Current Plebe; Ask Away

GoArmy2022

USMA 2022
Joined
Oct 29, 2017
Messages
445
The title kind of says it all! I’m a Plebe who’s just finishing up her first semester. Have done Sandhurst and finished Mil Move and Boxing both as well as completed a semester of this place, save a few TEEs. If you have any questions, you can talk to me here.

Note: If you’re going to be class of 2023, feel free to shoot me a private message and I’ll give you my phone number to add. That way you can ask me a question anytime you want and can ask me for help next year, whether you have a bad team leader who isn’t giving you much of a hand or you just think I’m decent.
 
How many push ups can they make you do during beast and the school year? Whats the cell phone policy now like during beast? Did they ever bring back the gauntlet for incoming plebes into their companies?
 
How many push ups can they make you do during beast and the school year? Whats the cell phone policy now like during beast? Did they ever bring back the gauntlet for incoming plebes into their companies?

As for the push-ups, do as many as you can before you go. Beast push-ups are three-count so for every “1” push-up, you’re doing two. During the first detail they’re limited to 10 three-count push-ups (so 20 push-ups) but during second detail it doubles.

No cell phones at all during beast. Two times during beast you will get a 10 minute phone call from your squad leader or PSG’s phone. You will be cut off at 10. If you wish to use your ice cream social hosts’ phone during the couple of hours of the social, they’ll let you.

And yes, I had a gauntlet to get into my company and I went through 3 gauntlets during Beast.
 
Could you explain what a gauntlet is?
For example: Upon returning to the Company area and barracks after March-Back, the upperclassmen will line the hallways and scream well-intended harassment at the Plebes as they move down the lines toward their assigned rooms. If they are seen as lacking in Cadet knowledge or some other questions put to them they are subject to more "Focused" attention from their superiors. PT, knowledge drills, etc... Much like reporting to the Cadet in the Red Sash on R Day, it is done before the Cadets enter their company area for the first time for Re-Orgy week. This one is fairly good natured though.
 
1) What do you take with you to the Academy once you get accepted?
2) How long after you are there before you get to call your family? (Curious mom here ‍♀️)
3) Are we (parents) allowed 2 send Plebes anything during their 1st semester?
4) I’m assuming Plebes get a Christmas break & if so how long is that break?

5) Last question..I think..Are Plebes allowed to attend the Army-Navy game?

Thank you so much for posting this in here . My cousin attended WP but I was much younger & I do not remember any of this. Happy Holidays
 
1) What do you take with you to the Academy once you get accepted? USMA will provide the New Cadet with a list of required and permissible items weeks before A-Day.
2) How long after you are there before you get to call your family? (Curious mom here ‍♀️) For my son it was two calls during Beast, one about two weeks in then the second during ice cream social.
3) Are we (parents) allowed 2 send Plebes anything during their 1st semester? Yes. Pretty much anything they might need.
4) I’m assuming Plebes get a Christmas break & if so how long is that break? Yes. My son will be home this Christmas, from Dec 21 to Jan 5. They are done as soon as their last TEE is over. Some kids, therefore, are done much earlier than others. Just depends on the schedule they have.

5) Last question..I think..Are Plebes allowed to attend the Army-Navy game? Not only are they allowed; they are REQUIRED to attend Army/Navy, as well as ALL home football games. Most take a pass so they can spend the weekend in Philadelphia (or wherever the game is played), but a few just take the "boomerang" bus, which ships the cadets to and from the game only. The Army/Navy weekend experience is fantastic for everyone. I highly recommend you attend.

Thank you so much for posting this in here . My cousin attended WP but I was much younger & I do not remember any of this. Happy Holidays
 
1. You really have your choice of a few things, but there are some items that are simply not allowed. Brovol mentioned that above; West Point provides a list of what’s allowed.

2. You’re supposed to get a 10 minute call the first two weeks and a 10 minute call the final two weeks. Additionally, you can call if you choose during the ice cream social which is in the smack middle of beast and lasts about 5 hours. It’s really just an opportunity for you to connect with officers/NCOs in the area while the cadre switch.

3. You can send them anything that’s not against the SOP. More stuff is against the rules than you might think, but a lot of cadets hide stuff here. I have a friend who couldn’t survive without his little waffle-maker—lol.

