Hey everyone! I used this forum when I was getting ready to come to West Point for Beast, and as a Squad Leader this summer, I wanted to help out with questions/concerns as well in preparing for Beast. I'll try my best to answer with my own experiences of this summer, and what it'll look like.
Beast 1 Squad Leader
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Buffstone126
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My daughter is applying for class of 2025, so this won’t help her, but I think this is a fabulous idea and I thank you for doing it!
Sort of to go along with this... What would be most beneficial to know beforehand?
I would learn the two things that they send out to you beforehand; I think it's the Cadet Creed and Honor Code. I wouldn't do anything else. You'll be spending most of your first weeks just learning knowledge anyway, and it doesn't come across well to either the cadre or your fellow battle buddies if we can see that you've memorized everything beforehand.
Thanks. Also, what are the guidelines/restrictions for running shoes? Am I okay to just bring a broken in pair of black running shoes?
VirginiaHall2024
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What would you have done differently (if anything) to prepare physically? Can you recommend some good workouts?
So I would definitely buy some boot socks, most people have Fox River. They're thicker and so will keep your feet from blistering during longer rucks, especially during land nav and Beast 2 rucking. They'll give you a lot of things in the beginning, but some things are just bad like the underwear they give, which you should bring from home. The socks aren't too bad though, just make sure the socks you buy are either black or green. Also no need to go crazy with how much you bring, a couple of pairs should do it; you're going to run out of clean laundry pretty early on!
So physically, there isn't much going on except for morning PT until week 3 or so, when you start land nav. Morning PT is pretty simply, just a lot of squat, sit-ups, running, pull-ups, etc. I would definitely recommend breaking in your boots though, because I did not and suffered for it with awful blisters (people really start to get them bad when the briefs end and the training begins). I would honestly start training for the ACFT now, because you will either be taking the whole thing or a modified version of it (we haven't gotten the full guidance on that). I would focus on T-push ups, running, and leg tucks especially, because that is what we as cadre will be tested on. There aren't really any specific workouts I'd recommend, keep/start lifting, and keep/start running. There are a lot of ACFT workouts online, with different exercises geared for each type of event. Good luck!
I'm pretty sure that the Bifida were the Garmont boots that were allowed, but every year they send out a memo that should be visible on your portal about the exact types of boots that are okay. There are usually four options I think. Good luck!
It's called PRT, or Physical Readiness Training, so if you look up Army PRT you'll see every single thing we actually do. Think a lot of push-up, sit-up, pull-up drills, running in a formation, etc.
VirginiaHall2024
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Are you allowed to wear ankle socks instead of crew socks with Low Quarters?
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No, the black dress socks are the same as you’ll wear with your formal uniform after graduation as well
No, you're good. You can shoot either way, just make sure you adjust your sling in that case.