What to prepare to bring

HCopter said:
Start with just the packing list. Go on your fact finding mission - search this side and for parents the Facebook groups for threads on what else you might want for I-Day, A-Day, and later for the school year. I think there was a meme for a 14-in-1 bottle for the males. Hilarious! For extras, DD packed feet blister things, stamps/a few envelopes/paper/address list/passwords list, and a comfort grip for the backpack handle.

Candidates, clean your room and label stuff. This will make it easy for parents to find your shoes, Calc/Chem notes, favorite wubby(ies), school supplies. For parents not visiting on A-Day: One Medium Size Box. Don't be That Parent that sends 4 boxes o' stuff and clogs the mailroom. Your DD/DS should be buying stuff him/herself and learning to be resourceful - How to Get Stuff - Cadet store, older Cadets/teammates with cars, amazon, where and when to go for delivery services (Arnold Hall). Parents learn the options of Getting Stuff to my Cadet: delivery services (AOG and Cadet Delivery Service, for example), sponsor family, sometimes through the mail, make friends with local parents (ex. who's going up and can take a box!). And anytime you pack for your Cadet, save some precious space for community gifts - ie, so your Cadet can share with others, esp. those in his/her squadron with no family support, etc.

For parents, remember everything is squadron specific. Don't freak out when you see posts that My DD this, my DS that....tune out the noise and learn to respond to What Your Cadet Thinks is Important. Don't ask What about, I heard, Have you done/seen/heard...there will always be Those Parents Facebook Bragging. For example parents pontificating Look How Awesome My Cadet Is! And then later they bust themselves saying it's the first time their kid passed the PFT, got on an Honor roll, etc. If there is one thing I think is most important, it is to train your DD/DS to always think glass half full. Coping and delayed gratification work their way to the top of necessary skills to get through BCT. USAFA and life, for that matter.
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Love the community gifts reminder!
 
Momto2 said:
So it list WHITE boys underwear. Does it really have to be WHITE or can they just be neutral color like gray or black?
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My DS didn't take white underwear either. We focused on finding a long, dryfit boxer in neutral colors. I did find some white compression shorts to combat chafing and he took those as well.
 
For the parents, I strongly suggest you bring a binocular and have your DS/DD wear really bright color shoes. You can thank me for it later :)
 
99Gold said:
Have you received the Appointee Booklet with the packing list yet? It was very clear for 2026 (depite FlyFalcon's unfortunate misunderstanding). My ds did not bring his passport because he didn't need it to prove citizenship (birth certificate did that) or a photo id (used driver's license). It is safe at home in our family's safe. He can grab it whenever he needs it.

The ONLY extras you should pack are more underwear than is listed. Leave everything else at home and pack a bag of school supplies for your mom/dad to mail to your or bring to Parent's Weekend. We did the latter.
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The mailroom is a nightmare at the start of the semester. Most of the cadets are buying/renting books online & getting them mailed. That's ~4000 students ordering books.

If you can wait to ask for supplies from your parents for 2-3 weeks from the start of the semester, you lower the risk of the package being returned due to inability to deliver. Note that USAFA has no control over USPS and that includes the mailroom.

If you know the sponsor family, they may be willing to accept the package and deliver to you.

If your parents are a part of the AOG's Family Plan (Webguy), they have a new service where them can mail to the AOG and the AOG will deliver.

Amazon has also installed 2 sets of Amazon Lockers, so that it also an option -- keeping in mind that if the boxes are full, Amazon will also return as non-delivered.

**THE BEST OPTION -- go shopping over Parents Weekend.
 
Godspeed_13 said:
I have heard that it is recommended to rescind/decline other college acceptances before reporting to USAFA. I understand this is the moral thing to do anyway, however, was just curious as to whether USAFA had a requirement? I was worried that in the case something did not go right during BCT, I would have to attend by back-up school.
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Unless you have to, don't. Last year, before I-Day day ended, many basics dropped out. During BCT, many called it quit for various reasons. Most colleges don't start until late August or early September.
 
SpiritCommitteeLiaison said:
**THE BEST OPTION -- go shopping over Parents Weekend.
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This is the best advice ever. So many appointees want to bring so much stuff. Think about which are “wants” and not “needs”. Our oldest son flew to I-Day a day before carrying his boots and a backpack which contained a change of clothes and his paperwork. Literally nothing else. He is still alive and thriving. 😁 They provide everything you need and more. By Parents Weekend they will have a good idea of what they need and it can be delivered.

Stealth_81
 
Whatever you put in that backpack you’ll have a lug around all day long using only your left arm. Other than extra underwear I would suggest sticking strictly to the list they provide.
 
Edit. I believe a good electric razor is a pretty hot commodity. Maybe stick one of those in as well…
 
We just stuck strictly to the list provided and did exactly what it said. DS did have an Apple watch which was taken and returned at the end. (Can be risky to have something valuable). We shipped a computer before Parents Weekend. We didn't do much else. They can buy their own stuff and have delivered. The only thing I might do differently is send Mucinex D earlier to help clear the Jack's Hack.
 
An extra monitor is a plus. For our DD, we had a portable monitor that we took A-day. Works great and she can easily carry it and store it. As a rule, less is better.
 
For those coming from lower altitude (which is just about everyone), I'd recommend bringing your favorite sports drink powder. I recommend Skratch, but Gatorade Endurance, Tailwind, Gu Roctane and many others are great too. Adjusting to altitude requires fluid, salts and calories...nevermind that BCT will place demands on your body that will require the same support. You'll be glad that you've kept hydrated with sports drink when you have to stand in formation on a toasty A-day.
 
FalconDad2026 said:
For those coming from lower altitude (which is just about everyone), I'd recommend bringing your favorite sports drink powder. I recommend Skratch, but Gatorade Endurance, Tailwind, Gu Roctane and many others are great too. Adjusting to altitude requires fluid, salts and calories...nevermind that BCT will place demands on your body that will require the same support. You'll be glad that you've kept hydrated with sports drink when you have to stand in formation on a toasty A-day.
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I'm under the impression that sports supplements are not allowed during BCT, of which I think electrolyte formulations would probably be considered. I know that it would've have been locked away when I went through BMT. Only drinks and food allowed there are the ones given. But +1 to staying hydrated.
 
I would bring lots of snacks. Try and duct tape them to your leg so that way you don’t have to carry them. Things like doritos and recess are a good plan, you’ll be thankful you brought them for sure.
 
FortuneMaterial said:
I would bring lots of snacks. Try and duct tape them to your leg so that way you don’t have to carry them. Things like doritos and recess are a good plan, you’ll be thankful you brought them for sure.
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That would be really if they wore shorts! 😆
 
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