<p>Another perk and plus to parents for supporting the AOG is getting a 15% discount at the Academy stores. You will be issued a membership number and card and you present this card or number when making a purchase in person or for ordering online. When you join you are a member for the four years your cadet is at the Academy. Do you have any idea how much "stuff" you will buy? I think I have one closet dedicated to AFA clothing!!!! :) Go Falcons!!!</p>
<p>Anyway, this sure helps when you and everyone you know wants that AFA t-shirt, socks, jacket, polo, poster, windshield stickets, etc., etc. Then, the next year - new stuff. And the next year......you get the idea.</p>
<p>Cadets automatically get a discount just for being a cadet but theirs is only 10%.</p>
<p>(mom of Petko here) Another helpful mom tip - if you stick around for the rest of inprocessing day lurking at the chapel wall (which of course we did for HOURS), their shirt color can help you pick them out before they get changed into BDUs. Between the bright red shirt and the purple lanyard, we had a fighting chance of spotting him. And when we finally did, it was wonderful!</p>
<p>Thanks so much Gasdoc,..... our D wants to do "I" day alone. We'll most likely send her off at the airport.... :( We're not 100% sure yet but right now she's thinking she'll be stronger if we're not there. I can barely type this now so I can't even imagine how I'll feel when the day comes...</p>
<p>Kudos to all you parents that have already sent one (or more!) off...</p>
<p>Flymom. It says you can get boots in advance at orientation or at a local military clothing sales. (Of course, if you aren't military affiliated, it could be difficult to get on a base to go to military clothing sales). It says what the model of the boot is. It doesn't say anything about army/navy surplus or any other online source. But, if it's the same boots, it shouldn't matter.</p>
<p>Hopefully everyone will get their packets soon. It pretty much answers all the questions being discussed. Finances, healthcare, what to bring, what not to bring, and everything else just about you can think of.</p>
<p>Thanks Christcorp....she just got it! It was so cute she was getting the mail and the mail truck made a U-turn in the road and came back to our box--the mailgirl forgot to put it in the box! She asked D, "Is this what you're looking for"!! :)</p>
<p>Of course she's looking at it all behind closed doors now so I won't see it for awhile...</p>
<p>The chapel wall is great, but oh so crowded, we had an advantage finding potter there (we knew she would be in the back right corner of her squadron). "If your taller than the person in front of you tap the shoulder and move forward". She is vertically challenged.</p>
<p>The mailman is a conspiracy. They love to toy with candidates this time of year. Waive big envelopes then hide them. Use the "Oh I forgot his line". Evil mailmen makes you want to root for the dogs.</p>
<p>Oh and for the parents you will learn this is a cathartic outlet as you wil learn this time next year. Recognition is an anxious time.</p>
<p>flymom- brownies, fudge, cookies are very good currency. Plus, for the same price, your d or s will get an additional set of push-ups or flutter kicks. WHAT A BARGAIN! ;)</p>
<p>EDIT since I wrote as ds was posting, Tom's brownies are amazing! (esp when accompanied with fresh milk!) :)</p>
<p>Flymom, the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) has an excellent on line source for military clothing, but they tend to be a little slow due to back-orders for troops deploying.</p>
<p>On the contrary. Think positive - well rounded, versed, etc. </p>
<p>Unless of course your soon-to-be academy mates (think positive again) might think you "old fashioned" and wonder how you know music wayyyy older than you are and know it so well. :) </p>
<p>Unfortunately I will be at school on monday and therefore my father will get the mail before I do, thus I will be anxiously waiting to get home as fast as possible... ;)</p>