USMA Cadet here... will answer questions
- Thread starter Braddy K.
- Start date
-Following the consistent wake-up/ sleep schedule, being yelled at, doing everything right but still being wrong. The list goes on, CBT is a difficult time for all New Cadoodles. After A-Day the struggle was keeping my mouth shut in Cadet Area, which is legitimately harder than it seems. As well, you'll realize that people treat you with basic human respect, which can be an adjustment after CBT.
-The more courses you validate, the harder your schedule, but ultimately it's not too difficult. There's always people willing to help, and you'll actually have some free time if you're on top of your work.
-Competitive hacking, would recommend if you know anything about computers.
Guessing by your extracurricular you're gunna try and branch cyber? Any club recommendations for someone who's looking to branch IN or AR? Also what's it like with MIADS? As far as which ones have realistic opportunities to do them, not stuff like if only 1 or 2 total are able to go. What's your average weekend like if their isn't like a football game? Packing advice? Graduation gift ideas? Sorry that was a lot but thank you for your time and doing this.
Beast barracks was definitely tough but fun at the same time. Just make sure you get along with your roommates from day 1, because they will be your battle buds all throughout training. Also... BUY A FAN!!! i personally do not like the Thayer method when it comes to science or math subjects but it makes sense for classes with a lot of reading.. like history
1. Once you complete CBT, things will be wayyy more relaxed. I honestly thought my squad leader hated me because she only yelled at me all throughout training but the week after a day, we met up and she bought me and my fellow squad mates pizza and ice cream. Such a nice smart and amazing person.
2. They say that the academics here are challenging.. and that is definitely true. Make sure you get AI (additional instruction) if you're having trouble understanding the material. Don't try to push it off or anything.. it will bite you right back.
3. I am a slug so for first semester, I played flag football and for the second semester, I will be playing handball.
If you wanna branch IN, definitely try out for Sandhurst. That'll help ALOT. For MIADS, your tac officer will be selecting people for air assault and airborne slots. Airborne is VERY difficult to get selected for (unless you have a very high physical GPA, as well as academic GPA). Air assault is something everyone will be able to do. An average weekend pretty much consists of you watching netflix or maybe going to highland falls to eat or (most importantly lol) working out at Arvin. Not a whole lot you can do here but you'll get used to it. And packing advice for what exactly? CBT? Best grad gift would be the entire family showing up and giving the second LT a big big hug
oregonianjeff
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Still deciding on my appointment, and very eager to get a pretty simple answer. I can ask my liaison tomorrow, but you seem to be on top of things with these question responses. Just curious how long we have to make a decision on our appointments.
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What goes in to determine your physical GPA? Just your APFT score?If you wanna branch IN, definitely try out for Sandhurst. That'll help ALOT. For MIADS, your tac officer will be selecting people for air assault and airborne slots. Airborne is VERY difficult to get selected for (unless you have a very high physical GPA, as well as academic GPA). Air assault is something everyone will be able to do. An average weekend pretty much consists of you watching netflix or maybe going to highland falls to eat or (most importantly lol) working out at Arvin. Not a whole lot you can do here but you'll get used to it. And packing advice for what exactly? CBT? Best grad gift would be the entire family showing up and giving the second LT a big big hug
I am not sure so I can't give you an exact date. my best advice to you is that make sure you REALLY want to come here and go through many challenging days. I know a lot of people who came here with an "eh I'll just see how it goes" mentality and they left during or after CBT. you will face many new obstacles and difficulties here but don't let that scare you.. it is all part of the leadership process. Plus, you have tons of great people here that will help you out 24/7. The family-like environment of West Point is something you won't experience anywhere else.. I guarantee you.
Yup! Also your DPE grades as well (boxing, survival swimming, military movement, etc)
oregonianjeff
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Been seeing lots of people post their appointments with two acronyms I'm not familiar with, what is DD/DS and LOA?
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Here on SAF, local usage, Dear Son, Dear Daughter, Dear Son 2 and so on.
LOA. Letter of Assurance.
If you haven't found the Acronym List thread, suggest searching for it. Helps a lot.
cajunrouge2021
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- Jun 16, 2016
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I don't plan on learning all of Bugle Notes, but what are the best things I could start learning now before R-Day? So far I've got the Soldier's Creed and "How's the Cow?" down.
Honestly, that's good enough lol. I didn't learn a single knowledge before BEAST, and I was just fine. You will have PLENTY of time to memorize them throughout training
This is true. Just remember that you will have to scream the Soldier's Creed when you pass off the knowledge. It's actually pretty fun. Would also recommend The Rocket, that one's a blast.
I'm trying to branch Engineers, actually, because I wanna blow stuff up before I get put at some desk job.
For IN/ AR, definitely Sandhurst, it's basically the sport of infantry. MIADs are things like Air Assault, Airborne, Sapper, etc. You get those based off of your physical/ military grade. For Sapper/ Combat Dive, which are very competitive, there's a huge smoke session and whoever comes out is considered, generally based on physical/ military OML. If there's no football, I generally sleep in, do some homework, then hang with the rest of the people I know. Weekends are very relaxed as long as there's no training. For packing, wait until the list comes out then I'll let you know what I'd recommend. Graduation gift ideas? If you meant Beast graduation, then lots of greasy food. If you mean West Point graduation, wait until you affirm before you start worrying about that.
This place is fun if you have the right mindset and don't feel sorry for yourself.