Citadel Knob Year

blindfire

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
25
I just recently finished my knob year at The Citadel. Our Recognition day was this past saturday and everyone is thrilled that its over.

If you have any questions or need some advice about your first year at The Citadel, feel free to ask.

I will do my best to give you a sincere answer.
 
yesss

I was waiting for someone to have finished their Knob year. First of all, congratulations! Second of all, how are the knobs treated on a daily basis, say during their normal daily routines? How important is the knob knowledge and how often do they ask you the questions? Are you in any ROTC? If so, how often do you do things with the ROTC detachment? How many cadets are in a room, and how are the companies set up? Do you ever get the chance to be bored there?

This is all for now, I will most likely have more later.

Thanks in advance,
Sedrider

:)
 
Congratulations on surviving knob-year! What is the ONE

thing you wish you had brought along? The ONE thing you wish you hadn't?

Did you REALLY need 12 white towels? Do you think you still have yours, or do they just get mixed up and re-distributed?

Did you use the laundry service?

What are you going to do this summer?

I'm looking forward to hearing your answers to Sedrider's questions, too!

My son will be a knob this fall and on an Army ROTC scholarship.
 
Sedrider,

The best example I can give you of knob year is stated by Pat Conroy, which is 100% fact.

"The formula begins with the plebe system. One thing is certain. The plebe system is calculated to be, and generally succeeds in being, a nine month journey through hell. The freshman is beaten, harassed, ridiculed, and humiliated by upperclassmen who concur and believe in the traditions of the school. Life is tough, the system says, and we are going to make life so tough for you this year that when your marriage dissolves, your child dies unexpectedly, or your platoon gets decimated in a surprise attack, you can never say The Citadel didn't prepare you for the worst in life.
He deserves no consideration for his human qualities, and he gets none. He finds himself called a litany of names and semi-curses: Knob, screw, wad, waste, dumbhead, abortion, nut, and many others. He is starved at breakfast, tantalized at lunch, and ignored at supper. He does push-ups till his arms are heavy as iron; he runs up steps till his thighs grow useless. He has no freedom, no privacy, and no time to study. For nine months he marches, braces, and hustles in misery.”

Knob Knowledge is one of the highest priorities, and it is essential that you know it. You are forced to memorize knob knowledge and recite it during every formation every day, and on the spot. Knob Knowledge starts from the beginning of Hell week and ceases at the end of Recognition Day

All Citadel cadets are required to take rotc courses throughout ones four years, but are not required to participate in rotc labs/ftx unless they are pursuing or contracted with a military branch. You participate frequently with your rotc detachments if you are pursuing or contracted. Physical training is twice per week usually in the mornings depending upon your rotc, and you have labs which take place at least twice a week.
There are also military clubs such as Cordell and Ranger Challenge, which go beyond the instruction of labs.

Usually two cadets per room, but there are rooms that house four cadets.

I promise that you will not be bored, but rather have too many tasks to accomplish in a short period of time.
 
thing you wish you had brought along? The ONE thing you wish you hadn't?

Did you REALLY need 12 white towels? Do you think you still have yours, or do they just get mixed up and re-distributed?

Did you use the laundry service?

What are you going to do this summer?

I'm looking forward to hearing your answers to Sedrider's questions, too!

My son will be a knob this fall and on an Army ROTC scholarship.



I wish I brought more underwear socks and white t-shirts. Make sure you have plently to last at least two weeks.

I used a majority of my belongings, but you can really cut down on cleaning supplies.

Yes you need 12 white towels, and I promise that you will need all twelve. You usually set aside one set of towels and washcloths for hygiene purposes and the others are for "knob duties."

I did not use the laundry service, but many cadets on campus including my classmates use it frequently.

Not sure what I will do this summer, possibly an internship.

The Citadel is very demanding, but what you learn your first year you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

Wish you all the best of luck.
 
The journey is about to begin for me

Hi, I am about to start at the citadel in the Fall 2011. I am going for my bachelor so technically I would be a junior. I don't have a problem with the whole knob thing cuz I've been in the Army for 3 years now but my question is do I still have to go through all of that stuff that those 1st year freshman go through?
 
That would depend on which program you applied for. If you applied to the undergraduate program in the corps of cadets, then you would have to at least do one semester of the fourth class system (it would be determined before you got here). Transfers from other military schools, and possibly former military can apply for a waiver, but they often still have to do at least one semester of knob year. I'm not exactly sure on the details, but I would ask the admissions office if this applies for you. If you applied for the evening undergraduate program, you would take evening classes with civilian students. If you are attending college as an Officer Candidate or MECEP, then you would take classes with cadets but live off campus and not take part in cadet life.
 
