<p>We are not sure that our son will be able to attend an orientation in April to visit the Academy. Has anyone not visited the Academy before arriving on I-day? Any thoughts on it?</p>
<p>He had to use up his college days to attend nomination interviews and ROTC interview plus financially flying back and forth (April, June, August, Nov, Dec) would be very costly.</p>
<p>I would visit at least once. My former roommate had never been here before I-day, and he is doing well. I would not recommend that, because you really need to visit in order to have any idea what this place is really like.</p>
<p>I would think if he's been to Summer Seminar he would have some sort of idea. It's better than nothing.</p>
<p>When the cadets report to I-Day, the USAFA will pay for that travel. They sent our son his E-ticket, so that takes care of his June flight ;-)</p>
<p>I figured his June flight would be taken care of but I guess I might need to scale back for others.</p>
<p>Here's what I was tentatively (and at minimum) thinking:</p>
<p>April - Father & son trip
June - Dad & Mom & son to report a few days early and do the bed & breakfast program. I do not know if they would allow him or issue him an E ticket to come early to Colorado - so that might come out of pocket.
August - Just have dad come up for Parents weekend. We have 4 other children at home at school (elementary up to high school) so that is another issue that everyone will not be able to make most of the trips over to Colorado.<br>
Thanksgiving - just have him fly home
Christmas - Have son fly to Orlando and go to Disney to meet up with the rest of the family there for Christmas break.</p>
<p>Optimal would be both Mom & Dad for April orientation and Parents weekend.</p>
<p>Our family (12 year old son, soon to be appointed son, 20 year old son, mom, dad and one grandfather) is planning on attending orientation. Will the 12 year old be bored to death? I think all of the rest of us will be interested in all of the presentations, tours, etc, but I am not so sure about the 12 year old. He is very excited about going, though, so maybe that is half of the battle. Thanks for your thoughts and advice.</p>
<p>As others have said, I would highly recommend visiting here at least once before coming for I-day, although if that's not possible, then it's not possible. At the same time though, if it's a choice of something more special like PW or Thanksgiving/Winter Leave, definitely go with those instead of Orientation.</p>
<p>The nice thing about orientation is that you get to see the Cadet Area, you get to have a general idea of what your room will look like, and you get to see how (Recognized) 4-degrees act (it gives you something to look forward to). </p>
<p>It's also really good for parents too. Parents get to see where their S or D will be, they get to find out a little about some of those who will be commanding BCT, and a few other things. If you can't make it though, don't sweat it. You'll have plenty of other opportunities, which are all good too. My mom went with me, and it really helped her to get an idea of where I was going to live for much of the next four years.</p>
<p>Hmm, a 12 year-old? He will probably get tired of the briefings, but if he has something to keep him occupied (a PSP or an iPod, that kind of stuff), he should be fine. Some of the briefings are more interesting than others, btw.</p>
<p>Your 12 year old will be dying considering when I did it we were all falling asleep in the warmth of A-hall (WOW that was back in 2006!!). </p>
<p>Also, the Academy is running high school people tours all semester. I am one of the 120 designated escorts for that (fitting for me maybe? :) ), so he could probably come anytime that would work for you guys and see the Academy. He could especially see 4 dig life if he comes pre-recognition.</p>
<p>I would also advise on coming for orienation, not only does it allow the potential cadet a chance to get a look and feel for the place, which you can only truly(?) get by going through a daily routine. It also allows for you to become very knowledgeable about the academy, from how much the education would cost that your getting for free, to what you can expect out of Basic. All this occurs in Arnold hall during a very longgg briefing. ;)
You also get your first taste of the military as the Srgt. in charge gives the overview of Basic.</p>
<p>I hope it's TSgt Bell again this year - he's quite a character. :D</p>
<p>The briefing is extremely long, but it will answer every question you could ever imagine about what's to come. Orientation, in my opinion, is an experience that's definitely worth the trip.</p>
<p>if parents come out with the futures basic, then you wouldn't do the bed & breakfast program. that program is for future basics who come on there own but don't want to stay in a hotel the night before basic and get bused to inprocessing. the three of you would need to get a hotel or family/friends to stay with on your own.</p>
<p>now whether or not you come out for that is a whole other can of worms. in short: ask your son whether he wants you there or not. some ppl had parents and loved it that way, i did not and loved it that way. its really up to what your son wants. i am still friends with the other guy i stayed with for B&B, and it was nice to not worry about my mom crying as i started to improcess. i had cleared my mind and was ready to go.</p>
<p>Potter just finished an overnight for one of the prospective candidates. Getting to see the place up close can make a big difference. The lead up to recognition can give a prospect a quick glimpse of what life as a 4* is like. The young man who stayed with Potters Squadron even got to see a training session, although I am sure it was not as difficult as one From CS-10 might have been.</p>
<p>Do I sense a bit of sarcasm there ds?</p>
<p>Well she did tell me the Country Club life was pretty good.</p>
<p>Congradulations on the Deans awards Hornet, and G4C gets big congradulations too.</p>
<p>My son received his Appointment in December 05' and chose to make his first visit in Feb. 06' with my husband. This allowed for a more personal visit on base and allowed my husband and son to stay one night in a nearby hotel to discuss likes and concerns while they were fresh in my son's mind. </p>
<p>Once he "saw" the Academy, he was prepared to accept his Appointment. </p>
<p>He traveled to "I-Day" without us. His flight to CO had at least five other Basic Cadets. Our son stayed the night with a host family that was different that his sponsor family.</p>