Having just finished four degree year, I can really see both points of view. Looking back, it might have been fun to mix it up a little. I already find myself hoping to be entertained by the new basics. At the same time though, I remember what it felt like to be on the other side. Nervous, anxious, excited, but a bit scared. I didn't want to stand out or grab any extra attention if I could avoid it. I'm sure that the safe and sane attitude is common amongst a lot of you guys.
That being said, I've got an inprocessing story of my own. Like I mentioned, I wanted to play it safe too, so I wore a conservative polo and khaki shorts. I had my bag in one hand, and a folder with all my paperwork, some extra stationary, well wishes, etc in the other. We left Doolittle Hall on the bus, which was fun, and arrived near the dreaded footprints. Cadet Ray, I'll never forget him, ordered us off of his bus. We ran towards the footprints, and I wound up exactly where I didn't want to be - front and center. We got yelled at for a while, a common theme for the day, and were finally told to head up the ramp. I grabbed my things, but as I turned to leave, I dropped the folder. Papers flew, things went everywhere. My new comrades all ran off as I frantically scooped up what I'd dropped. I finally had it all recollected, and I set off to catch up. Some guy got right in my face: "Don't fall behind again!". I gave him a sharp "Yes, sir!" and was on my way.
The moral of the story is that whether you're asking for trouble or trying to be stealthy, you'll probably do something dumb eventually, and have a good story to share later because of it. You'll make a few mistakes in Basic... just try not to do what I did and lose your stuff all over the footprints.
