Few questions

Chockstock

The Stars and Stripes Forever
10-Year Member
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Feb 1, 2009
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1. I met a Michigan cadet at a Founder's Day Dinner several weeks ago and we were talking about running during Beast. He said that there are like "run groups" where people are divided by how fast they run. He said that the fastest runners join a "black" group, with several groups inbetween, and finally a "green" group where the slowest runners run in. Does anyone know what the actual run times are for these different groups (AF - I need your help!)?

2. Whats the deal with auto insurance? My dad asked me on this one - should he stop my coverage (since theres a very low chance I'll be driving the four years I'm there)?

3. So your GPA is determined by how well you perform academically, physically, and militarily. How exactly is your "score" in the military aspect of your GPA "graded?"


Thanks in advance :smile:
 
2. Whats the deal with auto insurance? My dad asked me on this one - should he stop my coverage (since theres a very low chance I'll be driving the four years I'm there)?

I don't know about your state but here in WA auto insurance is required for all drivers. Our insurance company would not let us take our son off until we could prove he had his own auto insurance. Keeping him on the insurance allowed him to drive our vehicles when he was home on leave.

Recently he bought a used car and got his own insurance through USAA. I highly recommend USAA - they have great rates and excellent customer service.
 
1. I met a Michigan cadet at a Founder's Day Dinner several weeks ago and we were talking about running during Beast. He said that there are like "run groups" where people are divided by how fast they run. He said that the fastest runners join a "black" group, with several groups inbetween, and finally a "green" group where the slowest runners run in. Does anyone know what the actual run times are for these different groups (AF - I need your help!)?

2. Whats the deal with auto insurance? My dad asked me on this one - should he stop my coverage (since theres a very low chance I'll be driving the four years I'm there)?

3. So your GPA is determined by how well you perform academically, physically, and militarily. How exactly is your "score" in the military aspect of your GPA "graded?"


Thanks in advance :smile:

1) Our placement in run groups was based on our 2 mile run time on our diagnostic APFT. I do not know the exact time cut offs since this knowledge was not shared with any of us. All I can tell you is, black group was the worst part of Beast.

2) My parents cancelled my insurance but activated it again for the months that I am back home just in case.

3) You are graded by the person in charge of you during Beast (once for each half) and during the academic year once each semester. When you attend Summer training, you are also given a grade. The grade is initially put in by your immediate superior but goes up a few levels and each person can approve it or has some weight in on what it should be. Plebe year, basically stay out of trouble, help out, have a good room and uniform. If you want an A you will have to go "above and beyond" your normal duties such as going out of your way to help others or doing more than the standard.

Everyone is always graded by the person above them. Your cadre during Beast also receive a grade by their superior for their performance which is based on how well you perform. Military grades weigh more as you advance (example: your best grade may be 2% of your military grade for your 4 years while being beast cadre would account for 20% of it).
 
2) My parents cancelled my insurance but activated it again for the months that I am back home just in case.

For USNA I'm cancelling my insurance (my 6 months is up at the end of June so it works out well) and my parents are going to activate it when I'm on break. They even did this for my older sister when she was at college without a car her first year. It worked out fine for her.
 
What were the kids in the black group doing?

Running 6:00 per mile pace up a giant hill next to Michie Stadium. The groups ran for 35-45 minutes every other day.

Of course, new leadership next year so "run groups" are not guaranteed although they will probably keep them.
 
Hills are the bane of my track life. Especially roads on hills. Yuck.

And shouldn't everyone be trying their best at a test?
 
So is it a bad idea to try and max the diagnostic APFT?

No, the purpose of the diagnostics test is to see what level you are currently in physically so they can better train you. Although black group sucked, my 2 mile time decreased by an entire minute by the end of Beast (on the APFT that counted for a grade). A minute is a considerable increase considering my 2 mile time was already almost 13 minutes flat. You should always try your best in all you do. :smile:

Hills are the bane of my track life. Especially roads on hills. Yuck.

And shouldn't everyone be trying their best at a test?

Yes, they should. :thumb:
 
Six minutes is ridiculous for a 40 minute run. That can't be right. And if it is its certainly a turnoff to trying to ace the APFT.
 
I think AF would know considering he is a current cadet... I'm sure a few good runners can keep that pace or close to it. They want to challenge you, makes sense to me.
 
Many cadets get a non-owner operator auto policy while at West Point (until they get a car cow year). This way you are covered when driving another cadets car (happens ALL the time) or your parents car while home visiting. USAA offers these policies for a reasonable cost. If your parents just carry you as a student not driving or cancel for the periods you are not home, you are not covered driving any one elses car... something to think about. USAA also offers a very reasonable property policy for cadets that covers their computer and other valuables (about $10 a month) from loss or damage.
 
I think AF would know considering he is a current cadet... I'm sure a few good runners can keep that pace or close to it. They want to challenge you, makes sense to me.

Not up that hill by the stadium. What group were you in AF?
 
Not up that hill by the stadium. What group were you in AF?

Black, and a lot of people did fall out. In fact, even cadre members fell behind. The pace may seem "too hard" for you but keep in mind there will be D1 athletes and other extremely fit people there. Just because you don't think you can do it does not by any means make it impossible. Obviously, the pace would slow down slightly up the hill but after that it would pick right back up. Don't worry, you will be placed on a group of your appropriate level of fitness. If you are worrying that much about it, you probably won't meet the time to be put in that group anyway so don't sweat it. :thumb:

To everyone else, Beast is supposed to push you as far as you can go. If you wish to "cheat the system" in a way to get through it easier, you are only hurting yourself and I sincerely hope you don't take that train of thought with you when you are dealing with more important issues. You should always strive for the best and try to improve yourself as much as possible without cutting corners.
 
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As a member of the class of 2013 I regret to inform you that AF is right and that they did in fact run for ridiculous amounts of time at ridiculous speeds. This might change for the black group next year because there was in fact a run plan set up for all the groups to gradually increase the speed and distance of the runs but DPE (Department of Physical Education or Departmen of Pure Evil) decided at the last minute to throws the black groups away. I quote [DPE person to the cadet cadre] "they are already fast so lets run them until they stop"
 
Six minutes is ridiculous for a 40 minute run. That can't be right. And if it is its certainly a turnoff to trying to ace the APFT.

That is ridiculous...what's more ridiculous is I want to strive to be fit enough to do this by that time (about 2 years, 2 months from now)...I love a challenge.

NVM. I'm just a whiner.

Hey don't worry...I am too, and probably a lot of other people as well.
 
If you want an A you will have to go "above and beyond" your normal duties such as going out of your way to help others or doing more than the standard.

How, specifically, do you "do more than the standard"?

Thanks in advance...
 
How, specifically, do you "do more than the standard"?

Thanks in advance...

Getting things done early, going out of your way to help out the company, finding a problem or something that could use some improvement and taking it upon yourself to fix it. The list goes on and on. Basically, do more than the minimum and gain positive attention (as opposed to the type of attention the Mom's usually refer to :biggrin:)

It is hard to explain specifically, since this is somewhat subjective so I cannot give you a laundry list of things to do. All I can say is constantly try to better yourself and show initiative but at the same time pitch in to help your classmates and company.

Another thing to suggest is to ask your team leader every once in a while for something to improve on. After all, they are the one grading you and will be able to tell you what you specifically need to improve.
 
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