Citadel Knob Year Leave

csNuke

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2020
Messages
15
Hello all, this is my first post on here after lurking for over 3 years.

I am a current high school senior that will be graduating this June and my current plan is to attend the Citadel on a NROTC-MO scholarship. I haven’t finalized anything yet, though.

I would like some insight on how leave/furloughs looked this year for knobs (and cadets as a whole) during COVID. More specifically, what are travel restrictions for knobs on leave/furloughs? Do knobs get weekend leave? I am not from SC, but I do live about 4 hours away from the Citadel. My family and girlfriend (attending a public school in my home state) will be around the same distance. I would have to leave South Carolina. Is this a possibility on furloughs? I have found SOME information online but it is outdated and likely irrelevant to a COVID situation.

Any and all help is appreciated. Thank you!
 
Hey Wyble! I am a current knob at The Citadel. So basically this year we reported a week early for matriculation day on August 8th. Two weeks after we got our first leave. This year's leave was determined on Thursday based on the covid test results. We have had leave pretty much every weekend except the last two weeks before we left for winter furlough because The Citadel wanted to quarantine us. We left for Winter furlough on November 24 and then came back on January 15th. Knobs do get weekend leave as long as we don't have Saturday morning inspection or some other duties. Leave starts at 5:30 and knobs have to be back by 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday. We have to be back at 7:50 on Sunday for our study period. Furlough is an extended period of time so yes you would be able to leave to visit family/friends. Some people use 24 hour passes and overnights to travel to places. I know a knob who traveled back to Washington state when we got an overnight pass. Just keep in mind that if you want to travel far make sure you are able to come back by the certain time you have to be back.

I am excited to see you next school year! If you have any questions about The Citadel feel free to message me!
 
Hello all, this is my first post on here after lurking for over 3 years.

I am a current high school senior that will be graduating this June and my current plan is to attend the Citadel on a NROTC-MO scholarship. I haven’t finalized anything yet, though.

I would like some insight on how leave/furloughs looked this year for knobs (and cadets as a whole) during COVID. More specifically, what are travel restrictions for knobs on leave/furloughs? Do knobs get weekend leave? I am not from SC, but I do live about 4 hours away from the Citadel. My family and girlfriend (attending a public school in my home state) will be around the same distance. I would have to leave South Carolina. Is this a possibility on furloughs? I have found SOME information online but it is outdated and likely irrelevant to a COVID situation.

Any and all help is appreciated. Thank you!
Hi - Congratulations on your decision to attend The Citadel and pursue a MO Scholarship. The NROTC MO option program is outstanding and enhanced with the presence of MECEP NCOs in the NROTC classes. They will help push you to excel in your preparation for a commission.

As for leave and furlough policies - please check the college website as the Commandant's Office publishes frequent updates on leave policies. Below is a citation to the initial Commandant's Order that will give you an idea of what to expect. EEBTTF has a son enrolled in the 4th Class - who is on NROTC - MO 4 year national scholarship, and may be able to provide you will updated information. Best of luck to you.
 
@Wyble - Welcome to the SAF! @shadow18 is a great resource for what it's like to be a Knob at The Citadel. I am more than happy to help you with any Citadel or NROTC-MO questions that you have. @glen is the most knowledgeable active member of the forum for general Citadel questions and is very helpful with financial aid/scholarship questions. If he doesn't know the answer, he can usually find out quickly. @kinnem is also a great resource for NROTC-MO questions.

One thing to add about leave this year. Coming from a parent of a knob, this year is not normal in terms of anything at The Citadel. Their main goal is to keep The Corps together, recognize the knobs and graduate the seniors. There have been no parades or any of the typical events. Leave is based on the current COVID cases. The current cases are very low and therefore leave has been granted more often. All in all, The Citadel has done an admirable job in keeping everything moving and on track.

Another point - almost all of my DS's classes are in person, which is very important during these uncertain times.

Good luck and let us know how we can help.
 
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@Wyble - Welcome to the SAF! @shadow18 is a great resource for what it's like to be a Knob at The Citadel. I am more than happy to help you with any Citadel or NROTC-MO questions that you have. @glen is the most knowledgeable active member of the forum for general Citadel questions and is very helpful with financial aid/scholarship questions. If he doesn't know the answer, he can usually find out quickly. @kinnem is also a great resource for NROTC-MO questions.

