Okay.......kinda awkward question, and I'm sure my mom could not answer this for me. Not trying to be funny or immature, because its a serious question to me. How do girls who have there uhh.... Monthly "friend" actually make it through summer training for a SA and then eventually the academic year ? Let's say it happens a few days after I day or R day ? Do you take "stuff" ( you know what I mean ) with you, do your moms send it to you ? I'm just curious because I'd freak out it happened to me, especially if I were running and climbing things and its all hot and lots of people around
uhhh....for the ladies
- Thread starter Jen4lyfe
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Dixieland
10-Year Member
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There is an old thread in the USMA section about Beast preparation for females. You may have to search with different word combinations to find it but it is helpful. Several current female cadets post in the USMA section often and would be glad to answer your questions in the PM.
Dad
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Dixieland is 100% correct. Search threads on the USMA and USNA forums. The SAs have been open to females for quite some time now. They have made allowance for this particular gender issue. In the instructions to Appointees you are given a list of what to bring with you which includes these personal sundries. They will also be available to you during Beast Barracks or Plebe Summer. Don't worry about it as the issue has been considered and prepared for. Best wishes.
usna1985
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Some women today investigate ways to minimize the issue medically. There are ways either to reduce inconvenience or eliminate the issue altogether for a period of time. It's something a future mid/cadet could discuss with her doctor to determine if it's a viable option.
Good Question...
Good Question...
Our daughter is concerned about dealing with it during NASS or USAFAss. It is, frankly, something high schools girls think about and analyze as a factor when thinking about SA life. Particularly those girls who have longer stretches each month and often more than standard levels of physical discomfort.
But, as others have posted, women have been in the SAs and military for a LONG time now. Surely, there are those who can and have talked about this and given help and advice!
S
Good Question...
Our daughter is concerned about dealing with it during NASS or USAFAss. It is, frankly, something high schools girls think about and analyze as a factor when thinking about SA life. Particularly those girls who have longer stretches each month and often more than standard levels of physical discomfort.
But, as others have posted, women have been in the SAs and military for a LONG time now. Surely, there are those who can and have talked about this and given help and advice!
S
I'm posting this here just in case other prospective female cadets have the same questions.
Summer Training:
Not to fear, it isn't as huge of an issue as you might think. Bring tampons/pads with you to R-day or I-day. You can have your parents send you more but keep in mind, your packages may be inspected by your squad leader when you open them. Mine were. This may bother some girls, so it's up to you. During Beast, you have opportunities to visit the C-Store and restock. Just be prepared: they have a limited amount of brands. So, if you have a preferred brand, bring your own supply (2 weeks) until you can check out what the C-Store has to offer. If you find yourself in desperate need of restock and can't, ask one of your female cadre members for help. She will be more then willing to help you out. I imagine it's the same at Navy.
I never had issues during Beast or other training events. Most of my other female classmates never did either. We were always allowed enough latrine breaks to where we seldom had to request an extra visit. I just carried supplies in a zip-lock bag in my ACU pockets, ruck and camelback. That way, I was always prepared. When I was out in the field, those supplies would also include hand sanitizer, extra toilet paper and the little moist towelettes you get in MREs. These extra supplies were a lifesaver when there was no toilet paper (an often occurrence) or running water. If you suffer from cramps, bloating ect., again, seek out your nearest female cadre member. She'll be more than happy to get you some Midol or Advil.
School Year:
Definitely don't need to worry here. Unlike Beast, you can use the restroom anytime you like and without permission. You're also allowed to go to the C Store by yourself. However you deal with your cycle now is how you'll deal with it during the academic year.
Alternatives:
I know some of my classmates who just took birth control prior to Beast so they wouldn't have to deal with it. Some take it during the academic year as well. It's up to you and your doctor. It takes a couple months for your body to react to the hormones and for you to find out if you're compatible with that particular form. Some women have to try multiple times before they find one that's compatible with them. You may or may not be willing to play that trial and error game before Beast.
I hope this sheds some light on your questions. If there's anything else you want to ask that you may not be so comfortable asking over the public forum, shoot me a PM!
Extra reference:
This thread was written in 2006 but still extremely relevant today: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com...8-minority-report-girls-guide-west-point.html.
Summer Training:
Not to fear, it isn't as huge of an issue as you might think. Bring tampons/pads with you to R-day or I-day. You can have your parents send you more but keep in mind, your packages may be inspected by your squad leader when you open them. Mine were. This may bother some girls, so it's up to you. During Beast, you have opportunities to visit the C-Store and restock. Just be prepared: they have a limited amount of brands. So, if you have a preferred brand, bring your own supply (2 weeks) until you can check out what the C-Store has to offer. If you find yourself in desperate need of restock and can't, ask one of your female cadre members for help. She will be more then willing to help you out. I imagine it's the same at Navy.
I never had issues during Beast or other training events. Most of my other female classmates never did either. We were always allowed enough latrine breaks to where we seldom had to request an extra visit. I just carried supplies in a zip-lock bag in my ACU pockets, ruck and camelback. That way, I was always prepared. When I was out in the field, those supplies would also include hand sanitizer, extra toilet paper and the little moist towelettes you get in MREs. These extra supplies were a lifesaver when there was no toilet paper (an often occurrence) or running water. If you suffer from cramps, bloating ect., again, seek out your nearest female cadre member. She'll be more than happy to get you some Midol or Advil.
School Year:
Definitely don't need to worry here. Unlike Beast, you can use the restroom anytime you like and without permission. You're also allowed to go to the C Store by yourself. However you deal with your cycle now is how you'll deal with it during the academic year.
Alternatives:
I know some of my classmates who just took birth control prior to Beast so they wouldn't have to deal with it. Some take it during the academic year as well. It's up to you and your doctor. It takes a couple months for your body to react to the hormones and for you to find out if you're compatible with that particular form. Some women have to try multiple times before they find one that's compatible with them. You may or may not be willing to play that trial and error game before Beast.
I hope this sheds some light on your questions. If there's anything else you want to ask that you may not be so comfortable asking over the public forum, shoot me a PM!
Extra reference:
This thread was written in 2006 but still extremely relevant today: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com...8-minority-report-girls-guide-west-point.html.