USAFA Doolie Questions

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AFA25

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Feb 7, 2021
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Good evening y'all! I just wanted to create a thread for the incoming Basics of USAFA (c/o 2025!!) to ask questions. Here are a few of mine. 1) Is there any way for someone to get their private pilots' license while at the Academy? 2) What is the policy on cell phones and laptops? Am I allowed to use my phone after A-Day? Can I bring my laptop, or buy a new one after A-Day/Parents' Weekend? 3) How often are doolies allowed to leave base? How much does it increase year to year? 4) How many clubs/sports are we allowed to participate at a time? 5) How much do we make a year at USAFA (personal amount, after all the books, uniforms, haircuts, etc.)?
 
@jokey02 , to answer the very last question #5: How much do we make a year at USAFA....

You will find the answer here - this is available publically on the USAFA website:
usafa.edu
Parents Tab (top of page)
Frequently Asked Questions (left bar)
Financial Information (scroll down)
What is the Budget Cost for my Cadet for this Year? (scroll down)
Click Here - (pulls up 4 pages; you can see 2024-2021. Notice changes in deductions/net pay as you pay back uniforms, etc)

and for parents, every pull down item is awesome. have fun. hours and hours.
 
I can answer the second question! Yay! In BCT, your cell phone and a personal laptop are definitely not allowed. After A day, your cell phone is certainly allowed. You can also have a personal laptop after A day. My DS thought he'd want his laptop after A day, but once it came around, he felt he didn't need it.

I'll let someone else answer questions on leaving base, clubs, and extra curricular activities. The class of '24s experience is probably not indicative of a normal year given covid restrictions.
 
1) Is there any way for someone to get their private pilots' license while at the Academy?
YES - there are aimanship programs through the school and options to personally pay for flying lessons. Time and transportation options are limited in year 1, but you gain more freedom in years 2-4.

2) What is the policy on cell phones and laptops?
You can have them after the acceptance parade marking the end of BCT. You are issued a laptop that is generally a high quality and spec machine. There are onsite support resources to fix things when they break. Personal gear is allowed but there are rules on getting them on the government network.

3)How often are doolies allowed to leave base?
4* freedom is a highly variable experience. One squadron may restrict their 4 degrees while others are not restricted. The amount of "passes" are codified and others may point to the specifics. To leave the base, you need a "pass" and these come in the form of a day pass, overnight pass, and a sponsor pass. Club or Intercollegiate trips have their own permissions structure and are not counted against your other passes.

4) How many clubs/sports are we allowed to participate at a time?
You are a grown person and get to choose your level of involvement. I would CAUTION against running into club day and signing up for a bunch of activities prior to understanding the amount of free time you have for these activities. As a former club team captain, we would collect dues for people who signed up --- and some of those people never ended up participating.... so.... caution and know if they are collecting dues out of your paycheck when you "sign up."

5) How much do we make a year at USAFA (personal amount, after all the books, uniforms, haircuts, etc.)?
answered.... back in my day, you received a check for $65/month for a 4 degree after all expenses. Based on the chart, wow, times have changed for the better!
 
hopefulmom182 said:
I can answer the second question! Yay! In BCT, your cell phone and a personal laptop are definitely not allowed. After A day, your cell phone is certainly allowed. You can also have a personal laptop after A day. My DS thought he'd want his laptop after A day, but once it came around, he felt he didn't need it.

I'll let someone else answer questions on leaving base, clubs, and extra curricular activities. The class of '24s experience is probably not indicative of a normal year given covid restrictions.
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Technically doolies are not allowed personal laptops, gaming systems, etc. until after Recognition. Cell phones are allowed though.
 
Has USAFA published a calendar for me to view when A-Day, Parents' Weekend, etc. is?
 
Thank you @shiner. I was just checking the BCT schedule, and was wondering what usually happens in the Dental/Medical clearance during BCT, as we've all already been screened by DODMERB?
 
jokey02 said:
Thank you @shiner. I was just checking the BCT schedule, and was wondering what usually happens in the Dental/Medical clearance during BCT, as we've all already been screened by DODMERB?
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Others can confirm, but historically it has been a records review - has anything changed since your DODMERB screening? You are walking through all kinds of administrative stations and this is one stop. In my stop, they said - we see you have a history of nasal allergies, would you like a prescription for that?

