DS has a wide foot

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Fretfulmom

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Where might I find boots to fit? The Garmont Bifidas do not seem to be available in wide. Also, I’m open to any and all advice regarding this opportunity for my son, what to pack, , how to cope with not seeing him, etc.please share.

Thanks much!
 
For boots, I have short, wide feet but I was able to find Bifidas that fit me really well on Amazon. Obviously though, it took a lot of returns before I was able to find the right size so the better option would be for you and your son to go to an AAFES because then you can actually try the boots on before buying them. I’m not too sure on the specifics of going to an AAFES for this, but I’m pretty sure the information is all there in the boot memo. If your son (we call them DS on these forums) recently got appointed, the boot memo may not be in his admissions portal yet so give it a few days to update.

As for packing, there are countless threads on this forum that are worth reading through. Here’s one that is REALLY good:

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...ltimate-cbt-packing-list-and-some-tips.93834/

This thread and many others have a lot of extra information and tips as well, so have your DS give them a read in his free time.

In regard to coping with your son going off to USMA, I can’t really give too much advice since I’m also going to USMA and I don’t have kids 😂. There are, of course, many threads here of parents sharing the same concerns as you so again, feel free to browse the forums and find these threads - I would try and find them for you, but I’m on my phone and it’s kind of tedious haha. All I can say is that countless parents have been in your shoes before with sending their kids off to service academies, but all these parents have survived. It’ll be tough at first, but you will too.
 
usmausmausmausma said:
All I can say is that countless parents have been in your shoes before with sending their kids off to service academies, but all these parents have survived. It’ll be tough at first, but you will too.
Click to expand...
Parents thrive when the government takes over the tab to feed these monsters.

We just want the applicants to think we won’t be able to survive without them.
 
usmausmausmausma said:
For boots, I have short, wide feet but I was able to find Bifidas that fit me really well on Amazon. Obviously though, it took a lot of returns before I was able to find the right size so the better option would be for you and your son to go to an AAFES because then you can actually try the boots on before buying them. I’m not too sure on the specifics of going to an AAFES for this, but I’m pretty sure the information is all there in the boot memo. If your son (we call them DS on these forums) recently got appointed, the boot memo may not be in his admissions portal yet so give it a few days to update.

As for packing, there are countless threads on this forum that are worth reading through. Here’s one that is REALLY good:

https://www.serviceacademyforums.co...ltimate-cbt-packing-list-and-some-tips.93834/

This thread and many others have a lot of extra information and tips as well, so have your DS give them a read in his free time.

In regard to coping with your son going off to USMA, I can’t really give too much advice since I’m also going to USMA and I don’t have kids 😂. There are, of course, many threads here of parents sharing the same concerns as you so again, feel free to browse the forums and find these threads - I would try and find them for you, but I’m on my phone and it’s kind of tedious haha. All I can say is that countless parents have been in your shoes before with sending their kids off to service academies, but all these parents have survived. It’ll be tough at first, but you will too.
Click to expand...

Also, I'm pretty sure these are the boots I bought. I'm not sure as to how much you know about boots, but the two main ones people get are Garmont NFS and Garmont Bifidas. In my opinion, NFS is lighter but not as wide as Bifidas. Bifidas has a heavy, thick sole but is wider around the feet. Personally, I went with Bifidas simply for the width, as well as the fact that I'm not the tallest and the sole adds a few inches haha. Definitely try both and have your DS decide what he likes. Additionally, have him break the boots in by walking around in them prior to R-day.
 
My DS has wide feet as well. I advise you order several pairs and try them on. I ordered 4 or 5 pairs, different brands. My understanding from experienced voices here is that your DS wants to avoid any boots that rub. The pair that fit the bill for DS were Belleville C320 One Xero 8 in combat boot. It comes in wide, but DS found it too roomy (never happens) and we ordered reg width.

​

 
For coping with your DS going to USMA, a few things I can say are, join the class Facebook parents page, you are in good company there. Also on facebook, you might be able to connect with parents in your DS's Beast company and share pictures during Beast. Cadets often find out what company they are in before RDay, and its "shared" via discord. I also joined Instagram pages for USMA, 20207USMA (his class), his company, Reg, and club. Most of the Instagram pages are best for the Academic Year thought. You can also check out the USMA Flickr and YouTube pages as they post pictures at different events and stages. Write your CC often, we wrote ours via Sandboxx.com and regular letters several times per week and included pictures, weather, news headlines, etc. You will likely not get a reply, and they may not read them all, but, my DS said he loved getting mail. Keep all correspondence upbeat, and exciting. As hard as it is, dont go on and on about how much you miss them, it makes it tougher on them and more homesick. You might get a texted picture or call from a random number, answer it and look at the text. Its typically a cadre phone, or even a uniform factory worker. We got one of my DS being fitted for his coat. You will get a call from them during the mid point (called the icecream social) where they are at a sponsor's house. You will get plenty of time to talk to them during this. I hope this helps. One last thing, get involved with your states West Point Parent Club, there are events, and families you will get to know who are on the same journey, some will be further along, and one day, you can help others in your position.

