Last year, we arrived shortly after 0700 and the wall was already full. How early you can get there will depend on whether or not you have to use the visitor gate, which if I recall correctly, does not allow visitors to enter until 0700. If you have a DoD ID, you can get in earlier.[/Q
Just a recommendation if you're on a tight budget: let your DS go to USAFA on her own using the bed and breakfast program and go out for A-day instead. My parents couldn't come to either, but I was glad to be on my own and done with my good byes and family tears a day prior (to get my head straight and focused). As for A day, I was pretty sad I didn't have any family there for the small window of time we could spend together (something like 2 hours)
All I can tell you is that we hung around on I-Day at the chapel wall after dropping of DS and enjoyed watching the Basics and listening to the Cadre. The Colorado Parent's Club will host a nice free lunch which provides a good opportunity to meet other parents and families going through the same process that you are. We spent the night, got up early, and watched the Basics practice for the Commissioning Ceremony and then enjoyed the ceremony. Get there early and pick a place at the wall that is diagonal from where your Basics squad will be. This will allow you to see him from an angle if he is not in the first row. Bring binoculars and sunglasses. Some families brought signs, but we did not. The squads will line up north to south with the Aggressors on the north.We are debating whether to leave Colorado Springs the afternoon of the 29th or stay for the parade on the 30th. We have friends in Boulder watching DS's little sisters while we drop DS off. Staying for the parade would mean one extra night away from them. Just want to know if it is a "must see". Any advice is appreciated.
Do what is best for your family. There is no one "right" decision. I did not go to A-Day, but DW did and she loved it. In fact she would tell you that A-Day and Graduation, which are books ends to the Cadet experience are the highlights to entire USAFA parent experience. Remember to bring extra lunches on A-Day for all the squadmates of your DS who do not have family coming, but will be hungry for any non-AF food. DW brought lots of Subway.I'm glad you said this because I've been trying to decide if I've made the right decision in telling my DS that I can't go with him to I-day, but I'll be for A-day. He's my only child, and I've raised him by myself, so it's an understatement to say that I'm going to be a blubbering mess when he leaves. I know he'll be nervous about beginning this new chapter in his life, so I figured it would be best for him to be alone and not have to deal with my emotions in addition to his own. Thank you for sharing your experience.
After we drop him off at Doolittle Hall Will we get to see him or talk to him again. In other words on I day is the last time we physically get to see and talk to our DS on the steps in front of Doolittle Hall?We went to the Academy the day before I Day and found out what squad my DS was in. The next morning he was antsy to get going and actually ended up reporting about an hour earlier than scheduled. Once you are on the campus and parked it goes really fast. Your DS/DD will go through a short line to sign in and place their backpack/things. You can then accompany them to a short orientation speech (less than 10 minutes if I recall correctly). At the end of the orientation they literally give you a couple of minutes for good-byes and usher the Cadets into the Doolittle and upstairs for inprocessing. This takes about 15 minutes and then can watch as they come down at attention and stand by the door awaiting the Cadre who takes them on a short stroll until they get their backpacks and get in line to get on the bus. This is the last opportunity for an up close view of your child as they enter BCT.
We went back inside and visited several booths that provided some great information on pay, bank accounts, etc. After about 30 minutes we left and headed back to the hotel. The next morning we at USAFA early scoping a spot on the wall with what seemed like a thousand other parents. The parade was quick and you will be surprised by the progress of one night of work. You will be done by mid-morning.
After we drop him off at Doolittle Hall Will we get to see him or talk to him again. In other words on I day is the last time we physically get to see and talk to our DS on the steps in front of Doolittle Hall?We went to the Academy the day before I Day and found out what squad my DS was in. The next morning he was antsy to get going and actually ended up reporting about an hour earlier than scheduled. Once you are on the campus and parked it goes really fast. Your DS/DD will go through a short line to sign in and place their backpack/things. You can then accompany them to a short orientation speech (less than 10 minutes if I recall correctly). At the end of the orientation they literally give you a couple of minutes for good-byes and usher the Cadets into the Doolittle and upstairs for inprocessing. This takes about 15 minutes and then can watch as they come down at attention and stand by the door awaiting the Cadre who takes them on a short stroll until they get their backpacks and get in line to get on the bus. This is the last opportunity for an up close view of your child as they enter BCT.
We went back inside and visited several booths that provided some great information on pay, bank accounts, etc. After about 30 minutes we left and headed back to the hotel. The next morning we at USAFA early scoping a spot on the wall with what seemed like a thousand other parents. The parade was quick and you will be surprised by the progress of one night of work. You will be done by mid-morning.
All I can tell you is that we hung around on I-Day at the chapel wall after dropping of DS and enjoyed watching the Basics and listening to the Cadre. The Colorado Parent's Club will host a nice free lunch which provides a good opportunity to meet other parents and families going through the same process that you are. We spent the night, got up early, and watched the Basics practice for the Commissioning Ceremony and then enjoyed the ceremony. Get there early and pick a place at the wall that is diagonal from where your Basics squad will be. This will allow you to see him from an angle if he is not in the first row. Bring binoculars and sunglasses. Some families brought signs, but we did not. The squads will line up north to south with the Aggressors on the north.We are debating whether to leave Colorado Springs the afternoon of the 29th or stay for the parade on the 30th. We have friends in Boulder watching DS's little sisters while we drop DS off. Staying for the parade would mean one extra night away from them. Just want to know if it is a "must see". Any advice is appreciated.
For our family, staying the extra night was definitely worth it. And we have a 2016er which went through Basic while part of The Springs and Base was on fire and most everything west of I-25 was closed off to the public. The sky with all the smoke and fire and the mountains in the background looked like Mt. Doom from Lord of the Rings, a truly surreal and smokey experience.