<p>Probably not, but knowing the redhead, I am sure Hornet or G4C will know where she is soon.</p>
<p>We will see. :)</p>
<p>I call everyone kiddies, even those older than me. But I also do enjoy being an upperclassmen now!</p>
<p>Well, I'm sure I'll end up trying anyway... but if not, I'll find out some other way. Hopefully I'll get that info from her soon.</p>
<p>cinnamon - When I called they did not ask who I was, so go ahead and give it a try.</p>
<p>No need. My friend who hosted redhead for orientation found out at the beginning of BCT it seems. She's in 25 (Guts A-FLT). Of course, if you call and she's not, I'll be sure to give a swift kick to my friend. :)</p>
<p>Not that anyone is begging to see him ( : but here is my third-born child/second-born son/my patriot - <a href="http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=aog1959&gallery_id=744761&image_id=24%5B/url%5D">http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=aog1959&gallery_id=744761&image_id=24</a></p>
<p>He is the third from the left on the front row.</p>
<p>Our cadet, looking every bit the 17 years old he still is. He's really a good-natured, naturally happy young man. He looks as deadly serious in this photo as I've ever seen him--except when he has the occasional headache. Maybe waking up to Guns 'n Roses and screaming cadre at 0430 does that to a person.</p>
<p>It has been great looking at the photo's, hasn't it? I foresee a productivity problem in my future! Not sure how I'll get anything done when they post new photo's - I'll have to drop everything to check them out. Found a few with my D. Guess I am one of the lucky ones. The last thing I told her at the airport was not to let them ever take her heart smile away. I sign every letter with a final sentance to check in with her heart smile. </p>
<p>I can't wait for a letter (sure hope she is one that write a lot - I hear some don't write much). In my letter to her yesterday I included a stamped self addressed envelope and paper with a few easy questions (like what is your roommates name?...) Maybe that will make it easier to reply. She has been gone only a few days and I am already stalking the mail man. This is worse than when she was stalking the mail man hoping for the appointment! I thought she was so cute back then - so teenagerish to stalk the mail man like that! Guess I have shed a few years!!!</p>
<p>In my previous post I commented on my son's serious expression. I hope no one misunderstood the context in which I made the comment or my intention in making it. I'm not unhappy in the LEAST over how serious he looks in his photo. On the contrary, I couldn't be happier or prouder as a father. He is being challenged and stretched way beyond his comfort zone. That's what's showing in his face. He's been given a magnificent, matchless opportunity to grow, and he's meeting the challenge full on!</p>
<p>kcraig - There is no misunderstanding at all. That is a great close-up picture of your son at a very serious time. My son's face also looked as serious as I have ever seen him. May God bless all these terrific young people.</p>
<p>momofhopeful: That is indeed a very good way to write. My own mother did the same thing in sending questions on paper where I could answer right on it. I completely forgot about that! But it does help very much and then you can hear news quicker. Well done. :)</p>
<p>The biggest adjustment has been at the dinner table. Something missing that will never be the same again. She will return for holidays and leaves, but it wont be the same. I'll miss the car rides; that was our time to talk. We look forward to every picture Webguy and the AOG posts. It has been a very long Sunday.</p>
<p>kcraig - no misunderstanding. My D's facial expressions are serious too. That is why I mentioned her "heart smile". All these kids have one - it is that smile below the surface and will surely stay with them through all of the things they must endure this summer. I agree - they are being stretched beyond their comfort zone. I can think of no better place for her to be though. Surely she would never get the character development she is getting now if she were still at home. I am so thankful for Webguy. His info and photos are great. His posting of the schedule each day is great and his bits of information really help. What a fabulous resource.</p>
<p>Yes, they all do have quite the serious look. I can see right through it in the pictures I have found of my cadet. She's definitely laughing under that stone expression, just as she said she would be. I can't believe how much I miss her already. It's not the same here. It has been way too quiet! ds52262, I know what you mean by realizing it won't be the same again. Even when they are home for vacation time, it will be visits, rather than the everyday lifestyle. That has been a very hard one for me to swollow. How does visiting the academy during the academic year work? I'm guessing it's different for freshman? </p>
<p>I've heard a little about basic "breaking" the cadets. My cadet has a lot of what I call "spunk" to her, and I'm a little worried it's going to get her into quite a bit of trouble. At the same time, I don't want her to get that quality taken out of her. What exactly is breaking a cadet? </p>
<p>I love the idea of writing the letters with space for answers in the reply. That will make things a lot easier! Thanks for the idea! </p>
<p>How does the AFA celebrate the 4th of July? Webguy said something about it being pretty big at the academy, seeing as it is a military school.</p>
<p>It's less breaking them than it is just pounding things into them, so that they become second nature, habit, and won't be forgotten. With these "Basic" things down (I suppose thats why it's called basic training!) they can than move on to different types of training. Your d will be different in a way, but deep down she'll still be the same person.</p>
<p>In terms of visiting, you can visit at all the big dates, but for visiting at random times, if she wanted to leave with you, she would probably have to send up a SSS, which should get approved.</p>
<p>For the Fourth, the Basics get a fireworks show and get to be put at rest for an hour give or take over at arnold hall. They also get some motivational videos (Patton comes to mind) and speeches. I remember being extremely pumped up and feeling pretty patriotic that night in Arnold Hall, I don't think I've ever yelled that loud.</p>
<p>redhead already will have issues. I introduced her to several of her future BCT cadre (Group supe, stan/eval, and training) while she was here for orientation. After awhile she started to shut down that "spunk" she was giving to me as firsties were letting her know they would be warning BCT cadre about her. :) If she wasn't able to curb that, then she and her flight will be feeling it for awhile. ;)</p>
<p>Tyler, you have a heart of stone. Good thing she's in Sijan Hall so she'll have me to keep you away. :)</p>
<p>Anyways, to answer the question about the 4th of July, it is somewhat of a celebration. For our class, we first sat through some motivational videos and speeches (including footage from 9/11, the war, and a clip from Patton) and then went outside onto the Arnold Hall patio and had some fireworks while a band played. Also, a lot of the upperclassmen who weren't working BCT threw candy down at us. </p>
<p>I've heard this is the usual July 4th celebration, although I think some years they've gotten to watch a movie or perhaps a few other things like that.</p>
<p>I think that I found 07Petko.
<a href="http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=aog1959&gallery_id=744736&tcount=257&scount=33%5B/url%5D">http://www.printroom.com/ViewGalleryPhoto.asp?userid=aog1959&gallery_id=744736&tcount=257&scount=33</a></p>
<p>I think "Shock" might be a simple discription.</p>
<p>Geez hornetguy, glad to here you're making her feel right at home! I do remember her telling me about already havig quite a large target on her... Great way to bring in the military lifestyle! It'll be interesting to hear more from her about it all. :)
Well, 4th of July sounds like it'll be a nice break from the regular routine.
Has anyone heard from their cadets yet? I'd like to hear how everyone is doing.</p>