What are benefits you wish you knew of earlier as a cadet.

T

thegripinggrape

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The title speaks for itself. With that being said I am by no means trying to be greedy, but I am trying to make myself better aware of the things to take advantage of as a USMA cadet whether it be financial planning or certain networks/connections or other rather underappreciated resources/departments available for my success. I read online that I would be considered active duty so does that provide any other benefits to use? I'm more worried about prepping to be a plebe however I would like some insight for the future. Thanks!
 
thegripinggrape said:
The title speaks for itself. With that being said I am by no means trying to be greedy, but I am trying to make myself better aware of the things to take advantage of as a USMA cadet whether it be financial planning or certain networks/connections or other rather underappreciated resources/departments available for my success. I read online that I would be considered active duty so does that provide any other benefits to use? I'm more worried about prepping to be a plebe however I would like some insight for the future. Thanks!
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... so take advantage of the (free, just pay for $6.00 bag lunch) Space A flights.
If you are in the West Coast, go to the "gateway of the Pacific" Travis AFB (feeder is McChord AFB, WA).

In the East Coast, go to Andrews AFB, Dover AFB, and BWI Space A terminal for flights to Europe. I've seen flights to Hickam AFB, HI straight from Dover AFB.

DS, USNA Class of 2026, will start taking Space A in June - July timeframe out of Andrews and Dover.
 
concur with above but be flexible, use this in summers mostly. There may be a lot of waiting around. I Space-A from Leonard wood to Germany one time as a LT and it took five days hopping bases but was basically free (except when I took a cab to another base to catch a better flight). The system may be better now
 
Start doing TSP if they let you

Don't buy unnecessary stuff that will just go in your locker

make your weekends count, go somewhere with friends

don't spend all your money on food at Boodlers (Grant Hall)

GNC weight gainers and protein powders are a scam especially at your age and metabolism; just workout

There are a lot of other activities like trip sections, clubs (model UN!), etc that are great experiences to get you out of WP for a break

Don't complain about duties and embrace the "hazes" they are going to get you anyways so go into it don't try to hide from it

Always seek out Additional Instruct for Ps before its too late

Don't play computer/app games the first year stay focused

Don't join the pity parties, everyone complains how hard it is, just a waste of time, just do what you have to do

Get really good at being efficient with your time think in 10 minute increments, not hours like when you are at home

probably think of more later
 
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If I have to do all over again, I would make friends with the unit armorer. The NBC
masks and weapons are in the arms room. Offer a helping hand cleaning the masks and weapons; treat them with a large pizza and coke.

The underlying objective is to become an expert (blindfolded) in assembly / disassembly of:

.50 Caliber Machine Gun
M240B Machine Gun
SIG Sauer M17 and M18 Sidearm
M4A1 Rifle
 
oldgrad97dad said:
Start doing TSP if they let you

Don't buy unnecessary stuff that will just go in your locker

make your weekends count, go somewhere with friends

don't spend all your money on food at Boodlers (Grant Hall)

GNC weight gainers and protein powders are a scam especially at your age and metabolism; just workout

There are a lot of other activities like trip sections, clubs (model UN!), etc that are great experiences to get you out of WP for a break

Don't complain about duties and embrace the "hazes" they are going to get you anyways so go into it don't try to hide from it

Always seek out Additional Instruct for Ps before its too late

Don't play computer/app games the first year stay focused

Don't join the pity parties, everyone complains how hard it is, just a waste of time, just do what you have to do

Get really good at being efficient with your time think in 10 minute increments, not hours like when you are at home

probably think of more later
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You can't contribute to your TSP as a Cadet.
 
thegripinggrape said:
The title speaks for itself. With that being said I am by no means trying to be greedy, but I am trying to make myself better aware of the things to take advantage of as a USMA cadet whether it be financial planning or certain networks/connections or other rather underappreciated resources/departments available for my success. I read online that I would be considered active duty so does that provide any other benefits to use? I'm more worried about prepping to be a plebe however I would like some insight for the future. Thanks!
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I won't dive into too much detail, but feel free to ask more questions or DM me.

1) You can waive the fee on Amex Platinum and Gold cards. This means you can get both and not pay anything (besides your monthly bill of course). It feels like free money.

2) Use your summers wisely! Participate in MIADS (Air Assault, Airborne, etc.) and AIADS (basically internships).

3) If you know your really into chemistry (just an example), then reach out to instructors in the department and find out about what they can offer. There are plenty of clubs, research opportunities, etc. that are available everywhere.

4) Once you become a cow, you get a career starter loan (Cow loan). You shouldn't worry about that rn, but it's good to know it exists. It's ~36k.

5) I recommend creating a LinkedIn account. You can add "Cadet at the United States Military Academy" and start extending your network! This is great for a bunch of reasons.

6) When travelling, you can use your DOD ID number to get TSA precheck. If you don't know how to do it at the kiosk, just go to the counter.

7) There are some pretty good restaurants in high land falls. I recommend checking them out with some friends. There's ice cream, Chinese, pizza, and more!

8) Arvin. Arvin has plenty of opportunities to develop yourself. They have a pool, plenty of weights, combative room, basketball gym, etc.

9) CEP tutoring. They have a bunch of resources to help you academically and mentally.

That's all I'll put for now, but the list keeps going.
 
You can literally check a TON of luggage for free when flying Southwest:

Military Exception: Exceptions are made for active-duty military Customers. No fee is charged for additional pieces of baggage. Active-duty military Customers must have their current, valid military I.D. to receive the exemption.

