Dating at West Point

USMA2016

USMA2016

Appointee - Class of 2016
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2010
Messages
518
Hey everyone,

I've been wondering about this lately... what is the dating scene like at the academy? Do many cadets have significant others while at USMA? Do many cadets date within the corps? Do many date others from nearby colleges?

I'm curious and I'm hoping someone can answer these questions!
 
USMA2016 said:
Hey everyone,

I've been wondering about this lately... what is the dating scene like at the academy? Do many cadets have significant others while at USMA? Do many cadets date within the corps? Do many date others from nearby colleges?

I'm curious and I'm hoping someone can answer these questions!
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Plebes can only date other plebes. once your in your second year you can date up if you want to. If I'm not mistaken there are also rules about PDAs, example no holding hands in public and not being allowed to share the same horizontal surface(this one I heard but have not had confirmation on). If you have only a guy and girl in a room the door must remain open.
 
lokichaos said:
Plebes can only date other plebes. once your in your second year you can date up if you want to. If I'm not mistaken there are also rules about PDAs, example no holding hands in public and not being allowed to share the same horizontal surface(this one I heard but have not had confirmation on). If you have only a guy and girl in a room the door must remain open.
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Unless the rules have drastically changed (which I doubt), the horizontal surface rule is correct.

As for dating, the girls always used to say "the odds are good but the goods are odd."
 
scoutpilot said:
Unless the rules have drastically changed (which I doubt), the horizontal surface rule is correct.

As for dating, the girls always used to say "the odds are good but the goods are odd."
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The horizontal surface rule does not exist anymore; me and a PL were talking bout it just yesterday.
 
Szpieg said:
The horizontal surface rule does not exist anymore; me and a PL were talking bout it just yesterday.
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So you're telling me you and your cadet girlfriend can cuddle on your bed together now? I find that hard to believe. Not calling you a liar, but I know how the cadet "knowledge" system works. I'd want to see the edited USMA regs on that.

Our company lost a cow over that due to an honor case. She was afraid of the consequences of having been caught sharing a chair with her boyfriend. So they jumped up and said they weren't.
 
The horizontal surface rule is still very much in affect. Like most regs, it is not something that most cadets would turn each other in for, but it still is a reg nonetheless.

I've only been at West Point about ~16 months and I've seen 3 cases where people have gotten in major trouble for sitting on the same surface as someone of the opposite gender.
 
Only 2% of those with girlfriend/boyfriend entering a SA remain together for the entire four years. (2% Club)
 
Interesting responses....

However, I was hoping for a response the idea of dating women at nearby schools. Is it that common? Heck, do most cadets even find time to date?
 
well there are not colleges close by. however i have heard that the saturday football games are known to have women from the nearby area come to meet up with the cadets.
 
USMA2016 said:
Interesting responses....

However, I was hoping for a response the idea of dating women at nearby schools. Is it that common? Heck, do most cadets even find time to date?
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HA! Your day is pretty structured, but there's PLENTY of time any academy to get in trouble (or date).

When I was a cadet we called it "Dark Siding". I "dark sided" three times. The dating wasn't bad. The "breaking up" wasn't pretty though. It's good to have some time apart, but that's hard to do when everyone lives in the same building.
 
LineInTheSand said:
HA! Your day is pretty structured, but there's PLENTY of time any academy to get in trouble (or date).

When I was a cadet we called it "Dark Siding". I "dark sided" three times. The dating wasn't bad. The "breaking up" wasn't pretty though. It's good to have some time apart, but that's hard to do when everyone lives in the same building.
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Cadating. Friends don't let friends cadate.
 
No its fine, its just that we were discussing this about a case during the summer and they said "nah they got rid of that, as long as you dont lay in bed together its fine." Maybe they are wrong, but Im just relaying what a firstie told me reinforced by a sergeant.
 
I like the phrase, "Don't s**t where you eat". I tend to apply this nugget of wisdom to relationships and cadet life.

I have never been to the USMA, but this summer all the LTs I trained with were recent graduates who said contact from other schools as well as off campuses passes are rare (especially for Plebes).

USMA has its reputation for a reason as being a fine academic institution as well as the premier commissioning source of officers. Parties and dating don't really fit well into the equation.

If you are looking to get a on a thriving dating/party scene and still get a commission I would suggest ROTC at a state school...you would not regret it haha. No worrying about fraternization or regulations, you can live in a dorm, frat or house and have a good time.
 
Apologies to female applicants - I don't have advice for you.

At PPW, when I was leaving the hop (a formal dance), I pointed out several very pretty girls to son and asked if he would stay. "No, they bus them in from _____
[nearby colleges] -- and they get community service credit for coming."

My sense from him was that dating from within your own company was definitely not OK.
Other than that, "cadating" was fine [ but google "grey goggles" ] and opportunities during the school year on post were not terrific unless you wanted to be very old-fashioned [introduction during dance, chaperoned invitation back, etc.].

But the Facebook postings of friends' pictures (where I haven't asked for too many details) of club trips and pass weekends have suggested that, not only are opportunities ample after plebe year, but that nerds who couldn't get a second glance in high school are suddenly very high on the radar.
 
Hormones may get the best of you.

For the ladies, the odds are in your favor. For the guys, hope someone looks at you with goggles.
 
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