<p>I have always been curious, but seeing as how we are smack dab in the middle of basic, can anyone shed some light on what we do for 4th of July, if anything? I'm not expecting the cadre to serve hot dogs and set off fireworks, but do we just ignore it?</p>
<p>I dunno about USAFA but at WP we went to see a band play, watched fireworks, etc.</p>
<p>oh yeah, when I was visiting west point the cadets told me that they saw fireworks and stuff.</p>
<p>During the 4th of July we got to watch a movie, and listen to a band while watching fireworks. It was a nice break!</p>
<p>i dont think its why silver looks better with the blue. remember that all military branches have the same officer insignias(exception of the navy). and they have had the same insignia since before the air force was born (1947). Why silver is more valuable is beyond me....</p>
<p>"remember that all military branches have the same officer insignias(exception of the navy)."</p>
<p>The Navy use the same insignia--they just call them different names. A Captain in the navy is an 0-6 and wears birds. A Lt. in the Navy is 0-3 and wears double silver bars.</p>
<p>c/falcon: That was a joke about the silver and blue...;)</p>
<p>As for the insignia, don't forget the Coast Guard (and I think Merchant Marines, though they dont go past O7) who also follow the Naval officer insignia pattern.</p>
<p>Army/Air Force/Marines:</p>
<p>01: 2 Lt
02: 1 Lt
03: Cpt
04: Maj
05: Lt. Col
06: Col
07: Brig. Gen
08: Maj. Gen
09: Lt. Gen
10: Gen
Wartime: Gen of the (Air Force/Army/Marine Corps)</p>
<p>Navy/Coast Guard/Merchant Marines:</p>
<p>01: Ensign
02: Lt JG
03: Lt
04: Lt. Commander
05: Commander
06: Captain
07: Rear Admiral lower half (Commodore if MM)
08: Rear Admiral upper half
09: Vice Admiral
10: Admiral
Wartime: Admiral of the (Navy/Coast Guard)</p>
<p>I have always been curious, but seeing as how we are smack dab in the middle of basic, can anyone shed some light on what we do for 4th of July, if anything? I'm not expecting the cadre to serve hot dogs and set off fireworks, but do we just ignore it?</p>
<p>West--
When we lived at the Academy we would venture over to the surrounding area around Arnies (Arnold Hall) to watch fireworks. The doolies would be up on the balcony platform at Arnies and we would bring bags of candy and throw it (not the whole bag, mind you) to the doolies above. They seemed to enjoy it -- and we certainly did!</p>
<p>Don't know how or what they do nowadays, but they used to put on quite a fireworks display.....very patriotic, of course.
jm</p>
<p>I have another question about physical training during BCT. I haven't done as much running in my boots as I have steep hikes with a heavy pack on in boots. Is there a substantial amount of weighted hiking during basic? The last couple weeks before basic, I'll be in Yosemite, hiking and climbing at altitude, and I was wondering if I should be more focused on logging in some runs. I run almost everyday as is, just a thought. Thanks ~ Jess</p>
<p>"Is there a substantial amount of weighted hiking during basic"</p>
<p>There's none. Focus on running in your boots.</p>
<p>Oh! Well sorry,sometimes I dont get jokes because I lose my sense of humor. Basically with the Navy a Captain is the rank of Colonel (eagle) and Admiral is the rank of General (Star). They also have the Ensin* and the Lt. Junior Grade. that replaces some of the paygrades. However, since the Navy have thier own little thing with the ranks, the Department of Defense have created a universal class system to identify ranks within any military branch, and that is the pay grades.
E-1 or O-4 are examples. O-6 for the Army and Air Force is a Colonel but O-6 to the Navy is a Captian (Captian in the AF is O-3). Its wierd but the pay grades it's a simple way to classify ranks.</p>
<p>the only thing we carried when marching was a rifle, and the longest marches we went on were 8 miles, but yeah, if you can run in boots you're fine</p>
<p>I just got the Belleville 700 boots. Apparently after a closer look they are considered "flight" boots. I only got the appointee information booklet just a few days ago and realized, from what it said, that I bought the wrong boots. Just to make sure before I send these boots back. Are the only allowed boots the "combat, infantry" boots that are on the warfighter.mil website?</p>
<p>From what I've seen with the boots being DoD issue, you can only get them at a military installation or with a DoD ID card.</p>
<p>The Belleville 700's are the correct boots (just make sure you do not get the "cold weather" boots. I called AFA boot issue before ordering and they (Steve, I believe) said that what we wanted to order were the 700's. He also said that there was no set brand to buy and that lots of cadet-selects would have different black/gortex infantry combat boots.</p>
<p>I would suggest, if in doubt, that you call boot issue @ 719-333-3017/2366. They have been very helpful.</p>
<p>I'm a little confused about what girls are allowed to bring to BCT...
What "personal hygiene products" can we bring? Does this include deoderant, shampoo, a razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, acne products...?</p>
<p>What color should my socks be? Black or white? How many pairs of socks should we bring?</p>
<p>Do we need a pair of tennis shoes, or just our boots?</p>
<p>I know we are allowed to recieve mail, can we send it? Are we given time at all to write letters? Once BCT is over, can we use e-mail?</p>
<p>One more question... once BCT is done, are we able to listen to music?</p>
<p>gymnstx21...</p>
<p>Almost everything you listed, you do not need to bring...</p>
<p>We will be getting all of those things, including socks. And by "personal hygeine items" they are referring to things that females need for their "special time" of the month...</p>
<p>Also, we will be issued sneakers and boots, and during BEAST you are allowed to write letters.</p>
<p>Anyone correct me if I'm wrong...</p>
<p>Squak 1200 is right. And I am preety certain that music is not allowed until well into the school year.</p>
<p>I'm showing up naked so I'm sure I bring nothing I'm not supposed to have.</p>