<p>My understanding is that the basic cadets will participate in Field Day on July 16th and get to attend a Rodeo for “Doolie Day Out” I am just guessing from the schedule that this marks the end of 1st BCT and the beginning of 2nd BCT. So----Here’s my question. I am out of state, but am considering flying in to see my cadet. Host family says that we can watch the field day and actually could get to spend time with our basic cadet at the Rodeo. True or False? Does anyone out there have the definitive answer? If not, where can I find it? I’ll gladly make the trip if I will actually get to see my cadet—even for an hour.</p>
<p>DO NOT do it (imho). I can almost guarantee you that you will not be able to see your cadet from anything but spectator distance. They'll be sitting as a group at the Rodeo, too, and will be supervised--don't count on that either. Your kid is in the military now. Let them be through BCT and see them at Parents Weekend. You'll both survive. I promise. Over 30,000 before you have made it.</p>
<p>I agree with Doc. DON'T go.</p>
<p>What about the acceptance parade? Also, I thought Doolie Day Out this year was a date after the parade?</p>
<p>You can go to the Acceptance Parade, but again you can only count on being a Spectator. Chances of actually touching your kid aren't high. Doolie dining-Out is at the end of BCT. Parents should NOT interfere with that event. Remember parents, this ISN'T COLLEGE. Your kid is in the US Air Force as a cadet at the Academy. He/she has rules that should learn to live with. You should support them without showing up every weekend like it's State U 30 mins away.</p>
<p>I am posting this message to respectfully disagree with our gracious moderator docfrance and UNcynical. I must first say that I have so far agreed to most of their advice, but on this topic let's just say that I now have an "experiential perspective." After my initial post and reading the replies, I sought advice on the subject from many other graduates and current upperclass cadets that we know. I was encouraged to attend field day and the rodeo by six out of 7 of them, and the 7th was indifferent. So, I decided to go, and to keep my expectations low. This was easy, because I was staying with my friend in C. Springs who also has a basic cadet. We attended the field day, and while I did not get to talk to my cadet, I was able to watch him march in and compete. He did recognize me from a distance and waved and smiled and flashed the sign language "I love you" sign. I then attended the Rodeo the next day and had a conversation with a Lt. Colonel that was one of the officers in charge of 2nd BCT. He encouraged me to find my cadet and have a conversation with him, and even sit with him if I could. "It is after all," he said, "Doolie Day Out." I was able to find him and decided not to sit with him (seemed too intrusive) but I did get the chance to talk with him out by the food vendors for about 20 minutes. It was so encouraging for both of us, and I have absolutely no regrets. In fact, I would highly encourage moms and dads of basics to do it in the future. There were many parents there---at least 100, maybe more, so lots of parents had the same idea! I agree that my son is not at StateU, and he IS in the military, however, there are plenty of other things that distinguish the Air Force Academy from other institutions. The opportunities to see your cadet are rare. This was one of those rare opportunities, and I took it. My cadet spoke of how inspiring it was to see me both days, and how much better (well, maybe more bearable!) 2nd BCT will be because of that little break. Anyway---that's my experience and my perspective and I thought I would share it. I welcome rebuttal or other comments. After all, I'm...........</p>
<p>justanothermother</p>
<p>I am happy that in this instance, it worked out for you. However, imagine the difference if 1,000 sets of parents descended upon this event in the anticipation of seeing their cadet. My daughter is a New Cadet at West Point this summer so I think the situations are similar (although not exactly alike). There are certain events to which parents and friends are specifically invited and the academy is set up to deal with the influx, and there are events to which they are not specifically invited (and to which we as parents don't attend). At West Point, even when invited, it is not a good idea to get our new cadet's attention while they are with their class or cadre. I have learned that it is critical that the New Cadets form first as a team together, with a minimum amount of outside "intrusion" and distraction. Their training is intense and it moves at a fast pace. I cringe at the thought of what would have happened to my new cadet had I "showed up" at one of her events and made myself known to her and she had reciprocated the attention...ugh. I am glad it worked out for you but these folks are in the military now, and, frankly, undergoing their particular service academy's version of "boot camp". As a parent, I will stay at a respectful distance until called upon to be there.</p>
<p>Good Luck to all the new cadets as Air Force, from a new Army Dad.</p>