One thing to add about leave this year. Coming from a parent of a knob, this year is not normal in terms of anything at The Citadel. Their main goal is to keep The Corps together, recognize the knobs and graduate the seniors. There have been no parades or any of the typical events. Leave is based on the current COVID cases. The current cases are very low and therefore leave has been granted more often. All in all, The Citadel has done an admirable job in keeping everything moving and on track.

Another point - almost all of my DS's classes are in person, which is very important during these uncertain times.

Good luck and let us know how we can help.
I was hoping I’d see a response from you! Thank you for giving me some insight. And thank you @glen as well for your help. Both responses are very appreciated.

EEBTTF, could you elaborate more on “leave has been granted more often”? Do you get to see your DS more than normal? Are you in SC or is he allowed to cross state lines to visit family outside of SC?

Virtual classes are really tough for me, for some reason, so I hope I get the same experience your DS has with all in person classes. Hearing that gives me some hope.
 
Hey Wyble! I am a current knob at The Citadel. So basically this year we reported a week early for matriculation day on August 8th. Two weeks after we got our first leave. This year's leave was determined on Thursday based on the covid test results. We have had leave pretty much every weekend except the last two weeks before we left for winter furlough because The Citadel wanted to quarantine us. We left for Winter furlough on November 24 and then came back on January 15th. Knobs do get weekend leave as long as we don't have Saturday morning inspection or some other duties. Leave starts at 5:30 and knobs have to be back by 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday. We have to be back at 7:50 on Sunday for our study period. Furlough is an extended period of time so yes you would be able to leave to visit family/friends. Some people use 24 hour passes and overnights to travel to places. I know a knob who traveled back to Washington state when we got an overnight pass. Just keep in mind that if you want to travel far make sure you are able to come back by the certain time you have to be back.

I am excited to see you next school year! If you have any questions about The Citadel feel free to message me!
I didn’t see your response at first, your inside view is very helpful. Thank you!

So if I understood it right, mostly every weekend, knobs get a 4hr leave period from 5:30-9:30pm on Fri/Sat and a 2 hour leave period on Sundays?

Thanks again for your insight and I do look forward to being subject to the 4c system this fall. I have a few friends who are there now who will be seniors while im there so I’m sure I’ll get my fair share of the experience.
 
The General Leave orders are different for each class. Towards the end of last semester the cadets were granted more weekend leave (than at the beginning of the semester) so we were able to travel to Charleston a few times to see him. We probably went twice, but there were other weekends he had leave that he wanted to hang out with his friends. We live in GA and he was able to come home one weekend when overnight leave was granted. He also earned several more overnights that can be used this semester.

I want to stress that this year is completely different. No idea if this is normal since this is his 1st year.

Good luck.
 
I didn’t see your response at first, your inside view is very helpful. Thank you!

So if I understood it right, mostly every weekend, knobs get a 4hr leave period from 5:30-9:30pm on Fri/Sat and a 2 hour leave period on Sundays?

Thanks again for your insight and I do look forward to being subject to the 4c system this fall. I have a few friends who are there now who will be seniors while im there so I’m sure I’ll get my fair share of the experience.
Oh sorry I meant 5:30am. So you have plenty of time to go out and enjoy yourself. On Friday I can leave after my last duty. Because we don't have parades because of covid I can leave after my last class which finishes at 12:00 and be back by 9:30. On Saturdays if you so desire you can wake up at 5:30am and leave batallion as long as you don't have other duties to do first. I might be wrong but I believe leave use to end at like 12:00am for knobs in the past, but covid has prevented that.

The 4th class system is very demanding, but very worthwhile if you put forth effort and embrace the suck and of course don't take anything personally!
 
Oh sorry I meant 5:30am. So you have plenty of time to go out and enjoy yourself. On Friday I can leave after my last duty. Because we don't have parades because of covid I can leave after my last class which finishes at 12:00 and be back by 9:30. On Saturdays if you so desire you can wake up at 5:30am and leave batallion as long as you don't have other duties to do first. I might be wrong but I believe leave use to end at like 12:00am for knobs in the past, but covid has prevented that.

