Does USMA have a cadet sponsor program similar to USAFA?

My son was appointed to the USMA and we are wondering if they have a sponsor program for cadets similar to the ones at USAFA? We used to live in Colorado Springs, and many people in our church and in the community became volunteer sponsors for cadets at USAFA.

If a cadet is reporting to USAFA for the first time without parents, they can be assigned a sponsor who will pick them up at the airport, feed them dinner, have them stay with them, and then deliver then to the Academy where and when they need to be there. They often have their sponsored cadet over for dinner, bring him to church, and generally help the cadets have an easier time. I remember our church alone put on a big dinner for the cadets one time. I know this was done by many people throughout the city as well. My son has friends at USAFA, and many have volunteer sponsors. I thought this was a great idea, and I remembered a lot of the cadets were really grateful for everything.

Is there anything like this for the cadets at West Point? Thanks!

Yes. Cadets fill out a matching survey during reorganization week.

I have heard that there is such a program at USMA and the plebes can sign up for it right after Beast. We also have a son at USAFA who benefitted tremendously from this program his Doolie year. He had a fantastic sponsor family and they ended up "adopting" quite a few of his squadmates.

I believe the OP is asking about being matched to a family BEFORE they actually start at WP. Others are responding about sponsor programs after they have already started.

USAFA has a sponsor program.

They have a Bed and Breakfast program for cadets arriving for I-Day through the AOG - this is different from the Sponsor Program, but could lead for this to become a sponsor/cadet relationship.

(This is a very old link: From the AOG: Bed and Breakfast: If you live in the Colorado Springs area, please help us welcome the USAFA Class of 2014 by participating as a host for the Association of Graduates’Bed and Breakfast program. Click here to register: https://www.usafa.org/Events/Register.aspx?id=181)

I think OP is asking if USMA has a similar Bed and Breakfast program for unaccompanied appointees arriving for I-Day.

Yes, that is how I read the OP's original question as well.

Gotcha....no, WP doesn't do the B and B sponsor thing.

Cerberi said:

USAFA has a sponsor program.

They have a Bed and Breakfast program for cadets arriving for I-Day through the AOG - this is different from the Sponsor Program, but could lead for this to become a sponsor/cadet relationship.

(This is a very old link: From the AOG: Bed and Breakfast: If you live in the Colorado Springs area, please help us welcome the USAFA Class of 2014 by participating as a host for the Association of Graduates’Bed and Breakfast program. Click here to register: https://www.usafa.org/Events/Register.aspx?id=181)

I think OP is asking if USMA has a similar Bed and Breakfast program for unaccompanied appointees arriving for I-Day.

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Thanks for the reply, but I was asking just in general if the cadets at USMA had similar support from the community. We are going with our son to R Day, but thought it would be nice if there were people in the area who were looking out for the cadets like they do at USAFA. Thx

USMA has a sponsor program.

It does not take effect prior to I Day, so an unaccompanied appointee reporting for IDay would not be assigned a sponsor.

Your OP addresses 2 separate USAFA programs as if they were one.

Cerberi said:

USMA has a sponsor program.

It does not take effect prior to I Day, so an unaccompanied appointee reporting for IDay would not be assigned a sponsor.

Your OP addresses 2 separate USAFA programs as if they were one.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, I wasn't looking for a specific program, rather an idea of what kind of support, if any, cadets get from the community. I was just listing some of the thing I've seen and/or heard were available to cadets at USAFA. As many have posted here, the cadets really benefit from it.

The sponsor program at USMA differs from those at USAFA and USNA in that only on-post officers may sponsor cadets. Local community civilians are not invited to participate in the program. Sadly, there is no getting a sponsor with a cool house/pool/boat. Well, a few officers at WP keep boats there.

But it is still a quality program, a home away from home, a ride to the airport or train station, a place to store your stuff, and a place to watch the Super Bowl. We enjoyed sponsoring cadets immensely!

parentalunit2 said:

The sponsor program at USMA differs from those at USAFA and USNA in that only on-post officers may sponsor cadets. Local community civilians are not invited to participate in the program. Sadly, there is no getting a sponsor with a cool house/pool/boat. Well, a few officers at WP keep boats there.

But it is still a quality program, a home away from home, a ride to the airport or train station, a place to store your stuff, and a place to watch the Super Bowl. We enjoyed sponsoring cadets immensely!

Click to expand...

Thanks for the information! I never thought of the cool/house/boat angle. Although I could see where a cadet might like that. I was thinking more along the lines of eating somewhere other than the chow hall, and/or hanging out with the locals. Sounds like the USMA cadets are looked after as well. Thx!