Parent checklist for BCT

[FalconsRock]

1) Agreed. Write2Them is the only way to do the mail to your DS. Make sure you, family, and friends write daily
2) Agreed. We only did WebGuy for the first year which is well worth it and we haven't missed the few pictures posted the rest of the time. We signed up before we dropped him off at I-Day.

I would add:

4) Dress comfortable including a hat and drink lots of water. The high altitude combined with low humidity can be tough on flat-landers.
5) Get lots of hugs before he walks up the stairs at Doolittle because he will be gone until A-Day or Parent's Weekend.
6) Hang around the Chapel Wall after he leaves on the bus. You will be able to see some BCT activity and enjoy the Colorado sun.
7) Go to the Colorado Parent's Club picnic for food and meeting other 2019 parents
8) Use your iPad or laptop to follow your DS on Webguy Thursday night.
9) Go to the Swearing in Ceremony on Friday morning. Arrive early. The Chapel wall will be full.
10) Bring binoculars to see him on from the chapel wall during the Swearing In Ceremony. The squads will line up north to south (A through H) but position yourself at an angle to the squad not directly in front so that you can see beyond the first row as it will be too crowded to move much once the Ceremony begins.

Signed up for web guy/aog. What is the write2them? Have not heard about that -- gave friends/relatives addressed envelopes to DD mailbox -- will those not get to her during BCT? Also, is there way to get letters to BCs that are not otherwise receiving anything? I know how to do post BCT care packages, but what about letters during BCT? Thanks.

1) Agreed. Write2Them is the only way to do the mail to your DS. Make sure you, family, and friends write daily
2) Agreed. We only did WebGuy for the first year which is well worth it and we haven't missed the few pictures posted the rest of the time. We signed up before we dropped him off at I-Day.

I would add:

4) Dress comfortable including a hat and drink lots of water. The high altitude combined with low humidity can be tough on flat-landers.
5) Get lots of hugs before he walks up the stairs at Doolittle because he will be gone until A-Day or Parent's Weekend.
6) Hang around the Chapel Wall after he leaves on the bus. You will be able to see some BCT activity and enjoy the Colorado sun.
7) Go to the Colorado Parent's Club picnic for food and meeting other 2019 parents
8) Use your iPad or laptop to follow your DS on Webguy Thursday night.
9) Go to the Swearing in Ceremony on Friday morning. Arrive early. The Chapel wall will be full.
10) Bring binoculars to see him on from the chapel wall during the Swearing In Ceremony. The squads will line up north to south (A through H) but position yourself at an angle to the squad not directly in front so that you can see beyond the first row as it will be too crowded to move much once the Ceremony begins.

Signed up for web guy/aog. What is the write2them? Have not heard about that -- gave friends/relatives addressed envelopes to DD mailbox -- will those not get to her during BCT? Also, is there way to get letters to BCs that are not otherwise receiving anything? I know how to do post BCT care packages, but what about letters during BCT? Thanks.

Blueblood, if you PM me I can send you some names of basics who have asked to get letters from anyone willing to send them.

Snail mail will make it your DS or DD eventually. However, Write2Them is run by an USAFA grad and his wife and designed specifically to provide letters during BCT. The service converts emails from family and friends into letters which are hand delivered to the USAFA post office the next day insuring a constant stream of letters to your Basic.
http://www.write2them.org/

I believe the only way to get a letter to Basic is to address it directly to them. So you would need the name of any Basics not receiving mail to send them a letter.

Thanks

 

[Blackbird]

Only problem with the Car insurance is when he barrows upperclassmen's cars.
Just keep that in mind.

Right Keeperkat. For our 2016er, we had a liability only policy with USAA knowing that he would borrow upperclassmen's cars with no idea as to what amount of liability insurance was carried with the car. We understood that the car would have some amount of insurance on it but our concern was liability. Some on the Forum say that is a waste of money but we found it to be inexpensive peace of mind. . .

 

[keeperkat90]

Only problem with the Car insurance is when he barrows upperclassmen's cars.
Just keep that in mind.

Right Keeperkat. For our 2016er, we had a liability only policy with USAA knowing that he would borrow upperclassmen's cars with no idea as to what amount of liability insurance was carried with the car. We understood that the car would have some amount of insurance on it but our concern was liability. Some on the Forum say that is a waste of money but we found it to be inexpensive peace of mind. . .

Yup. I'm a 2018'er, as it says below. And most upperclassmen wont lend cars if you dont have insurance.

 

[MombaBomba]

If you belong to costco you can rent a car through them. I know people who have saved money this way. I believe BJs offers the same option, but I am not positive.

