What to know before June 29th

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harrihaven

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Jan 24, 2017
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I am a new cadet flying to Colorado Springs this summer for summer training for the academy. I am not well versed in military talk and do not want to make a fool of myself when I arrive. What should I memorize/familiarize myself with by next month ? Anything that would help would be appreciate.
 
Congratulations and welcome to the forum. I am a non-grad non-military parent. I advise not to worry, come for the week, have a great time, & see if it's for you. There is an acronym listing in the Community forum.
 
The OP is not going for a week...he is an appointee. :)

Congratulations, harrihaven! Here is the acronym list: https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/the-acronym-list.11568/

To start:
summer training = "basic cadet training" or "BCT" or "Beast"
new cadet = "appointee" (you are not yet a cadet...you officially become a cadet after BCT and on Acceptance Day)

Read many posts on this forum and ask questions. Many of us have learned a lot that way. Reach out to current cadets who have posted on the forum. Most respond to private messages and are very helpful.

I found watching "A Year in the Blue" documentary helpful. It's available at Amazon.
http://www.ayearintheblue.com/
 
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harrihaven said:
I am a new cadet flying to Colorado Springs this summer for summer training for the academy. I am not well versed in military talk and do not want to make a fool of myself when I arrive. What should I memorize/familiarize myself with by next month ? Anything that would help would be appreciate.
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In all of the information you received once you accepted your appointment, there should have been some "mandatory" reading materials. Read it.
Also, know your seven basic responses...in the correct order.
Oh, and make sure you know the difference between a ma'am and a sir.
 
I suggest going on Youtube and searching I Day and BCT for USAFA. It will give you some perspective on what to expect. Prepare yourself physically, of course, but also mentally to fail, be told you failed miserably, and to pick yourself up and go at it again. It is all part of the learning curve on how to be a Cadet and military officer.

Learn the basic commands!

Look at the school year calendar and discuss your year, including trips home, with your parents. Look at the pay and deductions and learn to budget.

Everything else will be taught to you.
 
Believe it or not, you're actually in a better position not knowing as much about the military. It's some of the JrROTC and CAPs who THINK they know so much about the military, because they think it's similar, that can cause problems. You don't have that problem.

There's only 3 things you need to know.

1. The academy IS THE MILITARY. The first 6 weeks of basic training are definitely military; but realize and accept that you aren't "Going Off to College". Even after Basic Training.

2. It's ALL about TEAM WORK. That's what the military is all about. Most of BCT and the academy is designed so you can't do it by yourself. Use your skills and expertise to help others; and build camaraderie and relations with others and work together as a team.

3. God gave you 2 EARS and 2 EYES and only 1 MOUTH, so you could HEAR & SEE TWICE as much as you SAY. Remember this and you won't make a fool of yourself.

Best of luck.
 
harrihaven said:
I am a new cadet flying to Colorado Springs this summer for summer training for the academy. I am not well versed in military talk and do not want to make a fool of myself when I arrive. What should I memorize/familiarize myself with by next month ? Anything that would help would be appreciate.
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harrihaven,

As someone who has been there and done that two years ago, and will be there and do that again in a different role this summer, I can tell you that memorizing knowledge isn't something you need to be concerned about just yet. I would suggest knowing the seven basic responses, but you will be taught the rest when you need to know it. Christcorp has some solid advice.

Side note: Just about EVERYONE will make a fool of themselves when they arrive, so don't let fear of failure get you down. Do your absolute best, have a never quit attitude, and be a team player. If you do these things, everything else tends to work out eventually. Good luck to you.
 
Don't forget to write to your parents/family. Even if it is a short note. We found out that after graduating H.S. our DS was a hilarious writer and artist. He would tell us brief descriptions of things he did and would include little drawings (the gas chamber pics were great). I know you will be exhausted, but a short note/letter to your family will go a long way to those rooting/praying for your success.
 
Don't take things personally. The cadre are there to make you better. (But they are also learning)
The important thing is to learn how to push yourself and work as part of a team.

All the standards and details will come, if you do your due diligence, so just put in the effort when you know you should.

Nothing in BCT is particularly difficult, but the sum total can grind people down, if their heart is not in it.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."--Churchill
 
I just finished my four degree year at the Academy. Came from a family with zero military in it. If I were you, I would not worry too much over this. All you need to know coming into I-day is the seven basic responses. Everything else you will learn during BCT.
 
Stonewall said:
I just finished my four degree year at the Academy. Came from a family with zero military in it. If I were you, I would not worry too much over this. All you need to know coming into I-day is the seven basic responses. Everything else you will learn during BCT.
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"Seven Basic Responses"

1. What?
2. Where?
3. Who?
4. When?
5. Why?
6. I don't know!
7. I didn't do it; no one saw me; you can't prove a thing!
sticker-12.jpg


Just kidding. Don't do this when you get to basic training.
 
Mike!
THAT will make for some interesting times on the footprints!!
 
Christcorp said:
"Seven Basic Responses"

1. What?
2. Where?
3. Who?
4. When?
5. Why?
6. I don't know!
7. I didn't do it; no one saw me; you can't prove a thing!
sticker-12.jpg


Just kidding. Don't do this when you get to basic training.
Click to expand...

And for the "Older Generation" who remembers someone who would answer with WHAT? WHERE? WHO? etc.

Vinnie Barbarino
images
63985618_dbe805612e.jpg


Click like if you remember Vinnie and the gang
 
Remember Vinnie and the gang? Heck, I Remember Spanky and the gang. [emoji3]
 
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