Class of 2015 - How are you preparing for June 27th?
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And don't lie, cheat, steal or attempt to deceive.
YankeesFan
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and be honorable, respectful, and devoted to duty 
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Thanks everyone for the great info. I also just signed up for the CGA cadetlaunch program taught by former top CGA cadets, beginning May 6th. (It's a weekend retreat) I don't want to leave any stone unturned when getting ready for Swab year! Excited but scared!
I'm sure that current 4/C would say, "Why the heck would you pay for this??" They are biting at the bit to be given some form of carry-on and are at the point in the year where they've had enough of inspections, etc.
You are also taking the chance that what you are being taught is not what your cadre will want expect from you; countless times my wife has said, if a student is taught or given the wrong information, it takes at least 80 times of repetition with the new information to break the bad habit or change the behavior."
I'm very confident that the current 4/C would agree that you'll be sick and tired of all of this "stuff" this time next year, so why waste a weekend of freedom and pay $$$?
Each swab summer differs from another; the way things operated back in 2005 and earlier are nothing like the current system (companies were X, Y and Z). Each administration has it's own rules and methods and these methods are changing to improve the experience.
During swab summer 2011 you will be led by YOUR cadre and they will be following the instructions of those in charge of training (it's the whole chain of command thing).
The best gouge will come from the class prior to yours, and still things will vary.
My advice, don't waste your money. Enjoy these last few weeks before RDay relaxing, getting into great physical condition, sleeping and having fun with your friends.
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There is also one other aspect of preparing yourself that I think every appointee/candidate should focus on. Make sure that you absolutely, 100% want to come here...for you! Not because people say its a great opportunity or because you're afraid of letting your parents down if you say "thank you, but no." You have to have the drive to succeed when you come here. And succeed doesn't necessarily mean being at the top of the class and an All American Athlete. It can be as simple as passing all of your classes and developing as a leader. This place is challenging, no doubt about it. It needs to be in order to train the best possible candidates for a career where people's lives are at stake.
I'm only saying this because this past week has been rough on the Class of 2014. We have been slipping on our duties and have been corrected more often than we have in the past few weeks. Our Regimental Staff and Guidons have noticed and its making life here a little harder. Its our own fault as a class but, at the same time, its hard to stay motivated. Thoughts are drifting to summer assignments and bracing up has gotten a little old. Like USNA1982 said, we are chomping at the bit to get even modified wardroom carry on. These are the weeks they do not tell you about in Admissions. The weeks where it feels like a slow crawl to the weekend, where you suddenly have more homework than usual and your Guidon has just put you on company clocks (or in my company's case, random clocks) so now you lose a little bit more time.
There are always going to be times where you feel like giving up. The time when you want to just throw in the towel and say "I'm done!" Your resolve will be tested time and time again. It can happen (and will!) during swab summer, that first leave period at home where you hear what friends at "normal" colleges do, or even when you get back the first exam you have ever failed in your life.
Now those last two paragraphs probably make it look as though the Academy is this awful place. IT'S NOT! I truly love being here at the Academy. The people are amazing, the camaraderie is great, and the instructors (well, most of them...can't say much for macroeconomics
) are awesome! I am so glad I was given a second chance to be here and I thank God everyday for granting my greatest wish and deepest desire. I know the class of 2015 will be great (for an odd year 
), and 2014 will be here to help you come the fall semester. Just make sure the decision to come here is made truly because you want to be here!
One more point I am sure BR2011, LITS, and Sam can agree on: There are times when you hate it here but deep down, you know you would never go anywhere else. Everyone here feels a part of a greater cause and it is that cause, and the support of your classmates, that keeps you going.
I'm only saying this because this past week has been rough on the Class of 2014. We have been slipping on our duties and have been corrected more often than we have in the past few weeks. Our Regimental Staff and Guidons have noticed and its making life here a little harder. Its our own fault as a class but, at the same time, its hard to stay motivated. Thoughts are drifting to summer assignments and bracing up has gotten a little old. Like USNA1982 said, we are chomping at the bit to get even modified wardroom carry on. These are the weeks they do not tell you about in Admissions. The weeks where it feels like a slow crawl to the weekend, where you suddenly have more homework than usual and your Guidon has just put you on company clocks (or in my company's case, random clocks) so now you lose a little bit more time.
There are always going to be times where you feel like giving up. The time when you want to just throw in the towel and say "I'm done!" Your resolve will be tested time and time again. It can happen (and will!) during swab summer, that first leave period at home where you hear what friends at "normal" colleges do, or even when you get back the first exam you have ever failed in your life.
Now those last two paragraphs probably make it look as though the Academy is this awful place. IT'S NOT! I truly love being here at the Academy. The people are amazing, the camaraderie is great, and the instructors (well, most of them...can't say much for macroeconomics
) are awesome! I am so glad I was given a second chance to be here and I thank God everyday for granting my greatest wish and deepest desire. I know the class of 2015 will be great (for an odd year ), and 2014 will be here to help you come the fall semester. Just make sure the decision to come here is made truly because you want to be here! One more point I am sure BR2011, LITS, and Sam can agree on: There are times when you hate it here but deep down, you know you would never go anywhere else. Everyone here feels a part of a greater cause and it is that cause, and the support of your classmates, that keeps you going.