<p>Having just finished four degree year, I can really see both points of view. Looking back, it might have been fun to mix it up a little. I already find myself hoping to be entertained by the new basics. At the same time though, I remember what it felt like to be on the other side. Nervous, anxious, excited, but a bit scared. I didn't want to stand out or grab any extra attention if I could avoid it. I'm sure that the safe and sane attitude is common amongst a lot of you guys. </p>
<p>That being said, I've got an inprocessing story of my own. Like I mentioned, I wanted to play it safe too, so I wore a conservative polo and khaki shorts. I had my bag in one hand, and a folder with all my paperwork, some extra stationary, well wishes, etc in the other. We left Doolittle Hall on the bus, which was fun, and arrived near the dreaded footprints. Cadet Ray, I'll never forget him, ordered us off of his bus. We ran towards the footprints, and I wound up exactly where I didn't want to be - front and center. We got yelled at for a while, a common theme for the day, and were finally told to head up the ramp. I grabbed my things, but as I turned to leave, I dropped the folder. Papers flew, things went everywhere. My new comrades all ran off as I frantically scooped up what I'd dropped. I finally had it all recollected, and I set off to catch up. Some guy got right in my face: "Don't fall behind again!". I gave him a sharp "Yes, sir!" and was on my way.</p>
<p>The moral of the story is that whether you're asking for trouble or trying to be stealthy, you'll probably do something dumb eventually, and have a good story to share later because of it. You'll make a few mistakes in Basic... just try not to do what I did and lose your stuff all over the footprints. ;)</p>
<p>Yea its cool, I am all for having fun and making memories, but must we poke the hornet's nest? If ya'll are up for it, go for it! Sometimes its exremely healthy to cut loose a little bit...(Oh senior prank... ;))</p>
<p>I prefer not to plan too much before I get there, just show up and receive my rude smack in the face that we are all going to get...(In other words, Culture shock...) Be humble and respect those folks that are there to teach us, pick and choose your moments during basic to "stand out" but with control... Ya only get to do it once so by all means live it up, but be willing to learn at all times and keep an open frame of mind...</p>
<p>Lets get to the Springs 2012 before evil plans are drawn up now ya hear ;) Besides, I think it will be more memorable to "stand out" along side your classmates, not alone... Just the insight of a Springs bound wannabe in 13 days... :)</p>
<p>If you want to really stand out, wear a pink shirt saying "US CHAIR FORCE". When I went to NASS, that's what they called the Air Force and it kind of got me mad. Lol. Either way, whether you come to conservatively, or not I think you might have some stories that you can tell. Even if you don't have a story of your own, telling another person's one to someone who wasn't there is just as fun.</p>
<p>haha, I have that last shirt that was posted earlier. And, I did (for just a second) consider wearing it. Actually, I wish I had. That would have been an awesome story.</p>
<p>BTW, I agree with G4C. Don't do anything too crazy, but do something you won't forget...it might help you keep from getting too down for the first few days (when it matters most).</p>
<p>Just don't be stupid (i.e. don't do anything insulting to the cadre). "Myspace basics" and "facebook basics" do make things harder on their flights...not a good way to score cool points with your classmates!</p>
<p>I always thought a T-shirt with something on it like "Breast fed babies make the best fighter pilots" would be cool. May be some truth to the eye sight thing also. I know it improved both mine and my son's. HaHa (Just kidding)</p>
<p>Sorry
I shouldn't have said what I said in the last post. I heard something on the news about children that have been breast fed tend to have great eyesight. Don't know why I started thinking about a shirt for I-Day.</p>
<p>Ooookkkkkk...back to the previous discussions.</p>
<p>On a different note, I'd recommend not telling ANYONE during Beast if you have a birthday during Beast. We hated a guy who bragged to our Cadre about how he'd finally turned 18 during 2nd beast...we did 18 reps (and several sets) of several different exercises on his birthday. Sticking out like that will make you loose some brownie points with your classmates.</p>
<p>You say that as if Cadre wouldn't have required the exercises had there been no birthday. C'mon, you know better. If anything, they merely used that event amongst the MANY things available.</p>
<p>I'm sure you are giving special "attention" the those new basics that show up to inprocessing with the ol' plain t-shirt...in case you do not....</p>
<p>give 'em attention...don't let them feel left out of the fun....give 'em attention just for NOT being creative on their special day. hahahahahahaha</p>
<p>I say be creative, more fun and good stories for it!</p>
<p>Also, af16, please do stir up the hornet's nest. ;) During 2nd BCT I will probably sit with some other staff members, I think that's an appropriate hornets nest. ;) :)</p>
<p>Hey Hornet...I've been doing Burpees as part of my workouts....can you make the basics do those? Lot's of fun. </p>
<p>Burpee....</p>
<p>Stand ...jump down into push up position...push up...feet jump forward and you jump up in the air and then back down...jump feet out to push up position and push up ..repeat...</p>