I'm a Cow at USMA, AMA (Ask Me Anything)
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Not IT105 unfortunately, I had a 5 on Compsci and they validated CS301 (Comp sci major intro course) for me. It would've made sense to get out of IT105 but I mean, I'll take the GPA boost.
Nope, I was a CFT Squad Leader. SLE is the most sought after leadership detail. You lead HS students for two weeks right after the year ends and then you get tons of leave. I, on the other hand, got to experience 6 weeks of CFT (2 weeks of prep, 4 of training). CFT is the least wanted detail, and sense it is based off Military class ranking, I had little options haha.
Edit: I'll be at CLDT (super hooah field training for 3 weeks) while you're here on SLE. I would recommend checking out the Mech course, it was fun when I came. If you see a bunch of sweaty torn up cadets returning from the field, I might be one.
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It is certainly hard for a non runner, but I also won't make excuses for myself. I know if I put more work into it, I could start getting 300s. Time is the enemy here, and I will prioritize friends/class over working out. I work out, but not in a APFT prep way. Most of us lift a lot, and that is the APFT's enemy. To train up for 300s if you're not there already requires endurance and running and most of us would prefer to spend an hour or two unwinding in the weight room then pounding ground in the snow.
Hmmm.... I will say I have not been the smartest. I spent a couple thousand on a car and a bit more to fix it up (I went with an older used car I found). I spent a couple thousand on ski gear and trips with friends. I put 11,000 towards my Roth IRA for 2015 and 2016. I've spent too much money at grant (our diner on post). I still have over half hanging out in my bank account. I'm a bit annoyed at myself because I did start spending it on dumb things and I've really reeled that in, but I can say most of what I spent was towards worthwhile things I either needed or will provide some long term benefit.
Some cadets dropped a ton on class rings, don't let your son/daughter do that. I think it's a bit foolish to buy genuine rubys for a ring, the synthetic look the same at 1/4 the price. Also, cadets sometimes go out and buy 20k+ sports cars. My insurance is 60 a month, I don't want to guess theirs. USMA and USAA offer a ton of information to help people make the right decisions with the loan.
It depends. As a yearling you'll have CFT and ideally a MIAD (mil training i.e. Air Assault). You'll get a few weeks off. I didn't get a MIAD so I went home for 4 weeks before CFT and 2 after. Leave is fun but wow did I dread/hate coming back. Cow summer you'll have most likely a leadership detail. I did STAP (summer school) voluntarily, then CFT, into an AIAD (academic internship). I had no leave, but I was okay with that. Being away is hard the first year or so, but by the time cow year came around I enjoyed exploring more than heading home. My AIAD was the best thing I had done here (I worked on helicopters). This summer will be the same, CLDT and CTLT with AIADs in between. If you want leave, you can easily get it by doing the minimum (which is perfectly okay), and if you want to see the world and do interesting stuff there are so many amazing AIADs you can find.
FloridaToUSMA2021
USNA 2021 Appointee
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- Apr 12, 2015
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I'll keep an eye out then.
FutureCadet12
Member
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- Oct 8, 2015
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What does a "normal" day look like for you? Also, do you get to leave West Point on the weekends? I've heard some cadets go with friends to explore the surrounding NYC area - would this count as taking pass? (Sorry if my question was a bit confusing)
So, a normal day will look like this: 0640 drag myself out of bed, 0715 morning accountability formation, classes from 0730 till 1200 (55 min class blocks, some hours I have class, others I don't). lunch. Class starts up at about 1400 till 1600. Again, you may or may not have classes in these hours depending on your schedule. It is very rare to actually have classes each hour. 1600 - 1800 workout on my own, nap, chill on reddit. 1800 eat dinner with friends. 1830 - 2230 read reddit, procrastinate, play video games. 2230 go to sleep. Taps is at 2330 (when you must be in your room) but you can go to sleep any time before that. I have gone to bed by 2100 and even 1900 if I had an allnighter the night prior.