<p>I'm glad it worked out for you and that you got to see your son. Obviously, advice and experience aren't identical for all. I still stick by my recommendation, though, and think that in the long run it's the healthiest thing to do--to let your basic experience BCT (all of it) as an independent adult. there's plenty of time to see your cadet and interact with him/her in the future. I'm old school on this... I think that BCT should be a very demanding, difficult, rewarding experience isolated from the civilian world and past life as much as possible--it's what shocks the basic into realizing that he's not in Kansas any more, Todo. Some kids don't need this shock, others do. Just's basic seems happy and well-adjusted and the trip (for now) seems worthwhile. I'm glad--but remember, (IMHO) you did it primarily for YOU, not him... Good luck the rest of the way on the Roller Coaster that is USAFA!</p>
<p>There are a few reasons I suggested that you not go to the events. First of all, there is a reason basics are kept from interacting with civilians/family members in person, only get one phone call during BCT, and only even get to check their mail a couple times a week. They're not civilians anymore, and particularly at the very beginning, it is crucial that they realize this. This cannot be accomplished and they cannot put the appropriate attention toward the necessary aspects of the Academy if well-meaning friends/family intrude into this. BCT is a very demanding time, which should go without saying. As for Field Day in particular, can you imagine what it would be like if every single parent/boy or girlfriend/friend tried to attend and all wanted to see their basic? I was in charge of one of the events that day, which meant that in addition to ensuring the 360 basics competing in it did everything correctly and were in the right places at the right times, I also had the responsibility of keeping civilians in their proper area. I have no doubts that they all had the best intentions, however, there were numerous times I had to take time away from where I needed to be focusing to do this. I had to explain to parents why they weren't allowed in the area and that not only did I not know where their son/daughter was but that they were not allowed to interact with them, many of whom did not understand this and resorted to trying to argue with me.</p>
<p>UNCYNICAL,
Having been in the military(1 million years ago) I understand where you are coming from as far as getting the basics indoctrinated into the military lifestyle.
I am also the father of one of those 1390 basic cadets and in that respect I completely understand how justanothermother feels in regard to her son/daughter. It is agonizing not knowing how or what they are doing.
You and DocFrance provide a wealth of information on this site, but please understand that a large percentage of the parents have no experience with the military or that lifestyle. I believe that USAFA could do a much better job of educating parents in this area.
UNcynical,I have read most of your posts on this board and gather that you are a student at USAFA as well. I am glad to know that good people like you are there to set an example for my son.
DocFrance I just read your article in the latest checkpoints magazine. I get a little misty when my kid salutes me as well.</p>
<p>darryljenk,</p>
<p>UNcynical is a CADET at USAFA--much more than just a student. </p>
<p>Also, I think the best thing that USAFA could say to most parents is: your kid is now in the military. Remember that. </p>
<p>I wonder how many parents would be acting this way if their kids were enlisted in the Army or Marines and going through boot camp? Would they be calling? </p>
<p>I understand it's tough to not know what's gong on--I went through it with my son who wrote exactly two letters in BCT. We lived two time zones away at the time. Had we lived in COS, we would not have gone to the rodeo. We might have gone to Field Day, but it would have been as spectators in the stands with no intention of meeting our cadet.</p>
<p>We understand that most parents here have no military experience--and we're trying to give good advice. But, we have to be blunt every now and then. I think it's pretty darned good that UNcynical and I, separated by 25 years in our USAFA experience, agree on so much!</p>
<p>USAFA could do a better job of educating parents--that really should be the ALO's job in the process. In these days, though, there's so much info available (compared to say 1977) that I can't imagine a question a parent could have that couldn't be answered within 24 hours. (collegeconfidential, AOG, edodo, FamNet, etc)</p>
<p>Docfrance,
My bad on UNCYNICAL. A cadet is much more than a student. </p>
<p>I think both of you give wonderful advice. My point was (and I agree with you this should be the ALO's job) that the Academy could do a better job of letting parents know exactly what their kids are getting into. I also agree that there is a ton of information available to parents that are willing to look for it. (I do find it ironic that your post does not include the Academy website.)
According to her post justanothermother was encouraged by one of the officers in charge of 2nd BCT (a Lt. Colonel) to find her son and speak to him.
