Daily Cadet Life?

Packwin7

5-Year Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2013
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5
Could anyone please tell me what the average day of a cadet is like? What time do you wake up? How long do you have to study? Is there any free time? What are the weekends like? Can you leave campus? Thanks
 
Could anyone please tell me what the average day of a cadet is like? What time do you wake up? How long do you have to study? Is there any free time? What are the weekends like? Can you leave campus? Thanks

There are countless books, articles, college reviews that cover this, but the answer really depends on the person you ask. For me:
1. 0500 to work out (0630 for mandatory breakfast)
2. Not much. I'm in a relatively easy major I enjoy and am good at. This really depends on your major/course load/personal need to study/how much you care about grades
3. Plenty, if you manage your time well
4. Depends. Some have mandatory events (Parades, SAMI, football games), others are free.
5. Depends. As a plebe, you only get 1 or 2 passes to leave campus for the weekend. You always have walking privileges, which allow you to travel up to 5 miles off campus. You can also travel with a team or club. I was in two clubs my plebe year and was gone pretty much every weekend. I highly recommend doing that instead of just sitting in your room all weekend like some people do.
 
I appreciate the answer......however,when you say you get passes for leaving, does that mean you can do what you want off of campus? Such as going to bars, parties, etc.
 
Yeah. On a normal night, you have to be in your room by taps (11pm during the week, 1 am on Friday/Saturday). If you take pass, you do not come back to West Point - so for example, a lot of cadets will take pass on Labor Day. They can leave Friday (or Saturday because there is a football game Friday night, not sure yet) and will not come back until Monday night (no school on Monday for the holiday). While on pass, you can do whatever you want. I am not sure if plebes are allowed to drink while on pass or not. Just keep in mind that if you do anything stupid and get in trouble/arrested, it can and probably will get back to west point and you're screwed
 
Yeah I expected that you wouldn't be allowed to drink as a plebe. Can you do what you want (not getting in trouble) if you just walk somewhere and return on time.....such as eating at a restaurant or bars (not being a plebe)?
 
Yeah I expected that you wouldn't be allowed to drink as a plebe. Can you do what you want (not getting in trouble) if you just walk somewhere and return on time.....such as eating at a restaurant or bars (not being a plebe)?

Pretty much yeah
 
heya Cadets, just wondering about labor day. Depending on the aforementioned game for labor day, can a plebe take advantage of this long weekend as a pass? How are passes requested and approved at WP?

Per pass guidance, do these passes restrict on mileage? Heard something regarding 75 miles. If they do, does WP offer mileage passes (passes that let you travel outside of the state).

Thanks in Advance.
 
Yes, if you don't have a duty (such as a mandatory football game) then you can leave after your last duty of the week and return by recall at 1900 the day prior to classes. This means you get more bang for your buck using your passes on long weekend, especially the first couple of years when passes are limited.

There is no mileage limit on pass if you are flying but if you are going to drive then you can only drive about 300 miles a day to your destination.

Off post privileges have the 75 mile limit and you must return by TAPS. This is generally only available to upperclassmen.

Passes are approved by you're chain of command. As long as there isn't a duty that weekend and you are in good academic, physical, and military standing then it well get approved.

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app.
 
Also, is the 0500 wake up time EVERY day (including weekends) throughout your 4 year enrollment?
 
Also, is the 0500 wake up time EVERY day (including weekends) throughout your 4 year enrollment?

M-F, formation is at 0645, so you need to wake up some time before that to get ready. You have the option to wake up earlier to go workout, but that is your own decision. Unless there is a training event or game on the weekend, you can sleep in as late as you want.
 
No on 0500 reveille.

Also, I believe the Plebes are only allowed one pass per semester, if I understood correctly.

Choose wisely.
 
Also, I believe the Plebes are only allowed one pass per semester, if I understood correctly.

Historically plebes (and cadets in general) have opportunity to earn performance passes for various reasons. I know of multiple plebes who had more passes than was realistic to use due to the 3 day weekend situation. Still could use them for short local trips, but trips home are harder for many.

Also, Spring is a bit easier to use the passes because there are less parades and things like Football games.
 
What events are mandatory for cadets to attend?
During the week? Breakfast formation, breakfast, class, lunch formation, lunch, labs, class, athletics/drill, evening academic or class lectures

Weekends: Home Football games, "training" events (SAMI, Parade, etc.), Saturday classes (very rare), class events (500th Night, PPW, etc.)\

I probably left something out, but that's about it.
 
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