Chapel during Beast Barracks?

rayquad

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Are there any opportunities to go spend time in the chapel during Beast aside from on Sundays? I read a candidate book about USAFA awhile ago that said cadets could visit chapel every evening during BCT, so I wondered if USMA might be the same or not.
 
Are there any opportunities to go spend time in the chapel during Beast aside from on Sundays? I read a candidate book about USAFA awhile ago that said cadets could visit chapel every evening during BCT, so I wondered if USMA might be the same or not.

I highly doubt it. There is set time. At USAFA, it wasn't every night. There was time on Friday and Sunday built into the schedule. Other than that, you were pretty much on your own. There were exceptions made to see the chaplains if necessary, but those were for extenuating circumstances.
 
When my cadet was at Beast, Wednesday evenings were "Chaplain's Time." If you chose to do so, you could attend a worship time and then enjoy snacks afterwards. I think the Protestant service was in Thayer Hall---not sure where the Catholic and Jewish Chaplain's Times were held. Everyone is welcome and you can attend any service you like. It's a time of fellowship, food, and a chance to escape your cadre.

But to answer your question, no, there is not time set aside for you to spend time in the chapel.
 
Everyone is welcome and you can attend any service you like. It's a time of fellowship, food, and a chance to escape your cadre.

While no one is forced to go, apparently many without religious affiliation ended up going after the 2nd week as it was fun, had good snacks, and a good break Wed nights.

The funny thing is the pictures of new cadets greeting the chaplain with M4's in hand. Eating snacks with M4's in hand, Singing with M4's slung, you get the idea!
 
Baking even today!

Almost everyone has an opportunity to attend weekly Chaplain's Time during Beast. Don't forget, air conditioning in addition to the added delight of no cadre and food. Each religious group features its own special treats. The Protestant time features homemade, yes, homemade goodies supplied by the families in the Cadet Chapel community and parents like me who have mailed cookies and brownies to the Chaplain's freezer for that night. Last year I posted 40 pounds of goodies; this year I am already baking, hence the title of my post, freezing them, and then driving them up to the Chaplain's freezer on R-Day.

At the R-Day Cadet Chapel service, parents of new cadets will have an opportunity to sign up to send goodies for Chaplain's Time, so you could see one Wednesday night your very favorite cookie, made by your own mother, if she signs up.

Some companies last year were in the field on Wednesday night and were unable to attend Chaplain's Time. I think something happened for them the next evening, but no homemade goodies were there.

Yes, even non-religious new cadets were welcome to enjoy the break, the AC, and the fun. I believe my DS's roommates attended with him all summer even though their religious beliefs were very different.

And look for my giant peanut butter oatmeal cookies with M & M's throughout.
 
There aren't opportunities to go all the time, but there are numerous opportunities. Also, a new cadet can speak with a chaplain at any time during Beast.

The two main times are Wednesday's and the day of the religious services. I'm Jewish so we had services on Friday night, but there were a variety of services. There were Jewish and Muslim services on Fridays and services for the Christian faiths on Sundays. I also know that during our Beast there was support for Buddhists if it was needed, but I don't know how often it was used.


Many new cadets will go to multiple services as it is a nice break from everything (we had many cadets who would come on Friday's for Jewish services and then also go on Sunday for Christian services). Traditionally, the Jewish chaplain's time/services feature a large number of cadets because the rumor is that the "Jews have the best food." While I'm certainly biased, the difference is between the source in my opinion. For the past three years the Rabbi's wife (who is a phenomenal cook) would make all the food that was present at chaplain's time and religious services. So the opportunity for fresh hot homemade food was there. The Rabbi PCS's at the end of the year, and the new Rabbi's wife won't have the opportunity to cook as much, but I'm sure they'll figure out something.


All of that to say, all of the faiths are welcoming and open to new cadets of any religious affiliation. Whether you're religious or not, it truly is a good time to relax and get away from the grind of things. When religious opportunities are made known, you will know because usually there are a multitude of announcements regarding it. And if you don't here anything, then ask and your squad leader should be able to get you all the information.
 
There aren't opportunities to go all the time, but there are numerous opportunities. Also, a new cadet can speak with a chaplain at any time during Beast.

