<p>Just wanted to start something to let the parents know how recognition is going. </p>
<p>HNeedle is in my squad and so far everyone’s doing well. There’s been some cadets falling out due to lack of hydration, but they’re getting what they need and continuing on. So far so good, one day down, two more to go.</p>
<p>I’m happy with everything so far except for the fact that they’re extremely shaky on knowledge. I’d venture to say half of them don’t even know the Code of Conduct. Still, they seem to be working hard and putting forth the effort that we want to see. I’ve got no major complaints after day 1 - now it’s time to see if they can keep the energy and motivation up over the next two days, and especially tomorrow.</p>
<p>As a side note: parents, rest assured that the four digs are extremely well taken care of. We take their health and safety very seriously, and wouldn’t ever put it in question for the sake of training. They’re doing well.</p>
<p>Thanks so much Petko and GroogWaugh! It’s nice of you to keep us worry-warts informed! :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the update on HNeedle. He was more nervous about not knowing what to expect than anything else. He called to tell me goodbye. It was almost as bad as when he left the first time. lol No really, he is so excited, and I know it is an experience I will never get the full implications of. It is a 4 dig excitement. He is expecting to be pushed harder and further than ever before!</p>
<p>Thanks for trying to keep us informed. Short of taking binoculars to the Chapel wall, your posts are all we have. We believe they are out today on the soccer fields going through the courses set up there, and tonight get ready for tomorrow’s ‘slammie.’ Any detail and fun information is always appreciated!! When were they up this morning, and when to they get put in their cells tonight?</p>
<p>WebGuy is covering Recognition over on his blog! He’s posting some pictures in just a few minutes! My love affair with that man continues… :)</p>
<p>Webguy is a true gem. I could not have gotten through basic without him. LOL!</p>
<p>I spoke with potterfan a little while ago. She said the 4* are holding up well. The uppers are not really happy about the rest periods. They are being hydrated and watched cafefully. No round robin for 4th group.</p>
<p>WEBGUY is covering recognition? What am I doing here?</p>
<p>Anyone who knows can pm me about my favorite twins. You know I am always worried about them. I’ll still be so when they are my age! ;)</p>
<p>Can’t get in to Webguy! Paid our $ for all four years to make sure of access…can’t remember password and login combo…e-mail requests to AOG aren’t working…so NO access expected until I can call on Monday, when it will be over and she will have called. Not acceptable! SO, can anyone take pity on our family and describe some photos? I know,I know, it is HER thing, but letting go is hard, and I do better with some info. I agree with the comments about deployment and not hearing from them everyday, and I appreciate the perspective. I am trying. She is my only daughter, house full of boys and I have really struggled (like every other USAFA parent!) with “letting her go”. I’ve done a really good job, but I am not perfect. I want to know how the class is doing. I so appreciate you cadets that are kind enough to give up your time by logging in and giving parents (and other cadets who read here) info on how the class of 2012 is doing. Go one, go all! No need to be “mortified” about parents/siblings being “involved” in Recognition, the world is so different now and some changes are better. Remember when children were to “be seen and not heard” and “womans place is in the home”… our time is not better, just different. I thank everyone in advance. I have come a long way from “hair” questions! (and Eagle…a special thanks to you for your motivation to a certain squadron)</p>
<p>I don’t mean to take the thread off topic – but I know they get their prop and wings - is that Saturday? And, that if they have parents/grandparents who were in the Air Force/Army Air Corps they get gold prop & wings. But how is that verified? Do they need DD-214s or something like that? Just curious… I hope – check that… I KNOW all the 2012’s will do well! ;)</p>
<p>Raptordad yes they will have a ceremony on Saturday evening followed by a special dinner. The gold P&W criteria will have been gone over with your cadet. I believe they just ask the cadet. I know they never asked for my DD214 or retirement orders.</p>
