Tips for BCT?

I sense slight bits of trickery and deception here.

Oh no! Luigi is as honest as the day is long! I think to make the incoming class even more fearsome for BCT, people should leave all sorts of comments on a social networking site about how incredible the incoming class is. That should make the upperclassmen shake in their highly polished boots.
 
Dodean is correct. Additionally, make sure you are not wearing any nail polish, toepolish, jewelry, etc to I-day. The goal is to be a "stealth cadet" and draw no (additional) personal attention. Ladies, if you have any specific questions feel free to pm me.

I second this. I am a freshman so falcongirl can give you the cadre perspective, and I can give it to you having just finished the 4* experience. Just PM me if you have any specific questions.
 
Oh no! Luigi is as honest as the day is long! I think to make the incoming class even more fearsome for BCT, people should leave all sorts of comments on a social networking site about how incredible the incoming class is. That should make the upperclassmen shake in their highly polished boots.

They're all turning against us. :eek3: :biggrin:
 
Dodean is correct. Additionally, make sure you are not wearing any nail polish, toepolish, jewelry, etc to I-day. The goal is to be a "stealth cadet" and draw no (additional) personal attention. Ladies, if you have any specific questions feel free to pm me.

At the same time, remember you're at USAFA to learn to be a leader, so don't go hide in your room if you have a classmate to help. Cadre want to see your leadership potential as long as you demonstrate it in a humble and respectful way.

NEVER give up at anything. If you're told to get up before your classmates, don't listen, just stay with them no matter what. Teamwork is the name of the game.

I pity all of you with falcongirl as a cadre... she's a beast!:cool:
 
My DS, who is currently AD, called one of his Sgts "mom", instead of "ma'am" by accident. He is still living that one down...:smile:

I was drinking a glass of water whilst I read this post.

My keyboard is now wet.
 
Having Been There, Having Taught There

Appointees,

I'll be one of your flight commanders for 2nd BCT and after working 1st BCT last year, I'll impart what I would have liked to see more from my 2015-ers int 1st BCT and now what I hope to see from my 2016-ers in 2nd BCT.

Remember that these two training sections are cumulative, but have different focal points. 1st BCT is almost entirely classroom education and learning the basics of stand at attention, greeting upperclassmen, table decorum, and whatnot. 2nd BCT will shift the attention to more field training. While you'll still have all the small things which you learned during 1st BCT, now you'll be going through courses, you'll be sweating it out with your flight- and squadron-mates, and work on confidence in tackling challenges which are put before you.

The biggest thing I can always say (and which I say mentioned earlier) is don't feel entitled. Yes, congratulations, you've made it to THE service academy and you're on track to see if this career is for you. Then again, so has everybody else: being a big fish from your old town/city makes little difference. If, however, you were JROTC or a prior-enlisted, please - help your classmates if you can, but don't elevate yourself within the flight.

--- What matters most is how you conduct yourself and how open you are to internalize the confident followership which BCT aims to impart upon Basic Cadets. ---

Another part about 1st BCT is that you'll be drinking from a fire hose of information. Thus, (and I used to tell this to my flight) turn your brain on! You're going to have a lot of tings to internalize, but the worst thing is when you see Basic Cadets not thinking. It's easy to fall into a hole of silent zombie-like compliance, but that's not what a true, confident follower should be. If you're frustrated about coming here to be a leader, but not having a group to lead, remember that USAFA builds upon itself and these six weeks (or so) are the very base from which you'll be building your USAFA career.

For 2nd BCT, I have much less to say. I haven't yet worked it, so I can't be fully sure on the particulars which can make you especially successful. I will say these:

Be. In. Shape.

That's cardio, core, leg, and arm strength. Courses out at Jack's will challenge you physically, but for me as a basic, the greatest thing was mental fortitude. I had a female flight-mate who could do over 21 pullups and could have beaten anyone at a pushup/flutterkick contest; she didn't engage her mind when she went through the physical challenges and often would break down in tears. Simply, she didn't have the mental fortitude to push through.


I hope this helps y'all a bit, Appointees, and remember why you're coming to USAFA. If you're wanting to protect our nation against those who would have our way of life dismantled, you'll have great conviction and have an easy hook to pull through BCT & later the crucible which is USAFA. If you have lesser convictions, expect those convictions to carry you a lesser distance. I personally thank you all for joining our nation's armed forces during a time of war without clear end and I hope to see one of you in my flight.

As such, I'll leave you with a quote which should help with pre-BCT training:
"In combat, you will not rise to the occasion, but default to your level of training."
-USAF Weapons School
 
Along with some physical preparation, there will be knowledge they will require us to know. I put together a few things that I thought would be good to know before basic. I showed it to a friend who's gonna be a 2 deg next year, and he said that it looks like its all good to know. See the link below for a word document with the info. Side note: I made the document in a program call LibreOffice. It is a free version of Microsoft Office that works great, but sometimes the formatting can be a bit off.

http://wargle.net/StudySheet.docx
 
Along with some physical preparation, there will be knowledge they will require us to know. I put together a few things that I thought would be good to know before basic. I showed it to a friend who's gonna be a 2 deg next year, and he said that it looks like its all good to know. See the link below for a word document with the info. Side note: I made the document in a program call LibreOffice. It is a free version of Microsoft Office that works great, but sometimes the formatting can be a bit off.

http://wargle.net/StudySheet.docx

Nice study guide, another way to remember the officer ranks before Brigadier General is, Someone Found Captain Morgan's Liquor Cabinet.
Helped during BMT enlisted side :cool:
 
Along with some physical preparation, there will be knowledge they will require us to know. I put together a few things that I thought would be good to know before basic. I showed it to a friend who's gonna be a 2 deg next year, and he said that it looks like its all good to know. See the link below for a word document with the info. Side note: I made the document in a program call LibreOffice. It is a free version of Microsoft Office that works great, but sometimes the formatting can be a bit off.

http://wargle.net/StudySheet.docx

If you feel the overwhelming need to study during the summer, sure, it's not bad stuff to know...
 
