Current Plebe here to answer any questions!

20kbrown04 said:
Yes!

They will issue you a calculator and that is the only one you are allowed to use. If you happen to lose it, they sell a bunch of them in the C-store.
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That made my DD's day! She has suffered through 2 years of calculus where they were not able to use a calculator. Thanks for the response!
 
I was just appointed to the class of 2027 and I am a weird combination of unbelievably excited and nervous. I have a lot of questions...

What plebe classes do you find to be the most challenging?
If you are struggling in a class, what can you do to get help?
What do your weekends look like at the Academy?
How do you maintain a good attitude? I've heard that depression can sometimes get the better of some cadets, especially during the grey period.
Any (and all) advice for surviving and making the best out of beast?

If you have any additional advice or anything you wish you had known before attending USMA, I would love to hear it! Thank you!
 
1. Physics and German were for me the challenging, but it depends on your academic abilities or whether you're more STEM/humanities focused. Both are generally yuk year classes though.
2. West Point and the academies- more than the vast majority of other schools- have a unique relationship between students and instructors. Instructors are there to help you at any time of the day, any day, for the most part. AI (additional instruction) is everywhere, and they are always willing to help you with anything you're struggling in just by making an appointment with your instructor. You could also utilize cadet tutoring, though I find going right to the instructor with questions the best for me.
3. It depends on the weekend. There are three main types of weekends: B, A/C, and A/D. B weekends means you are free to leave and take pass. A/C means there is military training on Saturday morning before lunch and then the weekend converts to a B weekend. A/D means there are formations for upperclassmen with under a 3.0 academic GPA and all plebes for breakfast and lunch, then it converts to a B weekend. If you're an upperclassman with above a 3.0 GPA academically then the whole weekend is a B weekend. There are also F weekends which are football weekends, which you go to the home football game and after the alma mater it converts to a B weekend. The only time this would ever be different is if there is a special event that weekend, such as for plebes when we have plebe parent weekend, for the cows when they had 500th night this weekend, etc. As a plebe you don't get OPPs (off post privileges), which allows you to leave the academy in a certain mile radius (I believe 75 because I know you can make it to NYC under OPPs), so we have to take pass or walking privs (which I've never taken walking privs, it's just a hassle to walk so much in dress grays). You will have a lot of opportunities to get performance passes and take non-chargeable passes (on top of your 1 base pass as a plebe), if you want them. I live in NJ, so I made it home quite a bit last semester and funny enough am currently home on pass right now.
4. It's all mindset. Not just West Point, but the whole military involves having a good mindset. Stay determined with the goal in mind, but live weekend by weekend. Utilize being so close to your best friends and visit people, I pop into my friends' rooms daily and they come into mine just to talk, get dinner, work out, whatever it is.
5. Going off of number 4, MINDSET! Be ready to grind out life on the daily but be positive about it, even when things suck and you're up at 3am prepping for a WPR. Stay positive, don't fall into cynicism like many do. When you take a step back from everything, you realize how special West Point is and how good you actually have it being there (and especially how useful it'll be to slap USMA on your resume). Take advantage of the unique academic opportunities that USMA provides through research and internships (AIADs), and the unique military opportunitites through military schools (MIADs). Also, get involved in a club or sport team or something. Just stay involved. I'm on a really close-knit team and having that second set of family after my company is really worthwhile and opens up even more doors to get away from USMA for a bit, build lifelong connections, and keep myself grounded.

Hope that all helps! DM me if you have any specific questions :)
 
USMA2026Cadet said:
We moved everywhere during BEAST with our camelbacks on (which cadre would constantly check to ensure that it is full), probably around 10 lbs. of water, that's really it though.
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Hi! Thanks for all the tips and advice, especially since I will be entering beast as Class of '27. I am currently training to run long distances in preparation for beast (recommended by current WP cadets). I am wondering if you are allowed time to stop and drink water during running and rucking or are given periodic water breaks?
 
During BEAST you don't go anywhere without your camelback- even to the bathroom or at meals, and that includes when running/rucking. You even get in trouble if your camelback isn't consistently filled. Don't worry about water.
 
chalktherock said:
Hi! Thanks for all the tips and advice, especially since I will be entering beast as Class of '27. I am currently training to run long distances in preparation for beast (recommended by current WP cadets). I am wondering if you are allowed time to stop and drink water during running and rucking or are given periodic water breaks?
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To go along with @USMA2026Cadet, there are water buffalos EVERYWHERE.

You will have the chance to fill them up. Additionally, when you are on long rucks, you will (most of the time) have two canteens along with the camelback. You should be perfectly fine with water!
 
20kbrown04 said:
My personal favorites were the Oakleys. They are light weight and feel almost like sneakers. I also like the Under Armor combat boots. They are fairly light weight and are very comfortable.

A lot of people are fans of the Garmonts, but I didn't really like the way they felt. (That's just my personal opinion).

Make sure to find a boot that fits your personal interests. They all fit differently, but these are the top three that seem to be pretty unanimous as cadet favorites.

I strongly suggest to not use the issue boots. 😂
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Thank you for the info. So, do they send out boots or do you get your own boots? Do they send out the list of what to bring to R day? Thank you :)
 
I've got two more questions for you!

1) do we buy the camelbaks or are they issued? (and assuming if we buy them, they will tell us what size/capacity, right?)

2) can kids have the SAD lights (or a wake-up light) in their rooms, either a) during beast, and b) after A-Day?
 
SaltLight226 said:
Thank you for the info. So, do they send out boots or do you get your own boots? Do they send out the list of what to bring to R day? Thank you :)
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They will issue you boots but they're awful- I wore issued boots for about a week in ROTC before buying my own. Never touched my USMA issued boots and am solely keeping them for Survival Swim next year when I'll need boots for the water. I have Garmont T8 Bifadas, highly recommend them. Look into some boots and shop around / try pairs on before buying one. Everyone has different preferences.
 
Monikat said:
I've got two more questions for you!

1) do we buy the camelbaks or are they issued? (and assuming if we buy them, they will tell us what size/capacity, right?)

2) can kids have the SAD lights (or a wake-up light) in their rooms, either a) during beast, and b) after A-Day?
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They will issue the camelbacks and you have to use the issued ones as a New Cadet. You can't have any lights or whatnot in your room, lights out during BEAST is lights out. You can bring anything you want (in line with the SOP, which lights/alarm clocks are definitely allowed) once the AY starts (Re-Orgy week). I got a vibrating watch for BEAST, after a few nights my body adapted to waking up to it and it worked like a charm.
 
User123222 said:
Does your life suck as a plebe? (be honest)
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I actually love it here. I'm on a team that leaves every weekend in the winter, joining it definitely helped my sanity by getting to leave and expanded my social circle to close friends all over the Corps. Most people will probably say it sucks though, but I came from freedom and ROTC knowing what I was signing up for and have no regrets. It's a lot better than people make it out to be.
 
USMA2026Cadet said:
They will issue you boots but they're awful- I wore issued boots for about a week in ROTC before buying my own. Never touched my USMA issued boots and am solely keeping them for Survival Swim next year when I'll need boots for the water. I have Garmont T8 Bifadas, highly recommend them. Look into some boots and shop around / try pairs on before buying one. Everyone has different preferences.
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I see. Do they ship out boots along with other items etc before R day?
 
SaltLight226 said:
Thank you for the info. So, do they send out boots or do you get your own boots? Do they send out the list of what to bring to R day? Thank you :)
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You will have to buy your own, but they will issue a pair of the most uncomfortable boots you'll wear (once you get here) 😂
 
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