<p>Male cadets: my suggestion--take the issued underwear for BCT. Tighty-whities for all. Conformity is good (in this case, for 5 weeks). Buy or have Mom send your thongs and boxers AFTER BCT.</p>
<p>Thongs? I would hope no cadet would want that. And I hear the issued underwear are called "Chafemaster 3000's"; maybe I should just take it though. But anyways, the book is not completely right in everything. (i.e., boots), and putting just your last name might be a good idea, but the book says: </p>
<p>Basic Cadet John Smith
PO Box 1234
USAF Academy CO 80841 - 1234 (your PO Box number)</p>
<p>And what if you're last name is Smith? There could be two.</p>
<p>This is adressed to females: the book says that guys are to bring razors to shave, but can girls bring plasic razors for shaving legs? I know it's not on the list, but I would prefer to not have to go six weeks without shaving my legs (as would all the girls I'm sure)...sorry if this sounds weird but it actually concerns me! thx</p>
<p>I agree with you sarahbates. I, too, would like to be a little less hairy than the guys...will there actually be time to keep up with it though? I wonder. And I suppose razors could fall under the category of personal toiletries which they will allow us to keep from our backpacks at BCT. Then the topic comes up for us gals as to personal hygeine products...which kind, how many, and what are the formalities (I know it's a weird topic for an open forum, but hey...what the heck...)</p>
<p>(I know it's a weird topic for an open forum, but hey...what the heck...) </p>
<p>just a little</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm curious about the same. I understand there is a store there so we can buy those personal items if need be. But should we bring them at the start?</p>
<p>Regarding the female questions... You may bring pads/tampons; just bring whatever you're used to. Bring a couple months' supply (at lest to last through BCT). You will be able to get them at the cadet store if you forget or opt not to bring them, but the selection there is scarce and you don't want to be caught unprepared. Also on that note, don't be too concerned if your monthly "schedule" gets messed up, particularly during BCT and/or your first year. The completely new enviornment, physical routine, food, stress, etc. can factor into it.
As for bringing a razor to shave your legs, all I'll say is that doing that will be the least of your concerns during BCT. Yes, that sounds gross, but there's a good chance you won't have much time at all for such "luxuries." You should see what I mean once you get to the Academy. Particularly in 2nd BCT, you're going to showering in a huge room (with shower nozzles spaced a couple feet apart) with dozens of other girls and very little time at all to even get adequately clean. So, you can bring a razor in case the opportunity arises, but don't count on it! ;)</p>
<p>SHines</p>
<p>You said you are going to bring your PDA and graphing calculator, I also want to bring those items to the academy, but should we bring them to improcessing? I was thinking about boxing up all of the things that I want, and have my parents bring it with them to Parent's weekend (even though parents weekend is a couple of weeks into the academic year). What is the best way to approach this? Anyone feel free to comment.</p>
<p>Ryan</p>
<p>UNcynical...thanks for covering these "taboo" topics. Although they may be a bit "weird" for some..I'm sure I'm not the only female happy that you responded on such a professional and informative level.</p>
<p>Airforcetwo - You're quite welcome. I remember having similar questions before I inprocessed. (It's hard to believe that was 3 years ago!)</p>
<p>Falconflyer22 - Don't bring calculators, etc. when you inprocess. Anything like that can either be brought Parents Weekend (about a month into the academic year) or shipped to you right after BCT if you want it sooner. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to just inprocess with the stuff they tell you to bring and nothing more.</p>
<p>Thanks, will do then.</p>
<p>I think parents and friends should send letters that have pink envelopes, or hearts or weird stuff. It's creative and it brings memories that will be remembered. I did it with a few cadets I knew and although they claim they had to do pushups they NEVER told me NOT to do that again. They also all told me of the jokes and humor that went with the incidents. They usually do eventually get a laugh. Be creative. I think I heard a story about one father who sent a letter to his son's BCT cadre about how his son loved peanut butter (he hated the stuff) and how the cadre made sure his son got lots of it. Other stuff. Again, be creative. I sent letters with stickers. I addressed some General John Smith. I sent letters to cadre. It was enjoyed.</p>
<p>Tell me more about the calculator issue. Being a nerd I'd like my programmed calculator...isn't getting it on Parent's Weekend a little too late? When is the soonest you can get a printer? Is it true we have to go out and buy an iron, a board, a vacuum even? Do you split the cost on these with your roommate and if so, what happens when you change roommates?</p>
<p>As for attention-getting envelopes, etc., such instances can be funny, HOWEVER, particularly at the beginning, I would not encourage that. The new basics are going to have quite a bit to worry about, and if they happen to have gotten into the spotlight through negative means already, you may only make the problem worse by attracting more attention to them. Some cadets may appreciate the attention more than others, and some cadre may be more/less good-humored about it.</p>
<p>Airforcetwo - You can have your calculator right after BCT, however, for all core classes, there is a specific non-programmable calculator you will be issued (and use of other calculators on exams is prohibited). You can get a printer right after BCT. Parents Weekend tends to be a prime time to get these; until then, you can just use the printer in the squadron. You will need to buy an iron and ironing board. A vacuum, at least after BCT, you will probably be able to borrow from someone else. (I remember spending time before inspections during BCT crawling around on the floor with duct tape trying to remove minute amounts of stuff from the carpet, haha.) Irons and ironing boards are very inexpensive, so you won't have to worry about not having enough funds. You can share some things, like cleaning supplies for example, with your room mate(s) and it's up to you what happens to them when you switch. Don't be too concerned about things like this!</p>
<p>Wear a shirt with a collar on it for Inprocessing day --that will prevent your neck from getting sore from wearing your boots around it as you go through the various stations--</p>
<p>SHines</p>
<p>You said you are going to bring your PDA and graphing calculator, I also want to bring those items to the academy, but should we bring them to improcessing? I was thinking about boxing up all of the things that I want, and have my parents bring it with them to Parent's weekend (even though parents weekend is a couple of weeks into the academic year). What is the best way to approach this? Anyone feel free to comment.</p>
<p>Ryan</p>
<p>I'm actually going to box all that stuff up and have them bring it to me on Parent's Weekend, I decided it was too much crap.</p>
<p>It seems that many appointees will be bringing their own toothbrushes. I would love to bring my electric toothbrush, but I don't want it to get lost or damaged. Don't they issue you one? </p>
<p>Also, what exactly do they do with your cell phones? They let you use it at the rodeo in the middle of BCT, so do they let you keep it in your room or what?</p>
<p>You will be issued a toothbrush and just about every other hygeine product you will need (unless you're female, then I recommend bringing pads/tampons... you would be able to get them through other means, but just bringing them is easier).</p>
<p>As for cell phones, seeing as this is the first year you're allowed to bring a cell phone at the beginning of BCT, I don't know what'll happen to them during BCT. (I'm not even going to mention how it used to be... ;) )</p>
<p>Does anyone know if we wear our AFA uniforms home on leave or should we pack civilian clothes for flying home in due to security reasons on airplanes?</p>
<p>You'll wear your uniform home as a fourthclassman. Your parents will like that, too.</p>