<p>Which book, if any, do you feel best or most correctly demonstrates BCT or portrays it in the most accurate fashion? I have read most of the books people recommended in a long ago post. I enjoyed Efaw's and Ruggerio (both fictions?) and a few others as well. I especially enjoyed Lipsky's Absolutely American. </p>
<p>Can you recommend a book for an in-coming cadet or midi? Can you recommend one for his/her parents?</p>
<p>*That's Ruggero, Ed.</p>
<p>I'm not a parent but I really enjoyed A Sense of Honor by James Webb. It's about the Naval Academy in the 70's (?) by a Naval Academy Grad. It didn't exactly portray BCT but it did portray a difficult academy environment.</p>
<p>Fencer,</p>
<pre><code>Please take this with love, when I say no book that you will read will ever give you the insight you look for. Your son will be the one and his trials and tribulations will be singular to him.
</code></pre>
<p>I met Bullet when he was in ROTC, I read the AF wives handbook when we became engaged (laughed my butt off about when I should wear white gloves), but it was through him that I learned what the difference from a Dining In and a Dining Out was...he was the one that whispered in my ear that we don't sit until the dais was seated and we don't eat until they have started. He also was kind enough to tell me when to duck before the bread rolls started to fly :)</p>
<p>It was all about him, and no book or story could help me when he had a bad day, only my love for him could. </p>
<p>I know as a Mom, you want to be the most supportive person that he could ever have, but in reality he knows that, and also sometimes not knowing everything makes it easier for them. We as parents will state well this book said do this...did you try that?, and all they are looking for is, it will be okay, just remember no matter what ...I could have never asked for a child that I am more proud to be called their Mother.</p>
<p>Bullet and I will tell you that after he graduates is when you will go through a rollercoaster ride that makes the appt. process looked like a kiddie ride, and there will be no books in the world to help you. </p>
<p>Imagine getting a call on Weds. to tell you that he will be deployed on Sat. for only G*D knows how long! Imagine hearing on the news that the Aircraft he flies went down and crashed...just so you know the squadron goes into lock down, no phone calls in or out until verification of which crew is missing! Imagine your 1st grandchild being born overseas and you can't there for months, but most importantly imagine that for 5 yrs. there will be holidays, birthdays and anniversaries that they will miss. For the next 4 yrs he will be home for xmas, but I will tell you that out of our 20 yrs we have missed 10. I will also tell you that Bullet has missed 1st communions, my bday, kids bdays, anniversaries, etc. No book will ever be able to explain this life and what it is really like.</p>
<p>I will be like you and worry about our DS, but one thing I won't do is look for info, sometimes ignorance is bliss. Instead I will just listen and let him vent and in the end I will say what do you want to do? Do you want to quit? Do you want to change your designation? Do you feel better now that it is all off your chest? In a very few weeks he will be starting to live his life, his dreams, his goals, I am now going from the driver (making sure he got there) to the passenger to see where he is going!</p>
<p>BTW Bullet will tell you I have never looked into the cockpit of the strike (long ago during spouse appreciation week, wives were allowed taxi rides in the jet, it use to upset him that I never signed up for one.) I never have looked in the cockpit, because I didn't need to have that fear. I knew that come h*ll or high water he was going to do everything to get home to me and our kids! That is the point all you need to do is hug him, kiss him goodbye and listen.</p>
<p>All of my utmost regards to your family for allowing your precious one to live this dream...people forget the folks who helped secure the dream!</p>
<p>fencer. since your original request also asked for 'mids', I assume your question was generic. Two books which are fantastic in giving a feel for USNA is the aforementioned * Sense of Honor * by Senator Webb and * The Return of Philo McGiffin * by David Poyer. Both are Academy grads and have delved to the heart of the matter concerning all things important.</p>
<p>You'll never get a perfectly accurate portrayal of BCT. It changes a little every year. At the experience can change quite a bit between squadrons. I heard grads tell stories from their BCT, where cadets respond with stunned looks or "That actually happened?...and nobody got fired/outprocessed?!"</p>
<p>That being said, some books will give you an idea of what goes on...just don't expect to ever understand the details.</p>
<p>I doubt that anyone looking for fiction and/or literature is looking for a how-to manual on surviving plebe summer. As far as things changing, the core reasons have been there forever. Some things never change.</p>
<p>Fencersmom the boys experience will each be different and the same. They will have many common experiences that will bon them in ways you cannot imagine. Basic training is a very regimented process meant to break the individual and rebuild them. That said having read both "Absolutely American" and "Duty First" both books give a glimpse at what Basic will be like. It is kind of like watching "Band of Brothers" and thinking you will understand what the D-Day or the battle of the bulge was like. You got lots of first hand experiences and the storys of lots of soldiers, but until you live it you will not really know.</p>
<p>That said the book are great and you can gain some valuable insight from them. There are a couple of others you may want to read with a critical mind. </p>
<p>Riechen Lemkuhl's book "Here's what we'll say" is a book by a graduate who is Gay and has a very critical opinion of the Academy. He was not happy with his time in Colorado and the book reflects that. He has some exagerated storys about his basic experience, but there are some true experiences detaled too.</p>
<p>Kelly Flynn a 1990-something grad who got in trouble for having an affair with an enlisted members spouse. In her book she shares some of her BCT experiences, and you can get an idea of what things are like. This book also has a negative veiw of her Air Force experiences.</p>
<p>Kim Ponders book the last blue mile is probably the most recent fiction book that tries to expose Cadet life at USAFA. There are some glimpses at the life of a Basic Cadet and the 4* year. Not really critical, but not positive either.</p>
<p>I dont know why a positive book about USAFA life or BCT hasn't been published yet. Maybe Raimius can put his history skills to use for a good purpose and get rich in the process. </p>
<p>I did my basic training at Lackland (Enlisted), but can assure you the process isn't significantly different. Some are more physical (Marines), but the basic elements are the same. Long lines waiting for the next issued item, learning the laws of armed conflict, getting your shots, and filling out forms. Learning how to make your bed, and put away your clothes. </p>
<p>Hang on mom it is going to be a bumpy but exciting ride X2...</p>
<p>"The Army wasn't that hard. All you had to do is stand up real straight and make your bed nice" --Forrest Gump</p>
<p>Basic isn't that hard as long as you have a good attitude. You'll be fine.</p>
<p>I'd have to concur with that. Basic isn't really tough, it's just a major adjustment and a bit of a grind.<br>
"Half this game is 90% mental"...as one--er--brilliant speaker put it. ;)</p>