The Cadet Fourth Class (C4C) Year
For Parents: Beyond In-Processing

MILESTONES: Class of 2015
In-Processing : 23 June 2011
BCT I : 23 June - 9 July 2011
Field Day (AM): 9 July 2011
Doolie Day In (PM): 9 July 2011
BCT II : 10 July - 30 July 2011
Acceptance Day : 3 August 2011

Basic Cadet Training (BCT):
There are two phases to Basic Cadet Training, each 3 weeks: BCT I & BCT II.

BCT I starts with In-Processing on Day 1. Roughly 1,400 Appointees are in-processed in one day. They arrive either individually or with their parents or families in tow at the large white tent, travel through Arnold Hall, and when they're ready, they ascend the stairs to be in-processed. They will enter The Bus on the 15-minute ride to the Cadet Area. That bus ride may appear interminable to many. Their lives will never be the same again. They will ride The Bus to the footprints near the Core Values Ramp. The Appointees are sworn in on Day 2 and become basic cadets ... and the military training by USAFA standards begins.

FYI, they don't need their watches for another six weeks, as the cadre will serve as alarm clocks. Immunizations are given (if needed), haircuts are provided, and military clothing is issued. Everything that the basic cadet needs is supplied by the military, from toothpaste to underwear to eyeglasses (aka "date killers") to overcoats to socks. As one dad quipped on AOG parent forums, "If the basic cadet needs a mom, the military will issue one of those, too."

BCT II starts immediately after BCT I with the March to Jack's Valley, an area on the Academy grounds where their physical and mental capabilities will be tested. During BCT II the basic cadets live for 3 weeks in tents. They learn more about themselves, teamwork, leadership, and responsibility to each other, the squadron, the Academy, the Air Force, & their country. It is a time when many basic cadets question why they signed up in the first place. Now more than ever, they will need to hear encouragement from you.

WRITING YOUR CADET
From the first day of In-Processing that your Appointee ascends the stairs in Arnold Hall, we encourage parents to write. They will not be allowed cell phone or landline privileges, internet access, etc. Some parents start writing their Appointees (now basic cadets) a few days before In-Processing, depending on the distance of their homes to USAFA. Your Appointee will face difficulties that may appear more surmountable with words of encouragement from home. You will find your Appointee's PO BOX on the cover of the Appointee Information Booklet that will be mailed directly to your Appointee by the Academy.
Please know that many of you may not hear from your cadet very often if at all. It may feel like you're just throwing letters into a black hole. That is typical. They are undergoing some of the most rigorous training on a daily basis, and they will get exhausted. Their visits to their mailboxes are governed by the cadre of their squadron. They may or may not earn that privilege for some time. Even if they earn the privilege of visiting their PO Box, the cadre apparently may find other tasks for them to do during their supposed "free" time so that they will have no time to check their mailboxes. While you may not always hear from them, you will later learn that they cherish your words, reading them over and over in their beds at night under their blankets with a flashlight after taps. To help your basic cadet avoid unnecessary "beat downs" from the cadre, you may want your letters to follow the tips below.

A few tips:
Use plain white envelopes with no stickers, glitter, or designs.
Send letters on plain paper.
We do not recommend sending cards even if your cadet has a birthday during BCT. (There will be time after BCT to send a nice card.
Use plain U.S. postage, perhaps a flag or Liberty Bell stamp.
Be positive in your letter. Basic cadets enjoy getting jokes, prayers, good news from home.
Your basic cadet already misses your family and home; try to avoid telling bad news like her dog, Lucky, misses her like crazy, his kid brother is pining away for him, etc.
If very bad news occurs during BCT, you may want to call the Academy command staff directly. See the USAFA phone list .
Any packages you send during BCT may or may not get to your basic cadet. Some cadre may open the package and share the contents (with other upperclassmen). Some cadre may hold the box till BCT is finished. Any package will be cause for the cadre to offer extra training (i.e., "beat downs") for the basic cadet and possibly his entire squadron.
We highly recommend that you send packages only after your cadet has said that it's okay for her/him to receive packages. Every squadron is different.

Back to Top ↑