Have I got this right?

TheDukeOfEarl

5-Year Member
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Feb 26, 2011
Messages
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Hi all, I'm looking at the academic calendars here and on the USMA website, and trying to figure out if I am interpreting things correctly.

DS has received an appointment to USMA (Yay! He's earned it and of course we are thrilled, proud, happy for him, and filled with the completely understandable and usual set of apprehensions and questions!).

One question that comes to mind that may be obvious from the published info, but apparanetly I'm still not getting it: When we drop off DS for R-Day on Jul 2nd (and after we have our 90-second goodbye :frown:), is it true that he won't be home until Thanksgiving? I realize we'll catch a glimpse at March Back, and see him at A-Day (with some off-base privs with limitations). But then it looks like Reorganization Week kicks in, then first day of classes and away we go. Maybe I'm searching on the wrong phrases in here, but I cannot get a feel for how/when he may use passes that allow him to come home at the Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day breaks. I want to know when I can plan to use up my backlog of hugs.

Thanks and apologies if this is an obvious question.
 
He will have a "base pass" which he can use for almost any weekend of the first semester (for instance, Labor Day). If you live relatively close to West Point (travel time is the limiting factor) then he could potentially come home on pass.
 
We are in N Va and our son made it home every long weekend his plebe year. (I know...The Corps Has...!) Apparently now plebes can earn a "spirit pass" if they do something good or show exceptional initiative. This entitles them to a WE pass. Not a bad deal...even if your home is not close you can at least get off the post and down to NYC.
 
He will have a "base pass" which he can use for almost any weekend of the first semester (for instance, Labor Day). If you live relatively close to West Point (travel time is the limiting factor) then he could potentially come home on pass.

We are in N Va and our son made it home every long weekend his plebe year. (I know...The Corps Has...!) Apparently now plebes can earn a "spirit pass" if they do something good or show exceptional initiative. This entitles them to a WE pass. Not a bad deal...even if your home is not close you can at least get off the post and down to NYC.

Thank you both for the replies. Yes, we're in the Northeast, so it's about half a day's travel each way by bus/train/auto. Glad to know that he will potentially have that option.
 
In order to take a pass, he will have to be in good standing in his classes. Lousy grades, no pass.
 
For my son's plebe year, first time home was Winter Break.

We live in Oregon.

This year, he came home for Thanksgiving break, coming to Portland on the non-stop from Newark late Wednesday evening, and returning on the red-eye Saturday night, so he was sure to be back for the accountability formation Sunday evening.

So...bottom line, not a lot of opportunities to come back home, except for the extended breaks.

As others have said, pass can only be taken if the cadet is in good standing. Extra passes can be earned. Son has also visited friends in the Northeast some weekends, too.

Another opportunity to get away is joining a club that travels.

Of course, we've been back many times to see him. Always a great time when we visit West Point.
 
I live within an hour and I honestly believe that my son (a cow) has been home more than if he went to a civilian school.
 
I live in the southeast. My son has never in 3.5 years come home for a long weekend. Teams continue to have practice and away meets on weekends. When not involved w/ his sport, he uses weekends to sleep, perhaps study, or leave post w/ friends who live within a few hours from WP. You really don't want them running home too often plebe year.
 
Thanks to all who have continued to reply... it seems the answer to my question is, as expected , "It depends". So in that sense it seems like it's pretty much the same story as if DS attended a civilian school, in terms of the logistics and likelihood of him getting home. These answers have been great for helping his mom and I to set expectations for what to expect.
 
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