A Brand New Citadel Mom!

I just recently finished my knob year at The Citadel. Our Recognition day was this past saturday and everyone is thrilled that its over.

If you have any questions or need some advice about your first year at The Citadel, feel free to ask.

I will do my best to give you a sincere answer.

Wow... I'm so glad you have offered yourself up to a new Citadel Mom like me.
I have a milion questions!
I'll take it easy on you... at first. :smile:

1. Can you suggest the best shoes and boots for my son to wear. Be specific please.
2. What was the one thing your parents did/ or could have done to help you through your knob year? Send you something? Mail? Leave you alone? ha ha.
3. How many knobs "whimp out" and quit because they can't take it? Our family is tough... I don't think my son will have a problem.
4. Any advise for my son who's going to do band?

We live here in Charleston so he's already acclimated to the heat and working and running outside in the summer.
Thanks!
 
Theres no heat in Charleston lol, try coming to south Florida, its 95 and 95% humidity.
 
Wow... I'm so glad you have offered yourself up to a new Citadel Mom like me.
I have a milion questions!
I'll take it easy on you... at first. :smile:

1. Can you suggest the best shoes and boots for my son to wear. Be specific please.
2. What was the one thing your parents did/ or could have done to help you through your knob year? Send you something? Mail? Leave you alone? ha ha.
3. How many knobs "whimp out" and quit because they can't take it? Our family is tough... I don't think my son will have a problem.
4. Any advise for my son who's going to do band?

We live here in Charleston so he's already acclimated to the heat and working and running outside in the summer.
Thanks!

1. The best low-quarters type shoes to get are called Bostonian Denvers. They shine up easy and if you ask for "Citadel shoes" at the Clark's Bostonian store at the Tanger Outlets they'll know what to get you. They have a pallet in the back of the store and they give cadets a discount on them because they sell so many!
It is a good idea to buy two pairs of low-quarters, one for inspection and one for daily wear. It also helps if you break them in before you come. If you don't, you'll get blisters during Hell Week and that's the worst possible time to have them.
The Bates tan combat boots they sell in the cadet store have worked fine for me, but I'm not an Army contract so I can't say how well they work in the field. For stuff around campus, they'll be fine.

2. Care packages, food, and little letters or cards helped me a lot, but I'm from out of state. It's a little different for the guys from SC. Going home on weekends is what my local classmates enjoyed the most.

3. Attrition at a company level is usually low. My class lost five cadets during Hell Week but only one the rest of the year. We started with 45 and ended with 39. Some people decide to finish knob year then transfer, but almost no one wants to leave knob year unfinished.

4. I'm in a line company. I know band does a lot more than the rest of us as far as band practice and military duties go, but I don't know their specific schedule and I don't want to give you bad information.
 
1. The best low-quarters type shoes to get are called Bostonian Denvers. They shine up easy and if you ask for "Citadel shoes" at the Clark's Bostonian store at the Tanger Outlets they'll know what to get you. They have a pallet in the back of the store and they give cadets a discount on them because they sell so many!
It is a good idea to buy two pairs of low-quarters, one for inspection and one for daily wear. It also helps if you break them in before you come. If you don't, you'll get blisters during Hell Week and that's the worst possible time to have them.
The Bates tan combat boots they sell in the cadet store have worked fine for me, but I'm not an Army contract so I can't say how well they work in the field. For stuff around campus, they'll be fine.

2. Care packages, food, and little letters or cards helped me a lot, but I'm from out of state. It's a little different for the guys from SC. Going home on weekends is what my local classmates enjoyed the most.

3. Attrition at a company level is usually low. My class lost five cadets during Hell Week but only one the rest of the year. We started with 45 and ended with 39. Some people decide to finish knob year then transfer, but almost no one wants to leave knob year unfinished.

4. I'm in a line company. I know band does a lot more than the rest of us as far as band practice and military duties go, but I don't know their specific schedule and I don't want to give you bad information.


Good Post Matt 90,

I would highly recommend the Bostonian, though they are a little on the expensive side, they are worth the price. They shine easy and look good.

I don't want to scare anyone, but the only thing I would have to disagree with is number 3. Attrition varies by company and battalion. A few companies tend to have a high attrition rate and others low. My knob year we started with 34-36 and by the end of the year we finished with roughly 19-21, and sophomore year started in the teens; however, administration and upperclassman are trying to decrease the attrition rate. Overall it's once again purely subjective.
 
