Questions about 2015 Birthday Ball

Nolly5

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Aug 23, 2015
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My girlfriend is a C4C at the academy and I'm planning on attending the birthday ball with her on the 18th. Do cadets typically get the chance to leave campus for that weekend? What is the dress code for a male attending the ball? Any general information from those who have attended this event in the past is appreciated.
 
You can't count on anything for sure, but traditionally the commandant (or whoever is there) releases the 4* on a discretionary pass that weekend. Off hand I don't know dress code but probably a suit.
 
Better to be over dressed than underdressed - wear a suit, with a tie, and real shoes. You can always take the jacket and tie off, and you can get your GF will not be in her old pink Chuck Taylors.
 
In the active duty world, the invite typically states civilian dress code. Traditionally, it is a tuxedo or dark suit. I would go with a dark suit and a dark tie. This is not prom, where you go matchy/matchy. Wearing a black or Navy suit will be fine.

FWIW: travel tip for the shirt. Take it to the dry cleaners and ask for heavy starch. When packing it, lay it down. Take the white tee and place it on the back of the shirt. Fold it using the tee as a buffer. Between the tee and the heavy starch, it will limit the amount of wrinkles that will be created. The heavy starch will make it easier for you to iron out any wrinkles that may occur during the flight.

Do the same with the coat and pants...minus the starch aspect. Take the coat and place a shirt.

Your Mom will get what I mean. This is like why we use tissue paper at xmas. It is not just for the surprise, but it is to reduce wrinkles as it sits in the box for weeks under the tree.
 
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Here is the email that was sent out regarding dates for the birthday ball:

From: Nikovits, Rose M Civ USAF USAFA USAFA/CMA
[mailto:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX]
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2015 12:14 PM
Cc: Nikovits, Rose M Civ USAF USAFA USAFA/CMA
Subject: ref USAF Birthday Ball - 18 Sep 15

This dance is mandatory for Doolies only and they can invite a date. I
would suggest a nice party dress or gents a suit, dress shoes, and tie.
This is not a casual dance, be Conservative. The Doolies cannot pick up
their dates. The dates can park in the upper Harmon Hall Parking Lot and
meet their Doolie in front of Arnold Hall. Doolies can escort their dates
to their cars afterwards.

There is a home game the next day so the cadets can meet their dates for
the game. The dates have to purchase a ticket and the cadets can't sit
with them as they are required to sit with the other cadets.

Hope this helps

Marie

ROSE MARIE NIKOVITS
Parents’ Liaison
U.S. Air Force Academy, CO

Stealth_81
 
I'm confused with that email. If I looked at the schedule correctly there is no football game the next day. Also, based on that email it sounds like the doolies do not get the whole weekend off
 
You're right. I guess I should read all of my email first. Here is her follow-up to that.

From: "Nikovits, Rose M Civ USAF USAFA USAFA/CMA" <XXXXXXXXXXXXX>
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2015 11:33 AM
Cc: "Nikovits, Rose M Civ USAF USAFA USAFA/CMA" <XXXXXXXXXXXXX>
Subject: ref USAF Birthday Ball - 18 Sep 15

Sorry after further review the game on September 19 is actually the away
game at MSU.

I apologize for the mix-up.

Marie



Stealth_81
 
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Typically there is no official "weekend off" for the Birthday Ball. However, the cadet can request a weekend pass from their AOC and, at least when my DS was a 4 degree, everyone he knew who asked was granted a pass. But, they do have to fill out the paperwork and request the weekend off.
 
Do Doolies wear suits to the ball, or their uniforms? Also, how does the Academy solve the boy-girl imbalance for a dance?
 
They'll be in service dress, and they don't "solve" the imbalance. People can bring dates if they want but strangely, USAFA is able to push through the disparity.
 
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