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Key Dates of Interest for Parents
Basic Cadet Training (BCT) Frequently Asked Questions
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Send us your question / feedback.
| Date | Time | Event | Where to Be |
| 23 Jun 11 | 0730 | Basic Cadet Arrival | USAFA |
| 24 Jun 11 | 0830 | Swearing In Ceremony | Cadet Chapel Observation Area |
| 10 Jul 11 | 0630 | March Out To Jacks Valley | Cadet Chapel Observation Area/ B-52 Static Display |
| 23 Jul 11 | 1230 | March Back From Jacks Valley | Cadet Chapel Observation Area/ B-52 Static Display |
| Q: | Where can I find the dates and times for different events? |
| A: | An abbreviated schedule with key dates and times for parents can be found above. At no time will parents or guardians be allowed to communicate person to person with their basic cadet. |
| Q: | I want to watch cadets march to Jacks Valley. Where should I go? |
| A: | The public can observe the march out to Jacks Valley from the Chapel Wall (the wall overlooking the Terrazzo on the east side of the Academy Chapel). This area is accessible from the public areas of the Academy. Additionally, the B-52 static display is available to the public. If friends and family wish to display signs, they should be within good nature. |
| Q: | If my cadet elects to quit or is removed from of BCT, will parents be contacted? |
| A: | Yes. During in-processing, cadets fill out a form with your contact information. If a cadet is removed for any reason from BCT, Academy personnel will contact parents. This process can take up to 10 days from when the basic cadet initiates the desire to resign. |
| Q: | Can parents visit their cadets during Doolie Day In? |
| A: | No. Doolie Day In is exclusively for basic cadets to relax, meet other basic cadets and call home. Cadets may call home from 1300-1600. |
| Q: | Can parents send cadets a care package during BCT? |
| A: | We request that you do not send care packages during BCT. Cadets may receive packages after August 2nd. If you send a package before then, it will be held until August 2nd. |
| Q: | Will my cadet have to do push-ups if I send him a nice care package? I heard that was a tradition. |
| A: | No. Any packages sent to cadets during BCT will be held for them until after BCT. Only send nonperishable items. |
| Q: | Can parents write letters to cadets during BCT? What is a cadet's mailing address? |
| A: | Parents and cadets can exchange letters. Cadets are assigned a mail box at the Academy's post office during in-processing. Due to privacy concerns, your cadet will notify you of his/her mailing address in his/her first letter. |
| Q: | Will my cadet have his/her cell phone at the Acceptance Parade so we can find each other? |
| A: | No, cadets will not have their cell phones at the Acceptance Parade, however, family and friends will be allowed on the parade field to meet their cadets following the parade. |
| Q: | Can my cadet bring his/her cell phone and charger with them when they in-process? |
| A: | Yes, however, their cell phone and charger will be placed in locked storage and the only time during Basic Cadet Training that they will be able to retrieve them is on 9 July during Doolie Day In. They will be able to use their cell phones and chargers from noon until 6pm that day. |
| Q: | Can I pin my cadet's boards on him/her during the Acceptance Parade? |
| A: | No. Only upper-class cadets may pin-on shoulder boards. Parents will be allowed to enter the parade field, after the Acceptance Parade, and observe their cadets receiving their shoulder boards. |
| Q: | Can I bring stuff to my cadet at the Acceptance Parade (printer, bike, other large items)? |
| A: | The items fourth-classmen are allowed to have their first year are extremely limited. In accordance with the Cadet Sight Picture, fourth-classmen are allowed two items of personal memorabilia in addition to what they have been issued. All other items need Air Officer Commanding or Academy Military Trainer approval. We advise parents to have cadets verify they are allowed to possess something before parents bring or ship it to cadets. |
| Q: | Can turn-backs bring uniform items from last year? |
| A: | Yes. Blues and ABUs (Airman Battle Uniform) uniform items may be brought. |
| Q: | Who can I contact for any other questions pertaining to BCT? |
| A: | Please forward all questions to the following email address: BCT_FAQ@usafa.edu |
Brig. Gen.
Richard M. Clark
Commandant of Cadets
Col Richard Anderson
Vice Commandant
Col Stella (Reni) Renner
Vice Commandant
Culture and Climate
Lt Col Andrew Simmons
Director of Staff
For Information:
DSN:
333-2263
commercial:
(719) 333-2263