Recognition 2017

Wishful

Wishful

"Land of the free, because of the brave..."
10-Year Member
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Dec 12, 2012
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Recognition started yesterday for the class of 2020 & will end sometime tomorrow. Wishing all involved to get through it, become "recognized", & add another accomplishment to their academy experience. Among other things, it signals the upcoming end of the "Dark Ages" as in 2 weeks or so, it's Spring Break, then back to AFA where it's all downhill to the end of their 1st academic year! Let's hope it's as the saying goes, "The days are long, but the weeks are short." Good luck!
 
Yes, I was able to fix it, thank you. Math is hard.
 
All, I suddenly feel woefully unprepared for a child at USAFA--in terms of big events and customs/traditions....is there a primer or single source that you can suggest to help make me smarter? I don't know anything about the Recognition or taking the Hill or any of that. Is there a good video or article? I want to make sure I am fluent in his new language but also that I show up when I am supposed to show up to support him.
 
I deleted my post. No reason to leave it.;)
 
DrMom said:
All, I suddenly feel woefully unprepared for a child at USAFA--in terms of big events and customs/traditions....is there a primer or single source that you can suggest to me smarter? I don't know anything about the Recognition or taking the Hill or any of that. Is there a good video or article? I want to make sure I am fluent in his new language but also that I show up when I am supposed to show up to support him.
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You may be able to find a few videos or pictures, but for the most part, what happens during recognition is held rather close and has been for decades. As far as other events, USAFA has some social media links, but WebGuy has a lot of pictures and blogs of events.
 
I am talking more broadly than that...Like I'Day/R-Day...is there an A-Day that parents attend? Are there other days that parents attend like Plebe Parent Weekend or something like that--and they aren't plebes, they are called something else. How long is Beast/Plebe Summer? What do they do? What about the other summer trainings...I mean really, I know NOTHING about USAFA. My appointed future zoomie visited USAFA with the Scouts on the way to Philmont last summer and came home a changed boy. I am behind the curve--like reading the Wikipedia page right now. (And don't rub it in about the Commander in Chief's trophy--I think I heard that ten times yesterday from my colleagues and advisers.)
 
DrMom said:
I am talking more broadly than that...Like I'Day/R-Day...is there an A-Day that parents attend? Are there other days that parents attend like Plebe Parent Weekend or something like that--and they aren't plebes, they are called something else. How long is Beast/Plebe Summer? What do they do? What about the other summer trainings...I mean really, I know NOTHING about USAFA. My appointed future zoomie visited USAFA with the Scouts on the way to Philmont last summer and came home a changed boy. I am behind the curve--like reading the Wikipedia page right now. (And don't rub it in about the Commander in Chief's trophy--I think I heard that ten times yesterday from my colleagues and advisers.)
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Just keep reading this board. Before DS#1 (C3C) got his appointment I found this board and read just about every topic that came up over the next few months. If you do that, you will be way ahead of the curve. I learned out long to stay after I-day, where to park for A-day, when to expect to hear from them after Recognition. The class facebook page helps tremendously too.
 
Yes there are many "days":
I-Day: Induction day, when your new appointee first arrives and inprocesses; the following morning you can watch the swearing in ceremony.
A-Day: Acceptance day, basics become 4th class cadets during a parade and "ceremony" to receive their shoulder boards
Parents' Weekend: over Labor Day weekend. Lots of activities, first time to spend a couple of days or so with your cadet.
Recognition: this is a cadet thing, not really meant for family, but is a major milestone their first year.

The USAFA website has many links that can give you more information including a parents link.
 
Thanks Capri...I am still working my way through the Wikipedia page...will work through the USAFA pages as a next step.
Also, I realize that several of my colleagues are graduates and/or have served as professors there recently...so I just need to start buying cups of coffee.
Amazingly, over breakfast this morning, the boy seemed confident and well-informed about USAFA and the Air Force...he was throwing out trivia, history, building and program names--and I was like, "Sounds great..."
 
There is a class of 2021 parents facebook page. You have to request to join but it is a great resource.
 
@DrMom
Relax. Enjoy the ride. What I found more exciting was learning about USAFA slowly over time. A little nugget of this and a little info about that, things gleaned from the Facebook pages and SAF. Every school year has unique events and milestones the cadets and parents reach, some together, some alone. Don't worry about finding out about everything right now. Congrats and I'll guarantee you a most interesting four years of your life.
 
DrMom, don't feel too bad. I am an AF brat, have been active duty AF, and still work hand-in-hand with the AF daily. My DH is also a '79 USAFA grad. Until our youngest DD (class of 2020) applied, was appointed, and now is beginning her dream journey, I only caught bits and pieces about the Academy. Now, from both DD and DH, I am gaining a little more insight, but still some things the two of them share with each other, but not necessarily me. And, of course, after four decades, things do change, so events during DH's time there are sometimes different than DD's time.

We, as parents, will all learn along the way and together.
 
Thanks to all! I will join the USAFA 2021 parents page on FB...and then you all will know who I am--if you don't know already. <3 This is so exciting and so unexpected. #3 is quick to point out that he has family in the Springs (my mother, my brother's family). So thanks everyone.
 
He still does not have a mechanism to accept...he is waiting for a portal update or a BFE. The enthusiasm at breakfast ("I could be the cadet in the yellow sash"--which means something funny at this house a la West Point...) makes me think we are headed toward an overwhelming YES! And to be honest, I never thought this was a possibility so my internal Go Army-bias may have kept me from listening appropriately this entire year.
 
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DrMom said:
All, I suddenly feel woefully unprepared for a child at USAFA--in terms of big events and customs/traditions....is there a primer or single source that you can suggest to help make me smarter? I don't know anything about the Recognition or taking the Hill or any of that. Is there a good video or article? I want to make sure I am fluent in his new language but also that I show up when I am supposed to show up to support him.
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I suggest the video "A Year In The Blue". It focuses on the first year of the class of 2015. It starts at I- day and ends when the next year's buses start coming in. Runs about 90+ minutes.
 
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