<p>ksenior07:
Don't concern yourself with what specifically will happen after your initial inprocessing. If you were supposed to know, you would have been sent a schedule. Secondly, save your memorization skills for BCT; they will get plenty of action there. ;)</p>
<p>NDNRanger :
While the foot care products at USAFA are not what I could consider "professional," should you get blisters or have other problems, they will adequately be dealt with. Considering the historically large number of blister/foot problems in the past in BCT, you will have company if you get them too. A few tips to prevent blisters (that seem somewhat self-explanatory) are: break in boots prior to coming (too late if you haven't done this already), don't lace boots too loosely, wear clean socks every day, and keep dry whenever possible. Regarding mail that you receive in BCT, you will be able to keep it. In Jack's, there is not a designated place for you to store it, but you will have your big green bag that you take out to Jack's that you can use for mail.</p>
<p>All letters can be kept, just put them in a drawer or bag, no problem. Newspaper articles are hit and miss I think, depends on cadre. But, they should be able to read them at the least before turning them in. I got to keep mine (probably since I didn't show them to my cadre as well :) ). My mother sent me them often, and still does. I always like getting them. </p>
<p>More on blisters: you do get a blister kit, but if you get bad blisters like me, its used up in a week. So, cadre will have the safety/medical officer come around at nights with blister care stuff. Also, you can go to the clinic and have them wrap you up as is the case for me. On the bright side, my feet went numb (same for most) anyways, so I couldn't feel the blisters. :) </p>
<p>The boots are actually army rejects I believe lol. The army didn't like them since they fall apart quickly. They are half leather and half cloth boots. Very heavy and don't breath well at all. Needless to say I switched to Corcorans immediately after recognition. </p>
<p>As Uncynical was getting at, don't worry about the BCT specifics, in 4 days you'll become intimately familiar with them. Best thing to do is come in open minded, ready to work, and ready to never sleep in for 6 weeks. :)</p>
<p>Is it better to bring a cellphone with you on inprocessing day and have it taken away or just wait and have your parents bring it to you at parents weekend?</p>
<p>Blisters=== cause FRICTION. Keep feet dry as possible at all times. Foot powder, glide (an application to prevent friction). Barefoot as much as possible (no sleeping in socks). DRY FEET. </p>
<p>If you get them, you can "pop" them with a pin prick IF you know how to do this and merely DRAIN them...do NOT remove protective skin from the blister. Too many people do that and that is the worst thing you can do. That piece of dead skin is actually PROTECTIVE of the raw underbelly. Leave it and bandage it. Keep it DRY. FRESH DRY SOCKS. </p>
<p>You do not want your boots too loose or too tight. Be HIGHLY conscious of friction points (hot spots) that may get irritated and friction you into a blister...avoid these hot spots as best you can.</p>
<p>ditto on above. Cover your feet in foot powder if you must, my feet were soaking wet since they were in boots for about 12 hours or more at a time. </p>
<p>You have a separate sponsor for doolie day out than you do during the year. Plus, you shouldn't worry about these things, the Academy has many years experience in doing this. ;)</p>
<p>One last question, and I know everybody is tired of hearing about this, but just what is everybody bringing? From pictures last year I can tell they brought more than razors and required documents. Right now I have soap, deodorant, cotton balls?? [read that somewhere, i think], toothbrush & toothpaste, brush, bible, cell phone & charger, shaving stuff and all the required documents. Is this ok? I'm just feeling very overwhelmed right now.</p>
<p>I thought soap, dedorant, etc. was issued (or that we'd be able to buy it at the c-store if we decide to chuck it).
I'm just packing the required feminine products/underwear. Guys are so lucky.</p>
<p>All of that stuff IS issued. Don't complicate things by trying to bring additional items.<br>
You will be property of the AF... and the AF takes good care of its assets. ;)</p>