<p>I just received my appt. packet (yay!), and I was wondering about orientation.</p>
<p>I went to SS last year, but do you guys recommend I also go to orientation? </p>
<p>It says in the packet that there will be an opportunity to purchase boots while there. What if I can’t make it? When and where would I buy boots then?</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help answering questions…I feel very clueless at this point!</p>
<p>There's a photo of a young man on I-Day in the packet in shorts and sneakers with his boots draped around his neck. Apparently, he got his early.</p>
<p>Orientation is not the same as SS at all and is meant to inform appointees of what they need to do. It is a good idea to get your boots at orientation so you can break them in before BCT. </p>
<p>The only other option is to try buying the boots at a local base, but I don't know about that. You would need the proper model number (I think a couple people here have the experience on this). </p>
<p>All in all, you really should try to go to orientation.</p>
<p>I have the same opinion about orientation as I do about SS, only much more strongly. Unless you have a very good reason (finances, family, etc.), you should make every effort to come to orientation. While still not a perfect way to see how life will be at the Academy, it is more informative than SS, and you'll get a touch more of realistic expectations than you will with SS.</p>
<p>Orientation is a must. Both you and your parents will gain a lot of important insight into your future. Like G4C said unless you have a reason not to attend you should really try to go.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. If I didn't go, it would be for family reasons, not because I just didn't feel like it =)</p>
<p>So if you don't pick them up at orientation, you won't have a chance to break them in at all before basic? that's a bummer!</p>
<p>Missmuff: if you do not go to Orientation, find out the exact model boots you need and order them shipped to your home. We live relatively near a base which would supply them.</p>
<p>question: I heard that we (class of 2012) are getting ABUs after BCT. If this is the case, will we get black boots now and buy sage boots later?</p>
<p>You will get the boots you will need for BCT. So if you get black, you will have BDUs and if you get grey, you will have ABUs. However, I strongly believe BDUs will be around a bit longer....</p>
<p>I did not attend Orientation. I went to SS. SS gives an idea of how the academy works, but it is not very precise (due to it being the summer and not the Ac year). I was convinced enough at SS of my goals and did fine. However, Orientation probably would have taken a couple surprises out of my 4 dig year. In essence, the more info you have, the better.</p>
<p>If BDUs are issued for BCT, Belleville 700s are one possible choice. I know Bates makes the same style, but I do not know the model name.</p>
<p>Actually, you can pick up boots if you don't go to orientation... but like hornet said, it would have to be at a military base somewhere. I picked up boots at orientation, and then in the hustle and bustle of orientation, I lost one of them! (I know, only me, right? :)) But anyways, I had one broken in boot, and that wasn't much help, so I had to break mine in during first BCT. Honestly, first BCT isn't too incredibly physical, and you will have time to break your boots in before Jack's Valley (that's when it's really important that BOTH pairs of your boots are broken in... you will need both of them). Of course, it's best if you can break them in before basic, but if it's not possible for some reason, you should be okay. There will be plenty of other people who don't get their first pair until inprocessing day.</p>
<p>And please, please come to orientation! I think it's pretty important. I almost didn't get to come because of a death in the family, but I was able to catch the last session, and I found it pretty helpful. My parents didn't come with me, and to be honest with you, the briefings had a lot of information that wasn't really necessary in my opinion, but what I think is vital is getting to talk to cadets and have an insight into what it's really like here (orientation is more realistic than summer seminar). It will give you something to reference when you're actually a 4 degree, because it will show you what life is like post-Recognition, and will give you incentive to keep going through the hard times. :)</p>
<p>it also lets you meet future BCT staff and get that mark on your back, and let them see the fire-hair to look out for ;)</p>
<p>wonder who that one's in reference to? lol</p>
<p>If you know any upperclassmen (3-digs, 2-digs, or firsties), you can ask them if they would be willing to host and escort you. I knew a cadet who was a 2-dig last spring, and he hosted/escorted me. I got to see how a 2-dig gets to live, and it was pretty cool to see life at the Academy from their perspective. I even got to go with him to a briefing about leadership that all of the 2-digs went to, and that was pretty neat. I also found out ahead of time how exhausting Basic is for the Cadre too.</p>
<p>At the same time though, it would have been nice to see the Academy from a Recognized 4-digs eyes, since I could have known what to expect a little better. Still, I got a lot of out Orientation, and I recommend that if you can go, do it.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all your advice. I'm very excited and I think I'm getting caught up with stupid questions that I probably needn't worry about ;)</p>
<p>It's looking like we're going to swing it, so that's cool.</p>
<p>This sounds silly, but I've been thinking and dreaming about this for so long, it's incredible to realize it's reality and I'm actually getting ready for all these things!</p>
<p>Of course, let me just say that I'd be happy to host any appointee that's here for Orientation. I'm sure just about any of the current CC cadets would love to host you guys when you're here in April. I stayed with a then-four degree (recognized, of course) last year who's still a regular on these boards, and it worked out really well. It was nice to see life post-Recognition, because it really is something to work towards and look forward to. Anyway, as the time approaches, feel free to PM me (or just about any of us, I'm sure) and we'd be happy to have you. Only five months 'til I-day!</p>
<p>Oh yeah. That's the other thing. Try to fly under the radar at orientation! haha thanks for reminding me eagle ;)</p>
<p>Like PETKO, I'm also willing to host someone. I'm sure that will get worked out once it gets closer to Orientation though.</p>
<p>Yes, and try not to start a french fry-throwing food fight at the CCer's Dinner... ;)</p>
<p>o jeez. Will my escapades haunt the CC forums between redhead and me? She deserved a good fry to the face, all I could think was, "Hey! Ketchup!" :) :) :) ;)</p>
<p>I read on cadet wiki about "5th degrees" and how cadets will entice appointees to train 4 degrees so they have a grudge when the person enters Beast. Is that something to worry about, or do they just do things like that to people who deserve it?</p>
<p>orientation overview: what're we gonna sit in briefings about? just the AFA in general, or what specifically? and we can buy boots.. and tuesday is spent shadowing a cadet. i'm just wondering what the briefings will be about..</p>