Current cadet open to answering questions for incoming plebes

Can you describe the most physically challenging day that you remember from BEAST?
For me personally it was March Back. I struggled heavily with rucking as a New Cadet, way overpacked my ruck, and did not have it fit properly to my body. West Point has a lot of hills and I think we walked up a good 75% of them during March Back. We had a couple hour or two smoke sessions where our cadre got fairly creative that weren't super fun. I am not sure if that is allowed anymore. Just show up as strong as you can, it'll be okay.

I can comfortably bang out a 12-miler now with plenty of extra time. Teaching my New Cadets how to properly fit and pack a ruck is going to be one of my top priorities, remembering my own solvable struggles... you live and learn.
 
Any recommendations for boots for someone with wide feet?
I think most boots should have wide options but I don't specifically know if any are better. I have Rocky boots and I really like them, and I know a lot of people who like oakleys and garmonts.
 
Are dress socks worn with low quarters?
You can wear dress socks if you want but you can also wear any black socks with low quarters. A lot of people one the academic year starts just west the same black socks with boots, low quarters, and running shoes since. During beast you probably will want thicker boot socks though.
 
You can wear dress socks if you want but you can also wear any black socks with low quarters. A lot of people one the academic year starts just west the same black socks with boots, low quarters, and running shoes since. During beast you probably will want thicker boot socks though.
How are your classes determined. Do you test before or after r-day? Should I study for these tests or go in blind? Do you have any recommended classes or order of classes? Also, thank you for taking time to help new cadets out
 
Can be any black socks.
This. My DS wears black knit crew socks (athletic) pretty much every day during the school year, in low quarters, boots and running shoes. On days where they have a heavy military load (rucks, land nav, etc.) he wears black boot socks. As posted above you will need the issued white socks for PT at CBT.
 
Am I allowed to bring an electric razor? I can use the regular one just fine but I find the electric variety to be a lot more convenient.
 
I had a webinar last night about language classes I couldn't connect to due to it being a MacBook? I tried resolving the issue without success with assistance from WP and they mentioned that ther are better suited with Dell and I know my incoming laptop will be a Dell. Would you have a recommendation for a device (laptop/tablet) I could use now that is cohesive with WP security firewalls before R-Day and that will work when I get there?
 
I had a webinar last night about language classes I couldn't connect to due to it being a MacBook? I tried resolving the issue without success with assistance from WP and they mentioned that ther are better suited with Dell and I know my incoming laptop will be a Dell. Would you have a recommendation for a device (laptop/tablet) I could use now that is cohesive with WP security firewalls before R-Day and that will work when I get there?
I use a Mac and have never had issues with USMA-related stuff, including last night's town hall. Are you on a school computer or something? Something from your computer has to be blocking their system, not the other way around (I'd presume).
 
How are your classes determined. Do you test before or after r-day? Should I study for these tests or go in blind? Do you have any recommended classes or order of classes? Also, thank you for taking time to help new cadets out
Classes are basically the same for every plebe but there are advanced versions. My class took tests before r day but I know some classes in the past took them during beast. You can study some if you want but unless you're trying to do a major where skipping a certain class would help you I'd recommend just being out in the courses your high school has set you up for. You don't get to choose which classes you take plebe and most of yuk year bc you have to take all the West Point specific gen eds. Some of the classes will be similar to some high school classes and some are pretty West Point specific, but since everyone is in the same classes it's super easy to get help on hw and stuff. And no problem I remember how stressful this all was lol
 
I use a Mac and have never had issues with USMA-related stuff, including last night's town hall. Are you on a school computer or something? Something from your computer has to be blocking their system, not the other way around (I'd presume).
I have an iPad that works fine on the wren which is west point's system. I use my issued laptop for class and everything but I am able to log into all of it on my iPad as well, and my roommate uses her MacBook for everything so once you get here it should be fine. I'd agree that you might have something blocking their system, but once you're at West Point and on the wren you shouldn't have any issues.
 
What should I wear for r-day? Im unsure if I should wear a plain shirt or if it's ok to wear a WP shirt.
Last year DS wore khaki shorts, his low quarters with black socks, and a black West Point t-shirt and it was fine-no issues.
 
How important is the desk fan for CBT? I bought one within the size parameters but the air flow it produces seems to be pretty pitiful, and it takes up valuable real estate in my bag. Can I skip it?
 
How important is the desk fan for CBT? I bought one within the size parameters but the air flow it produces seems to be pretty pitiful, and it takes up valuable real estate in my bag. Can I skip it?
Unless they’ve finished renovating all the barracks which I doubt, if you are in barracks without air conditioning, you’ll be happy for any kind of help on the air flow. Summers are hot and humid. Like very hot and very humid. This can be a purchase made at the C store after arriving though.
 
DS brought the 6 or 9” fan (whatever was allowed) on R Day. It fit in his backpack. Him and his roommates added 4 box fans later
If you have room for a fan, ipack it, just don’t sweat it.
Fans are your friends
 
Do the clothes we wear on beast matter at all? I vacuum packed all of my black undergarments and am left with some bright colors haha. Will we change all of our clothes on R-Day?
 
Back
Top