I never said I agreed or disagreed with her actions. I said I understood her actions as a parent. Had I been in her situation and had the blessing of a senior officer I probably would have done the same thing.</p>
<p>Yep, and I see your point, too. My guess is with the increasing number of parents that are willing and able to visit the Academy for EVERY possible event (Field Day, parachute jumps, 3-day weekends, acceptance parade, march back from Jack's Valley, etc) USAFA is going to have to do a better job of controlling things. I feel for UNcynical as a cadre member having to deal with parents in what should be a training situation. I think it's great that the parents want to support their cadets, but UN brings up the logical conclusion that what if ALL the parents showed up ALL of the time--it would be nearly impossible to conduct training. Times have changed--no doubt about it. And USAFA will need to do a better job of informing and managing if they want to preserve and enhance training while satisfying increasingly connected parents.</p>
<p>Alas, (first hint) my advice is coming to an end. For reasons that may become obvious (I hope), I may have to quit this board within a few weeks...</p>
<p>docfrance-
Are you retiring?</p>
<p>No more hints.</p>
<p>At the risk of exhausting this subject, I will say a few more things that will, unless I'm queried, serve as my last post on the subject.</p>
<p>I too, docfrance, am pretty "old school" on most things concerning the academy. I am married to a grad---we'll say early 80's--(don't want to identify myself too much) and have great respect for the traditions--even the changing ones!--- at USAFA. </p>
<p>One thing I would like to point out is that the Rodeo was this year's replacement for Doolie Day Out, a day where the cadets are usually allowed to go to spend the day with their host family and are usually either in contact with family all day if they are in the area, or on the phone with them for much of the day if they are not in the area. Many who follow the academy's traditions know this, and were expecting to be able to see their cadet, and even sit with him in accordance with the usual freedoms allowed on that day. Even the cadre I spoke to were confused at the Rodeo, some thinking that the basics were allowed to converse with family members, and others strictly prohibiting such contact. </p>
<p>Also, several times on both days (field day and rodeo) I witnessed cadre "arranging" meetings between parents and their basic, and even slipping cell phones to basics so they could sneak a quick call home. And I refer again to the officer who encouraged me to seek out my cadet. He even went so far as to say that this is what the day was for. To be honest, I don't think I would have tried to have much more contact than a wave had that not happened.</p>
<p>My point in all this (if it isn't obvious) is a lack of communication that, had it been corrected, could have easily prevented all the confusion. A simple letter home to the parents a few weeks prior and perhaps a simple notice on the Academy and AOG websites could have easily prepared parents for what to expect and even discouraged them from coming.</p>
<p>Finally---I do feel for UNCynical and the rest of the cadre who were trying to conduct training, but clearly everyone in the cadre was not on the same page. Even the announcer said, "To the many parents who have come today to watch your basic compete, Welcome!" He then went on to say, "Please refrain from making direct contact with your basic cadet." I respected that directive at field day, and only waved from a distance---across the field. But, as I said before, plenty of contact was being made and was even encouraged by members of the cadre and several of the officers present. </p>
<p>Simply put, good enforcement is best accomplished with consistency.</p>
<p>Thanks for hearing me out.</p>
<p>To docfrance, if you ARE leaving us, we'll certainly miss you---c'mon....DOS or PCS?</p>
<p>At the appointee orientation it was made known that Doolie Day Out this year, would be after BCT. The rodeo did not replace DDO. The information was also mentioned briefly in correspondence via regular mail sometime during late May.</p>
<p>Just--good points all. Communication and consistency are the keys to good leadership and USAFA could've handled all of these situations better by employing both. If I was in your situation, I may well have done exactly what you did, and been frustrated becasue the cadre and staff didn't have the full story or know how to execute the plan--that's clearly USAFA's fault, not yours or your basic's.</p>
<p>Semper... The Rodeo didn't replace DDO, they just swapped dates. No one's quite sure why the rodeo moved up nearly a month this year, but there was some agreement with USAFA to send all of the basics, so USAFA decided to swap the two events. Traditionally, DDO is on the Sunday between 1st and 2nd BCT, with the Rodeo or a SkySox AAA baseball game on the Saturday or Sunday after BCT ends (during transition week). Like all traditions at USAFA--they're subject to change.</p>
<p>No more hints. When/if the time comes, I'll let you all know the details.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Alas, (first hint) my advice is coming to an end. For reasons that may become obvious (I hope), I may have to quit this board within a few weeks...
[/quote]
OK, so to guess...you've just been appointed to something at the academy. What, I wonder??</p>
<p>Hmmm...superintendant is retiring and going to the citadel ;)</p>