Military Customers traveling on active duty will be exempt from the two-piece baggage limit and will not be subject to excess, oversize, or overweight baggage charges, provided that none of the pieces of baggage exceeds 100 pounds in weight and 80 inches in size (L+W+H). Bags in excess of 80 inches cannot be checked as baggage but can be shipped as cargo if the Customer is a TSA Known Shipper.
  • A valid United States Uniformed Services Active Duty Identification Card must be presented at the time of check-in for military personnel.
  • In total, a ticketed Customer (including military Customers) may not check more than 20 pieces of baggage per flight.
  • Note: Dependents traveling without the active-duty military member are subject to normal excess, oversized, and overweight charges.
 
hoisthooah said:
I won't dive into too much detail, but feel free to ask more questions or DM me.

1) You can waive the fee on Amex Platinum and Gold cards. This means you can get both and not pay anything (besides your monthly bill of course). It feels like free money.

2) Use your summers wisely! Participate in MIADS (Air Assault, Airborne, etc.) and AIADS (basically internships).

3) If you know your really into chemistry (just an example), then reach out to instructors in the department and find out about what they can offer. There are plenty of clubs, research opportunities, etc. that are available everywhere.

4) Once you become a cow, you get a career starter loan (Cow loan). You shouldn't worry about that rn, but it's good to know it exists. It's ~36k.

5) I recommend creating a LinkedIn account. You can add "Cadet at the United States Military Academy" and start extending your network! This is great for a bunch of reasons.

6) When travelling, you can use your DOD ID number to get TSA precheck. If you don't know how to do it at the kiosk, just go to the counter.

7) There are some pretty good restaurants in high land falls. I recommend checking them out with some friends. There's ice cream, Chinese, pizza, and more!

8) Arvin. Arvin has plenty of opportunities to develop yourself. They have a pool, plenty of weights, combative room, basketball gym, etc.

9) CEP tutoring. They have a bunch of resources to help you academically and mentally.

That's all I'll put for now, but the list keeps going.
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Do you have any specific restaurants in mind around West Point? I want to take my family out to a nice dinner before R day. Thank you!
 
Armyleadtheway said:
Do you have any specific restaurants in mind around West Point? I want to take my family out to a nice dinner before R day. Thank you!
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Totally depends on what you CC wants for their comfort meal before RDay. My DS wanted Italian Seafood so we went to Cosimo's in Woodbury. There are a lot of options in Newburgh from seafood like Blu Point on the Hudson, to Mexican. Newburgh and Woodbury are both 20-25 min from West Point on the west side of the Hudson, with light traffic. If you want to venture to the east side of the Hudson, there are restaurants in Peekskill and the surrounding area, but its a little bit further away.
 
I know at Air Force they get the 250 season pass to ski. Do West Point cadets get that as well?
 
Bquiz44 said:
I know at Air Force they get the 250 season pass to ski. Do West Point cadets get that as well?
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I have no idea what the 250 season pass to ski is, but at USMA you can hop on the shuttle or hitch a ride to Victor Constant anytime in the winter and pay a little fee to go skiing. Additionally, as active duty military you can buy a heavily discounted epic pass, which if that interests you I'd buy that now as it'll go up in price over the year.
 
Bquiz44 said:
I know at Air Force they get the 250 season pass to ski. Do West Point cadets get that as well?
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I'd bet this is referring to the EpicPass. You can get it as a cadet for ~$170 and it gets you a season pass for tons of major ski areas around the country (and world) to include Hunter Mountain about 90 minutes north of USMA. Not worth getting as a Plebe but yuk-onward it's worth it. Does not include Victor Constant, but if you're a serious skier you'll get bored of Vic within a few hours (though it has its charm). On that note, you can also take skiing or snowboarding as a DPE class as a cow/firstie. It felt like a cheat code to be snowboarding a few afternoons a week as a class I was getting credit for.

An unmentioned one is travelling abroad on USMA's dime--there are TONS of chances to travel to foreign countries at West Point and it does not need to be through a semester exchange. Foreign Academy Exchange Program, AIADs, trip sections, you name it; there's no reason you shouldn't be able to travel to a foreign country for free as a cadet if you pursue the chances.

Clubs clubs clubs! So many cool things to take advantage of, whatever your interests may be. Explore a bunch of different ones and discover new things you enjoy.

IDMe and GovX discount shopping works as a cadet as well.
 
Shopping at NEX.com (Navy Exchange) and AAFES (Army &. Air Force Exchange) online. No tax. I get big bags of dog food delivered at Exchange price with subscription service through AAFES. Not useful to cadets or mids right now, but down the road. You can also order assembly-style furniture through AAFES.

Space A travel privileges.

Use of DoD armed forces rec facilities around the world.
 
vipercrew said:
Totally depends on what you CC wants for their comfort meal before RDay. My DS wanted Italian Seafood so we went to Cosimo's in Woodbury. There are a lot of options in Newburgh from seafood like Blu Point on the Hudson, to Mexican. Newburgh and Woodbury are both 20-25 min from West Point on the west side of the Hudson, with light traffic. If you want to venture to the east side of the Hudson, there are restaurants in Peekskill and the surrounding area, but its a little bit further away.
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Cosimo's is amazing!!!! I went during prep a couple years back and it was the best pizza (yeah I know) that I had in a while. Highly recommend.
 
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