My take on learning BCT knowledge before Beast:

1) Learn the 7 Basic Responses. The Cadre on your bus will say them once...from that point on you are expected to know and use them.
2) Learn how to report in: "Sir/Ma'am, Basic Cadet (your last name) reports as ordered." This is always followed by one of the 7 Basic Responses and you will use it whenever you initiate speech with Cadre. For example: "Sir, Basic Cadet YOLO reports as ordered. Sir, may I ask a question? (wait for Cadre response) Sir may I use the latrine?"
3) Learn the officer/enlisted ranks.
4) Cadet rank: Know that bars on shoulderboards or metal ABU rank means firsties (seniors). These are cadet officers, and will be your flight commanders, squadron commanders, group officer positions. Chevrons mean 2-degrees (juniors). These will be your cadet NCO's. Basically, the more "stuff" someone has on their rank, the more important they are. When cadre are wearing blues, their rank is on their dark blue shoulderboards and blue berets. When the cadre are in ABU's, their rank is on both sides of the collar, and also on the beret.
5) If you want to look over "other" knowledge, great. However, I reccomend just looking it over and not memorizing it. Yes, you will memorize this and much, much more in BCT, but you won't do yourself any favors for knowing it ahead of time. We expect that you will start from square 1, with no prior military knowledge. BCT will be stressful regardless of your preparation. Plus, the temptation to "pimp your classmates" becomes greater when you know knowlege that no one else has memorized. During Basic, strive to be a stealth cadet. You can let your academic powers shine during the school year.
6) Use common sense. This might be laughable now, but as soon as you are under stress and don't know how to do most of what is suddenly expected of you, most of it goes out the window. The joke is that basics are the smartest students in the US, and as soon as they inprocess they lose all common sense. For instance, if you are talking to a female cadre, use "Ma'am". If you are talking to a male cadre, use Sir. Don't try to report in as "Sir slash Ma'am, Basic Cadet....". You will then be *politely* asked "DO I LOOK LIKE A SIR SLASH MA'AM TO YOU BASIC?!!!!!". Also, when you are told to put on your boots, yes, we also want you to put on socks. If you have to use the bathroom or throw up before before/during PT, report in to a cadre and ask to go. The hallway is not a good option. If the cadre ask for an answer to a yes/no question, you can answer directly with "Yes, Sir"; or "No, Sir." You don't need to report in, ask to make a statement, and THEN say yes or no. Bottom line: Listen, follow dirctions, and ask for clarifiction if you need it. However, THINK!! :thumb:
 
Basic Survival

My son is class of 2014 and he will be a basic cadre this year. Hard to believe the time has passed so quickly since his I day! I just got a text message from him saying he is in Cadre Basic Review right now so YES the Cadre are as we speak getting ready for a new class as finals are over! Here are a few No Brainers for you as the Cadre are there to train you above all in things you are NOT versed in SO for the first time in many a basics life of being perfect at everything YOU WILL NOT BE SO YOU WILL BE CORRECTED! SOME MORE THAN OTHERS IF YOU DO NOT CATCH ON QUICKLY.
Do NOT wear a superman shirt or USAFA shirt to I Day. You have not earned it and you will bring attention to yourself which is NOT a good thing that day.Learn you responses and do not mistake mamm or sir of the sex of your Cadre. Get your HS ROTC program give you a little inservice of saluting, marching and turning and that will keep you unnoticed for a couple of days. You need to bring your best attitude and not take things personal. Being physically fit before you come definitely helps with the stress of everything else so lots of pushups, pullups and running. As my son says, if you do not think about leaving USAFA several times that first 6 months then you are NOT normal! NOW, though getting ready for his C2C year he is excited and realizes what opportunities he has and will have in the future. So much so, he has convinced his little brother to apply for Class of 2017.
Basics----remember the Cadre you have in BEAST will be your Cadre for the rest of your freshman year so remember that in your responses in June. Try to take constructive criticism. Bond quickly with your basic group because you will need each other to make it through. You will see but you just have to go through it first. Nothing can truly prepare you but the things written above help.
 
I have a '14 that will be cadre too! Everything Sunshine92 said is spot on! She will be practicing her techniques on her brother, and he will be learning in a non-stressfull environment (sort of). She has already given him some pointers and other stuff because memorization is particularly difficult for him. It is very easy for her though. I feel a little sorry for her basics as she knows all the quotes verbatim and can rattle them off at the drop of a hat even though she doesn't have to do it on a daily basis anymore. She is also the only female cadre for her squadron.
She recommends a t-shirt with no writing/logos what so ever and plain shorts or pants. Girls, know how to put up your hair in 5 minutes or be prepared to have it cut. Get as good a night sleep as possible before I-day, it will be a long day on your feet.
 
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