End of BCT!

Question for graduates or parents of graduates...basically those with experience 😂

How will Saturday (1st non BCT day) be different from today? ADay isn't for another week. I know they will move rooms, have briefings, etc. But will they still be woken up super early? Are they on their own to get where they're supposed to be instead of marching as a flight or squadron? I fully understand they are adults, but this week seems like an odd phase where BCT is complete but they aren't yet 4th class cadets. It's like the Cadre have been there to hold their hands and guide them for 5 weeks, do they just quit and move on to squadron responsibilities? I'm sure squadron leadership will take over for the basics this week, but how quickly does that transition take place?
 
I have the same questions!
Will the yelling end?
Will they be able to speak freely , meaning not having to say " basic cadet John Smith wishes to ask a question " or whatever they have to do now?
Will they be able to look around while eating ?
 
I know they have to eat while sitting on the edge of their seat until after recognition. And they can only socialize with other doolies. They will have to address upperclassmen respectfully, but I don't think they are limited to the 7 basic commands.

I know they won't be sleeping until 8am or anything, but I'm curious if they are more free to set their own schedule to wake up and go to bed as long as they don't miss training. And to use the bathroom on their own schedule 😂
 
I'm also very interested to know. I've heard they get their phones back and get to make/receive calls. Does school start Monday?
 
I thought smacks stopped sitting at the edge of their seats 40 years ago - unless that has come back.

Shouting with a command voice is very different from yelling. No one is allowed to be up in someone’s face yelling nor has it been allowed for decades. The loudness factor definitely declines after BCT

The Wing is returning and the upperclass are transitioning from summer programs and leave to a back to school mentality. Basics are now something to manage during the transition

Morning formations will make certain no one sleeps in and SMACks typically aren’t allowed to be in their beds from early morning to at least academic call to quarters

Acceptance allows them privileges to move about on their own with limits as to where they can be.

They will figure it out.

Don’t overdramatize it and find something else to worry about. In the good old days, parents dropped them off - usually at the nearest airport and came out to see them Parents Weekend

USAFA has been doing this a long time

The academic calendar is posted on line
 
AdviceSeekingParent said:
I'm also very interested to know. I've heard they get their phones back and get to make/receive calls. Does school start Monday?
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Classes start on the 8th. They have a lot to do and learn before then.
Cerberi said:
I thought smacks stopped sitting at the edge of their seats 40 years ago - unless that has come back.

Shouting with a command voice is very different from yelling. No one is allowed to be up in someone’s face yelling nor has it been allowed for decades. The loudness factor definitely declines after BCT

The Wing is returning and the upperclass are transitioning from summer programs and leave to a back to school mentality. Basics are now something to manage during the transition

Morning formations will make certain no one sleeps in and SMACks typically aren’t allowed to be in their beds from early morning to at least academic call to quarters

Acceptance allows them privileges to move about on their own with limits as to where they can be.

They will figure it out.

Don’t overdramatize it and find something else to worry about. In the good old days, parents dropped them off - usually at the nearest airport and came out to see them Parents Weekend

USAFA has been doing this a long time

The academic calendar is posted on line
Click to expand...
All of this. I remember being terrified of the wing coming back and of finding the C-Store all by myself. I somehow made it. Can't wait to talk to my '26er tomorrow. He already hates greeting and is not going to like what's coming when he gets to his squadron...so many upperclassmen to greet. Maybe calling minutes will be more to his liking.

Also, I love that you used the word "smack." I still have my old smackpack around here somewhere.
 
26ers will have briefs every day. Upperclassmen are instructed to have “limited contact” with them until after A-day. They will move into their AC year room.

They must have a wingman at all times so they can never go anywhere by themselves. They are not authorized to run strips yet and must March in formation. It’s a pretty weird limbo time, but it goes by really fast.
 
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Cerberi said:
I thought smacks stopped sitting at the edge of their seats 40 years ago - unless that has come back.

Shouting with a command voice is very different from yelling. No one is allowed to be up in someone’s face yelling nor has it been allowed for decades. The loudness factor definitely declines after BCT

The Wing is returning and the upperclass are transitioning from summer programs and leave to a back to school mentality. Basics are now something to manage during the transition

Morning formations will make certain no one sleeps in and SMACks typically aren’t allowed to be in their beds from early morning to at least academic call to quarters

Acceptance allows them privileges to move about on their own with limits as to where they can be.

They will figure it out.

