Communication

The Air Force Academy years will be an interesting time in your son or daughter’s life to say the least.  Even immediately after BCT, your son or daughter will call home with greater maturity, an increased sense of responsibility and expanded insight. They will have many acronyms mixed throughout their speech, which might be hard to understand at first, but with time you will learn what they’re saying.

Cadets lead very busy lives. Practically every moment of their day is accounted for from the moment they awake until the moment they go to bed.  And if they’re not active with academics, athletics or military duties, they’re busy fitting in personal interest time. 

Even though contact may be sparse at times, it’s important for parents to stay involved in their cadet’s life, communicate and remain supportive. Receiving a simple letter or card from friends and family during BCT can sometimes lift spirits to the top of the world, at least for a moment. Even if cadets are unable to reply to letters because of time restraints, they still yearn for letters from you. It’s a way for them to have communication from the outside world, which sometimes becomes minimal with the strict Academy routine and demands.  After BCT, e-mail is probably the quickest way to communicate with your child since their personal computers become a huge part of their daily lives. Many cadets are allowed cell phone privileges after BCT four-degree year.

This is an essential time for growth and independence in your child’s life.  Parents can become easily discouraged with the possible lack of regular contact with their son or daughter. A child’s safety is a concern for all parents.  The Academy maintains precise accountability of contact phone numbers, and if the safety of your child is ever in question, you will be the first one we call. In case of a family emergency and you need to contact your child immediately, it’s important to have your child’s squadron AOC contact information handy.