I’ve heard that there is a catholic chapel at West Point, but will I be able to attend mass during BEAST? Also do I have enough time to go during the academic year? And since mass is on sundays, are sundays usually more laid back during BEAST and the school year?
Church at USMA?
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Walman888
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All bets are off during Beast in regards to schedules. But it is totally common for the various chaplains to come into the field for services. Sometimes they bring cookies! You will be permitted and encouraged to attend your chosen services.
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There is chaplains time on Wednesday nights during Beast that are a great way to start engaging w the community. All efforts are made to allow for Mass and other service attendance but it is around training schedules that change.
During the academic year you will be able to enjoy a routine of attending mass on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obligation. You will have opportunities to engage w the community, too.
During the academic year you will be able to enjoy a routine of attending mass on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obligation. You will have opportunities to engage w the community, too.
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Also, for anyone reading this who does not practice a faith or is an agnostic or atheist. During Beast there is still Chaplains Time--every Wednesday night. The different religious organizations/ministries host new cadets...and feed them & let them relax & feed them. Is there some sort of service or activity, yes, '& feed them.' A former cadet/now Old Grad with whom I am very close was a deist. He went with the agnostic/atheist group for the first chaplains time--he went with one of the larger Christian groups for each of the other opportunities--because '& feed them,' the food was far superior. You are not committing to attend services or to convert.
However, if you are practicing in your faith, this is the best opportunity to be introduced to your new faith community at West Point.
However, if you are practicing in your faith, this is the best opportunity to be introduced to your new faith community at West Point.
Walman888
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Precisely how our DD found them. It was a welcome, quiet, respite from being smoked and PT'ed. She was so very grateful and it made a lasting impression. So much so that she wrote home about it. We were very pleased at home too.
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I wanted to add, for those about to rock...you are moving away from home perhaps for the first time. You are going to live at West Point for 47 months. If you do practice your faith, irrespective of what that faith is, there is a community at West Point for you. You don't have to find it or know it now, you will have the chance to meet others & leaders when you get to West Point...just like the clubs & teams. Everything is set up to help you adapt to living there and becoming successful. Everyone wants you to succeed. You will find your people.
Yes every Sunday there is time for church/mass during beast. I went, and even field days they made time for it. And yes plenty of time during school year as well
UHBlackhawk
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Not necessarily. Usually, but at times there will be training.
bookreader
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One thing that I appreciated about WP is that it allows cadets to prioritize their faith. There are numerous religious groups on post. And if you end up disciplined and on room restriction, you will be allowed to attend one religious meeting a week - so you can still attend a church service or bible study during this time. I know a cadet who was very happy about this. 
Walman888
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Same!One thing that I appreciated about WP is that it allows cadets to prioritize their faith. There are numerous religious groups on post. And if you end up disciplined and on room restriction, you will be allowed to attend one religious meeting a week - so you can still attend a church service or bible study during this time. I know a cadet who was very happy about this.
I was in beast last summer and there was not one Sunday that we didn’t have the opportunity for church. When we were in the field we held service outside and chaplain brought communion for everyone.
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Cadet, thanks for chiming in. I think it is important that we listen to the voices of the young men & women who are going to USMA now. We know how busy you are--so thank you.
USMCGrunt
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Frequent access to religious services continues out on active duty also. Depending upon mission and tempo, there were many instances of chaplains coming into the field to conduct services. For me, there was something powerful about the ability to attend Mass in the field - it felt like we were taking the process back to it's beginnings. There is nothing like celebrating mass in the desert at 29 Palms!
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Or while deployed...(you always feel a little closer to God.)
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Military chaplains generally love going into the field (wherever that may be, even afloat, as aircraft carriers have chaplains assigned, and all around the world) to support their people, regardless of faith group.
On 9/11, some chaplains were at a Navy meeting at the old Navy Annex building. They took one look out the window and came down the hill at a run to the Pentagon, doing what they do best, in the immediate aftermath.
One of the best parts of military life - military chaplains. It doesn’t matter what you believe or if you believe, they are there for you. It’s a special calling for them.
At the SAs, they are also adept at engaging with parents!
On 9/11, some chaplains were at a Navy meeting at the old Navy Annex building. They took one look out the window and came down the hill at a run to the Pentagon, doing what they do best, in the immediate aftermath.
One of the best parts of military life - military chaplains. It doesn’t matter what you believe or if you believe, they are there for you. It’s a special calling for them.
At the SAs, they are also adept at engaging with parents!
I am so glad to know this. Faith is important for my family. I am so happy my son can join the military faith community while at West Point. God bless this special group that choose to serve this greatest nation!One thing that I appreciated about WP is that it allows cadets to prioritize their faith. There are numerous religious groups on post. And if you end up disciplined and on room restriction, you will be allowed to attend one religious meeting a week - so you can still attend a church service or bible study during this time. I know a cadet who was very happy about this.
They definitely didn't do chaplain's time during our Beast on Wednesdays, and you'll be able to go to mass every weekend unless they mess something up like they did last summer. We missed Sunday mass once because they had us taking the ACFT during that time when it's protected religious time. During the academic year, you can go however much you want. I go to mass typically four times a week here and they have adoration/confession and religious retreats throughout the year.
Also to add to this you asked if Sundays are chill days, absolutely not. There's time in the morning after PT and breakfast for church services and then you'll have training afterwards pretty much every time. White space days (days with lots of free time) are randomly scattered throughout Beast and don't just happen on Sundays.