Depending on which state you are in, dropping your son from your insurance could be a larger headache than you think. We opted for the away-student option on our insurance. They explained if our son was dropped from our insurance but then got into an auto accident in our car on vacation, then our auto insurance would sky rocket. Also, if this happened, some insurance agencies would use this as justification for dropping your entire family from coverage. Some companies require proof of insurance elsewhere if the child is under a certain age and has been insured with you. It is better to call your insurance agency first and ask about the options and the ramifications.

 

[fencersmother]

I would have loved write2 when my kids were there, but make no mistake: NOTHING will replace your handwritten hot pink envelope with kissy-lip prints all over it, and customized stamps (if available).

Webguy is worth every single penny; we still have the pics on our refrigerator.

Mothers (and a few dads): DO NOT BAWL WHEN YOU DROP OFF JUNIOR AT I-DAY. If you think you can't h elp yourself, excuse yourself and chalk it up to the cost of motherhood. No one wants to see a boohooing parent at I-Day.

 

[Boozebin]

I would have loved write2 when my kids were there, but make no mistake: NOTHING will replace your handwritten hot pink envelope with kissy-lip prints all over it, and customized stamps (if available).

Webguy is worth every single penny; we still have the pics on our refrigerator.

Mothers (and a few dads): DO NOT BAWL WHEN YOU DROP OFF JUNIOR AT I-DAY. If you think you can't h elp yourself, excuse yourself and chalk it up to the cost of motherhood. No one wants to see a boohooing parent at I-Day.

Told me son we're going to have his sisters and their friends write him letters in pink envelopes and hearts all over them. And have one of his sisters make some cupcakes with a letter asking Cadre to make sure he has a great day

I swear to you the color drained from his face because he knew I was dead serious. Man I love messing with that kid!

 

[funnyesq]

I seem to recall several years ago a story about a Father being able to communicate with his son's cadre...something about a favorite meal/food or perhaps some song.....and the Cadre having a field day with the son....memorable yes...and I believe the son took it all very well. I wrote to a Basic about 12 years ago (she was a RED class...2006 I think)....and then you could send (but it MIGHT be contraband) stuff. I sent a case of BIG RED gum thinking the cadre would share it amongst the squadron (there was obviously enough for all of them)....the box was small enough to fit apparently in the Basic's mailbox and pant pocket. She didn't know what to do with it when she opened her mailbox and another Basic said: "put it in your pants".....so she did knowing it would be obvious at some point and sure enough when they got back to the squadron and lined up in the hall the Cadre asked her what was in her pant pocket...she took out the package and the Cadre very politely explained that gum was contraband AND that althrough there was enough for the squadron, they couldn't chew gum "while in uniform." (some rule I guess)...whereupon one brave basic stuck out her paw and asked: "If we promise to chew it while naked, can we have it?" To which the entire flight/squadron (whoever was lined up) burst out in laughter (oh well...the broke). It was a funny story.

 

[USAFA83GradWife]

....

Mothers (and a few dads): DO NOT BAWL WHEN YOU DROP OFF JUNIOR AT I-DAY. If you think you can't h elp yourself, excuse yourself and chalk it up to the cost of motherhood. No one wants to see a boohooing parent at I-Day.

Some of us couldn't help it, though. Oh well.

 

[AFrpaso]

I think a few tears are totally fine. . . why would anyone care about that?

 

[Boozebin]

I will freely admit that tears will be in my eyes! Not from sadness that he's leaving, trust me if he was your son you'd be glad he was leaving! Just kidding!

They will be tears of PRIDE! And I know they won't be the last tears of pride either.

 

[AFLEADMOM]

I wasn't there for my son's I day. I did go last year and volunteer though. Even though it wasn't my kid showing up, I still had tears in my eyes. It's an emotional day!
I also comforted a few teary eyed parents. It is nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[fencersmother]

OK, so my sarcasm skills failed me, again.

Most of the parents are crying in some form that day. It's ok.

 

[Boozebin]

OK, so my sarcasm skills failed me, again.

Most of the parents are crying in some form that day. It's ok.

Bah know you well enough after 5 years on here that the comment was sarcasm! Try adding a wink or a smiley to help with that

Remember emoji's are your friend not food! Now excuse me I have to find Nemo I think he's at I-Day! And yes I'm getting super excited and I'M NOT THE ONE GOING IN!

 

[Boozebin]

Well he's off and wanted to give a little shout out to Kirkmanj! I ran into him right next to the AOG tent. It was good to run into someone from here!

Now lets start helping getting the Class of 2020 in!