<p>I was at a parent’s information meeting last night, and it sounded like on Doolie Day Out, cars just arrive and say, “I can take 3 cadets.” . so they pile three cadets in the car and off they go. I am wondering if my son will be able to go with his sponsor family? (friends of the family) or if he will just be one of the three randomly selected to go in a car? Is there organization for sponsors? Or is it just line 'em up and ship 'em out? Also, what time should the sponsors show up? I forgot to ask that question? :)</p>
<p>They don't quite just line cars up and take as many Cadets as desired. They are all approved sponsor families. In many cases it will be your son's ac/year sponsors. in some cases that may not be the case. Potter was allowed to spend the day with a wonderfull family we thought would be her sponsor family. Turned out not to be the case. There are others here who I believe stayed with the same family for B&B, DDO, and the Ac/year.</p>
<p>Our son was able to go to Doolie Day Out with his sponsor family, who is also a family friend. The sponsor family should contact the Academy and let them know that they would like to have the specific cadet for Doolie Day.</p>
<p>My sons' sponsor family contacted me and said the boys would be at there home on DDO. I heard some of the athletes go to their coach's homes.</p>
<p>Folks some preparation for DDO is in order: If you intend to be there, do not be surprised at a) how excited and happy they are to see you, (duh) and 2) how depressed and sad they will be when they leave you. It's #2 that you need to be ready for. I've seen football players practically in tears. It will be the same after their first thanksgiving break. I know it sounds easy to say, but it WILL get better and better. I think their first returns to the Academy are absolutely the toughest. Some of the squardrons, recognizing just how hard it is, MAY have pizza upon their return. Be assured the cadre know how sad they will be and I think they lighten up just slightly that first dayback. Be cheerful. Be proud. Be empathetic and keep telling them that it's only x weeks till thanksgiving or y weeks till christmans, etc.</p>
<p>** used the wrong "there" in my post above. Should have been "their." Senior moment. Sorry.</p>
<p>Going back at after Christmas break was hard..............</p>
<p>Going back to the Academy after DDO, Thanksgiving, and Christmas was the worst feeling in the world. It's not nearly as bad after Recognition though, and I don't think I'm going to mind having to come back to school this August.</p>
<p>AFDAD... I am a little confused... are you talking about Doolie Day Out or Parents weekend?</p>
<p>Some parents actually do fly to the Springs or those that live near will try and find their cadet on DDO, so I think he's referring to DDO. </p>
<p>On another note, my B&B family, DDO family, and current sponsors are all different lol. But it turned out well, PETKO can vouch for the awesomeness of our sponsor family! :)</p>
<p>What if your cadet wants to go to the house of someone who wants to be a sponsor and can't right now because the academy says they are not taking anymore? Our son stayed with this family the night before he had to report and this family took him to inprocessing.</p>
<p>Sponsor's get really informal once the school year begins, I never met my assigned sponsor, but I was able to go with a good friend to his spopnsors house who unoficially adopted me. When they moved to texas, I found a third family that wanted to have me over, so it really is prety loose as far as sponsor's go. For doolie day out however, it is best that you go with your assigned sponsor family since if they show up looking for you and you're not there, then it might be bad for administrative reasons. Once basic is over, that can all change. It's basically whoever you want to come pick you up from the Academy</p>
<p>moltadolcie - sorry, talking about DDO AND parents weekend AND thanksgiving -- anytime that first year when your cadet gets a taste of home and has to go back..... :(</p>
<p>And then everything getws so much better :)</p>
<p>The Cadet Wing Media has DDO pictures!</p>
<p>Shortcut to: Office</a> of Cadet Wing Media</p>