The two main times are Wednesday's and the day of the religious services. I'm Jewish so we had services on Friday night, but there were a variety of services. There were Jewish and Muslim services on Fridays and services for the Christian faiths on Sundays. I also know that during our Beast there was support for Buddhists if it was needed, but I don't know how often it was used.


Many new cadets will go to multiple services as it is a nice break from everything (we had many cadets who would come on Friday's for Jewish services and then also go on Sunday for Christian services). Traditionally, the Jewish chaplain's time/services feature a large number of cadets because the rumor is that the "Jews have the best food." While I'm certainly biased, the difference is between the source in my opinion. For the past three years the Rabbi's wife (who is a phenomenal cook) would make all the food that was present at chaplain's time and religious services. So the opportunity for fresh hot homemade food was there. The Rabbi PCS's at the end of the year, and the new Rabbi's wife won't have the opportunity to cook as much, but I'm sure they'll figure out something.


All of that to say, all of the faiths are welcoming and open to new cadets of any religious affiliation. Whether you're religious or not, it truly is a good time to relax and get away from the grind of things. When religious opportunities are made known, you will know because usually there are a multitude of announcements regarding it. And if you don't here anything, then ask and your squad leader should be able to get you all the information.

Great post, The Knight! :thumb:
 
What is most interesting is that some cadets without religious interests do develop them at Beast due to these chaplain time opportunities.

They came for the escape, food, and camaraderie, and continued to this day for the whole experience.
 
While no one is forced to go, apparently many without religious affiliation ended up going after the 2nd week as it was fun, had good snacks, and a good break Wed nights.

According to Col. Durham (cadet chaplain) there is even a chaplain's time for non-religious cadets, so if they don't want to go to get the "best food" (I heard it was the LDS for 2012), they can have a relaxing evening with other non-believers.

Last year, the West Point Moms got pretty involved with Chaplain's time. Prior to that, local moms sent food...but some of the moms rallied the troops and sent donations to their respective faith chaplains, and like the above poster, many baked and sent goodies. It's just one more way we can support our cadets.
 
According to Col. Durham (cadet chaplain) there is even a chaplain's time for non-religious cadets, so if they don't want to go to get the "best food" (I heard it was the LDS for 2012), they can have a relaxing evening with other non-believers.

This was true for CBT 2015. And for SLS in 2011, by the way. (it's a perennial question about being "forced" to attend chapel)

There are also retreats (shortly after beast???) which is another break opportunity if interested.

Some cadets just prefer the time off instead, but you are still on post, and in plebe mode outside your room. So sometimes it's just good to get away, apparently.
 
There aren't opportunities to go all the time, but there are numerous opportunities. Also, a new cadet can speak with a chaplain at any time during Beast.

The two main times are Wednesday's and the day of the religious services. I'm Jewish so we had services on Friday night, but there were a variety of services. There were Jewish and Muslim services on Fridays and services for the Christian faiths on Sundays. I also know that during our Beast there was support for Buddhists if it was needed, but I don't know how often it was used.


Many new cadets will go to multiple services as it is a nice break from everything (we had many cadets who would come on Friday's for Jewish services and then also go on Sunday for Christian services). Traditionally, the Jewish chaplain's time/services feature a large number of cadets because the rumor is that the "Jews have the best food." While I'm certainly biased, the difference is between the source in my opinion. For the past three years the Rabbi's wife (who is a phenomenal cook) would make all the food that was present at chaplain's time and religious services. So the opportunity for fresh hot homemade food was there. The Rabbi PCS's at the end of the year, and the new Rabbi's wife won't have the opportunity to cook as much, but I'm sure they'll figure out something.


All of that to say, all of the faiths are welcoming and open to new cadets of any religious affiliation. Whether you're religious or not, it truly is a good time to relax and get away from the grind of things. When religious opportunities are made known, you will know because usually there are a multitude of announcements regarding it. And if you don't here anything, then ask and your squad leader should be able to get you all the information.

Rabbi Felzenberg will be missed. I hear the new Rabbi is also very nice. I cant wait to meet him this summer.
 
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