<p>Question…since we bring our own underwear, razors, deodorant, etc (I’m a female appointee), when do we get that stuff back in time for BCT? We pack it all in our one backpack right? But they take the backpack away. Do we keep that essential stuff for BCT in a separate bag? Do we get it that same night of in-processing? Can anyone tell me how they organize this? Also, I have talked to at least 3 people who say if you bring a small bible you can pretty much put anything flat in there like photos and small mole-skin bandaids and you will be able to get that stuff too. They don’t check the bibles. To me this sounds a bit odd (and a little illegal?). Thanks! Does anyone know if it’s a good idea to bring more socks than you are issued? I read this somewhere and it made sense to me. They say the socks are always wet and dirty and you never have enough socks.</p>
<p>You should be able to access your necessary items almost immediately after you get your room, unless all the backpacks get misplaced for a few days... which is possible! It shouldn't be necessary to put things in a separate bag as you really should only have the bare minimums anyway. When I went through BCT (it has been 3 years and things may have changed in the meantime), Bibles were allowed, however, pictures and anythin ele in them had to be removed; cadre did check them. When (not if) you get blisters in BCT, you will be able to get the necessary items from your cadre. During 1st BCT, you'll also get to take a trip to the cadet store and pick up little things like that if you wish. You do NOT need to bring extra socks. I don't know who you talked to, but I have NEVER been short on socks during my entire time here, including BCT. You get issued more socks than you will know what to do with.</p>
<p>UNCynical...
Thanks for the info. i would definitely take your word for it than of someone who hasn't even gone there yet. No extra socks it is! No pictures in a bible...I wasn't even going to bring a bible, actually.
While we are on the subject...is there a lot of cynicism towards woman from the guys? Or would you actually say there is mutual respect? Or somewhere in-between? How bad does it get when there are girls that can't keep up? i don't plan on being one of those girls, but I wondered how bad it gets. i ran for the first time in my boots. I can already pinpoint the sore spots. How many years has it been since your BCT?
Everyone is saying now that there is no yelling...how can this be true? What is there then, if no yelling????
Did you get your wisdom teeth out before you got there?
Thanks!</p>
<p>I'm not going to say there aren't any differences between men and women here, as I view that there are. After all, this place is still over 80% male. I will say that the vast majority of males here respect female cadets; they'll be protective of you and treat your like a sister. The ones who are disrespectful make of the minority and you need not be concerned about. Beginning in BCT and lasting your entire time through, you will have a chain of command to rely on if you do run into gender issues (or any other problems for that matter).</p>
<p>Girls keeping up in runs, etc. should not be a huge problem, and don't assume only females will struggle. One thing you'll find out here is that everyone can contribute something to the team to help everyone else out but will also struggle in some area(s) and need to receive help. There's no shame in that, and once you realize it, you can improve yourself. One of the biggest things that will be looked at is attitude. If things get tough and/or you're struggling, will you just quit/whine, or will you keep trying and not give up? If others need help, will you put yourself on the line to assist them, or will you just stand in the background waiting for someone else to do it? A positive attitude will go along way.</p>
<p>I'm in the class of 2006 (Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaatz!... he's our class exemplar), so it's been 3 years since my BCT. I did not have the opportunity to work the program last year, so I cannot comment on specifics of how it was compared to just a few years ago. It's most likely going to be a bit different from last year anyway, although in what way that is, I don't know! I will be working as cadre for 1st BCT this summer. Whether or not there will be yelling, I have not gotten any official word. I will tell you, however, regardless of this, my class will do our best to run BCT this summer (and the Wing this coming year) in a manner that will be beneficial to your class.</p>
<p>If you don't get your wisdom teeth out before you come here, it's okay. They will evaluate you and determine whether or not they need to be taken out, and if so, arrange for this to happen.</p>
<p>I know the Naval Academy issues bright, white New Balance running shoes when you get there...how about USAFA? Can you use your own running shoes for the first week or do they issue running shoes also? If, what kind? When do they transition you to running in boots? Thanks...</p>
<p>Unless they change things, you'll get issued New Balance running shoes too. You'll also get a pair of court shoes issued. You wear what you are issued during BCT, do not bring your own. When you'll have to run in boots is anyone's guess. Sometimes tehre is no transition into them. ;)</p>
