Questions for a Freshman Cadet

capt said:
I love snowboarding and have all of my own gear. I live in California and was wondering if the Academy would allow my parents to send me all of my gear.
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Yeah, I hunt so my parents just brought my stuff out over Parent's Weekend. You are allowed to have civies for certain activities that require it like hunting and boarding.
 
Jezzie said:
Well, the uppers keep a lot of recognition a secret until you go through it - kinda like a surprise. The main point of recognition is to knock out anyone who doesn't to be at usafa bad enough. It's from thursday evening until saturday morning. All the upperclassmen descend on the freshmen and "beat" them. You're basicaly pushed to ur limits - and then pushed further. Many people cry after finishing recoginition! It's a huge challenge to get through!
I haven't gone through it yet (10 days!!) but after I do, I'll let you know =)
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eagle36 said:
Recognition is the culmination event of freshman year. It's the time where everything you've learned is supposed to come together. It's also a special bond that every class (well except '07 and '08) share. There is more to it that strictly "beating Smacks", but as Jezzie said, upperclassmen keep quiet. The entire event is just special, and certain aspects people who didn't go through it just wouldn't understand. That's why you'll notice that anytime Recognition is brought up on this board, specifics are omitted. Until you go through it, you can only see it as "a very special event where the freshman prove the deserve to be accepted fully into the cadet wing".
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These are the kind of "activities" that make someone think of college fraternity hazing--everything is secret, the words "beating smacks", if you question it its just because you "don't understand it". I know there was a previous thread weeks ago that brought up the word hazing and that person got shot down big time. Let's hope there is a line that can't be crossed when the upperclassmen are "accepting" the freshmen into the wing.
 
USAFAHopefulMom said:
These are the kind of "activities" that make someone think of college fraternity hazing--everything is secret, the words "beating smacks", if you question it its just because you "don't understand it". I know there was a previous thread weeks ago that brought up the word hazing and that person got shot down big time. Let's hope there is a line that can't be crossed when the upperclassmen are "accepting" the freshmen into the wing.
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There is a line, and it is enforced. That is the response that I have gotten from my son for the last 4 years, and I believe him.

When our son went through Recognition, it was one week before his spring break, and we were meeting him in Florida for a cruise. I was extremely impressed when I saw him and talked to him about it, and he was practically beaming with pride that he was now recognized. He never told me what he all went through, and I never asked. That is something that you must get used to as a parent of a cadet. Just be proud of them, don't expect them to tell you everything about what they do. They aren't trying to hide anything. If you would have seen the look of pride and accomplishment on my son's face at that time, you would know that Recognition is nothing but a positive experience for the cadets.

Stealth_81
 
USAFAHopeful Mom - There are strict guidelines that are enforced, such as the amount of time they can make you exercise before giving you water. I'm not sure why Stealth_81's son wouldn't tell him about recognition - but i know as soon as I make it through, I'm telling my mom and dad everything! I want them to know what all went on so they can be just as proud as me, that I go through it. The schedule and events of recognition are kept a secret:
A - because you honestly dont want to know. If i knew everything I was going to face during basic and freshman year, it would have been a LOT harder to get through. Instead of worrying about the Assault course, or whatever, I was thrown into it before I realized what was happening.
B - Some things are special and are meaning full for the cadets going through it. We know there's a run to the rock where recognition ends and that there's some special ceremonies and a dinner the last day - but that's it. It's like being excited for your sons/daughters birthday, then telling them what their presents are.

capt - yes, you can have your parents bring your boarding gear over parents weekend or anytime during your freshman year. Parent's weekend is nice because they can go to your dorm and help you carry everything up there. Make sure you ask your squadron training officer's policy on such things. I my squad, you can have stuff like ski poles, boards, etc in your room, but any civillian clothes are not permitted. You'd have to give them to your coach to keep in their room, or find somewhere else to put them.


15USAFAap - I bought a pair of boots before going in and thought it was a waste. They're not hard to break in at all and like someone else said, they'll keep you in tennis shoes for a while and gradually get you wearing the boots more and more each day so it's no big deal. I know I was surprised when they had SMO's (Saftey Medical Officers) going around doctoring people's blisters!! I thought you'd just have to tough it out. And the blisters were only from running a lot, not necessarily the boots. As for the underware, I know they tell you to bring X amount of pairs - bring AS MANY as you can fit into your bag!! I know they said they have to be white, but if it has a black stripe or something small on it - it doesn't matter. so YES bring lots of extra underware! (bras included) Guys are issued their underware. Females are NOT issued any underware. Which is a good thing ;) The things they'll take is cell phones, ipods, pictures, etc. If you have a Bible, the cannot take it. Only electronics and other contraband are taken. They don't dig through your bag - you give it to them based on honor.

another thing about the boots - don't buy them ahead of time because you get tired carrying around your bags the first day, and you dont' want to add heavy boots to the mix. If you DO end up getting boots, then tie the laces together and put them around your neck, or put them in your bag. Do NOT wear them the first day!! That is one of the things that'll get you screamed at.
 
Jezzie, great job addressing the multitude of questions that people have regarding USAFA from the perspective of someone who is currently going through it, especially as a 4th class (freshman) and as a woman. As a parent with no military experience, let alone no Service Academy experience, we had many the same questions last year as we tried to get a handle on everything. (Our daughter is a 4th class in Squadron 32).

Thanks again for all the great information you are providing to the candidates/appointees.