4. Plebes get to leave when their last TEE (term end exam, or final) is over. I’m leaving today, actually, because my last final is in half an hour. This is unlike spring leave when the upperclass leave early and the Plebes stay for PPW. I’ll be home from Dec 20 to Jan 5.

5. All cadets who are in good physical condition, regardless of their disciplinary standing, are required to attend the Army vs Navy game each year.
 
1. What is the homework load like?
2. What is it like attending as a female with such a large male majority?
3. What have been the best and worst parts so far of the school year?
Thank you so much!
 
1. What is the homework load like?
2. What is it like attending as a female with such a large male majority?
3. What have been the best and worst parts so far of the school year?
Thank you so much!

1. Homework load depends on credit load. I took 18.5 credits last semester and the most homework I had came from math. It wasn’t that bad, honestly, but studying for tests got tedious quickly.

2. Honestly, it’s a little daunting. I try my best to exceed the minimum standard set for men, and often times, I do, but I feel like there’s a lot of pressure for me to do it. Some of the men complain about us but a lot of them are okay with it. Just do your best and don’t sweat the noise.

3. Well, I’ve gotten into some trouble and that’s been the worst part for me. Try to follow the rules for your own good. Being a Plebe can be hard, but being a cadet is very rewarding. Certain people at West Point are incredible..my biggest piece of advice to you is to hold fast to those people. Keep them, because you’ll need them at some point—and hope they also rely on you. Those people have been the best parts of my experience.
 
What was beast like? I’ve heard mixed things and I guess it depends on the specific person. Best and worst parts?? any advice going in?
 
What was beast like? I’ve heard mixed things and I guess it depends on the specific person. Best and worst parts?? any advice going in?

Just like any other experience, Beast is different for different people. It can be fun if you make the most of the cool parts. If you’re cynical, it’s going to suck.

As a New Cadet, you have the least amount of agency of any individual in the West Point hierarchy. Technically, all members of USMA are the same rank after taking the oath and gaining secret security clearance—in fact, every cadet even makes the same salary of about $1080–the only difference is that Plebes only see 1/5th of it and Firsties see 1/2.

The ranks within West Point, however, are taken seriously by cadet cadre, as this is their role in the system. Additionally, it’s taken seriously by the administration. But certain cadets will care less during the academic year.

Nonetheless, as a New Cadet, you are at the bottom of the totem pole. You are technically at the position of attention (or modified attention aka parade rest) at all times, are rarely allowed to speak to your fellow New Cadets, and will adopt a role that requires much perceived unimportance to the system.

I recommend you take practice APFTs prior to arrival. You should score higher than a 270 before Beast. You should also be within the height/weight specifications the Army requires (or be able to pass the tape test), as well as do the minimum amount of pull-ups required on the CFA. They test your pull-ups on R-day and write it on a tag. It might embarrass you to have a low score.

The best parts are learning new skills and getting to apply them. Beast will teach you a lot of these including rifle marksmanship (M4) and daytime land navigation. You will also learn the fundamentals of grenadiering and military science (the art of combat, United States style) while you are issued important gear such as your rifle, OCPs, ruck (which you’ll use more than you like), flight bag, etc.

The worst part of Beast is being a New Cadet, similarly to how the worst part of Plebe year is being a Plebe. You will get used to a severe loss of your privileges, feel as though you have a lot, and then realize that, especially compared to your buddies at civilian colleges, you don’t.

But you must remember what you’ve traded these privileges for. West Point is the opportunity of not one but several lifetimes. It takes a lot to get in there and even more to stay. You might fall in love with the place, but if you don’t, you will fall in love with the people. Not all of them—some cadets are...well, not the greatest, and you’ll learn that quickly—but some are the most incredible people you could have the privilege of knowing.

Prepare for one of the greatest journeys of your life. If you want my contact information for next year, feel free to DM me and ask for my number. I will be available to assist you next year if you ever need it.
 
What was beast like? I’ve heard mixed things and I guess it depends on the specific person. Best and worst parts?? any advice going in?

Just like any other experience, Beast is different for different people. It can be fun if you make the most of the cool parts. If you’re cynical, it’s going to suck.

As a New Cadet, you have the least amount of agency of any individual in the West Point hierarchy. Technically, all members of USMA are the same rank after taking the oath and gaining secret security clearance—in fact, every cadet even makes the same salary of about $1080–the only difference is that Plebes only see 1/5th of it and Firsties see 1/2.

