<p>Honestly, camping experience doesn't help that much at Jack's. Outdoor common-sense is about it.</p>
<p>The only exception that I remember is that my tent didn't have a device to tighten the guy-wires, so I used a Boy Scout knot.</p>
<p>hornetguy, it's actually not a huge violation, be careful about what you post regarding religious matters because you could get someone in serious trouble or bring bad light to the Academy.</p>
<p>Bibles themselves cannot be taken away but cadres ARE allowed to touch and inspect them (in a respectful manner) for contrabands inside. Journals, even if they're for prayers, can be considered a personal item and confiscated until the end of Basic.</p>
<p>When we inspected our flight, we let our basics keep their journals regardless of what kind they were. Granted, it was a dick move of her cadre to take her prayer journal away, but it's definitely not a training violation. It's Basic and you're not supposed to have any personal things that might make you feel at home. The purpose is to tear down your civilian past and build you back up as a team (hence all the attractive matching uniforms).</p>
<p>When I was at Lackland, we weren't even allowed personal bibles, we were issued matching camouflage versions. They said, "Welcome to the military." =)</p>
<p>It was made clear to me by my cadre last summer that bibles were strictly off limits. Not even touched. So that must have changed, I don't know, but I'm speaking from what I've experienced. </p>
<p>I have never brought bad light upon the Academy in these forums, I would expect readers to understand what I said. Even if they didn't, religious issues did happen at the Academy, that's a fact. But to try and tie this to religious intolerance is a long stretch at best.</p>
<p>Hope my comment of D prayer journal being taken doesn't cause a stir. I didn't say it to do so but rather to just relay info. She is okay with it though we had assumed it would be protected. However, she is doing okay without it - as she said, "I have JC in my heart and they can't take that away." A good attitude to have. I would bet that she did not identify it as a prayer journal but simply as a journal. I can easily see her replying to a question such as, "Do you have a journal or other personal items?" She would respond in the affirmative without hesitation and very easily would not say it is a prayer journal. So whatever the reason or however infrequent it is for such to occur - it did and she'll do fine without it. Stationary can be easily used for the same purpose. Incidentally, in a letter she sent to a dear friend she mentioned that the church service was really nice.</p>
<p>Glad to hear she is doing well and being positive. Makes a world of difference for sure!</p>
<p>I gotta say...the videos and photos are fun....I'm not a parent but it must be hysterical for parents of messy kids to suddenly see their kids with ultra clean rooms and having to keep every last item "just so" within inches of certain spots etc. Every nook and cranny dust free, shirts ironed perfectly etc. I wondering how many parents will be "expecting" same when their cadets return home for visits. LMAO</p>
<p>One of our son's freinds got a note from him referencing that his squad had not yet been allowed to pick up mail yet (as of July 4th). Is this common? I've seen photos on Webguy of cadets getting mail but are some Squad's being tougher on this? I.e. trying to get them to break away from home during that first week or two?</p>
<p>Squad B seems to also be "hiding" thier orange lanyards alot more than other squads, perhaps tying to make them harder to spot on Webguy (and thus pshycilogically "telling" thier cadets that "momma ain't watching ya anymore!)?</p>
<p>Oh well, I'm probably being paranoid. But if he hasn't gotten his mail yet, he's gonna need a hand-truck when he does.....lots of freinds and family supporting him.</p>
<p>Dknightfam - I am convinced that Jaguars C is in hiding! They almost never have the lanyard showing and on top of that, I am certain the must be doing whatever they do deep in some basement where the light of day never shows and the WebGuy can not take a photo! </p>
<p>I guess they may be iin hiding together! Other Jaguars (at least one Jaguar flight likes to be in the limelight - same kids all the time!). </p>
