I-Day information

Wednesday June 28,2023.

Good luck on his decision and congratulations on his appointments.
Thank You Very Much! This is his 3rd time applying, so it has been a journey of set-backs and perseverance to say the least! He's currently at MMI as self-prep, after self-preping at NWP last year. He is truly teaching his proud parents a few things about determination 😉
 
Thank You Very Much! This is his 3rd time applying, so it has been a journey of set-backs and perseverance to say the least! He's currently at MMI as self-prep, after self-preping at NWP last year. He is truly teaching his proud parents a few things about determination 😉
We have a number of reapplicants on SAF (several of them 3rd timers) and I have the utmost respect for their perseverance. It’s a hard process to go through one time let alone multiple times.

Good luck to all of them!! So glad your son’s determination paid off!!
 
We have a number of reapplicants on SAF (several of them 3rd timers) and I have the utmost respect for their perseverance. It’s a hard process to go through one time let alone multiple times.

Good luck to all of them!! So glad your son’s determination paid off!!
Praying they ALL get appointments!!!
 
After dropping off DS will we have any time with him after the check in is completed?
The USNA has an opportunity to have a late lunch with the the cadet/mid after the swearing in ceramony. Is the AF anything like that?
After dropoff what are the parents to do?
Just trying to plan out the 28th.

Thanks.
 
After dropping off DS will we have any time with him after the check in is completed?
The USNA has an opportunity to have a late lunch with the the cadet/mid after the swearing in ceramony. Is the AF anything like that?
After dropoff what are the parents to do?
Just trying to plan out the 28th.

Thanks.
I started on page 3 not page 1 since this is where my search sent me.
Sorry
 
I started on page 3 not page 1 since this is where my search sent me.
Sorry
Welcome to c/o '27! If you are on FB, the USAFA Class of 2027 parents page is a wealth of information. There are actually events scheduled that week for incoming cadets and parents. Also, a parent Zoom coming up next month to answer questions. Highly recommend! :)
 
Welcome to c/o '27! If you are on FB, the USAFA Class of 2027 parents page is a wealth of information. There are actually events scheduled that week for incoming cadets and parents. Also, a parent Zoom coming up next month to answer questions. Highly recommend! :)
How will the zoom meeting info get out? Plan on the FB Group, DS just received his medical waiver and when he prints the acceptence page I will send to verify.
A lot of stuff.
If we do not stay the extra day for the swearing in ceramony what time would be good to leave the Academy grounds?
 
How will the zoom meeting info get out? Plan on the FB Group, DS just received his medical waiver and when he prints the acceptence page I will send to verify.
A lot of stuff.
If we do not stay the extra day for the swearing in ceramony what time would be good to leave the Academy grounds?
Let me clarify first that I am a c/o '27 parent as well, and am by no means an expert on anything. So hopefully, experienced parents will chime in with corrections/details. There is a form you all will need to fill out that will go to the parent liaison that releases them to contact you with info like upcoming zooms and connecting you with your local parent groups too. On the 2027 FB page there is a zoom signup link for this particular information meeting. As for that day, I have heard that after dropping the cadets off there is an opportunity to go and talk with fellow parents and write your first letter to your cadet that they will deliver. Not sure, but I have also heard that sometimes they are granted one call to their parents that evening to confirm their in-processing is complete, so being accessible via phone might be a good idea if you can. As for what time you can leave, I think that is dependent upon what all you would like to participate in, but I don't get the impression that it will be very long. Hope this helps and that I've given you accurate information.
 
I started on page 3 not page 1 since this is where my search sent me.
Sorry
You will not see your ds after dropoff. Dropoff is QUICK so say goodbyes beforehand. My DH and I had a blast at the picnic, planetarium, and "zoo viewing." We had a later dropoff and stayed until almost dinnertime.
 
The drop-off is rather quick, we pulled up and our DS grabbed is backpack then walked up the stairs. He had is boots on, his backpack in one hand and his orders in the other.

Prior to drop-off, we got in a few pics and said good luck at the Athletic Field overlooks. Here is the link to the map. https://www.usafa.edu/app/uploads/10-fss-usafa-map.pdf
 
Congrats to all of you! We are not or weren't military either. It's quite a ride! Two very surface pieces of advice for your DS to make his day slightly less stressful - memorize the 7 Basic Responses. Knowing these responses will get cadre off his tail faster.
  • Yes Ma'am/Sir.
  • No Ma'am/Sir.
  • No Excuse Ma'am/Sir.
  • Ma'am/Sir, may I ask a question?
  • Ma'am/Sir may I make a statement?
  • Ma'am/Sir I do not know.
  • Ma'am/Sir, I do not understand. Contact Us: Community Service Request. Performance Request. For information. Aerospace Science Instructor.
and wear a shirt long enough to tuck in and stay tucked in which is one thing cadre will yell at them to do. Again about getting cadre off his tail.