During in processing, they have to see 1100 people that day so it is not a lengthy station. Things that will take longer, like the tailor shop, will be a scheduled activity in first beast where your unit will go at a specific time. This allows them to split 1100 individual fittings over 7 days or so.
 
shiner said:
Others can confirm, but historically it has been a records review - has anything changed since your DODMERB screening? You are walking through all kinds of administrative stations and this is one stop. In my stop, they said - we see you have a history of nasal allergies, would you like a prescription for that?

During in processing, they have to see 1100 people that day so it is not a lengthy station. Things that will take longer, like the tailor shop, will be a scheduled activity in first beast where your unit will go at a specific time. This allows them to split 1100 individual fittings over 7 days or so.
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Since you mention the tailor shop....there was some ambiguity at my son's measuring session which got us to talking - what does the tailor shop process look like if you don't mind sharing?
 
OfficerToBe750 said:
Since you mention the tailor shop....there was some ambiguity at my son's measuring session which got us to talking - what does the tailor shop process look like if you don't mind sharing?
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It's been a while, but as I recall, there are multiple tailors. You go as a group and it looks like any suit store with elevated platforms, mirrors and such. They measure one pair of pants and then get jacket measurements. You leave, and then at another scheduled time, you return to gather all of your clothes. It is well organized and efficient.

There were several seamstresses that sew everything. You will pick up different uniforms over time like Mess Dress and that means a return trip. You will have squadron patches sewn on your Athletic Jacket (A-Jacket), and possibly a club patch or letter award - and this means a return trip. Overall, you do not use this place often but it is awesome to have on campus.

Side note - there is/was also a shoe cobbler on site as well to fix boots and shoe soles. It is a small independent contractor with a physical presence on site.
 
shiner said:
It's been a while, but as I recall, there are multiple tailors. You go as a group and it looks like any suit store with elevated platforms, mirrors and such. They measure one pair of pants and then get jacket measurements. You leave, and then at another scheduled time, you return to gather all of your clothes. It is well organized and efficient.

There were several seamstresses that sew everything. You will pick up different uniforms over time like Mess Dress and that means a return trip. You will have squadron patches sewn on your Athletic Jacket (A-Jacket), and possibly a club patch or letter award - and this means a return trip. Overall, you do not use this place often but it is awesome to have on campus.

Side note - there is/was also a shoe cobbler on site as well to fix boots and shoe soles. It is a small independent contractor with a physical presence on site.
Click to expand...
ok because they ask for the measurements but our DS wasn't sure if they are just used as a guide to get started or if the measurements he supplies are the one and only. It sounds like they are just a guide (which is good - our son thought the inseam measurement needed to be adjusted a bit) All good info - thank you so much.
 
Midwesternman said:
Technically doolies are not allowed personal laptops, gaming systems, etc. until after Recognition. Cell phones are allowed though.
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Technically, doolies aren't allowed mattress toppers/blankets/sleeping bags to sleep on top of their made bed. Yet they all have them. The way I understand it, if it fits in their trunk, it doesn't exist.
 
OfficerToBe750 said:
ok because they ask for the measurements but our DS wasn't sure if they are just used as a guide to get started or if the measurements he supplies are the one and only. It sounds like they are just a guide (which is good - our son thought the inseam measurement needed to be adjusted a bit) All good info - thank you so much.
Click to expand...

They get measurements ahead of time to get a general idea of needed sizes. Then the tailors make final adjustments.

Stealth_81
 
OfficerToBe750 said:
ok because they ask for the measurements but our DS wasn't sure if they are just used as a guide to get started or if the measurements he supplies are the one and only. It sounds like they are just a guide (which is good - our son thought the inseam measurement needed to be adjusted a bit) All good info - thank you so much.
Click to expand...
On Day 1 you are issued athletic gear and camo gear which are NOT tailored. Like @Stealth_81 said, they need to pre-order inventory to then later customize. Another item they order are tennis shoes and boots - and this is why sizes in advance matter.
 
jokey02 said:
Are we allowed to bring our own boots and tennis shoes?
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If you haven't already I encourage you to read the information provided to you when you accepted your appointment or even the information that's broadly available. I know that some of the information you are asking about is covered. Maybe take a look or review again - I know it's a lot and you may have missed some of what you are looking for. I mention it because you will probably find it helpful. It's a lot to absorb for anyone - hang in there!

P.S. Many threads that discuss boots extensively. Yes, you are encouraged to bring broken in boots and your own running/athletic shoes.
 
I believe that bringing running shoes is a requirement. If you show up without them, you will be buying what they have available at the BX on I-day. Boots (Nike, Oakly, or other lighter weight coyote brown boot) are recommended, but they do issue you a pair of steel-toed boots.
 
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