<p>Wow! A lot of responses since I last checked in. I just got home. it was a great weekend. Went down on Saturday for the Spring Blue/Silver football game and made it a 4 day weekend. Anyway, I'll try and answer some questions. If I miss some, please feel free to ask specific questions.</p>
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<li><p>Boots; As mentioned, they are the suede ABU boots. If you had the money, they suggested both pairs, if not, one was enough. There are 2 points of view here. 1st; you want to break them in. 2nd; you have to carry with you everything you bring that day. So, if you've only bought 1 pair of boots, DON'T go out and buy another pair. It's just that much more you will have to carry. Just bring the one. If you have both, that good too. Also; when you get to go to the cadet store after inprocessing, make sure you buy a stiff suede brush. The boots don't need polishing, but they are tough to get dirt and mud out of. I've worn them for a few years. They're great, but get a stiff brush.</p></li>
<li><p>What to bring! Bring almost NOTHING. Bring the clothes on your back. Bring $100.00 for spending money until your first paycheck. Bring a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and a razor. If you bring an electric razor; ALSO BRING A BLADE RAZOR. If your razor lost it's charge, they WON'T WAIT for it to charge before you shave. Also; jacks will be easier with a regular razor. Bring the boots that you bought. THAT'S IT. DON'T BRING ANYTHING ELSE PERSONAL. 1 caveat. if you are a female; bring 8 bras and panties. WHITE. Suggest Sports bras. 4 girl cadets told me that underwire is a killer. PARENTS: Don't send your son/daughter ANYTHING while they are there other than letters for the first 6 wqeeks. Everything else will be taken aways until BCT is over with. Cadets can bring a cell phone, contact lens, etc... BUT, it will be taken away from you until the 6 weeks is over. But, at least you'll have it when the time comes.</p></li>
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<p>3.What they talked about:
a) Current cadets spoke of what the cadets should expect in basic and the next 4 years. Much of which has been and can be answered here.
b) Explained the financial portion of the academy as far as the cadet's pay goes. VERY BORING. Basically; they pay your child $895 a month. They then reimburse themselves a large part of that for 20 months to pay for all the things they give such as a computer, uniforms, etc.... Not an important issue to talk about. No matter how you look at it, you son/daughter has a NET GAIN FINANCIALLY EACH MONTH. What other college do you know gives you tuition, books, clothes, food, fees, computer, athletics, etc.... and gives them money each month on top of that. In other words, don't worry about the money situation.</p>
<p>CAVEAT: If your child received any 3rd party scholarships; e.g. Elks club, American Legion, etc... any PRIVATE scholarships; you CAN have that scholarship added to the cadet's loan account (The account that they are repaying the government from) and that will lower the cadet's payback time; thus allowing them to get FULL PAY SOONER. Only stipulation is; the scholarship can NOT HAVE ANY TIES TO IT. I.e. It CAN'T say; Tuition, Books, Dorm, etc... If the scholarship has any ties to it, it CAN'T be used to help your student.</p>
<p>Education funds; 529's, etc... If you have been saving for your child's education for years and have money collected for it, the academy can NOT have it transferred into the account. The suggestion is that you contact your investment advisor and see the best way to use the money. Maybe on a 2nd or 3rd child's education. Maybe on your own education. Maybe pay the taxes and then allow your child to have it as regular income for extra expenses like ski trips and some other extra curriculum activities which is totally on a personal basis. Each state is different, different tax laws, etc... Basically, check with your investment advisor.</p>
<p>c) Medical and Dental: Your cadet must be in 100% physical shape when they get there. No knee braces, ankle brace, etc... DON'T bring any medication unless it was approved as part of a medical waiver. In other words; if there was a medical condition that required medication, and the DODMRB waivered approved it, then fine. Other than that, DON'T BRING IT. Don't bring aspirin, antihistamines, etc... If you need it, they will supply it. Ladies; no one asked about birth control pills and such, so I have no idea. The basic concept from the existing cadets, has been if you bring it, they will basically take it away until your 6 weeks is up. Same with eyeglasses (YES BRING THEM). It could be a couple days before getting your BCG. Contacts, will be taken, but you might want to have a supply so when your BCT is over with you will have them. BRING YOUR RETAINER if you use to have braces. That is authorized. You can't have braces currently however. They have to be gone before entering BCT. If they aren't, you might as well not show up. That is how they put it. There is no waiver for braces. Wisdom teeth is up to you. If you have them and they aren't a problem, then keep them. If you plan on being a pilot or such, you WILL have to have them removed eventually. They have a backlog. There are actually cadets graduating that are having flight school held up a little because of wisdom teeth. So, you can call the ball on this one.</p>
<p>Bring proof of ALL YOUR IMMUNIZATIONS! Check the checklist they gave you. The deal is VERY SIMPLE. If you have proof; you move on with whatever is next. If you DON'T have proof, don't worry; they are going to give you every single one of the immunizations that you don't have proof of. They aren't going to wait for someone to mail anything. At that moment and time of inprocessing, you have proof or you get the shots. It's that simple</p>
<p>All the paper work that they have you bringing down; e.g. Birth certificate, immunizations, security, social security card, etc.... Hand carry it. They probably will have taken away your backpack that you brought and will give you PART of it back later. You need the paperwork with you. Keep it in a folder in one hand and your backpack in the other. And again, don't bring anything bigger than a backpack. Toilet items and your boots. Girls; add white sport bras and white panties. </p>
<p>Everything else; which I believe is just as if not more important, were the personal interaction and 1 on 1 with the cadets and the environment. If you were fortunate enough to have visited during an athletic recruiting visit, then you got some of this. But even summer seminar isn't this. SS was great for a taste of the military. School however was out by then. At orientation, the kids spent a REAL DAY with a real cadet. Working out, going to class, eating, doing homework, etc... It was a REAL DAY. If you can get to orientation, PLEASE DO IT. As someone who spent 21 years in the Air Force; all I can say is that none of us can say enough. Yes, the academy is a wonderful education; a wonderful experience that you will never forget; a sense of pride, teamwork, and commitment that you can't find anywhere else. The problem is; IT IS THE AIR FORCE AND THE MILITARY. One thing they have in the middle of what I call "THE QUAD"; is a memorial to all past academy graduates who have lost their lives. Vietnam, Gulf War, 9/11, etc... They remind them that it IS REAL!!!. </p>
<p>The general, academy super, said that every year during inprocessing there is at least one or two who ask for someone to write down that there is something about them medically that disqualifies them. So they can go home with honor; because the academy is something their parents really wanted and not something they wanted. Also; after you drop off your son or daughter, as they pass through, over the bridge, onto the bus, and starting their inprocessing; they are told that if you don't want to do this, then stay on the bus. At least 1 will stay on the bus. </p>
<p>Here at CC; I don't think that's really an issue. Whether it's a service academy or a traditional school, students and parents who visit here are more motivated and dedicated. They know what they want. But there are some who have 2nd thoughts. Anyway, it needs to be said. To be totally honest with you; I heard a young man this morning, after being returned by his host cadet, tell his parents that he wasn't too sure this was for him. All I could make out from the parents was; "It's probably not that bad. You'll be fine". Or something to that affect. To be honest, I'm not sure if that is the right response. I think it should be more like; "Let's talk about it more when we get home". Mind you, this is someone with an appointment. </p>
<p>OK; enough for now. If I missed a question that someone has, please ask. I tried to take 2 days of stuff and put it all into a few paragraphs. I know I missed something. Ask, and ye shall receive.</p>