Ask a cadet?

CCUSMA17

USMA17
5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2012
Messages
34
Just thought I'd sign back on, I remember how helpful this was last year.
So, any questions, feel free to ask.
 
Question

What are your thoughts on getting a sponsor? I have classmates and friends at WP. Debating on having one of them sponsor my DD versus luck of the draw.
 
It was nice having a family I knew for the ice cream social. With that said I have multiple "sponsors" at this point in my cadet career - families on post willing to invite me over to dinner, have me over their house to chill for a bit, etc. If you have classmates or friends on your post, particularly if they're ones your kid may know already and be comfortable with, having them reach out and seeing if they need anything is a good almost security blanket to have as a plebe. Official sponsors are hit and miss whether the relationship takes off and how much either side gets out of it.
 
What intramurals/Corps squad sports have you played, and what did you think about them?
 
Is there something you didn't take to R-day, that you wish you'd had during Beast? Or something you took that proved completely unnecessary?
 
Is there something you didn't take to R-day, that you wish you'd had during Beast? Or something you took that proved completely unnecessary?

More underarmor/spandex type underwear
like two weeks worth. laundry isn't always possible, and these things are a lifesaver for all the running, rucking, and general running around you'll do
 
What does a plebe schedule look like if they are able to validate chem, history and english? Is it possible to minor in a foreign language?
 
What intramurals/Corps squad sports have you played, and what did you think about them?

I play handball on one of the competitive club squads. I love my team (they literally are my family away from home), the fact we travel, and the time commitment required which is enough so I get something real out of the sport but not so much that its all I do like a lot of Corps squad athletes.

Is there something you didn't take to R-day, that you wish you'd had during Beast? Or something you took that proved completely unnecessary?

Spandex...can never have enough of it like BigBear said

What are some "do's and don't's" for incoming plebes?

Do come in and work hard. Help out your buddies (cooperate and graduate). On the flip side, don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Don't come in thinking you know everything. You're going to have strengths which are great, definitely use them, but don't lord that over people thinking it makes you better (different doesn't equal better here all the time). You also have weaknesses that you need to improve on even if you're a super cadet.

What does a plebe schedule look like if they are able to validate chem, history and english? Is it possible to minor in a foreign language?

Plebe year I validated chem, history, math. Typically what happens is if you validate chem they'll give you the option of taking your language early or taking physics early. For validating history, you'll either get put into American Politics/Economics early or take History of the Military Art. Validating english will put you into the second semester plebe english class and open up a free block for flexibility later down the road. Validating math puts you into the accelerated math track that starts a semester ahead in coursework where the regular track puts you. I also had the ability to validate physics I my yuk year which put me into physics II immediately.

What it got me plebe year was the same amount of credits as my classmates but I was set up in different tracks within the subjects. Not a bad thing, and I don't think it made life more challenging or impossible here. First semester I took Russian, English, Multivariable Calc, Mil Art, and the computer class plebes have to take. Second semester I took second semester of Mil Art, Differential Equations, Russian II, my military science class, two phys ed classes, and the intro psych class.

Technically, I don't know if its considered a minor or not, but there are a lot of cadets who do a language/foreign area studies in addition to their regular major.
 
Do all cadets have the opportunity (or are they required) to attend the Army/Navy game?
 
You'll be required to attend unless you are dying, need an emergency pass, or have divine intervention (slightly exaggerated but not really)
 
Best Boots? Good things to focus on to prepare for beast (both general and specific)? Knowledge we should become familiar with before going in?
 
Best Boots? Good things to focus on to prepare for beast (both general and specific)? Knowledge we should become familiar with before going in?

-Whichever pair fits your feet that you break in prior to getting to beast...though the khybers require little to no break-in. They're my personal favorite.

-running, leaving your ego at home, and more running.

-none. don't waste those last few weeks of freedom studying knowledge. there will plenty of time during beast for you to read your knowledge book, but you won't be able to party with your friends
 
Ha, why WOULDN'T you want to attend?

because it's usually cold/raining/snowing, you have to stand up wearing long o for 8-12 hours, and we always lose...:rolleyes:

that being said, that whole weekend is a pretty awesome experience, at least the first time. then it gets depressing
 
First off, sorry for the super slow responses, I locked myself out of my account then completely forgot.


Stevewar2: What are your thoughts on getting a sponsor?

As Casey said, you’ll have as many “sponsors” as you can find. It’s hit or miss if you get one who will contact you and reach out to do fun things. If you know someone who you think will be good, that’s always a safe way to go. They have a lot of power to do fun things (IE; trip sections to NYC or Ski Slopes to save you a pass!)


Lone Star: What intramurals/Corps squad sports have you played, and what did you think about them?

I did CA basketball for a semester (it was much more competitive than I expected, thankfully) and I managed for a semester. Managing is a good gig (full authos and not as much of a time commitment as being on a team). Honestly, as long as you like your teammates, whatever it is—IMs, club or corps squad, you’ll enjoy it.