<p>How about cleats...it's on the list of what to bring, but are they a whole separate piece of clothing you have to bring? Trying to pack another pair of shoes will be a challenge considering I'm trying to bring as little as possible. Did you brings cleats?</p>
<p>Since they encourage showing up with about $100.00, and some form of ID is required to get on a flight, both items will obviously be kept in a wallet. Do they take the wallet from you? And if so, how do you get your money for the trip to the store? If you bought boots during the appointee orientation, they don't issue another pair, rightwhen you show up for BCT? So, since it came out of your money upfront do they not charge you during the first year? (otherwise you'd be paying for them twice) They also encourage to bring cell phones to be used to call home during doolie day. Where are they kept and how do they stay charged? Are there showers at Jack's Valley? What about bringing a face wash or do you have to wait to go to the cadet store? At what point during BCT can you go to the cadet store?</p>
<p>"Everyone is saying now that there is no yelling...how can this be true? What is there then, if no yelling????"</p>
<p>At the appointee orientation it was stated that BCT would be conducted in a professional manner. BCT...obstacle course, confidence course, physical training, teamwork, teamwork, and more teamwork. Building camaraderie.</p>
<p>Concerning the cleats, you don't need them. I recall them being mentioned on my list of things to bring as optional, and I'm glad I didn't bring them. I haven't needed cleats so far.</p>
<p>"Do they take the wallet from you?"</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>"And if so, how do you get your money for the trip to the store?"</p>
<p>It comes from money you don't know you have yet. Don't worry about it.</p>
<p>"If you bought boots during the appointee orientation, they don't issue another pair, rightwhen you show up for BCT?"</p>
<p>Nope, as long as you have a pair of boots, it doesn't matter if you go them beforehand or got them issued on inprocessing day.</p>
<p>"So, since it came out of your money upfront do they not charge you during the first year?"</p>
<p>See answer above about money</p>
<p>"Where are they kept and how do they stay charged?"</p>
<p>With the rest of your personal stuff most likely. You could bring a charger I'd imagine. Or, believe it or not, wherever you go for Doolie Day Out, they'll probably have a phone for you to use.</p>
<p>"Are there showers at Jack's Valley?"</p>
<p>Yes. Don't plan on having a ton of time to take showers in any portion of BCT, though. Also, hopefully you aren't modest because, particularly in Jack's, dozens of people are in a single shower room (there are just nozzles on th walls).</p>
<p>"What about bringing a face wash or do you have to wait to go to the cadet store?"</p>
<p>Go ahead and bring the face wash if you think it's necessary. The worst thing that'd happen would be that it would get put with your personal stuff, but I think you can keep it.</p>
<p>"At what point during BCT can you go to the cadet store?"</p>
<p>You go once toward the beginning of 1st BCT.</p>
<p>UNcynical</p>
<p>what do you suggest we bring to BCT, so far this is what I think I'm going to bring</p>
<p>Underware
running shoes (do they have to be all white?? I heard that some where)
undershirts
Socks (do we even have to bring them? didn't you say we'll be issued alot?)
Boots </p>
<p>ahhh can't think of anything else off the top of my head</p>
<p>Suggest that you just reduce that list to "boots" unless you're female, then bring the underwear. They will issue you running shoes as mentioned above.</p>
<p>tehy issue you underware too?????? </p>
<p>I read through the instruction for appointees, and the suggested items looks like they will probably not all fit in one carry on size bag.... </p>
<p>besides the insurance + sponsor family information, the rest of the forms we just bring on june 30th????</p>
<p>Doc's right, unless things have changed. Males shouldn't need to bring anything besides boots (and even those are not required to inprocess). Females need to bring underwear and bras. Everything else should be issued (and under no circumstances should you need to bring socks... you will be issued a TON). I am a bit curious as to what is on this "suggested list" you referred to...
Concerning the forms, I honestly don't remember which ones needed to be mailed ahead of time and which ones were to be hand delivered; my best advice to you for that is to just follow whatveer instructions you've been given from them.</p>
<p>Can you choose between boxers and briefs?</p>
<p>Judging by the amount of physical activity, I find it hard to imagine why anyone would WANT boxers. Some male can correct me, but I don't think you even have the option</p>
<p>Hey I'm a male, and I do cross country and long distance track, and I always wear boxers. Man, that is going to take some getting used to.</p>
<p>can we bring our own? same w/ the running shoes can we just bring out own instead of being issued them?</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure the answers are no and no. Standardization... and once you get here, it'll no longer be about you an an individual and always catering to your personal needs.</p>