Am Yuk. AMA

candor

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2016
Messages
105
Hi all,

It's been a few years since I've really been active on this forum, but I used to browse it a lot when I was working towards my appointment. I went to a junior military college for prep and am now a Yuk at USMA. I am a Business Management/Language double major, have passed all the necessary DPE classes for Plebes/Yuks so far, just took the IOCT, and will be a CBT 1 Squad Leader this coming summer. I've been a slug, CCA, Corps Squad Athlete, and have had some cool experiences with various clubs in my short time here so far. If anyone has any questions, feel free to reply or send me a PM.
 
How does the opportunities presented by the Chinese major compare to the Chinese minor? What have you heard of the grand strategy minor?
 
Hi. How do new cadets get their personal belongings to the academy? I know I'll bring CBT items with me, but how about academic year things like school supplies, sports equipment, xbox, books...? Will there be storage space before R-Day, or do I need to ship/buy everything after CBT? Thanks!
 
Hi all,

It's been a few years since I've really been active on this forum, but I used to browse it a lot when I was working towards my appointment. I went to a junior military college for prep and am now a Yuk at USMA. I am a Business Management/Language double major, have passed all the necessary DPE classes for Plebes/Yuks so far, just took the IOCT, and will be a CBT 1 Squad Leader this coming summer. I've been a slug, CCA, Corps Squad Athlete, and have had some cool experiences with various clubs in my short time here so far. If anyone has any questions, feel free to reply or send me a PM.
Is it hard to manage outside relationships, and do you feel that you get enough time away from the academy’s?
 
What clubs have you tried? What did you like best about them? Are there any clubs you haven’t participated in yet but wish you would have tried or still plan to try? Can you still join clubs as a Yuk or Cow?
 
I am a candidate this year at USMA and I have realized that it is by far my top choice. However, If I am not accepted I have a 4 year ROTC scholarship at a top 30 school. If USMA is truly where I want to be, would you recommend trying to re-apply my freshman year of college?
 
How does the opportunities presented by the Chinese major compare to the Chinese minor? What have you heard of the grand strategy minor?
The opportunities are actually the same. The Chinese program here is one of the most rigorous out of the languages, but there are so many students (both major/minor, and not at all) that attend their AIADs to Taiwan. They are challenging but rewarding. I got to go to NYC's Chinatown last year on a day trip section with the Chinese Department.

I've heard great things about the GS minor. Typically people pair that with DSS (Defense and Strategic Studies) or some history major. It's definitely a good pairing towards the career field we are entering.
 
Hi. How do new cadets get their personal belongings to the academy? I know I'll bring CBT items with me, but how about academic year things like school supplies, sports equipment, xbox, books...? Will there be storage space before R-Day, or do I need to ship/buy everything after CBT? Thanks!

So, obviously, for CBT, just bring your backpack with those essential items from the list. School supplies you can get at any store around (like Target/Walmart) on A-Day if your parents/family comes up. If your family isn't coming up, I am positive that your newfound friends will invite you, or you can tell your Team Leader and they will figure out a solution. If worst comes to worst, the Cadet Store has plenty of school supplies. You really only need some folders, pencils and pens, paper, and binders. And you choose your school supplies based on what best fits you for each class.

Unless you are a Corps Squad Athlete (they will provide you with lockers prior to RDay), i doubt you will need sports equipment, but if you do, whichever barracks you are in will have lockers in the basement, where you can store your equipment. I wouldn't suggest bringing them if you don't need to though - the lockers are about...6-7ft tall and maybe 3.5ft in width. THERE WIlL NOT BE STORAGE SPACE BEFORE RDAY.
 
Is it hard to manage outside relationships, and do you feel that you get enough time away from the academy’s?
As a plebe, I struggled with this. I went to a year of prep school so I was already away from my home friends for a bit and entered the Academy with some prep buddies. However, yeah, it's hard. Simply because we can't see outside people very often. I did feel like I got enough time away from the Academy though. I went home for Columbus Day weekend, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I went out to the city for Labor Day Weekend, Veteran's Day Weekend, Army Navy, Plebe Parent Weekend, Easter, and TEE Leave.
 
I am a candidate this year at USMA and I have realized that it is by far my top choice. However, If I am not accepted I have a 4 year ROTC scholarship at a top 30 school. If USMA is truly where I want to be, would you recommend trying to re-apply my freshman year of college?
I would definitely consider my choices. ROTC leads to a commission, as does USMA. USMA may be your top choice, but what is your primary goal? Would you be willing to postpone your commission by an entire year, start over, and come here? Some say yes, some say no. Ultimately, it's up to you. I'd say that here, everyone says it's a series of ups and downs and I feel like I've had more than my fair share of downs, but I've embraced the challenge. I feel like I've grown a lot over the past few years and this is where I want to be. We also might endure more "suck" here than any ROTC school, making it possibly more rewarding in some individuals' eyes.
 
What clubs have you tried? What did you like best about them? Are there any clubs you haven’t participated in yet but wish you would have tried or still plan to try? Can you still join clubs as a Yuk or Cow?
So I walked on to a D1 NCAA team plebe year, but I was on Ski Patrol, made it on another competitive club team, and have also participated in company athletics.

I tried out for Sandhurst Black and Gold but didn't make the cut on the first go-around. I'm training and then going to try out again.

Most teams give Cows/Firsties a shot, but pay more attention to the underclassmen since they still have time to develop more and be key team members.
 
The opportunities are actually the same. The Chinese program here is one of the most rigorous out of the languages, but there are so many students (both major/minor, and not at all) that attend their AIADs to Taiwan. They are challenging but rewarding. I got to go to NYC's Chinatown last year on a day trip section with the Chinese Department.

I've heard great things about the GS minor. Typically people pair that with DSS (Defense and Strategic Studies) or some history major. It's definitely a good pairing towards the career field we are entering.
Thank you so much
 
As a plebe, I struggled with this. I went to a year of prep school so I was already away from my home friends for a bit and entered the Academy with some prep buddies. However, yeah, it's hard. Simply because we can't see outside people very often. I did feel like I got enough time away from the Academy though. I went home for Columbus Day weekend, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I went out to the city for Labor Day Weekend, Veteran's Day Weekend, Army Navy, Plebe Parent Weekend, Easter, and TEE Leave.
Do you know anything about Army Water polo?
 
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