<p>I agree on the mail thing - if D hasn't gotten any mail yet (which could well be given what she has mailed to me and best friend) she, too, will need a hand-truck, not to mention a day off to read it all! In fact, if she isn't getting mail yet - she could still be opening mail at parents weekend! It would be very unfortunate if some of these kids are still not getting mail.</p>
<p>Funnyesq, no one should get their hopes up about cadet neatness! Our son does the military thing just fine, but he can bring home one suitcase and in less than two hours you won't be able to see the floor in his room. It's like clowns getting out of a volkswagen. Where he finds so much stuff to spread around I'll never know.</p>
<p>Yeah, don't expect your kids to become clean freaks. I know that I am certainly not one! (I have gotten a little better though)</p>
<p>It is not uncommon for a cadet to not be photographed often. My parents were constantly searching, but only found 2 or 3 pictures of me in BCT...however, they did find a lot of basics that they THOUGHT was me, lol...It's awkward seeing the framed photo of some other basic in your grandparent's house!</p>
<p>Dknightfam, it's not common but it happens. It's not really to be tougher on the basics, but sometimes Flights get bogged down with other priorities. If I recall correctly, I didn't get to check my mail until the end of 2nd week. But I'm sure Mike has been checking his mail since Sara has.</p>
<p>Dan, you are paranoid! I doubt many people there even know webguy exists (I know I didn't till it was on here). You'll hear from him sooner than you think. ;)</p>
<p>Hornetguy, you were right. The photos I sent were not a problem. My son says he enjoyed seeing them in the mailroom but didn't get to keep them. I have started using the plain white envelopes.</p>
<p>I only noticed photographers maybe three times during BCT. (Your vision is restricted when your eyes are caged)</p>
<p>We got another letter from our S, dated July 3rd. He was bummed because he said Intermurals had been cancelled for that day, but the rest of the letter was VERY positive. He thinks highly of his flight cadre and says he set a great example. He really likes his roomate and feels like they are being pushed hard, but he can "basically" deal with it. Is tired- getting little sleep as he is polishing shoes etc- He is in some class to make sure he doesn't lose any weight as he is already over 6' 2" and weighs around 175 when he left here.</p>
<p>patriotCPM,
"I saw a VERY redheaded (caught my attention, it stuck out) young woman today while I was down on the athletic fields helping out a few cadre teammates of mine direct the cross country intramurals on where to go for their race...could that be redhead? I think she had a maroon jersey on."</p>
<p>I haven't been on in awhile to reply to this, but seeing as it was cross country you saw her helping out at, I'm sure it was her. She loves both cross country and track, running many many miles a day in between seasons. :)</p>
<p>Cinnamon, Sara saw the redhead. Sara is doing CC as an intramural. She wrote and told me they saw each other and she was OK. I assume at the intramurals becuase they are in different Squadrons.</p>
<p>ds52262, Thanks. Yea, she seems to be doing alright. Trying to stay out of as much trouble as possible. It's harder for her with that red target of curls on her head, and a personality to go with it. :)</p>
<p>Klassmom, the weight loss problem actually worked out well for our son who reported to BCT last year at 5'10" and only about 135 pounds. His roommate was a football player who lost about 15 pounds in a week, so they put him on food supplements. My son said "Hey, he can afford the loss, but if lose anymore they'll send me home!" They put my son on the supplements and then during the academic year he ate at a weight gain table, which meant he got four meals a day and got to eat "at ease". That was a life saver for him. The nutritionist told him that he needs 3700 calories a day just to maintain his weight. It should be comforting to know that they really are monitoring such things and our cadets are well cared for.</p>
<p>Yep. We've been told that each IC Team has it's own table to eat at and that their menu is prepared specifically for that team's needs. I.e. the cross country guys eat different nutri-foods than say the football team (starches/proteins/carbs/etc). And that each has a nutri-specialist watching thier intakes and weight losses/gains to maximize thier competitive sport potentials (and safety of course). </p>
<p>Not sure what my S's Rifle Shooting Team will eat - probably alot of carrots for good eyesight! :)</p>