The 4th class system is very demanding, but very worthwhile if you put forth effort and embrace the suck and of course don't take anything personally!
Ah gotcha, that makes more sense. Another thing, who gets to have cars? I would assume knobs are not allowed to drive or have cars.

Which ROTC are you part of? I apologize if you already said that and I just missed it.

As always, I appreciate everyone’s replies in this thread. All very helpful. I’ve put my deposit down already and I’m working on getting my scholarship applied to the Citadel. It really feels like where I want to be this fall. What made you chose the Citadel over any other schools you were accepted to?

I was also accepted to VMI, VT, and NC State. I’ve been going back and forth for about two weeks now but I think in finally ready to go all in for the Citadel.
 
Ah gotcha, that makes more sense. Another thing, who gets to have cars? I would assume knobs are not allowed to drive or have cars.

Which ROTC are you part of? I apologize if you already said that and I just missed it.

As always, I appreciate everyone’s replies in this thread. All very helpful. I’ve put my deposit down already and I’m working on getting my scholarship applied to the Citadel. It really feels like where I want to be this fall. What made you chose the Citadel over any other schools you were accepted to?

I was also accepted to VMI, VT, and NC State. I’ve been going back and forth for about two weeks now but I think in finally ready to go all in for the Citadel.
So Knobs cannot have cars on campus. Only juniors and seniors, but there are places to park your car off campus but it is really expensive. Knobs cannot drive within 25 miles within campus I believe, but that doesn't stop a lot of people, but as a knob it is best to stay down low and not do anything that will bring attention to you.

I am a 4 year AROTC scholarship recipient. I chose The Citadel because it was close to home and I got my scholarship to The Citadel and Norwich and I am not very fond of the cold. Also being able to leave on the weekends in the city of Charleston is really nice.
 
So Knobs cannot have cars on campus. Only juniors and seniors, but there are places to park your car off campus but it is really expensive. Knobs cannot drive within 25 miles within campus I believe, but that doesn't stop a lot of people, but as a knob it is best to stay down low and not do anything that will bring attention to you.

I am a 4 year AROTC scholarship recipient. I chose The Citadel because it was close to home and I got my scholarship to The Citadel and Norwich and I am not very fond of the cold. Also being able to leave on the weekends in the city of Charleston is really nice.
What do you mean by within 25 miles? Like, a knob cannot drive more than 25 miles away from the campus?
 
What do you mean by within 25 miles? Like, a knob cannot drive more than 25 miles away from the campus?
Cannot drive inside the 25 miles around campus.Once they are outside of the 25 mile radius they are allowed to drive.
 
Girlfriend?

When I was a knob, the platoon leader said, 'raise you hand if you have a high school sweetheart'. He then said all of you put your hands down. Now look around who still has their hands up, that's how many will still have a girlfriend in a few weeks.

I know it was true for me.
 
Girlfriend?

When I was a knob, the platoon leader said, 'raise you hand if you have a high school sweetheart'. He then said all of you put your hands down. Now look around who still has their hands up, that's how many will still have a girlfriend in a few weeks.

I know it was true for me.
Pain. Well, I hope things may be different now. I don’t know how long ago you were at the Citadel though so who knows. I try not to think about it much but in the end im committed to my career over anything.
 
Hello all, this is my first post on here after lurking for over 3 years.

I am a current high school senior that will be graduating this June and my current plan is to attend the Citadel on a NROTC-MO scholarship. I haven’t finalized anything yet, though.

I would like some insight on how leave/furloughs looked this year for knobs (and cadets as a whole) during COVID. More specifically, what are travel restrictions for knobs on leave/furloughs? Do knobs get weekend leave? I am not from SC, but I do live about 4 hours away from the Citadel. My family and girlfriend (attending a public school in my home state) will be around the same distance. I would have to leave South Carolina. Is this a possibility on furloughs? I have found SOME information online but it is outdated and likely irrelevant to a COVID situation.

Any and all help is appreciated. Thank you!
Good luck.
 
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