buying either boxer briefs or compression shorts, other than color or length in question, is it acceptable for large writing to be on the waistband (e.g. Nike compression shorts)?

No one is going to check or worry about the specifics of undergarments, I would just avoid neon or anything that would look out of place in your drawer.

Anecdote, they told us to purchase whit compression shorts, yet when we arrived they issued us black compression shorts, so it really doesn't matter.
 
My boots give me blisters on my heels when I run in them. It helps when I put a bandaid on to prevent the blisters. Can I bring bandaids? Will they allow me to do what it take to prevent blisters?
 
My boots give me blisters on my heels when I run in them. It helps when I put a bandaid on to prevent the blisters. Can I bring bandaids? Will they allow me to do what it take to prevent blisters?
Sorry to bust in, but yes bring band aids! I decided not to and regretted it. They have medical staff that will put moleskin on your blisters but they're not always readily available and I personally didn't like the way they put it on. Long story short I was miserable without bandaids until I bought some at the cadet store so bring at least a box or two.
 
Sorry to bust in, but yes bring band aids! I decided not to and regretted it. They have medical staff that will put moleskin on your blisters but they're not always readily available and I personally didn't like the way they put it on. Long story short I was miserable without bandaids until I bought some at the cadet store so bring at least a box or two.

Definitely agree with what Hoodlum said. If you can take care of blisters and such yourself that will probably be more convenient for you. There are cadets that go around to take care of that, but there are only so many of them, and there are obviously a lot of basics that need help with blisters throughout BCT.
 
This might sound like a strange question, but our DS is a candidate for the class of 2022 and he is thinking about the essay questions on the application. Besides other things, our DS is quite a musician. He plays violin incredibly, he is self taught on piano and guitar as well. As he thinks about the various ways he will fit in at USAFA, obviously music comes to mind. Can you tell us if there are pianos and/or music practice rooms and/or simply places to jam with other cadets at the cadet area? Is there someplace in Arnold Hall, for example? Pianos or Keyboards that cadets will have access to? Thank you for answering my question.
 
Yes! I am a musician as well (saxophone mostly) and while there isn't a lot of time for music, a large number of cadets are quite musical and make time for it. There are several pianos in Arnold hall, as well as the chapel. There is also one in the Oasis in Sijan hall. Many cadets have keyboards in their rooms as well.

As for musical opportunities, there was (and hopefully still is) a cadet symphony orchestra that got together for 1.5hrs on Sundays to rehearse and played a few concerts a year. Nothing serious, just a group getting together to play, but we were pretty good because everyone involved was a pretty committed musician with a high level of skill. There is also a show choir with a live band (I was a co-CIC , cadet in charge, for this my senior year) that allowed for a lot of creativity and jamming. We basically came up with our own parts based on 4 part choir charts. A jazz band has been on and off for a while, but it was very cadet run and dependent on the current cadets (it existed my freshman year, but had died by my senior year).

I often just played in my room during odd hours, but there are several rooms in the chapel as well as Arnold hall that can be used for playing. I also occasionally used an empty classroom in Fairchild in the evenings.

In short, yes, there are opportunities and plenty of musically inclined Cadets.
 
Thanks for your reply, USAFA10s - our DS is going to love reading this. We can see him being interested in the Jazz Band and the orchestra for sure.
 
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