<p>I am now curious, is BCT at the AFA more difficult than the other SA’s, or are CCers on the AFA more open about being turned back and what their next step should be?</p>
<p>The AFA site has had several threads where cadets and parents have discussed the cadet being turn back, but I have yet to see 1 thread for any of the other SA’s. </p>
<p>I can’t believe that one SA pushes harder than the other in BCT. No offense to the AFA, but if I was to believe it I would have thought USMA or USNA (the whole infantry or Marines thing) would have a higher % of medical turnbacks!</p>
<p>Just thinking out loud…anyone with a logical answer I would love to read it.</p>
<p>Post hoc ergo propter hoc.</p>
<p>I was surprised at the number of USAFA CC turnbacks, this year. I'm thinking that this board did not get a representative sample...USAFA does not turn back that many basics.</p>
<p>I visit both this board and the CC USNA board often. It seems (maybe just me) that the CC USAFA board is the more personal and there are some "real friendships" on this board. So many of current cadets check in and share their stories and keep parents informed and chat with cadet candidates. Parents provide great advice for students and parents about many topics. There are some real relationships on this board. Perhaps this board provides an outlet for these personal discussions where other boards may not. Maybe that is why???</p>
<p>I would have to agree with kmjg2000's assessment on how we interact in the USAFA boards.</p>
<p>kmjg you are so very right. It even outshines many of the parent groups. Everyone here wants to see the candidates succeed, cadets excell, and parents be allowed to share the experience.</p>
<p>^^ And we thank you all so much for it!! Not sure we can thank you all enough!!</p>
<p>Hi All--not sure if you all have this or not, but we have a list serve (plebe-net) through USMA...we discuss all our issues/problems/turnbacks/resignations/celebrations/phone calls/letters etc..there...not so much in CC anymore. We have also developed many friendships, and met w/ CC parents at R day. Honestly, since AFA started a few days before USMA, we were able to read of some of the unfortunate incidents and learn from them (i.e. my son wore his classes, not his contacts from the get go to avoid his eyes losing depth perception).
Just didn't want y'all to think we are unfriendly by not posting everything on
CC, but our wonderful USMA parents are taking care of us through our site. If you'd like to see how fabulous our NCs look, you can see BCT pictures on this site: United</a> States Military Academy at West Point. Just click the picture link and you can see Rday and a few other days as well.
Also, I think one factor USAFA has to deal w/ is the altitude...I wonder if that contributes to injuries? Perhaps the cadets are not as conditioned as they think and are overdoing it? I know that USMA NCs are getting the workout of their lives: hence the name "beast." Emotionally, they have to be tough, too, as they only get letters...no care packages until after A day. The only things we can send are items specifically asked for and approved by the cadre (i.e. more underarmour). I don't know enough about USAFA to determine if it's "tougher" than USMA for the first 6 weeks, but I think they both run a program that would have me begging for a ticket home!</p>
<p>Each Academy (USAFA, USMA, USCGA, MMA & USNA,) are equally difficult during their Basic Training experience. They are each different and each the same. I was surprised with the physicallity of USAFA's BCT. When I went through USAF basic many, many, many years ago, it was thought to be a Country Club experience by other service standards. Looking back I now realize it wasn't easier just slightly different. </p>
<p>The injuries happen and I believe if you look across the board each academy can be expected to lose around 100-150 cadets/mids during this period. No matter how physically prepared they may be things happen. Each year USAFA loses a couple cadets to that giant medicine ball thing, but they still play with it.</p>
<p>As for the Famnet, and other groups yes USAFA has them and parents you will benefit greatly from them. Doesn't matter if it is FAMNET, the Yahoo class groups or this outlet. They will give you a place to find out what is really happening. Key is finding an environment you feel safe asking your questions in. I for one have always found this to be the best.</p>
<p>USAFA is the same on letters as well. No packages, only letters. No photos, etc.</p>
<p>My guess is each SA has its own "pride" and thus wants to be the tougher. That said, each has different goals thus each BCT is and must be different. If the goal is achieved, that's all that matters.</p>
<p>As for turnbacks...my guess is that as in life...s--t happens. Some Basics will come with injury or the precurers to injury thinking that they can tough it out or survive. Some can, some can't. They worked hard to get the appointment and I can't blame them for showing up IN CASE they can get through BCT with whatever. Given the hard work, I can't blame them for TRYING...after all nothing ventured nothing gained. If they don't put anyone else in harms way as a result...more power to 'em. It's a shame that s--t happens and that shin splings, broken feet, whatever take they toll and they have to be turned back. It doesn't mean that they were deserving...it means that life throws weird curves and one has to deal with what is thrown WHEN it is thrown. Life su-ks sometimes. It's not fair...but no one said life was fair. I empathize with those whose aspirations are dreams are cut short by something like a shin splint, torn acl or whatever.</p>