keydet2016

Hello keydet, I have another question for you if you don't mind me asking. I plan on majoring in Physics and minoring in astronomy, and I definitely want to participate in the undergraduate research. So my question is, is that difficult to participate in, or can anyone just sign up and do it? Also, is it a big thing that a lot of cadets do? Thanks again for answering my questions.

If you don't go to stp you just get your boots and low quarters at matriculation...like I did and I survive haha

They give those to you at stp to break in. I don't think rats can buy their own boots until breakdown.

I have a rather obscure question for you. Do you know if I am able to purchase my low quarters and boots now so I can break them in, or do I have to wear the issued ones?

You basically never leave as a rat unless it's a corps furlough. 4/C and up you can leave if you have a "weekend". It's like a pass. You can earn them or get em different ways. For example, if your company wins certain competitions or cups you get weekends.

Are you allowed to leave on the weekends, or is that an earned privilege?

I fly home for longer breaks like Christmas. But if it's a week or less I get a ride to some family that live in DC. A Brother Rat of mine also takes me in weekends and such. No one gets left behind though!

That is exactly what I have been fearing the most, snow Haha. And thank you, this wait is killing me! So what do you do over breaks? Do you fly home every chance you get or do you stay with host families?

As of right now, VMI is my plan B to West Point and I will hopefully hear back from West Point in about a week. To be honest though, the more I read about VMI the more I think it will be a better fit for me. Anyhow, how are California kids different from the rest?