Dare to stand out - Page 2

Guy4Christ · 06-11-2008, 03:18 AM

There are a ton of stories out there, but for one that I remember from a basic squadmate...this is one of the unintentional ones. He was wearing University of Illinois basketball shorts when he in-processed. Well, he ended up being spotted by the captain of the basketball team, who pretty much took him under ownership for the rest of the day and gave him heck about his shorts. There's also our dear redhead, who happened to in-process with a HUGE pink suitcase.

Then there's always the guys with ridiculously long hair, or the t-shirts that stick out such as the sports shirts or Superman logos.

Now you'll notice these things are small and unoffensive, but enough to be of some interest to the cadre and be at least a little of a story later...something that will make people laugh and ask questions about your experience. When it's my turn to talk about I-day, I don't have anything to share for it. That was essentially my point...keep in mind that you want to be able to look back and laugh...which is also a reason to shrug off the stupid things you'll do or say during basic. They're just that much more fun to reminisce about.

rtbcadet15 · 06-11-2008, 05:37 AM

I would recommend that you not stand out..? Yeah, it'll make for great stories later but you will probably regret it when you have like, ten cadre in your face the entire day.

funnyesq · 06-11-2008, 07:09 PM

That's all I'm saying (Guy4Christ) is to have SOME fun with it. The day is gonna suck no matter what you do because it has to. BCT and College is there for memories too as well as keeping your sense of humor. To some extent it is a test of that SOH and just how tough you are and IT can be.

I admit I have not experienced it other than indirectly through a few cadets from the past. In each instance I asked them what THEY wanted me to do during their respective BCT experiences (plain white envelope or something more creative)...not one said just plain and simple. None complained about the beatings they received and in fact had some good stories to relate about what happened as a consequence.

If you can't take the extra attention a creative t-shirt/short might bring, perhaps you shouldn't be there (that's awfully harsh I know). It's one day. Make it one where you have something to say in response to "and what happened to you on IP day?"

pssgiraffe08 · 06-11-2008, 09:52 PM

I've got a bright pink jacket with another college on it... hmm... I'm sorely tempted...

funnyesq · 06-11-2008, 10:42 PM

Some ideas...

1. Train this...2012 rocks/rules.
2. Go Army, beat AF
3. edodo.org
4. Any white AF shirt dyed pink
5. BCT completion shirt from 2009 or 2010
6. Beam me up Scottie, there is no intelligent life here.
7. Dare to be unique

07PETKO · 06-11-2008, 11:32 PM

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.

funnyesq · 06-12-2008, 12:07 PM

Mental note....put papers in enclosed envelope or in bag so there is no risk of papers flying

PatriotCPM · 06-12-2008, 12:52 PM

It's not just one day...it's 6 weeks. And cadre will not forget...

funnyesq · 06-12-2008, 02:27 PM

And after 6 weeks you have 3X the "cadre" in the form of the upper class beating you senseless for the next 6-7 months!

airforce16 · 06-12-2008, 02:36 PM

Yea its cool, I am all for having fun and making memories, but must we poke the hornet's nest? If ya'll are up for it, go for it! Sometimes its exremely healthy to cut loose a little bit...(Oh senior prank...

)

I prefer not to plan too much before I get there, just show up and receive my rude smack in the face that we are all going to get...(In other words, Culture shock...) Be humble and respect those folks that are there to teach us, pick and choose your moments during basic to "stand out" but with control... Ya only get to do it once so by all means live it up, but be willing to learn at all times and keep an open frame of mind...

Lets get to the Springs 2012 before evil plans are drawn up now ya hear

Besides, I think it will be more memorable to "stand out" along side your classmates, not alone... Just the insight of a Springs bound wannabe in 13 days...

AFPJ · 06-12-2008, 06:37 PM

If you want to really stand out, wear a pink shirt saying "US CHAIR FORCE". When I went to NASS, that's what they called the Air Force and it kind of got me mad. Lol. Either way, whether you come to conservatively, or not I think you might have some stories that you can tell. Even if you don't have a story of your own, telling another person's one to someone who wasn't there is just as fun.

Falcons '11 · 06-13-2008, 09:38 PM

haha, I have that last shirt that was posted earlier. And, I did (for just a second) consider wearing it. Actually, I wish I had. That would have been an awesome story.

BTW, I agree with G4C. Don't do anything too crazy, but do something you won't forget...it might help you keep from getting too down for the first few days (when it matters most).

funnyesq · 06-13-2008, 11:42 PM

I got a great one....Guaranteed to get attention ...

A FEMALE Basic should wear a t-shirt that says....

"Bring me Men"

( in case you do not know or remember...that was what was above the footprints until the PTB took it down and MANY protested that removal)

l Taz l · 06-14-2008, 06:11 PM

My dad said if anoyone wore a shirt that said "Real Pilots go Navy" they would have some "big stones" as my father put it.

raimius · 06-14-2008, 10:55 PM

Just don't be stupid (i.e. don't do anything insulting to the cadre). "Myspace basics" and "facebook basics" do make things harder on their flights...not a good way to score cool points with your classmates!