One Week to I-Day
We are now only one week away from In-Processing Day (I-Day) at the United States Air Force Academy. A few days earlier (Monday, June 25) the Family Maas will travel out to Colorado Springs so that we have family time, and the ability for Graham to adjust to the altitude. Adjusting to altitude is a valuable lesson we learned over the years from training and competing at the Olympic Training Center.
A bit more on I-Day, as it is 180-degrees from what parents experience when they drop their child off at a 'normal' college.
In-Processing Day (I-Day): (29 Jun 18) We show up at the specified time for Appointees (11 am MST), and all Appointees will get a quick brief and then they will be separated from family and friends and begin official In-Processing. There is a small parents’ Information Fair where we will drop Graham off. There is only time for a quick hug, then he's gone....just like that.
Jackie and I will then be off to the Colorado Parents Club hosting a Parent Breakfast/Picnic at Doolittle Hall for all of the Freshman parents. We can meet other parents, de-stress and fill out a postcard for our first mailing to Graham. Graham will have ZERO contact with the outside world other than letters (snail mail). He does not have his phone. He does not have a computer (USAFA assigns one in August). There is no umbilical cord. It's been cut. Jackie and I will not be able to speak to him until July 21, when he will be allowed a short call home. We will not get to physically see him until August 7th, during the Acceptance Day Parade....and then only for 60-90 minutes.
You can mail Graham a postcard or letter by using the following mailing address:
Please feel free to write to Graham. His only outside contact is through this medium. Offer words of encouragement. We've heard to tell jokes, and make them smile and laugh. There isn't much laughing during BCT!
A short description of Basic Cadet Training, and what Graham has in store. I will be providing day-by-day updates as well. The USAFA has a fantastic service called WebGuy, which is a team of photographers that will take thousands upon thousands of photos each day. So, we should be able to get a visual on Graham during the next six weeks:
1st BCT Daily Routine (29 Jun – 21 Jul 18)
During 1st, BCT cadets have a busy schedule of military training such as learning how to take orders, set up their rooms and march as a flight. Basic Cadets are awakened at 4:30 a.m. to begin their day. During the day Basics, they will also take Academic placements tests, get issued items and military training until Taps and lights out at 9:30 p.m.
2nd BCT Daily Routine (22 Jul – 1 Aug 18)
During the 2nd Basic, cadets have a busy schedule of military training in a “deployed” location. They live in a tent city and are awakened by 5:15 a.m. Basic Cadets do different military training to include weapons training, obstacle courses and team building exercises until Taps and lights out at 9:30 p.m.
A bit more on I-Day, as it is 180-degrees from what parents experience when they drop their child off at a 'normal' college.
In-Processing Day (I-Day): (29 Jun 18) We show up at the specified time for Appointees (11 am MST), and all Appointees will get a quick brief and then they will be separated from family and friends and begin official In-Processing. There is a small parents’ Information Fair where we will drop Graham off. There is only time for a quick hug, then he's gone....just like that.
Jackie and I will then be off to the Colorado Parents Club hosting a Parent Breakfast/Picnic at Doolittle Hall for all of the Freshman parents. We can meet other parents, de-stress and fill out a postcard for our first mailing to Graham. Graham will have ZERO contact with the outside world other than letters (snail mail). He does not have his phone. He does not have a computer (USAFA assigns one in August). There is no umbilical cord. It's been cut. Jackie and I will not be able to speak to him until July 21, when he will be allowed a short call home. We will not get to physically see him until August 7th, during the Acceptance Day Parade....and then only for 60-90 minutes.
You can mail Graham a postcard or letter by using the following mailing address:
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Please feel free to write to Graham. His only outside contact is through this medium. Offer words of encouragement. We've heard to tell jokes, and make them smile and laugh. There isn't much laughing during BCT!
A short description of Basic Cadet Training, and what Graham has in store. I will be providing day-by-day updates as well. The USAFA has a fantastic service called WebGuy, which is a team of photographers that will take thousands upon thousands of photos each day. So, we should be able to get a visual on Graham during the next six weeks:
1st BCT Daily Routine (29 Jun – 21 Jul 18)
During 1st, BCT cadets have a busy schedule of military training such as learning how to take orders, set up their rooms and march as a flight. Basic Cadets are awakened at 4:30 a.m. to begin their day. During the day Basics, they will also take Academic placements tests, get issued items and military training until Taps and lights out at 9:30 p.m.
2nd BCT Daily Routine (22 Jul – 1 Aug 18)
During the 2nd Basic, cadets have a busy schedule of military training in a “deployed” location. They live in a tent city and are awakened by 5:15 a.m. Basic Cadets do different military training to include weapons training, obstacle courses and team building exercises until Taps and lights out at 9:30 p.m.
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