<p>I just got a letter from basic cadet stating that he will have a three day pass after the Acceptance Parade. He is in Cobra flight “c”. Does anyone know more of the details? Could son have miss understood?</p>
<p>This states the plan for after the parade. I see no 3 day pass on it.</p>
<p>I can't imagine this is the case, since classes start on the 9th of August. I am sure the new 4 degrees would love a break, but it is hard to believe they would get one then. Just in case some of you 2010 parents do not know, they did allow cadets to fly home on Parents Weekend last year. Some folks decided to fly their children home, rather than spend the money to bring the family to COS. I would not recommend this for most 2010's because Parents Weekend is really a wonderful time to see where your cadet lives and breathes. But, it is an option that might meet some family's needs.</p>
<p>There is a blue weekend schdule for doolies. The 1st one is the weekend of August 12. This means that doolies are allowed to leave campus and stay with sponsor family or if family is in the area they can stay with them that weekend. I plan on being in the area so he can stay with us at hotel for weekend. They get about 5-6 weekends away from campus in the fall. I will look it up and post the dates.</p>
<p>At the parent orientation on in-processing day, these dates were given as blue weekends:
Aug. 12
Sept. 2
Sept. 9
Oct. 21
Dec. 2
Dec. 9</p>
<p>I'm glad I'm not going crazy! I read the Parade schedule stating that 2010 cadets must escort any parents or visitors out of the cadet area by 1300.<br>
Son must have his dates mixed up. I don't think I would know what day it was after surviving the Beast!<br>
(Come to think of it, I have never seen a date on any of his letters.)</p>
<p>I'm surprised the four degrees will be able to leave so soon, considering the norm is "no earlier than Parents Weekend."</p>
<p>On a different yet related note, just because a weekend is blue does not mean that a cadet can go out. There are numerous factors including but not limited to: the number of passes a cadet has, whether or not they're on any sort of probation, if they're restricted (which is quite common for four degrees), if they can find a way to get off-base, and if the weekend stays blue (as they can change them to silver with almost no notice).</p>
<p>Yet another consideration is that any of these things UNcynical mentioned can happen last minute. Don't assume that because you have already spent the money to be in town that your cadet's leadership will allow him or her to see you. This is mostly up to your cadet's AOC, and many of them (like mine last year) will not take these very common circumstances into special consideration.</p>
<p>It just so happens that on Aug 12th, my son's aunt is getting married. The wedding is actually in Sante Fe NM, which is a very doable trip from Colorado Springs. His entire family will be there. Does anyone (notably UNcynical and Surfnkid, who have probably seen this kind of thing at the Academy), think that it's possible my S would be permitted to leave for that day? I assume the procedure would be for him to ask his AOC. From these other posts, it sounds like it might be possible but we shouldn't count on it. I'm wondering if these circumstances make a difference. Thanks!</p>
<p>You're in luck, because only funerals are better excuses for getting away from the Academy. As long as your cadet is in good standing (i.e. not on probation), even missing a day or two of school may be acceptable, especially if it involves close family or if your cadet is in the wedding. My roommate last year flew all the way to Arizona for several days, including two school days, for a wedding. That was just a friend and he wasn't in the wedding. </p>
<p>I think there are at least two ways your son can get guaranteed authorization for the trip. Either an approved SCA or SSS will are sufficient to override all of the last minute problems cadets, and especially 4-digs, tend to encounter. Your son should try first to get a SSS (Staff Summary Sheet, or "triple S") signed by his AOC. If this doesn't work, or possibly at the AOC's direction, he may be able to get a Scheduling Committee Action (SCA). Although SCAs are usually used to authorize absences for sports teams or other groups, they can also be applied for and granted to individuals. SCAs can trump AOCs, but often require their approval.</p>
<p>Note: although SSSs are frequently used and well understood, applying for an SCA is not a process your average 4-degree is going to be familiar with. Make sure your cadet understands it is an option if it becomes necessary.</p>
<p>Surfnkid: Thanks you SO much! We will get on this right away. That post alone is worth its weight in gold!</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice Surfnkid, Uncynical, etc. You were correct, he was allowed to go to our family wedding this past weekend in Sante Fe. It was so great to see him! (Looked great in uniform, too). We were shocked that a newly minted 4-deg would be allowed to leave prior to Recognition. His Cadre helped him with the proper forms and there was a little pushback but not much. He managed to finish his "homework" prior to leaving so he could enjoy the event. It meant so much to the family to have him there -- what a treat for us!!</p>
<p>Just a note, four degrees are not allowed off base until after Parent's Weekend. The exceptions are weddings, funerals, etc.</p>
<p>Ditto on Raimius. My roommate was gone Sunday to Tuesday for a funeral.</p>
<p>On a happy fun note, I received a Form 10 today from a Captain suggesting I receive an extra day pass for my efforts in class! w00t! Raimius was in class with me too, ironic eh?</p>
<p>What are the rules about four degrees leaving campus? Don't you get a certain number of passes per semester or something like that? Is it possible to get passes on Sunday if you want to go to a church in Colorado Springs, or do all cadets use the chapel on campus?</p>
<p>Passes are limited for everyone, but 4-degrees have the fewest. They are not allowed to use their passes until after parent's weekend, although as you see above in this thread, there may be reasons for a 4-degree to be allowed to leave. Provisions are made for going to church off base by various forms of authorization (SCA, SSS, AOC passes, etc., if you don't know what these are don't worry) that don't count against your allotted passes. However, if you take advantage of these passes, you are expected to go straight to and from church and not abuse the pass for other purposes.</p>
<p>"On a happy fun note, I received a Form 10 today from a Captain suggesting I receive an extra day pass for my efforts in class!"</p>
<p>Form 10? They brought Form 10s (or Forms 10, depending on who you talk to) back?? Things really are a pendulum there, I suppose. Good job getting a positive one, by the way.</p>
<p>yup, Form 10s are back! Half my squad 4 digs received negative ones last friday. Half "failed" the knowledge test, passing for the Wing was 80, our standard was 85. I got a 95 (4 of us did) :) Found out yesterday our squad had the highest average on knowledge tests in the WING, and the only overall passing score of 80. :) sweetness! So, privi's are a comin'.</p>
<p>The pass system is in the sight picture redhead, as well as the pass packages. check it out.</p>
<p>Lt UNcynical ( :) ) it is swinging back. BCT was more intense, schdules have been rearranged. UCMJ, form 10's, etc are coming back. Rumor is that Gen Regni might try and bring back CST. Recognition is being planned. It's awesome really. :)</p>
<p>hornetguy, nice to see you back! Could you tell me what is CST and did they bring back the form 089 (could be the wrong number) which is the evaluation of the food, service, etc. (avg. avg. good, good, etc., etc.)</p>
<p>At summer seminar one of the women in charge talked about the pendulum. Do you think that the academy is currently swinging back towards being more strict, or is it going the opposite direction (loosening up a bit)? Obviously, it's always strict so I'm not quite sure I understand...</p>