Inprocessing in the works for months

  • Published
  • By Ann Patton
  • Academy Spirit staff writer
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  It was ready, set, go for the arrival of the Class of 2013 here June 25. Cadet cadre were on the front line for inprocessing, and they were plenty ready. 

Preparations for the new cadets' arrival began weeks, sometimes months, before. 

Cadet 2nd Class Nehemiah Bostick served as safety and medical NCO. This is his first time involved with BCT since he inprocessed in 2007. 

Training for cadre began in May when participating cadets went back for retraining on what goes into BCT experiences. Cadet cadre for BCT are recognizable by their blue berets.

So what did the cadre expect from all the new faces on the Terrazzo? 

"Nothing," he said. "They come in here not knowing anything, and that's why we're here to teach them. 

Maj. Jason Favero, who oversaw the blood prescreening, said three months of preparation went into inprocessing day. Plans called for accumulating supplies like gloves and tubes and seeking out the 100 technicians who volunteered for the day. 

"We want to make it as streamlined as possible," he said, adding that the day represents a unique Air Force mission. 

"Nowhere else do we do this at this level," he said. 

Seamstresses in the tailor shop in Sijan Hall were ready to sink needle and thread into the thousands of nametags as appointees stood by. 

"We're in pretty good shape," said shop supervisor Ken Rivera. "We had a good portion of the work done already, including the Preparatory School." 

Nametags are embossed on ribbons in-house, and the process began months ago. 

Mr. Rivera said he anticipates fewer color mismatches this year over years past. As in the past, however, the Academy receives dispensation for a wider range of uniform sizes than the regular Air Force with the addition of very small female sizes and very large male sizes. Seamstresses put in 12- to 14-hour days during inprocessing days, plus Saturday morning if need be. 

Hairstylist Connie Graff has been coifing incoming cadets on inprocessing day for 22 years. She always looks forward to it. 

"I enjoy the cadets," she said. "They come in scared, and in four years they change so much." 

The 28 combined total barbers and beauticians, also put in long days to ensure proper military "do's" for the incoming class. Female cadet cadre demonstrate quick, acceptable ways for new female basic cadets with long hair to conform to female uniform and appearance standards. 

One thing the new cadets need not worry about is food. There will be plenty of it, three times a day, and it will be nutritious. On the menu for the new cadets' first meal: cold turkey sandwiches. 

"They must have three mandatory meals a day until classes start," said Frank Barfield, director of cadet food service in Mitchell Hall. 

Until the end of BCT, appointees will dine sit-down family style. After BCT, they may serve themselves buffet style, Mitchell Hall's second serving method. 

Dining decorum training began Thursday at noon. 

"It starts the minute they come inside the building," Mr. Barfield said. 

BCT begins immediately after inprocessing and lasts 38 days, during which basic cadets will learn customs and courtesies, uniform dress and appearance and parade movements. BCT also includes 12 days of field training, scheduled to start July 13. The cadets will swear in Aug. 5 and begin their first day of class Aug. 6.