Basic Cadet Rachel Allison

Comments by parent of a fellow cadet on the positive Impact of BCT on their son.

2009-07-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

I almost posted this under the Bible verses for cadets thread, but it really isn't about that. I just had to share the most beautiful answer to prayer I could have gotten. I just received a letter from our son, I almost posted this under the Bible verses for cadets thread, but it really isn't about that. I just had to share the most beautiful answer to prayer I could have gotten. I just received a letter from our son in Interceptors, 34 B, and it was the letter I had dreamed of getting SOMEDAY, but never expected to get it four days into BCT.

He wrote us when he completed the computer science test on Sunday. It was full of gratitude and humility, two traits he didn't possess in great supply prior to BCT. He apparently went to the Friday Bible study and said it was great, as was the church service on Sunday. He actually told me what they studied, and spoke about, so apparently he didn't use that time to just take a nap. He said that he is terribly homesick, but that he believes that God wants him there, because there are no distractions, and he has turned to the LORD for help, because it is the ONLY constant in his life. He thanked my husband and me for setting up "rules of the house" in high school, and keeping our expectations high. As with many young men, he was eager to leave our home with all of its restrictions, but with the Academies rules, I'm sure we look like the most lenient parents in the world now.
This was a direct answer to prayer. Would love to hear about any other faith stories. It has absolutely lifted me up!! I am so grateful for USAFA and what they are teaching my son about humility, respectfulness, manhood, and the freedom to worship as you please in this great nation. I seriously doubt I would have gotten a letter like this from him if he was going to UCLA.

Praising God for His faithfulness,

Rachel taking her Oath

2009-07-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

Rachel is on the far left column, 2nd person person in from the officer administering the oath.

BCT1-4

2009-07-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

Inspection with room mate Jessica Crilley from TX

Sidestep formation

Sidestep Formation closer view

Intramural Soccer - not too happy about something, Did the
team just score?

BCT1-3

2009-07-02T19:17:00.000-07:00

We like the smile but what happened to your glasses?

BCT1-2

2009-07-02T19:01:00.001-07:00

BCT1-1

2009-07-02T18:52:00.000-07:00

In Processing Day Part 2

2009-07-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

In Processing Day Part 1

2009-07-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

Waiting to go through security at HIA

2009-07-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

2009-07-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Academy Class of 2013 arrives for inprocessing

Cadet 2nd Class Mark Mosby ensures new basic cadets follow cadre instructions during cadet inprocessing June 25 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Approximately 1,400 cadets were selected for the Class of 2013 out of nearly 10,000 applicants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Dave Ahlschwede)

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6/26/2009 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) -- The 1,376 members of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2013 arrived here June 25 to begin basic cadet training.

Overall, the Academy received 9,897 applications for admission into the class, with 1,667 being offered appointments.

As of June 24, 1,376 had accepted appointments, including 1,097 men and 279 women. The class includes 312 minority members, or 23 percent of the class.

Among the cadets accepted into the Class of 2013:
-- 41 are prior-enlisted members
-- 31 attended the U.S. Air Force Academy's Preparatory School in 2008
-- 15 percent were either high school class presidents or vice-presidents
-- 65 percent were in an academic honor society
-- 89 percent were athletic letter award winners
-- 28 percent were in band or orchestra
-- 27 percent were Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts
-- 9 percent were Civil Air Patrol
-- 13 percent were in Junior ROTC

The high school grade point average of the Class of 2013 is 3.86. College entrance score average for the SAT is 1,294.

Eleven international cadets from Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, Colombia, Taiwan, Thailand, Lithuania, Ghana, Slovenia, Philippines, Poland and Serbia entered with the Class of 2013.

The appointees' introduction to cadet life started June 25 with a full day of inprocessing, which included medical processing, haircuts and clothing and equipment issue. They also received their squadron and dormitory room assignments. Inprocessing also marks the start of 38 days of Basic Cadet Training designed to prepare the basic cadet trainees for entry into the Cadet Wing.

During the first 18 days, most of the basic training takes place within the cadet area. On July 13, the trainees will march to Jacks Valley to set up a tent city and live there for 12 days of field training. The basic cadet trainees march back to the cadet area July 25 and finish Basic Cadet Training Aug. 1.

The Class of 2013 will swear the Honor Oath at their Aug. 5 acceptance parade, when they earn their status as fourth-class cadets. The fall academic semester begins Aug. 6.
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123156150

Rachel's Farewell from her Face Book

2009-07-01T05:51:00.000-07:00

There's a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall...Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 12:45am

There's a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall
And the bells in the steeple too.
And up in the nursery an absurd little bird
Is popping out to say cook-coo cook-coo, cook-coo
Regretfully they tell us cook-coo
But firmly they compel us cook-coo
To say goodbye cook-coo...
To you...

So long and fare-thee-well, my friends,

I'm leaving tomorrow for Basic Cadet Training, with my plane leaving at 9:14 AM from Harrisburg. I just wanted to send out my mailing address for Basic, and to thank you all for your friendship, love, and support all of these years. Getting into the Academy has been quite an experience, and I know it's only a smidgen of what's to come. I also know it was growing up with all of you who influenced and taught me as peers and mentors that helped me become who I am today. Thank you all so much, and I look forward to maybe receiving some letters, and talking to you after Basic (which ends August 5)
Love and blessings,
Rachel Allison

If you do send letters, please send them in plain, white envelopes with no perfume, pictures, stickers, ect. Please! ;) Also, I am not allowed to receive packages. And although I won't have much time to reply, know that I will be thinking of you all, and will greatly appreciate any and all mail. :)

Basic Cadet Rachel Allison
P.O. Box 4664
USAF Academy, CO 80841