<p>Is there any point to my having my parents send me my running shorts etc. after BCT? Also, are we allowed to have pictures and a few books?</p>
<p>Your running shorts, no. No clothes. You could keep them at your sponsor's house (provided there aren't any upperclassmen who would recognize you if you went running in the neighborhood)</p>
<p>But you absolutely can have as many books as you want. As for pictures...yes as well...though you can only have 2 picture frames at max (they count for your two items of "memorabilia"), so I would recommend just pinning your pictures on your bulletin board and saving the two memorabilia items for something special.</p>
<p>what are we allowed after basic? i guess really what are we NOT allowed until parents weeked or later?</p>
<p>iPods? I like to listen to music when I work out...</p>
<p>Negative. No music allowed until Recognition.</p>
<p>Here's what you CAN'T have until Recognition:</p>
<p>moves, video games, regular clothes, music (and anything that plays it), personal bedding/sheets, refrigerator (not until sophomore or junior year), TV (senior year)</p>
<p>Some things you CAN have after Basic (a couple after Parent's weekend) that I would highly recommend:</p>
<p>Your own shoes, and underwear, monitor for computer, cell phone, food (non-perishable), pictures (post them on your board, not in frames).</p>
<p>Hornet, eagle, let me know if I'm forgetting anything.</p>
<p>I figured the ipod thing was a no-no, but could we possibly borrow them from upperclass cadets?</p>
<p>Our own underwear? <em>eyes light up</em> Holy cow, I felt disgusting buying those granny panties for beast! haha</p>
<p>Really quick, I know this has been discussed a lot buuuuut...does the Cadet Store sell printers after Beast? And how do we pay for them? Can we access our money directly after basic (like is it transferred from our current accounts to the AFB or AACU)?</p>
<p>"Our own underwear? <em>eyes light up</em> Holy cow, I felt disgusting buying those granny panties for beast! haha"
<em>snort</em> At least we CAN get rid of them after Beast.</p>
<p>C-store does have printers, but I highly recommend going out with your parents on parent's weekend and getting a printer then. You will have access to your bank accounts and wallet after BCT, no worries. The money you make in BCT (800 dollars) will be in your bank account (AFB or AACU). </p>
<p>Now, I don't mean to be rude, but I have to. Over and over, here and at orientation, people have made it VERY clear, NO IPODS. You do NOT have music privileges at all (outside the squad). Which means no borrowing either. No movies, no music, only books if you so desire. Also, no civilian clothes of ANY kind except undergarments. That includes running shorts, shirts, anything. Only issued uniform items may be worn. Sure, go to your sponsor's house and have music, normal clothes (do not get caught), but here you will be in the training environment. I don't want to be abrasive, but this issue has been addressed multiple times and answered clearly. And perhaps get used to the stern tone, only 12 days till it will be the norm.</p>
<p>Actually, I think you're being nicer than what we'll get in 12 days...</p>
<p>And if we really want to hear music, I guess we can just hang out in the bathroom. I'd assume most squadrons have that. I know 26th did this past year. And comic strips over the urinals.</p>
<p>I agree with ZMAN07. Plus, we were asking kind of dumb questions, though I actually didn't know that the no music privilege meant no borrowing ipods or anything of that nature. I think there are radios in the bathrooms- there were in squadron 11 when I was there for orientation. Although I think it'd be unorthadox if we spent all our time in the bathroom.</p>
<p>Would a scanner be recommended, or will it be of no use at all?</p>
<p>On the subject of pictures and picture frames, would a digital picture frame be allowed as one of our personal/memorabilia items after parents weekend? Or would this not be allowed until recognition?</p>
<p>You can have a digital picture frame count as one personal item, no problem. </p>
<p>I wouldn't get a scanner, not really necessary. </p>
<p>There is music playing in the weight-rooms, TV's in the cybex/treadmill rooms, some bathrooms have it, C-store has it. There is music around, you won't be completely devoid of it.</p>
<p>Printer/scanner combos are fairly common, so if you really want a scanner (which I have actually used quite a few times) that's your best bet.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that even though at first it seems like you have all the space in the world, there really isn't much. As you go through freshman year and accumulate more and more stuff, you'll start to realize how little space there is in those rooms. Realize this ahead of time and be compact with the stuff you buy for your desk and shelves.</p>
<p>And again, no Ipods. I would definitely not try hiding one, either. They're way too easy to find. Just get over it and don't have music for 7 months. You'll live.</p>
<p>Some freshmen get access to music...just don't be stupid about it and don't over do it. You'll figure out what you can and can't get away with as a freshman (depending on your squad, etc). Hiding an ipod would generally be one of those stupid ways. Sometimes there are searches for contraband and media on your computers, so it is not very easy to hide objects or files. </p>
<p>Some cadets go against the rules. If you intend to, don't be stupid (and be prepared to accept the consequences if you get caught). There are people who get kicked out for honor for lying about stupid little things every year. Don't be one of them!</p>
<p>I guess that means bringing my trail shoes is out of the question. Does the Air Force have certain things like a standard pair of military trail shoes or something that I could purchase there that would be allowed?
I intend on training for a hundred mile trail race which has over 30,000 ft of elevation change that I will run in over a year but it is going to take that long to train for it. I doubt that I'd see any other cadets out in the mountains while training but I really don't want to take the chance. Plus, my concience would bother me since I am essentially taking the oath to obey all the rules as well as defend the country. I think I am too loyal to the academy to be able to mentally pull that off.
If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.</p>
<p>I see no reason why you would not be able to bring your own trail shoes, after BCT of course. Fitness is very important at the Academy, and having adequate shoes to do the activities you enjoy is necessary. Many cadets have non-issued athletic shoes, and it does not violate any rules.</p>
<p>thanks UNcynical! that helps a lot, I will bring them then.</p>