<p>As time winds downs and the days fly faster than falcons, I (as well as others) needs good insider tips to make June 29th run smooth. </p>
<p>For example, since we are flying in the night before with our new appointee, I was perplexed about all the inprocessing activities. I know appointees are dropped off between 7am and 11am–and that’s pretty much (I think) People seem to be bustling about in some of last year’s inprocessing photos I’ve seen. Should I expect more? At the prep school, parents had a meeting about what their C/C’s would be involve in over the course of the next few weeks. Will they do this for parents on the June 29th or 30th too? </p>
<p>Any tips are greatly appreciated for appointees, as well as parents! :)</p>
<p>The AOG President will be giving his spiel, but the incoming cadets can listen to that too. In Doolittle Hall, there will be a few information tables set up that parents can visit concerning various things, and officers are also mingling with everyone. Once your kid walks up the stairs, though, from what I know, that's pretty much it (unless you count waiting a while to see him walk down the stairs and out the door).</p>
<p>thanks UN..</p>
<p>Another bit of information I ran upon was that all the appointees are sworned in the next day and parents are invited to watch (from a distance of course). We won't be sticking around for this, because we have a long way back home and he'll only be a dot in sea of kids.</p>
<p>MarathonMom- have you considered sending your son on his own from home? I'm not sure if it is too late to sign up for the AOG Bed & Breakfast program. Our son will fly out of Columbus (OH) and will get picked up at the airport by a "Host" from the AOG. He will spend the night with this family. Some host homes may have more than one 2010 cadet. They will see to it that our son is at the Academy for inprocessing. </p>
<p>I myself have never seen the Academy. My husband and son went out for a tour early March. We have already ready purchased our flight tickets for "Parents Weekend" for two siblings and both parents. Depending on the type of ticket you have now, you may be able to pay a penalty fee to change your travel dates to accommodate "Parents Weekend".</p>
<p>I presume you will cry when he leaves. If your son travels alone, you will be able to get home sooner to lay on his bed and cry. :( I know I will!</p>
<p>My prayers are on all the families sending loved ones off this June.</p>
<p>My parents want to know what the popular opinion is on whether or not they should fly out with me on inprocessing, or if they should just wait until Parents weekend? I know my parents won't be with me very much on inprocessing, but is it helpful to have them there with me?</p>
<p>I see it as pointless to have my parents come out with me on inprocessing, I'd rather do it without them there. On the other hand, has anyone recieved any info back on where you are staying for the bed and breakfast?</p>
<p>I'm staying with my future sponsor family, but they're a family friend so I've already met with them and worked it all out.</p>
<p>My parents aren't coming out because it seems like a waste of time, plus I want to do it on my own and think it would be distracting to have them there.</p>
<p>Ah yes, I forgot about that. Parents can see the swearing in the next day, but they do it from the chapel wall. It's fine if you want to see the class as a whole, but don't plan on being able to see your individual kid. They all look alike, no kidding!</p>
<p>Last year when I was a "greeter for the almost-basics," there were a lot who came on their own. Most of them were squared away from a place to stay, etc., but there were a few who showed up with no plans of where to go for the night. There are always families for them to stay with, though, so it only took a 10 second explanation to people at the AOG (who had reps there) to get them squared away too.</p>
<p>The B&B coordinator said we will be contacted by our host at least a week ahead of time. Since we will be on vacation the 17-24, I was told to call on the 16th if I had not heard from my son's host. </p>
<p>We decided NOT to fly out for inprocessing because we will see very little of
our son. We did however join the AOG (parents membership). Once you are paid members (annually), they will post photo albums of pics from I-day, BCT, and other activities through out the year. I figure I will see better pictures on the sight that I would never have had a chance to take. </p>
<p>The other reason is, our son will have the entire flight(s) to get his head cleared without the distractions of our presents.</p>
<p>When you drop off your appointee, you might consider staying to watch them cross the Challenge bridge right outside Doolittle Hall. When I went through, a '59 grad (first USAFA class) sent us on our way with a challenge to be worthy of the standard set by those who preceded us. I have a picture of myself crossing it, and your appointee might appreciate having one someday too. From there, they get on the bus and are gone. You'll probably need to wait about half an hour after your appointee walks up the stairs to see this.</p>
<p>The following is inscribed on a plaque on the bridge:</p>
<p>To each entering cadet:
The path to which you aspire has been consecrated by the blood of heroes and paved with the selfless service of countless men and women like you. If you would be worthy of this heritage:
Make integrity the bedrock value of your life
Let your actions always be guided by an unshakeable sense of duty, self-discipline and personal responsibility
Become a lifelong student of history, war, humanity and leadership
Be prepared to sacrifice everything to defend the principles upon which our nation was founded
Cross this bridge with the determination to live a life that will make all who went before proud of you.</p>
<p>Nick said he wanted us to be there, so we are flying out on the 24th and taking a family vacation before I day. None of us have ever been to Colorado Springs before so it will give us a chance to do some major sight-seeing and Nick will get a chance to get acclimated to the altitude. Plus - this will ensure I get some quality time with him before he leaves! We aren't flying out until Saturday morning, so we will watch the sea of cadets getting sworn in.</p>
<p>"None of us have ever been to Colorado Springs before so it will give us a chance to do some major sight-seeing"</p>
<p>I wouldn't recommend doing a ton of stuff the day before inprocessing. It'll be the last chance he has to relax for a long time. He'll have a TON of time to get to see the C-Springs area in the next 4 years. The rest of the family can experience it sometime in that 4 year period of time too, as soon as Parents Weekend.</p>
<p>It is truly a decision made by each family (cadet and parents). There is no right or wrong decision. There are just as many cadets that have family accompany them as there are cadets that arrive alone.</p>
<p>I just signed up for the B&B yesterday, so it's still open. Not sure when I'll hear back of course, but they're accepting the requests.</p>
<p>We have heard from our son's host for B&B. It turns out, my son will be one of two cadets staying at the same house. The second 2010 cadet will be on the same flight from Chicago (American flight #4369Y) leaving Ohare at 1223pm arriving in Colorado Springs at 150pm. Is it anyone on this forum????
Major and Mrs. SXXXXock will be their host. (I wasn't sure if I should post their name)</p>
<p>any tips for the Class of 2011???</p>
<p>Follow the "Instructions to Candidate" booklet you receive from USAFA once you have completed the on-line Pre-candidate questionair. Set an earlier deadline than what is in print. "The early bird gets the worm (in some cases- an Appointment :))"</p>
<p>Momof3boyz, is your son flying from Chicago?...central Ohio isn't exactly around the corner. United Express 6983Q is my flight...anyone here have it?</p>
<p>Our son is flying out to Colorado Springs alone also . We did attend orientation so have had all the speeches and tours. Will go to Parent weekend also. It was his choice but I think he decided it would be easier and less stressful for all to say our goodbyes at the airport and I don't think he wanted his mom hanging around! His B & B family is picking up another cadet on the same flight from Denver so there will be 2 of them spending the night and going to inprocessing the next day</p>
<p>raimius - sorry, my son is flying American Airlines 4369Y leaving Ohare @ 12:23 pm.</p>