Don’t overdramatize it and find something else to worry about. In the good old days, parents dropped them off - usually at the nearest airport and came out to see them Parents Weekend

USAFA has been doing this a long time

The academic calendar is posted on line
Click to expand...
I think you just told us moms not to overdramatize. Easier said than done! 😂
 
Usually people who were cadre throughout basic will rotate who is responsible for the doolies. Our transition time was pretty simple because my basic flight was housed within our normal squadron space so we didn't have to hike it all of the way across the Tzo to relocate. Everyone has to reset rooms rooms though. Upperclassmen have a lot going on so it is briefings for the doolies which frees up the upperclassmen. Someone still has to take you to meals, which was a comical error for my squadron. On A-day, we were still not allowed to go to Mitch's by ourselves, but everyone else thought another person was going to march us there. By the time they figured out we hadn't had food, it was too late to take us so they scrounged together some snacks for us. It was muggy, hot, and we were in ABUs because the parade field was so sloshy which without food was a prime recipe for A LOT of fall outs. Permanent party had a few thoughts for us after that happened.
 
cadet15 said:
Usually people who were cadre throughout basic will rotate who is responsible for the doolies. Our transition time was pretty simple because my basic flight was housed within our normal squadron space so we didn't have to hike it all of the way across the Tzo to relocate. Everyone has to reset rooms rooms though. Upperclassmen have a lot going on so it is briefings for the doolies which frees up the upperclassmen. Someone still has to take you to meals, which was a comical error for my squadron. On A-day, we were still not allowed to go to Mitch's by ourselves, but everyone else thought another person was going to march us there. By the time they figured out we hadn't had food, it was too late to take us so they scrounged together some snacks for us. It was muggy, hot, and we were in ABUs because the parade field was so sloshy which without food was a prime recipe for A LOT of fall outs. Permanent party had a few thoughts for us after that happened.
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Sounds like a blast. As far as I remember, we had the options of marching ourselves or running the strips during transition week last year. Not sure how '26 will do it though.
EDIT: Congrats to all the 26ers!
 
I'm sure they'll be fine during transition. Can they interact with upperclassmen after A Day? Is it more normal interaction when they are part of clubs or intermurals?
 
Osprey123 said:
I'm sure they'll be fine during transition. Can they interact with upperclassmen after A Day? Is it more normal interaction when they are part of clubs or intermurals?
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I know for my DDs IC team it’s normal interaction when at practice except you cannot date an upperclassmen. I would assume the same for clubs. Lots of fun training items until recognition while on campus like you can’t take the elevator, you have to run the strips, you can’t go into another squad and of course no civvies. Expect the class to be put on random restriction…generally done when the seem to be getting too comfortable with the routines, but this too shall pass fairly quickly.

Congrats to the 26’ers and enjoy the next part of the ride!!
 
Osprey123 said:
I'm sure they'll be fine during transition. Can they interact with upperclassmen after A Day? Is it more normal interaction when they are part of clubs or intermurals?
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I'm in the team handball club, and the only time I ever got told off was when I accidentally called one of my teammates sir
 
Stuff that changed:
We run. Not march it's weirdddddd.
We can use the bathroom/ free to move around without asking
We eat at attention until we ask to eat at ease.
They cant do pushups durning this week
That's about it. Some squads are allowing patches and using the motto for greetings, mines doesn't till A-day.

Really it's small things but we're so basic blinded it's like an alien planet for freedom.
 
FlyFalcon said:
Stuff that changed:
We run. Not march it's weirdddddd.
We can use the bathroom/ free to move around without asking
We eat at attention until we ask to eat at ease.
They cant do pushups durning this week
That's about it. Some squads are allowing patches and using the motto for greetings, mines doesn't till A-day.

Really it's small things but we're so basic blinded it's like an alien planet for freedom.
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Are you a 2026 cadet ?
 
somuchbetterthanme said:
Congrats ! How is it going ?
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I've loved it. My flight is outstanding at looking out for each other. Nervous for all the rules and changes but nothing we can't handle. 25ers are super awesome too. Cadre have been mostly outstanding. They've pushed us. Even the eh ones just made us stronger as a team. Gave us a common "enemy" so to speak.
 
FlyFalcon said:
Stuff that changed:
We run. Not march it's weirdddddd.
We can use the bathroom/ free to move around without asking
We eat at attention until we ask to eat at ease.
They cant do pushups durning this week
That's about it. Some squads are allowing patches and using the motto for greetings, mines doesn't till A-day.

Really it's small things but we're so basic blinded it's like an alien planet for freedom.
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Yes! DS is excited to wear the patch!

It's actually an interesting psychological strategy. If they had put you straight to actual academic year living expectations then you'd all hate the restrictions. Since they started really bad, you're happy when they take the foot off the pedal a bit. Traumatic bonding.

But you all are amazing and had to endure having covid AND Jack's Hack. Everyone is really proud of all of you.
 
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