Good luck to you (and all the class of 2014 cadets) with Recognition!
 
drjunge thank you! I appreciate the encouragement =)
I was the same way and wished I'd gotten more practical tips and info about basic AND freshman year. Hope this helps!
 
WOW! I can't believe recognition is right around the corner, congrats to you all! What an exciting time!
 
Congratulations

I recall hearing someone say that your experience at the Academy is broken into thirds: Surviving BCT and making it to Acceptance; making it to Recognition; and finally making it to Graduation. Class of 2014, you have one hurdle behind you, the second is on your doorstep, and the third will be here before you know it (in fact, your 20 year reunion will be here before you know it.) Congrats to 2014, like a machine, eat up the next 10-12 days and get those prop and wings!
 
Recognition has many rules (sometimes too many IMO). The schedule is usually scripted down to about 15 minute increments.

Hazing does not occur for several reasons. First, cadets don't tolerate it. Virtually every cadet is involved in Recognition. If one upperclassmen crosses the line, there will be about 15 others who see it, plus ALL of the permanent party is around. The oversight and peer visibility is at its highest level for Recognition. Second, upperclassmen lead all exercises. If the freshman are doing something, upperclassmen either just demonstrated the exact same thing or are doing the exercise at the same time. Third there is a clear set of standards briefed to upperclassmen. Even if someone had plans that crossed the line, they will be told what the standards are in no uncertain terms.

Why isn't the event more open? The psychological impact is better if you don't know what exactly you will face. The "just follow me and stop when I do" mentality brings out the best in many people. There are certain events in Recognition (theme rooms) that are rather dramatic. Knowing the plot spoils the mystery. Honestly, theme rooms was one of the most meaningful parts of Recognition, but would have been spoiled if I had known exactly what was going to happen.

What will Recognition consist of? Well, there is a lot of PT, a lot of pressure, a SAMI, theme rooms (If you haven't done it and will in the future, don't ask. If you are a parent, ask your son/daughter after they do it.), the Run to the Rock, and cermonies. It is a demanding weekend and amazing experience--definitely a highlight of a cadet career.
 
Thanks for all the feedback about Recognition. It now seems like a different event than I was initially picturing--still pressure packed and stressful, but in a different way. I'm sure its something the cadets will never forget and will be proud that they made it through!
 
Coming up to recognition though, it's crazy scary. But at the same time it's a relief. It's almost over! All the ROE's and rules and extra things.

Any other freshman year/inprocessing/basic questions?
 
I know it's limited, but during your first year, what is allowed as far as personal items go?
 
your freshman year, you are allowed 3 personal items on your desk. BUT you have the desk shelves that you can pack full of books and food and stuff. You'll also have your security drawers you can fill and your trunk. You can pretty much have anything you want, as long as it's not considered contraband. (ie civies, dvd's, cd's, tv's, etc) After your freshman year, the only thing that changes is being able to semi-decorate your room, have a comforter/mattress topper, and freshman contraband stuff.
 
How are squadrons assigned? Just randomly? And are squadrons broken down into smaller groups throughout the academic year or BCT?
I realized I don't know really anything about that structure at the academy, so any info would be great, thanks :biggrin:
 
Your beast squad/flight cooresponds with your freshman squad, and are placed at random.

Beast:
Squads (A,B,C,D.....J)
Flights (A,B,C or D)
Elements (1,2,3)

The people in your basic FLIGHT will be in your freshman SQUAD.

Academic Year:

Wing (everyone) - 4,000ish
Groups (1-4, each one made of 10 squads)
Squads (1 - 40) - 100ish people
Flights (usually A,B,C)
Elements (1,2,3) - 3 freshmen, abt 5 uppeclassmen
Coach (the sophomore who coaches you your 4* year)
For example:

In basic, I was Guts (squad) C Flight (flight) C2 (2nd element in C flight)

School year, I'm Group 3, Squadron 27, C Flight, Element C2

Elements aren't really that big of a deal, but Flights and Squads are. Pay attention when they tell you or else you'll be VERY confused like i was!!!
some examples:
Guts C Flight
Aggressors A flight
Flying Tigers B Flight
etc
 
squadrons

BCT/Freshman year squadrons are determined using a big formula that takes into account each student's gender,grades,ECs,IC or not, and many more. The folks that decide who goes where try to make each squadron as balanced as possible. After freshman year when you switch squadrons, I think they do the same process again.
 
Same process again like ubonman said, but if you had relatives that came here, you can legacy into that squad. Like a girl in my squad, her dad was in CS-02, so she is planning on going into that squad next year as a legacy.

And sometimes you may have one or two of your squad mates from frosh year in your next squad. You just never know really.
 
Hey y'all! So I have a kind of weird question I guess, and I haven't heard from one 4th class cadet I've been talking to recently. I figured a current cadet here would know. I got my 2nd BFE last weekend and was planning on getting the whole uniform sizing chart done this weekend. For the t-shirt size, are the t-shirts unisex/male sizes or for females are there differant sizes? I'd just hate to say small and not fit into my shirt or say medium and it be massive :eek: Thanks a lot! Good luck at recognition!
 
I believe they are unisex....but not 100% sure. I didn't have a problem with my sizing, but I know alot of girls did with their PC shirts and other stuff...I'll let Jezzie weigh in.
 
Just so you know, they are all washed in warm water and tend to shrink. If you have to choose, get one size larger.

Later,

Brian
 
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