The ranks within West Point, however, are taken seriously by cadet cadre, as this is their role in the system. Additionally, it’s taken seriously by the administration. But certain cadets will care less during the academic year.

Nonetheless, as a New Cadet, you are at the bottom of the totem pole. You are technically at the position of attention (or modified attention aka parade rest) at all times, are rarely allowed to speak to your fellow New Cadets, and will adopt a role that requires much perceived unimportance to the system.

I recommend you take practice APFTs prior to arrival. You should score higher than a 270 before Beast. You should also be within the height/weight specifications the Army requires (or be able to pass the tape test), as well as do the minimum amount of pull-ups required on the CFA. They test your pull-ups on R-day and write it on a tag. It might embarrass you to have a low score.

The best parts are learning new skills and getting to apply them. Beast will teach you a lot of these including rifle marksmanship (M4) and daytime land navigation. You will also learn the fundamentals of grenadiering and military science (the art of combat, United States style) while you are issued important gear such as your rifle, OCPs, ruck (which you’ll use more than you like), flight bag, etc.

The worst part of Beast is being a New Cadet, similarly to how the worst part of Plebe year is being a Plebe. You will get used to a severe loss of your privileges, feel as though you have a lot, and then realize that, especially compared to your buddies at civilian colleges, you don’t.

But you must remember what you’ve traded these privileges for. West Point is the opportunity of not one but several lifetimes. It takes a lot to get in there and even more to stay. You might fall in love with the place, but if you don’t, you will fall in love with the people. Not all of them—some cadets are...well, not the greatest, and you’ll learn that quickly—but some are the most incredible people you could have the privilege of knowing.

Prepare for one of the greatest journeys of your life. If you want my contact information for next year, feel free to DM me and ask for my number. I will be available to assist you next year if you ever need it.
Very well put. Our DD feels precisely the same in regards to several of the points you addressed.

"But you must remember what you’ve traded these privileges for. West Point is the opportunity of not one but several lifetimes. It takes a lot to get in there and even more to stay. You might fall in love with the place, but if you don’t, you will fall in love with the people. Not all of them—some cadets are...well, not the greatest, and you’ll learn that quickly—but some are the most incredible people you could have the privilege of knowing."

The quoted Para is spot on. Thanks.
 
What do you bring on first day? How much money is needed, how many clothes and what kinds of clothes? Cell phone? Ect
 
When are you typically allowed to go off campus, and what is the city like there?
 
When are you typically allowed to go off campus, and what is the city like there?

While you are awaiting responses about passes, enjoy the description of the village of Highland Falls just outside the gate. It’s very walkable, 1.1 sq miles.

There are certainly nearby towns and cities, including the big one down river, but Highland Falls is the closest civilian center. It has a Main St. and several local favorite places to eat. I am there several times a year on business, and I enjoy the small town feel.

Different than Annapolis, Colorado Springs and Great Neck, but pretty in its own way.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Falls,_New_York
 
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Very helpful, thanks for including that Walman!
When are you typically allowed to go off campus, and what is the city like there?

While you are awaiting responses about passes, enjoy the description of the village of Highland Falls just outside the gate. It’s very walkable, 1.1 sq miles.

There are certainly nearby towns and cities, including the big one down river, but Highland Falls is the closest civilian center. It has a Main St. and several local favorite places to eat. I am there several times a year on business, and I enjoy the small town feel.

Different than Annapolis, Colorado Springs and Great Neck, but pretty in its own way.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Falls,_New_York
Agreed, city is not quite the right term. Village or hamlet is more apt. It is a great little town though and they are proud of their Cadets. It's a nice small town feel.
 
When are you typically allowed to go off campus, and what is the city like there?

Walman is exactly right. Highland Falls is indeed a small town and they are extremely proud of the cadets. If you walk into any establishment in Highland Falls and there’s no sign of West Point memorabilia, let me know because I haven’t seen one without it yet.

Also, I’m afraid that as a Plebe, you can’t go out much. But we don’t really have enough money to do it anyway, so it probably won’t matter to you much. We get one base pass per semester. I got bonus performance passes for the APFT and Sandhurst. You can also get bonus passes by watching honor boards (that’s right—they’re open to cadets to see!).
 
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