What about running/training shoes?

I know running/training shoes vary widely and are a very personal choice. However, what are the requirements regarding color? do they have to be mostly white or black? There are some pretty wild color schemes out there and most of the better running shoes do not come in "mostly white or black".

Also, what about socks? Are knobs allowed to wear ankle or no-show socks during PT?

Thanks.
 
What was life like for you before your knob year?

Did you think you were prepared for the life of a knob?

I know that sometimes, knobs do get leave on the weekends, but if someone was from out-of-state, what would they do on the weekends?

You said that you did not use the laundry service, but then how do you get your clothing and such washed? (Just curious)
 
What was life like for you before your knob year?

Did you think you were prepared for the life of a knob?

I know that sometimes, knobs do get leave on the weekends, but if someone was from out-of-state, what would they do on the weekends?

You said that you did not use the laundry service, but then how do you get your clothing and such washed? (Just curious)


Typical high school senior, no military experience or military in the family.

Realistically, there's not much you can do to prepare except getting yourself in as good shape as possible before matriculating.

I'm from NJ, and I can tell you from experience, you will find PLENTY of stuff to do with your classmates on weekends that will delay coming back to the battalion until midnight. Don't worry about not having anything to do on the weekend. Your entire class will doubtlessly be in downtown Charleston every Friday and Saturday night.

As a knob I had to carry it about a mile to a local coin laundry, but many people do it at their host family's or local classmate's houses.
 
As a knob I had to carry it about a mile to a local coin laundry, but many people do it at their host family's or local classmate's houses.

You mention host families, can you tell me about that? Because as far as my reading goes, I never have heard of that, what does that mean?
 
Conroy knows nothing!

Pat Conroy knows just about nothing of the 4th Class System at The Citadel. He played sports and was not invoved in most of the Knob Year! Secondly, he is a pompous Ass!

Biff Rugh
The Citadel, Class of 1966




Sedrider,

The best example I can give you of knob year is stated by Pat Conroy, which is 100% fact.

"The formula begins with the plebe system. One thing is certain. The plebe system is calculated to be, and generally succeeds in being, a nine month journey through hell. The freshman is beaten, harassed, ridiculed, and humiliated by upperclassmen who concur and believe in the traditions of the school. Life is tough, the system says, and we are going to make life so tough for you this year that when your marriage dissolves, your child dies unexpectedly, or your platoon gets decimated in a surprise attack, you can never say The Citadel didn't prepare you for the worst in life.
He deserves no consideration for his human qualities, and he gets none. He finds himself called a litany of names and semi-curses: Knob, screw, wad, waste, dumbhead, abortion, nut, and many others. He is starved at breakfast, tantalized at lunch, and ignored at supper. He does push-ups till his arms are heavy as iron; he runs up steps till his thighs grow useless. He has no freedom, no privacy, and no time to study. For nine months he marches, braces, and hustles in misery.”

Knob Knowledge is one of the highest priorities, and it is essential that you know it. You are forced to memorize knob knowledge and recite it during every formation every day, and on the spot. Knob Knowledge starts from the beginning of Hell week and ceases at the end of Recognition Day

All Citadel cadets are required to take rotc courses throughout ones four years, but are not required to participate in rotc labs/ftx unless they are pursuing or contracted with a military branch. You participate frequently with your rotc detachments if you are pursuing or contracted. Physical training is twice per week usually in the mornings depending upon your rotc, and you have labs which take place at least twice a week.
There are also military clubs such as Cordell and Ranger Challenge, which go beyond the instruction of labs.

Usually two cadets per room, but there are rooms that house four cadets.

I promise that you will not be bored, but rather have too many tasks to accomplish in a short period of time.
 
A Brand New Citadel Mom!



Wow... I'm so glad you have offered yourself up to a new Citadel Mom like me.
I have a milion questions!
I'll take it easy on you... at first. :smile:

1. Can you suggest the best shoes and boots for my son to wear. Be specific please.
2. What was the one thing your parents did/ or could have done to help you through your knob year? Send you something? Mail? Leave you alone? ha ha.
3. How many knobs "whimp out" and quit because they can't take it? Our family is tough... I don't think my son will have a problem.
4. Any advise for my son who's going to do band?

We live here in Charleston so he's already acclimated to the heat and working and running outside in the summer.
Looking for other upcoming 'knob-moms' local in Charleston area. Advice? Prepping and what more or less he should bring? (Versus the packing list) Are letters & carepackes seriously propende before knob receives? Just need the scoop so I do or not do what's best. Thoughts??
 
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