<p>This is tough stuff for parents…like Apollo 13…waiting for something to come over the radio. The worst should be over by now and in less than a day we should start to hear some news. It won’t be long.</p>
<p>It’s been interesting so far in my squad…to say the least. I was out on EMT rounds this afternoon in Sijan. Slept for 2.5 hours, pretty quiet. Had 4 patients total today, better than last year.</p>
<p>Regarding prop and wings colors, cadets are taken on their word.</p>
<p>At the debrief after Taps last night, my AOC verified exactly what I had thought of Thursday: pleased with the training, disappointed with the knowledge. Today was a good day. It was courses all day and theme rooms in the evening. Again, I don’t want to give too much away publicly so that we don’t spoil the surprise for futures classes, but I had the chance to work in a capacity tonight that allowed me to talk with them candidly and get a sense for what they had taken from all this. I was impressed. For the most part, they seem to have figured out what it’s all about. They put forth a lot of effort today, and in my mind, they’ve earned it. I have no reservations about giving out prop and wings, which I’m pretty happy about.</p>
<p>Tomorrow is the big day for them. They’ve only got a single, hour-long beat session remaining, which isn’t bad at all (compare that to about five hours of more intense training today). Parents, the ceremony is scheduled to run from 1615-1745 local time. After that, we’ll head straight to dinner, so I wouldn’t expect a call before 1900 MDT.</p>
<p>Other thoughts: I’m more than ready for this to be over, personally. I’m tired, sore, hungry, and cold, and definitely didn’t sleep as much as I thought I would today. I got to bed around 0030 last night and was up around 0430 this morning, so it’s been about a twenty hour day for me. 2013, remember that your cadre will be going to bed later than you and waking up earlier than you. Believe me, we’re tired too. Still, it’s been a good time. Theme rooms went really well today (they always do), the Taps ceremony was as moving as ever, and it’s been another great experience for all involved.</p>
<p>some quick notes:</p>
<p>i’ve stopped by to see HNeedle, Nobility, and missmuff, and they’re all doing quite well (at least at meals… lol).</p>
<p>and CadetKelley, i’ve been with your daughter for basically the past 30 hours, minus about 4 of sleep for me. she’s doing great. the squad overall broke very quickly physically, and had a rough start to mental toughness. after some things this morning though, they’ve really started to show motivation and to pull together as a team. i’m more impressed so far than i expected.</p>
<p>Recogntion seems to be much better organized and run than two years ago. my biggest complaint is that the freshman weren’t prepared as well as they should have been, and that is nearly 100% the fault of the wing and training staffs (like myself). Now only one day to go… they’ll be back on the boards soon!</p>
<p>Normally, I chat online with my son every day or two. It’s been weird not hearing from him for the last couple of days. I know he’s doing OK. He’s just that sort of person. But maybe I’ll hear from him tonight. I know I had similar anxiety during BCT, and that all went well, so we’ll just have to wait and hear from him. He says he has a good squadron overall (SQ 36). And this is the last day. Then they become “Human”.My college, wife’s college, and daughter’s college had “Rush Week” for… Well, a week. The academy is like rush week for 9 months. LOL!!!</p>
<p>Thanks Eagle! Any mention of HNeedle always makes me smile. I know he has been studying his knowledge along with all his classes. He misses working out with the Navy Seal guy tho. That was definitely giving him an edge. I guess the Navy guy left at Christmas? Anyhow, thanks for the updates. By now, HNeedle will eat ANYTHING! lol</p>
<p>the exchangers leave/go every semester. so if he was working out with a “squid”, then he returned when us “zoomies” came back. and more ppl excahnged this semester. its a constant cycle.</p>
<p>Run to the Rock… they’re almost there</p>
<p>I’m so excited… chompin’ at the bit to hear how it went… My son is almost a human! 
You upperclassmen make the job of being a parent so much easier when we see how human YOU are. Your words of encouragement, your humor and advice have kept me sane for well over a year now… I don’t post much… but I follow this forum ALL THE TIME!! Thanks for training our sons and daughters. :)</p>