Plebe Life Q & A (Female)

GoArmy2022

USMA 2022
Joined
Oct 29, 2017
Messages
445
Hey there!

I have been taking classes at USMA for just a little over 6 weeks now and have been living the Plebe life for around 7. If you guys have any questions about what a Plebe’s schedule can look like, you can ask me. If you are trying to be recruited for athletics, I have two Corps Squad roommates so I can ask them questions for you and give you their answers.

If you want to know what being on company Sandhurst is like, you can ask me, as that’s what I’m doing this semester. Also, if you have a question about the GPB (German Proficiency Badge), this is the last semester that it will be offered at West Point—this information is just for your reference before you ask.

Any questions regarding being a female at West Point or being LGBT are also welcome.

Finally, I will also answer questions about my admissions process or give you some advice on yours if you would like.
 
What does a typical day at West Point look like for a female? Is there anything that seems to be a lot more difficult for you compared to the males?
 
Hi, is Family Weekend a chargeable or non-chargeable pass? Thanks!
 
Hi, is Family Weekend a chargeable or non-chargeable pass? Thanks!

I’m not sure! They haven’t told us yet, but I assume that it’s going to be non-chargeable considering that us Plebes are not allowed to leave that much. This is just my thought though.
 
What does a typical day at West Point look like for a female? Is there anything that seems to be a lot more difficult for you compared to the males?

Good question!

A female plebe’s day is not different from a male plebe’s day unless we’re talking about DPE (Department of Physical Education) classes.

Thought PE was only offered from grade school through high school?

Think again—Plebes take Military Movement (gymnastics and the IOCT, or indoor obstacle course) and Boxing. Females can get a higher score on the obstacle course with a slower time and are only paired with other females in boxing class. They can also achieve more points for doing fewer pull-ups, dips, and ankles to bar than the men.

Aside from that, a Plebe’s day can vary considering that companies perform Plebe duties differently. Ours works like this:

PT at 0520 (only on some days depending on sports. I don’t know what remedial PT does because I’m not in it but I can ask if you want to know).

0600 cleaning the company areas (1 platoon on trash, 1 on bathroom, and 1 on sweep/mop)

0637 minutes for breakfast formation (mandatory for Plebes and Plebes cannot use breakfast buffet line)

0650 breakfast formation (with uniform inspection on Thursdays)

0730 classes begin and continue through 1135

1137 minutes for lunch formation

1150 lunch formation

1115-1120 lunch ends for Upperclass

1225 lunch ends for Plebes

1235 classes resume and continue through 1600

1600 end of academic day

1620 athletics/drill depending on your sport (authos) and events at USMA (“authos” mean you get to avoid drill every once in a while...or all the time depending on what you do)

1800 end of athletic day

Dinner optional

1930 ESP (evening study period) begins and continues through 2330

2330 TAPS (must be in room at this time)
 
Good question!

A female plebe’s day is not different from a male plebe’s day unless we’re talking about DPE (Department of Physical Education) classes.

Thought PE was only offered from grade school through high school?

Think again—Plebes take Military Movement (gymnastics and the IOCT, or indoor obstacle course) and Boxing. Females can get a higher score on the obstacle course with a slower time and are only paired with other females in boxing class. They can also achieve more points for doing fewer pull-ups, dips, and ankles to bar than the men.

Aside from that, a Plebe’s day can vary considering that companies perform Plebe duties differently. Ours works like this:

PT at 0520 (only on some days depending on sports. I don’t know what remedial PT does because I’m not in it but I can ask if you want to know).

0600 cleaning the company areas (1 platoon on trash, 1 on bathroom, and 1 on sweep/mop)

0637 minutes for breakfast formation (mandatory for Plebes and Plebes cannot use breakfast buffet line)

0650 breakfast formation (with uniform inspection on Thursdays)

0730 classes begin and continue through 1135

1137 minutes for lunch formation

1150 lunch formation

1115-1120 lunch ends for Upperclass

1225 lunch ends for Plebes

1235 classes resume and continue through 1600

1600 end of academic day

1620 athletics/drill depending on your sport (authos) and events at USMA (“authos” mean you get to avoid drill every once in a while...or all the time depending on what you do)

1800 end of athletic day

Dinner optional

1930 ESP (evening study period) begins and continues through 2330

2330 TAPS (must be in room at this time)
I've heard that dinner is mandatory on Thursdays. Is this true? If so, is it mandatory for all cadets, or just plebes?
 
I've heard that dinner is mandatory on Thursdays. Is this true? If so, is it mandatory for all cadets, or just plebes?

Yes, that is usually true! Spirit dinner is usually on Thursday. Sometimes we have them on Wednesdays, though, and we didn’t have one at all this past week because we had the Thayer dinner. I’m not sure what the actual handbook rule is, but the reality of Spirit Dinner is that all cadets who are not at athletic practice attend. All the firsties/cows/yuks who are normally at my table during mandatory meals are present for this dinner.
 
Will there be spirit dinner this Thursday? I’m going for an overnight and I’m really hoping I get to see one
 
Hi, is Family Weekend a chargeable or non-chargeable pass? Thanks!
Family Weekend (19-21 OCT) usually is “chargeable”. It’s a football weekend so cadets cadet leave for pass until after the game Saturday. If passes are an issue for plebes, try to get academic incentives or attend an honor board to get a performance pass.
 
What was the most surprising thing about life so far? what was different than your expectations?
 
Dumb question, but why is dinner optional? Dont most people eat dinner?

I go to dinner in the mess hall most of the time. Dinner is optional likely because it’s so difficult to take accountability for a possible dinner formation due to the fact that so many different things are happening at West Point during the 1800-1930 time period. Some people have other places of duty. There are also the select few who get paid by their parents and blow that cash in Grant Hall every night...I’ve met some of them and there are a rather surprising number.
 
Do plebes have to eat at attention?

Plebes do not stand while they eat. Because the position of attention requires standing, the answer to this question is no. However, some companies make their Plebes “sit at attention,” which is what you have to do when you’re a New Cadet. There’s an SOP for posture and table setting you’d have to adhere to if your table is this strict.

But, just so you know, I’m sure over 90% of tables here don’t make Plebes do that. I’ve been floated a few times and have never experienced this at a table. I do hear things, however.
 
do you feel that you have enough time to study or is homework always rushed?

I came to USMA with solid time management skills so I feel like I have enough time to study. 6 weeks into high school my GPA was about a 2.7 but here it was a 3.6 at the 6 week mark. You just have to learn to get your priorities straight. I’m sure I’d have a higher GPA if I spent all my time studying but I’m guilty of hitting the gym a little too much :)
 
DS is also a plebe with same situation.. GPA around 3.5 and could be better but also sacrifices some study time for working out and running. Says meals at his table are very relaxed compared to how he heard it would be.
 
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