BoLwife: Is there something you didn't take to R-day, that you wish you'd had during Beast? Or something you took that proved completely unnecessary?

Definitely what BigBear said, take about 2 worth of underwear, spandex and sports bras if applicable (don’t bother with regular bras either, you won’t need them).
I over-packed a bit for beast. A large amount of bandaids and foot cream/powder is not necessary. Everyone will bring a decent amount so there’s no chance of anyone not having some if you need it. Febreeze was a life saver. The usual- green socks for boots, black socks for low quarters, maybe some white socks (I definitely wore dirty PT socks multiple times), some envelopes and stamps with a list of addresses, some ziplock bags to throw socks/undershirts in for when you go into the field. A small fan is life saver. A RED HEAD LAMP is great. It has to be red lens, they’re like $30 online, and 100% worth it. Don’t stress too much, you’ll get most of what you need.
Also, buy detergent your first time to the CStore during beast, wash some PTs in the sink before bed.


Cadet85: What are some "do's and don't's" for incoming plebes?

Do come in with a good attitude and be willing to work, there will be challenges during beast (even if it’s just mental) so be ready for that. Do some research beforehand so you know what you’re coming into.
Don’t think you’re going to come in as a stud and rock this place, other people will see that. Don’t underestimate the physical aspect, come in good shape and be ready to work. Don’t drop rank, especially during Beast (I saw this happen). Do. Not. Frat. It's a really big deal here and getting a brigade board (one of the highest punishments) as a plebe is not the route to go.


JWP: What does a plebe schedule look like if they are able to validate chem, history and english? Is it possible to minor in a foreign language?

If you validate chem you’ll take a language. If you validate US history you’ll have 1 semester of world history and then the yuk history, American Politics (if you validate world I think you then take economics). If you validate English you’ll be in EN102 1st semester (literature) and Philosophy 2nd. Validate as much as you can, it’ll make yuk/cow years so much better.


BoLwife: Do all cadets have the opportunity (or are they required) to attend the Army/Navy game?
Yep, it is mandatory. Save a pass for Army Navy(probably your spirit pass), boomeranging is miserable, and if you have a good group of friends, all go in on a hotel room and it's not too expensive.
 
How is the relationship between males and females?

I hear a lot that you're in more risk of being sexually harassed if you're a girl in military than just being a civilian

Sent using the Service Academy Forums® mobile app
 
What stuff did you do in and outside of high school that you think contributed to getting into the Academy
 
How is the relationship between males and females?

I hear a lot that you're in more risk of being sexually harassed if you're a girl in military than just being a civilian

simply not true.

The relationship between males and females is pretty normal for the most part- you take classes together, work on projects together, play sports together, etc. you're all part of the same team. romantically, it's definitely more complicated. some people choose to avoid it all together (for a variety of reasons), others find a way to make it work, and some do get burned with frat boards or, rarely, SHARP incidents.
 
Handball!?

I play handball on one of the competitive club squads. I love my team (they literally are my family away from home), the fact we travel, and the time commitment required which is enough so I get something real out of the sport but not so much that its all I do like a lot of Corps squad athletes.



Spandex...can never have enough of it like BigBear said



Do come in and work hard. Help out your buddies (cooperate and graduate). On the flip side, don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Don't come in thinking you know everything. You're going to have strengths which are great, definitely use them, but don't lord that over people thinking it makes you better (different doesn't equal better here all the time). You also have weaknesses that you need to improve on even if you're a super cadet.



Plebe year I validated chem, history, math. Typically what happens is if you validate chem they'll give you the option of taking your language early or taking physics early. For validating history, you'll either get put into American Politics/Economics early or take History of the Military Art. Validating english will put you into the second semester plebe english class and open up a free block for flexibility later down the road. Validating math puts you into the accelerated math track that starts a semester ahead in coursework where the regular track puts you. I also had the ability to validate physics I my yuk year which put me into physics II immediately.

What it got me plebe year was the same amount of credits as my classmates but I was set up in different tracks within the subjects. Not a bad thing, and I don't think it made life more challenging or impossible here. First semester I took Russian, English, Multivariable Calc, Mil Art, and the computer class plebes have to take. Second semester I took second semester of Mil Art, Differential Equations, Russian II, my military science class, two phys ed classes, and the intro psych class.

Technically, I don't know if its considered a minor or not, but there are a lot of cadets who do a language/foreign area studies in addition to their regular major.

I am senior in HS and recently was appointed to USMA and will be part of the class of 2018! I have run track for 4 years and have been a sprinter. Since I am not running the D1 times of WP, I've been looking at other sports. Team Handball has caught my eye. I would love to be part of the team! How hard is it to make the team Would I have to have had prior team handball experience?
 
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