Preparation for Cadet Basic Training

T

TacKLed

5-Year Member
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Dec 10, 2011
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I am in good shape but whenever I think of CBT, I get extremely nervous that I will mess up somehow so what are some good things to prepare for in regard to CBT? At the moment, I can do around 20 Pull Ups/ Chin Ups and over 60 push ups and can max the sit ups easily but I want to know some of the cardio type activities that will happen in CBT so I can prepare accordingly. Good thing about USMAPS is that I have til July 23rd to prepare, so I have essentially the whole Summer so I am planning on running 4 or 5 km before my gym workout five days a week.

Right now, because of time restraints related to school, I go to the gym 3 days and run 3 days.
 
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Haha, I don't have tips but hey, don't get nervous!

During SLS, I turned right when the cadre said "LEFT... FACE!" and was the odd one out in a few situations.

I broke a fan (well... almost) and got lost during the CFA.

And I still managed to get an award in the end :D

(Go figure hahaha!)
 
Don't be nervous about messing up. Even the best cadets make mistakes, and you will make a mistake at some point. Don't take anything personally, everything is for your development.

For me, the hardest part about CBT was the unknown. You usually don't know what's going to come next. You don't know how long that run is going to be (it may be 3 miles today it may be 5), and you're usually at a loss for orientation of where you are on post since you aren't allowed to look around.

It's all fun though, and I'm sure you'll have a good time. It can be tough at times, but it's a great experience and you'll get to share it with all your new friends that you'll meet.
 
Common CBT feedback:

1) Cadre will find your weakness even if well prepared.

2) Most practice for APFT, which is not a bad idea. But you'll do way more than those three. Leg lifts (6" and hold) is a common developmental tool, they have a different name for them. Stair runs another.
 
I called my son who in in the Class of 2015 - 18 more days as a Plebe!
He and his two roommates said:
1. Be in good physical shape - at least the average in every event
2. Have a positive frame of mind
3. Do not take any "chewing-out or physical punishment" personally
4. Be a good squad member - help your fellow New Cadets
5. Have a good fitting completely broken in pair of boots and shoes
6. Put your ego on-hold -- Plebes are very low ranking
7. Start each day fresh and do not worry about yesterday's problems
 
I am beast cadre. Your physical standing is definitely good for beast. Keep it up. If you can run ~4 miles comfortably, you'll be fine. You'll be sorted by your times, just be able to complete it at a set pace without a major slowdown. Cardio... Expect things like buddy carries, stairs, wall sits, etc. Leg Raises are common. The smoke sessions won't cater to anything specific except anything that will make you out of breath. Truthfully, we can only smoke you to the extent a little more than the weakest link in the squad can handle. If you're not embellishing your stats, you won't be the weakest link and you probably won't be physically pushed to your true limits. Not saying don't prepare, just don't freak out.

My best advice is to enjoy the life you have now. The friends, the family, the free time, your own bed, etc. It's the simple things you'll miss. Too much on these forums I see candidates thinking Beast is like Special Forces Assessment and Selection (which is really really demanding) and freaking out. It's not. And don't be counting down the days until you get here. Trust me, you'll regret it. Keep up your good physical routine and ENJOY your last days of freedom. Any time you spend on these forums or reading up on West Point or dreaming of it is time you should be with your friends enjoying civilian life. That's the truth.
 
Titan,
My son is preparing for beast now. I will have him read your post in the morning. It seems to me to be some of the best advice I have read on this forum (and that is saying a lot because everyday I pick up some more valuable information). Thanks!
 
Another thing a lot of people don't realize is that there are hills at West Point. The first time my roommate saw West Point was on R-Day. If this is you or someone you know, make sure you can make it up a hill running.

Definitely agree with Titan! I had no idea I would miss the little things so much. I miss my truck, dog and family- not in that order. Appreciate everything and like he said, don't bother with the count down.

Two things that were allowed in my beast (which if I were you I would try and bring) are one disposable camera and small bungee cords. You have NO idea how many times you will be trying to build a shelter for yourself with a poncho, twigs, and maybe some shoe laces in a torrential down pour at night. You will actually appreciate both items in this situation as long as used appropriately and under approval from higher sources.

The thing I wish I knew is that the packing list is not exactly the final word. You can bring your own personal hygiene items like facial cleaner or deoderant. one small 5x7 picture frame/picture. a small fan. your own red-lens flashlight (highly reccommended!! you can't see very far with the ones they issue you! my roommate brought a red light head lamp version which I was SO jealous of!) duct tape, don't bring envelopes and paper but bring a bunch of stamps, maybe white athletic tape (with moleskin for blisters- mine were at LEAST the size of a quarter on both feet).

If you feel uncomfortable bringing any of this, trust me you ARE allowed to have it mailed to you. They can't really take something away that you are authorized to have like socks, stamps, etc. Be careful because they will take away anything that you are not supposed to have mailed to you, and whatever you get in the mail will be opened in front of your squad leader so either pack a box yourself for someone else to mail or leave your parents with strict instructions.

I am not trying to get anyone in trouble or anything like that, but as far as preparing for beast goes, I was way too scared to deviate off of the packing list one bit but my somewhat riskier roommate had luxuries that I wish I had and most of the time needed during beast. And if you are too nervous to bring or have mailed to you anything not on the packing list, you will be afforded the opportunity to go to the c-store (cadet store) so bring $$ with you to beast.
 
how often and at what hours do you usually get to go to the c-store?
 
USMA2016 said:
how often and at what hours do you usually get to go to the c-store?
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Historically this is totally dependent on the squad leader's whims & schedule. To a certain extent same for hitting the PO Boxes.

Ask 10 cadets and you may get 10 different answers.

Seems like most hit it at least once the 1st week, then a bit more in the weeks before you head to buckner. If something is needed from the Cstore that can change as well. IE: If you really need something you'll be able to get it.

Same for packages, how they are treated seems to vary between squad leaders. Let them know you are expecting some more underwear and they may just check for contraband. Or may make you open it up in front of the squad, it seems to vary.
 
What happens to new cadets that aren't physically up to par? Such as falling out of runs or not being able to complete PT?
 
Jayhawk2325 said:
What happens to new cadets that aren't physically up to par? Such as falling out of runs or not being able to complete PT?
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I've read and heard that cadets who repeatedly fail the Army PFT are put on remedial training, and if they continue to fail the tests they are separated. I think that is more for the academic year though...I don't how accurate my info is though, and I don't know what happens if you don't do well physically during CBT.
 
Jayhawk2325 said:
What happens to new cadets that aren't physically up to par? Such as falling out of runs or not being able to complete PT?
Click to expand...

During Beast most of the PT is scaled to fit the individual. We took an APFT on the third or fourth day of Beast. Based on our scores (specifically run times), we were split up into running groups for the rest of the summer. Each group runs at a different speed and will challenge you if you try hard. You will also do workouts with your company that are all individual effort- for example, there are no set/rep requirements on the days where you do pushups, pullups, and dips. It's just a question of how hard you want to push yourself.

The bottom line is that as long as you work hard and improve, there is no administrative punishment for falling out during beast. The bigger problem is letting your squad down. You don't want to be the guy or girl that slows everyone else down on the physical challenges or gets the reputation for shamming out of stuff because you are hurt (If you are injured, that's a different story). During the school year, you will get in increasingly more trouble if you fail to meet PT standards.
 
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