<p>No, it's fine. We understand you guys are excited about coming and want to show that. Just don't wear stuff like shirts that say "Train This". </p>
<p>Actually, if you want to avoid sticking out at all, just wear a plain shirt with no logos. But like I said, it doesn't really matter that much.</p>
<p>no hot pink then? or is that okay?
how about a ribbon in my hair?
:)
yes i am a girlie girl. no, i'm not seriously asking those questions.</p>
<p>OH! This seems kind of obvious, but please PLEASE PLEASE, if you're going to Orientation next week...
If you have a question specific to yourself, that is perfectly acceptable and everyone understands. Go find the question-answerers (that is their official title) after they leave the stage and ask them. Don't make everyone else listen!!! please.</p>
<p>There were people talking about their weird shoe sizes and how to find custom sized boots, people with specific orthopedic needs, people giving backgrounds on themselves before asking questions...truly, I'm not trying to be rude, but I am being rather blunt. If you have to explain your situation before asking a question, spare the crowd and go find the people after the talk. They did make themselves available, and were very good about answering questions. Much appreciated! :D</p>
<p>missmuff has a very good point. Don't ask questions that have answers that will only help you. Ask broader questions.</p>
<p>But really, it wouldn't be orientation if you didn't get to laugh at the hyperactive idiocy of some of your classmates. ;)</p>
<p>It's only humorous to all of us because we got the "hyperactive idiocy" out of our system with this gad-blasted forum! :D Go easy on the poor guys with out-of-touch-with-reality parents! </p>
<p>Thank goodness for CC. I could've been one of them!</p>
<p>So on I-day I should not wear the '08 recognition shirt PETKO tried to offer me?</p>
<p>for you nobility, i'll get you the special "I conquered the BEAST" shirts... haha.</p>
<p>Question: What will our mode of transportation be during BCT?
Answer: Um...your mode of transportation will be marching.</p>
<p>Wow...did they think they'd get driven around in a golf cart or something? </p>
<p>I think we used a bus twice after I-day, for transportation to and from the airfield one day. That was it. </p>
<p>I must say, it seems even more idiotic questions are getting asked this year than last year. Poor 2012. ;)</p>
<p>Some people say; "When I was Younger". I just say; "When I had Hair". But anyway, way back then; I was at the academy doing some work and getting ready to go to Saudi. It was june and the new cadets were getting off the bus. One had a tee shirt that said;</p>
<p>"My mom said I was going to summer camp again.... This doesn't look like Camp Wanatooki!"...... MOMMY!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Not one 3/2/1, AO, commander, etc... that watched this guy walk by could keep a straight face and not laugh. They tried to be mean but they just couldn't do it. I watched them all walk away from that young man and try to compose themselves. He just stood there. I think part of that young man thought it was a good ice breaker. Another part of him probably realized they would all remember him now. I asked later, and I think quite a few of the uppers and staff offered to buy the shirt off the guy after BCT. DOn't know if he ever sold it.</p>
<p>ROFL! Oh, man, that's the best USAFA related shirt I've ever heard of!</p>
<p>:D that's awesome!!!</p>
<p>i hope none of the people who asked these questions end up in the same squad as me</p>
<p>please nooo</p>
<p>Don't worry, every squadron winds up with some oddball...just hope it's not you! ;)</p>
<p>haha, sometimes having people like that in your squad can take the pressure off of you. It's a lot nicer to be the one supporting your classmate than being the person that everyone has to support in basic. ;)</p>
<p>Oh yeah, the snowboard/boots kid, that was me =D.</p>
<p>tbh, I was just trying to ask what would be the best way to get them to the academy in general, like should I have them shipped to some storage place, or just have my parents bring them on parents weekend, but not for BTC.</p>
<p>But everyone got a good laugh out of it, and I didn't feel like explaining what I was trying to ask, so I just let it go.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, and it was my dad who asked about the possibilities of applying our Honor Code to politicians lol</p>
<p>My son made it clear I was not allowed to ask any question out loud and embarrass him. He gave me a coloring book and crayons and told me "Just sit there and color". :)</p>
<p>In all seriousness; the current and past cadets understand that some parents are going to ask certain questions that may seen silly or embarrassing to their son/daughter. Remember; each cadet there HAS/HAD a parent of their own at one time. They understand. Unlike a traditional college; the air force academy is generally further away from home than MOST parents and kids would be from each other. It's a little more permanent in the respect that it generally implies the next 9 years of their son or daughter's future is spoken for. And it's a little more sudden than a traditional school where the parent normally would help the kid move in, get settled in the dorm and campus, meet friends and room mate, etc.... At the academy; it's basically don't bring anything that you own at all. Say good bye. Parents be proud of your son/daughter. And see you when we see you.</p>
<p>I only bring this up so some of the soon to be cadets realize that this whole experience is just as hard and stressful on your parents as it is on you. It's just that they are parents and they have to pretend to be mature and strong. If they let you see exactly how they feel, you'd probably feel worse than you do now. (Except my son; he was more like, "Do I have to go home with them. Can't I start today? LOL!!!" Seriously; your parents are just asking questions to make sure that you are going to be taken care of. Think about it for a moment. It's the government saying; "TRUST US, WE'LL TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR KID". Do you really think that is enough assurance for most parents. Embarrassing questions or not, your mom and/or dad loves you a lot. They're just going to miss you. That's all it is.</p>
<p>that's funny... i said the exact same thing as your son when i was at orientation</p>
<p>Well said Christcorp. They'll miss us, too.</p>
<p>Yeah! Cadets, just accept us. Parents are always goofy. You will be a goofy parent someday, too. Can't wait for that!</p>
<p>To future Cadet parents - you absolutely can not believe how much you will miss your cadet. First and foremost all your cadet kids are probably very levelheaded, mature, thoughtful, funny, really cool people. That seems to be pretty much the norm for the whole lot of "service members". So, for the most part, these guys have been a joy to live with. Right?</p>
<p>Now, they are ripped from your womb!!! Not apron strings, deeper ripping and tearing - from your womb - gone! Poof! In a flash. Who did this to me? My cadet! The audacity - telling me how it was going to be done! (Have I made the mom's cry yet?) All I could say to my husband, on our cadet's departing flight to In-processing as we were told we WOULD not accompany him to COS - all I could say, through the tears was - "I want him back."</p>
<p>If you happen to be a real softie like me, it will be gut wrenching, it will be devastating, it will be over the top maddening! Maddening I tell you!</p>
<p>Yes, we miss you a lot. Still do. Always will. But, never more proud. :)</p>