Congratulations to everyone who had their acceptance show up on their portal today and accepted it making it official, like myself. Now for the hard part, preparing for beast! Does anyone have any preparation tips to help get ready and calm the new found nervousness? I know there's always the basic "do more pushups and sit ups" but is there anything to help you become at least a little more mentally prepared?
GoArmy2022
USMA 2022
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As well as physically preparing (push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, running 1-5 miles with some terrible inclines), I'm memorizing some old bugle notes and familiarizing myself with Army ranks and insignia. I'm not a military brat, so I have to make sure I know these things before I report.
My main reason for wanting to remember the bugle notes actually isn't the same for wanting to memorize insignia/rank. It's important, at least in my opinion, for all of the cadet candidates to learn at least the ranks of both Officer/NCOs and Officer Cadets before reporting so we know what each person does. That matters a lot to me, though there's always "sir/ma'am" for when you're in doubt while addressing a cadre.
I'm memorizing the bugle notes so that I don't need to pull my Plebe Bible out of thin air to study during Beast, or more importantly, to help others learn their New Cadet information. It's imperative to me that everyone in my Beast company feels safe when being asked a question by an NCO/Officer or cadre. Of course, this won't always happen, and I obviously won't know everything when I report even if I use every resource available to me. But I want to do my best for everyone else around me and be a valuable member of my team.
Most kids, according to what I've heard, won't know most of the information upon arrival to West Point even though they had access to it. And, of course, some kids do memorize it and have trouble reciting when the information is being demanded. That's why the Cadet-in-the-Red-Sash stuff is so intimidating. Being physically and mentally prepared does not only help you. That's why I like West Point and the Army so much. Because you help each other. Because you make each other feel safe.
And if your company feels safe with you, I think you'll be surprised with what you'd do for them...and what they'd do for you!
Good luck!!!
My main reason for wanting to remember the bugle notes actually isn't the same for wanting to memorize insignia/rank. It's important, at least in my opinion, for all of the cadet candidates to learn at least the ranks of both Officer/NCOs and Officer Cadets before reporting so we know what each person does. That matters a lot to me, though there's always "sir/ma'am" for when you're in doubt while addressing a cadre.
I'm memorizing the bugle notes so that I don't need to pull my Plebe Bible out of thin air to study during Beast, or more importantly, to help others learn their New Cadet information. It's imperative to me that everyone in my Beast company feels safe when being asked a question by an NCO/Officer or cadre. Of course, this won't always happen, and I obviously won't know everything when I report even if I use every resource available to me. But I want to do my best for everyone else around me and be a valuable member of my team.
Most kids, according to what I've heard, won't know most of the information upon arrival to West Point even though they had access to it. And, of course, some kids do memorize it and have trouble reciting when the information is being demanded. That's why the Cadet-in-the-Red-Sash stuff is so intimidating. Being physically and mentally prepared does not only help you. That's why I like West Point and the Army so much. Because you help each other. Because you make each other feel safe.
And if your company feels safe with you, I think you'll be surprised with what you'd do for them...and what they'd do for you!
Good luck!!!
Yea I second the bugle notes stuff. I'd just try to at least make a dent in some of the longer things. It's kind of useless to try to not get yelled at by memorizing everything, because you're gonna get yelled at no matter what. Just maybe takes some stress off. Rank and insignia's good, because not everyone's a sir/ma'am. Also I'd just keep in mind everyday why and what we're going to do at West Point. Because I'm sure it'll be hard as all hell once we get there, and I want to make it through it all so it'll be good to just constantly keep it in mind so that, when you get yelled at, you don't take it personally.
And let's get it! Go Army!
And let's get it! Go Army!
I'm a plebe right now so, just a few tips for getting ready for CBT. Don't try to memorize any of the cadet knowledge before hand. It's part of the experience and is meant to build the skill of memorizing something in a quick time and being able to recite it under pressure. As ranks go, know that cadet ranks are based on horizontal bars on the epaulets or the crest on their PCs (patrol caps). 1 bar is a corporal (aka what I'll be next year), 2 bar is a sergeant (what you will encounter the most), 3 bars is a lieutenant which will be a Platoon leader, 4 bars and above are going to be captains. You'll be able to figure all of this stuff out during your experience. To get prepared, I recommend this workout that is provided by DPE on the West Point Website (https://www.usma.edu/dpe/SitePages/Cadet Individual Program.aspx). These are going to be the exercises that you will be doing during beast. For actual ranks of Officers and NCOs, you don't salute as a new cadet because you will always be being escorted. Sergeants are there, but don't really do much. Mainly have fun before you go and prepare your mind and body. If you have any other questions, feel free to post on this discussion or send me a personal message.
I was beast cadre this past summer, and I am currently a cow.
I would strongly suggest you do not learn knowledge before you come. It will not benefit you, because you will still be made to stand there and stare at your knowledge book anyway, snd we will kot be impressed that you know it slready. Spend your time now continuing to do what you did in high school that gave the admissions committee reason to offer you an appointment. You don't need to completely change your routine before coming here or else you would not have been admitted. Enjoy your last semester of high school and show up ready to work hard, be humble, and learn a lot.
If anyone has any questions feel free to message me on here or reply to this.
I would strongly suggest you do not learn knowledge before you come. It will not benefit you, because you will still be made to stand there and stare at your knowledge book anyway, snd we will kot be impressed that you know it slready. Spend your time now continuing to do what you did in high school that gave the admissions committee reason to offer you an appointment. You don't need to completely change your routine before coming here or else you would not have been admitted. Enjoy your last semester of high school and show up ready to work hard, be humble, and learn a lot.
If anyone has any questions feel free to message me on here or reply to this.
Make sure you are running and can do well on a PT test. Beside that, relax and soak in the last semester of high school . It is going to fly bye.
There is no real reason to try and "get ahead" with learning knowledge. Making sure you know the difference between a CSM and Captain is probably a good idea but I would not suggest much more than that.
There is no real reason to try and "get ahead" with learning knowledge. Making sure you know the difference between a CSM and Captain is probably a good idea but I would not suggest much more than that.
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Going to just tag along with all of the other comments here. Don't waste your time trying to learn knowledge ahead of time. There's a great skill in being able to take information given in a short amount of time, synthesize, and be able to brief back under pressure which at the time feels stupid, but the more you spend time in the Army, you become more and more thankful for. Take the time to keep working out, enjoy your last semester with friends, and show up with a good attitude. There's something to be said for being the grey man during an experience like Beast. Differentiating yourself by showing up knowing things before hand will bring you more attention from cadre which will not necessarily make the experience any easier or fun. You want to show you are a team player that is ready to learn how to follow and help others around you in a shared experience, not be an individual focused on making your trip easier.
GoArmy2022
USMA 2022
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2017
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- 445
Thank you! I was spending a lot of time trying to learn stuff...good to know I can chill out and learn it this summer!
MidwestDad
Member
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Toughen up your feet to help avoid blisters - run a lot and hike with a loaded pack on hills. Carrying weight really changes the pressure points on your feet and toes. Use stadium stairs if you are a flatlander.
My son wanted the full experience of Beast and did not learn his BOK early. He doesn't regret it.
Break in shoes/boots/low quarters and invest in good boots socks. You are all in for such an amazing experience. Enjoy the rest of high school and your family. I miss my son daily but know he is where he is supposed to be.