P.S. I did not have Facebook or Instagram before all this, so... you can do it if you dont already have it.
 
Fretfulmom said:
Where might I find boots to fit? The Garmont Bifidas do not seem to be available in wide. Also, I’m open to any and all advice regarding this opportunity for my son, what to pack, , how to cope with not seeing him, etc.please share.

Thanks much!
Click to expand...
Hello @Fretfulmom ... a couple of thoughts for you. Regarding boots you might try US Patriot Tactical (https://www.uspatriottactical.com/us-military?CATEG=us-military,us-army,us-army-authorized-boots&COLOR=coyote&COMPLIANCE=ar6701&PMFILT=Color) . There are filters on the left side of the page and you can put in your criteria including WIDE feet:wiggle: ... make sure you select AR670-1 compliant and coyote (color). And then if you see something interesting you can likely come back here and search the forums to see if anyone has had an opinion on it. Order some pairs and try them for fit. Feet happiness is important.

Regarding coping strategies for missing your DS. Well, not sure if this will help but here goes. I conceptualized my cadet's departure as a success in that the cadet was "ready" and that I had absolutely crushed that part of my job ... AND the alternative of locking that kid in the basement and not letting them go might cure the missing them problem but would not likely work out very well for either one of us (here I inject humor and also a celebration of your accomplishment of growing up an awesome kid - well done!). As far as missing them .. well, that is normal and you would feel that way even if he were going to a civilian college. He will miss you too. Send letters ... lots of them because I was told by my cadet that going to the mailbox during BEAST was like "Christmas" when all the letters would all spill out. Keep the letters light and fun and positive and make that your mission. Send fun packages AFTER Beast is over. While you only get one (maybe two) calls during BEAST - it goes fast, and once the academic year starts, you may get calls on the daily (if they have time). AND missing them will get easier with time ... you will be so proud of how much he grows. When he has a bad day, remember it is a moment ... and it is normal. Stay steady .. it will pass just like every phase of their growing that was hard. You got this @Fretfulmom ... enjoy the ride and find a crew of West Point Mom Pals - they are an incredible source of joy and comfort on the journey.
 
Regarding how to manage as a parent. I have two suggestions. 1. Join a parent group in your area. I joined the West Point Parent's club for my state and I made some fantastic friends. It was a great support system for my husband and I. There should be a link with a list of all the state parent groups listed by state on the WP website. 2. Join WP facebook groups. The West Point Moms FB page is a good source of information as is the page run by Deb Dalton which contains information for your son's specific class year. There are also a few other excellent FB pages. Sign up and start reading.
 
vipercrew said:
For coping with your DS going to USMA, a few things I can say are, join the class Facebook parents page, you are in good company there. Also on facebook, you might be able to connect with parents in your DS's Beast company and share pictures during Beast. Cadets often find out what company they are in before RDay, and its "shared" via discord. I also joined Instagram pages for USMA, 20207USMA (his class), his company, Reg, and club. Most of the Instagram pages are best for the Academic Year thought. You can also check out the USMA Flickr and YouTube pages as they post pictures at different events and stages. Write your CC often, we wrote ours via Sandboxx.com and regular letters several times per week and included pictures, weather, news headlines, etc. You will likely not get a reply, and they may not read them all, but, my DS said he loved getting mail. Keep all correspondence upbeat, and exciting. As hard as it is, dont go on and on about how much you miss them, it makes it tougher on them and more homesick. You might get a texted picture or call from a random number, answer it and look at the text. Its typically a cadre phone, or even a uniform factory worker. We got one of my DS being fitted for his coat. You will get a call from them during the mid point (called the icecream social) where they are at a sponsor's house. You will get plenty of time to talk to them during this. I hope this helps. One last thing, get involved with your states West Point Parent Club, there are events, and families you will get to know who are on the same journey, some will be further along, and one day, you can help others in your position.

P.S. I did not have Facebook or Instagram before all this, so... you can do it if you dont already have it.
Click to expand...
One more page to follow in Facebook that I just remembered. West Point Chaplains. They post pictures of New Cadets during Beast.
 
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