For you, swing by the Colorado Parent Club IDay Picnic and write your first letter to your cadet. These are hand delivered to the cadre to give to them.

Second extra throat lozenges and also moleskin, large bandaids or something to cover blisters. My DD's boots were broken in, and she still got blisters.
 
We showed up a couple of days ahead of time and I thought that worked out fine. You can spend some time exploring Colorado Springs. I would suggest both parents go for sure. I was advised to arrange to keep the siblings at home (if you have additional children). I thought it was amazing advice. Drop-off is INCREDIBLY emotional. We felt torn between immense pride and profound sadness and I think it was a good idea not to subject the younger siblings to that.

If you don't know already...your Basic Cadet relinquishes their phone on the first day and will only get it back 2-3 times over the next 6 weeks! That is very difficult to get your head around. As soon as you drop your child off you have no contact and won't get a phone call until Doolie Day Out, which I believe is about two and a half weeks later.

The next opportunity you will get to hug your child will be at Acceptance Day (A-Day) which was in early August. I got mixed advice on this. Some people told me to save my money and not go. Other people said I should definitely go to see her get her shoulder boards "pinned" on (the button them on) as they transform from Basic Cadets into Cadets. If you are on a tight budget you may not want to go as you can only spend 2-3 hours with your Cadet eating and hanging out after the ceremony. If you can swing it financially, I would go. It made me feel so much better and my DD really enjoyed seeing me (my wife did not make the trip).

Parents' weekend is about 4 weeks following A-Day and we all went out (including the siblings) and it was awesome. You should start looking for an Airbnb or hotel room now because they are going to fill up quickly. We made the mistake of waiting and it was very expensive as all of the reasonably priced places were rented.

Congratulations on your son's appointment! It is such an exciting time. Feel free to reach out to me via private message if you have any questions you would prefer not to be broadcast.
I believe they get a 5 minute phone call at the end of I-Day, but nothing until Doolie Day out.
 
GO!! As a mom of a USAFA graduate and a current sponsor mom, I would recommend (if you are financially able) that you ATTEND EVERY SINGLE EVENT available to parents during your kiddo's 4 years at USFA. I wouldn't have wanted to miss the fun times & memories of I-Day, Acceptance Day, Parents Weekends each year or Graduation Week!
Attend as many activities as you can (TRUE); however, remember that the chief benefit is not for your memories, but to support your DS/DD. You are now part of his/her support team. An academy visit is not like a middle school visit (student not wanting to be seen with his/her parents). True, you'll have great memories, but more important, your DD/DS will see and remember your visible support of his/her journey through USAFA. Unfortunately, the cost may not be trivial for some families depending on where they live. I traveled 2,000 miles by myself when I reported for BCT at USAFA; however, there were no programs for parents in those days. I simply showed up. However, when my DS went to USMA (only 200 miles), we attended everything including home football games. My parents and family members were able to come for Parents' Weekend and Graduation. As a parent, your greatest contribution to your DD/DS is to support them emotionally while they continue the journey. Many new cadets will require encouragement. Many may consider quitting before really understanding everything. As a parent, your job is to help your DD/DS move forward one small step at a time.
 
Are there any events at the Academy prior to I-Day....I watched a video from the class of 26 I-Day and it appeared that there were activities prior to I-Day? Here is a link to that vid:
 
Are there any events at the Academy prior to I-Day....I watched a video from the class of 26 I-Day and it appeared that there were activities prior to I-Day? Here is a link to that vid:
Yes, there is the ice cream social the day before. DS chose not to go because he was a little stressed out by the idea and we let it go. We went to a nice sushi dinner instead.
 
Yes, there is the ice cream social the day before. DS chose not to go because he was a little stressed out by the idea and we let it go. We went to a nice sushi dinner instead.
Thanks. I will let my DD determine if she wants to go or no.
 
Hello! My son just accepted his appointment to USAFA class of 2027 and since we aren't a military family, we have lots of questions. We live in Michigan, and we are wondering when he should arrive for I-Day this year (some threads recommended a couple days early to get use to the altitude). Also, should both my husband and I go? I can't really find information about the amount of contact that we would have with with our son after we drop him off for I-Day (if any at all). Any information or advise about this would be appreciated. Thank you!
Congratulations!! We opted to go to the Springs 3 days before I-day as a mini family vacation. It was also 2020 and everyone had been cooped up for months. DS met with some other future cadets and went running a few times. It was nice to explore the town and have time together. Some opt to go alone. It depends on personality.. some cadets may find it hard to say goodbye. If your cadets wants you both and you can swing it, go ahead and go early as a family. As for acclimating, that’s built into BCT.
 
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