SLE Excitement

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VJ.Chinook

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Feb 20, 2017
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SLE #1 is tomorrow. I’m excited.
Let’s just be excited about SLE together.
Also, what should I bring to SLE besides things on the checklist, are there any papers to sign to bring or anything like that?
 
I’m going to SLE 2 and I have a few questions.
What do we wear on the first day?
Do we pack our own shirts or will they give us what we need other than the long sleeved shirt for military day?
How stressful was the first day?
 
DS is their now. First day is minor stressing, but the schedule is JAM packed. DS is having fun but exhausted. Wear shorts/polo shirt on arrival and comfortable shoes. Everything else needed is on the checklist. DS wished he took a fan as nights are warm in rooms w no AC. Have a blast!
 
What to bring: a great attitude, an open mind, a willingness to make friends.

Pack light. Don’t be the one pulling an oversized suitcase on wheels or hauling an overstuffed duffel bag. After you check in, you’ll embark on a brisk march from the baseball stadium to your room. At that point, you’ll be glad you didn’t overpack.
 
A little late for the SLE #1 group, but I'll share some thoughts if anyone is interested.

I used a backpacking backpack (internal frame) to carry my stuff. It fit everything, was comfortable, and seemed easier to manage than suitcases. Not sure about how easy it would be to bring on a plane with, but just a thought when you're marching that first day.

Most of the windows can open, and if you fit your towel between the two panes of the window over the opening, it blocks light at night while still letting cooler air in. Plus it ensures your towel is dry for the next time you shower.

Set an alarm for 5 minutes before your expected wakeup time. It helps to have a few extra minutes to breath and ensure you have everything you need for the day.

Be sure to talk to the professors personally while you're there, especially if they teach a major you wish to pursue. I met one then was able to call a few months later when I had other questions about the academy. They do remember you if you take time to introduce yourself and can offer valuable insight.

MidCakePa is exactly right. I still talk to many of my squadmates from SLE, and I regard the experience as the best of my summer. It is only as good of an experience as you make it. Good luck!
 
areo02 said:
A little late for the SLE #1 group, but I'll share some thoughts if anyone is interested.

I used a backpacking backpack (internal frame) to carry my stuff. It fit everything, was comfortable, and seemed easier to manage than suitcases. Not sure about how easy it would be to bring on a plane with, but just a thought when you're marching that first day.

Most of the windows can open, and if you fit your towel between the two panes of the window over the opening, it blocks light at night while still letting cooler air in. Plus it ensures your towel is dry for the next time you shower.

Set an alarm for 5 minutes before your expected wakeup time. It helps to have a few extra minutes to breath and ensure you have everything you need for the day.

Be sure to talk to the professors personally while you're there, especially if they teach a major you wish to pursue. I met one then was able to call a few months later when I had other questions about the academy. They do remember you if you take time to introduce yourself and can offer valuable insight.

MidCakePa is exactly right. I still talk to many of my squadmates from SLE, and I regard the experience as the best of my summer. It is only as good of an experience as you make it. Good luck!
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This may sound silly, but when they say bring khaki pants, shorts, skirts, etc., do they mean it literally? Must it be khaki in color or can they be dress pants, shorts, skirt in another color. My older son went to SLE a few years ago, but I can't remember.
 
Yes, they should be khaki. They're for wearing during the academic days with the issued polos, so the goal is everyone looking as similar as possible.
 
Should I bring snacks? I’m a grazer, would I be allowed a granola bar or two through the day if I brought them?
 
WishfulThinking said:
I’m a grazer, would I be allowed a granola bar or two through the day if I brought them?
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You can. But should you? You’ll be well fed. And you’ll be constantly on the go. And you’ll always be with your squad. If you pull out a bar, will you have enough to share with your squad mates? Or will you just eat yours in front of them? Or will you sneak off to have it in private? It’s a camp, not plebe summer, so no one is going to be cracking heads. Do what you need to do. Just be cool about it.
 
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Thank you all for your advice. I really want to enjoy my time there, but I can’t help myself from stressing over the CFA. I wanted to be able to do at least one pull up since it is valued more than the flexed arm hang, but I still have not reached that level of strength. While that sounds awful considering how long I’ve had to prepare, I managed to go from not being able to do a single push up to doing about 50 every other day. I am worried that my inability to complete one pull up will really hurt my score overall. Is there anyone that was in the same situation I’m in? I could retake it, but it is disappointing because I wanted to get it out of the way since I will have more to worry about this coming school year. Any tips or advice would be appreciated.
 
@FaiM13, don’t worry about those pull-ups during SLE. Not a big deal at all because you have several more months to submit your CFA. Keep working at it. As your push-ups show, you’re capable of getting better with concerted effort. Focus your SLE experience on just having a great time, learning a lot and meeting cool people.

I understand the desire to “get it out of the way.” But if by that, you mean you can cut back on workouts, then think again. You actually need to maintain, or even ramp up, your workouts. Because if you do attend West Point, you’ll need to arrive in the best shape of your life. So keep working at those pull-ups (and pushups and everything else) and see it as building momentum toward plebe summer.

Don’t submit one pull-up in June if you can submit three pull-ups in October. Could very well be the difference between attending West Point and not. It’s a competition, after all.
 
WishfulThinking said:
Should I bring snacks? I’m a grazer, would I be allowed a granola bar or two through the day if I brought them?
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I wouldn't bring anything. It's more stuff to carry, and at breakfast there are options for you to grab pretzels, granola bars, etc. that you can toss in your bag for later.
 
FaiM13 said:
Thank you all for your advice. I really want to enjoy my time there, but I can’t help myself from stressing over the CFA. I wanted to be able to do at least one pull up since it is valued more than the flexed arm hang, but I still have not reached that level of strength. While that sounds awful considering how long I’ve had to prepare, I managed to go from not being able to do a single push up to doing about 50 every other day. I am worried that my inability to complete one pull up will really hurt my score overall. Is there anyone that was in the same situation I’m in? I could retake it, but it is disappointing because I wanted to get it out of the way since I will have more to worry about this coming school year. Any tips or advice would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

If you want to take some stress away, just think of it logically. If the flexed arm hang is an option, then you know that the minimum is some time value of flexed arm hang. Therefore, if you can max the flexed arm hang, then you can be reasonably sure of passing that event, albeit with a lower score than you may like. This isn't ideal, but may take away some stress during the test and help you perform better overall. Keep working at it and good luck!
 
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