Weekends: Well, since I'm a cow and it's after spring break I have a car. Every weekend we usually go out, usually to Highland Falls or Central Valley. NYC is expensive to get to, and 2 hours by train. Most cadets don't visit NYC frequently. Before I had my car I left very infrequently. As a yuk and plebe I spent a huge amount of weekends in my room doing nothing. That is what drove me, and many others, crazy. Being stuck in here, especially in the winter, can easily lead to cynicism and frustration. It is hard to get off post if you don't have friends with cars. Only yuks and higher are authorized OPPs (the ability to leave beyond Highland Falls). I don't take pass often, I'm from the South and none of my friends are locals. We're cheap and stay close because taking pass and paying for hotels is too much money for a single weekend. Passes are only used if you're staying somewhere overnight and cadets (by class year) are given only a few. Plebes get 1, as a cow I think I have 4, but like I said I never use them anyway.
scoutpilot
10-Year Member
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How's the cow?
MilitaryParent
Member
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- Apr 15, 2016
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Do you actually need to make a loan to get through the Academy? Not sure what you meant when you said you "spent too much money at grant". Is that extra food you buy because you don't like the food options provided? One of the benefits of the Academies is being able to start your post-college life without being in indentured servitude to some loan company, regardless of the interest rate. Glad to see you've used yours for your IRA at least.
Thank you for your insider view, it is appreciated
Nope, no need to take the loan. It's encouraged because it's given at 0.75% interest, you could drop it in savings, not touch it, and still walk away with money. Yep, I spend too much money on food. It's a bit because sometimes the food is bad and I can't stomach it. A lot of times it is because I was busy and missed the optional meal. Usually on weekends or breakfast if I'm in a hurry I'll buy something to go so I can munch while cranking out homework. While taking the loan does mean you'll have debt, we're in a much better position. My sibling is graduating and making 70K at their job, but with student loans they will be hurting. I will make like 30K but I'll owe 600 on a loan and then I have BAH and free health insurance and my car is super cheap so in the end I'm in a better position. Despite how we feel about the military and how long we want to serve, the benefits are very tangible (and enticing).
This cow lost their bugle notes a long time ago
That's a piece of knowledge I haven't heard in a long time. The reality (much to the disappointment of old grads) is that knowledge is not very relevant outside of CBT. We don't ask our plebes knowledge at meals. The main focus of developmental training, at least lately, has been tangible skills. I, and my peers, think it is more beneficial to prepare plebes to be team leaders and to succeed at CFT. Many would say that the Corps has, and they aren't wrong. The corps is different these days, the world and the academy are changing and I'm just a young 20 something so I have no idea if it's a good or bad direction.
You are required to take DPE courses (Department of Physical Education). For a plebe it will be mil move (gymnastics) and boxing (combatives for women), as a yuk you'll have survival swimming and PE215 which is basically a health fundamentals class (how to plan workouts, nutrition, etc.), as a cow you choose a lifetime sport (golf, skiing, so on) I did strength development so I could lift during the day, and then you'll take combatives which is alright, I didn't like it but I never wrestled, as a firstie you take 450 which is a prep course on how to lead PT in the Army. Only boxing and combatives are the real big 'haze' courses, but if you like to get after people you'll enjoy them. I personally am not that into have my head rocked between classes and althought I did very good in both, I was never a fan.I guess I have a couple of random questions:
Are you required to take athletics classes and/or participate in a sport?
And is it the same for varsity athletes?
Do you stay with the same roommate all four years?
Thanks in advance!
You do participate in sports both fall and spring. Fall is usually soccer, flag football, basketball, crossfit, and then in the spring you have flickerball, swimming, ultimate frisbee, and floor hockey. Athletics are usually laid back, sometimes companies will recruit and stack teams to win the brigade championships. When you're a champ you get a diamond for your jacket (I have a diamond but I rode coat tails like nobodies business haha). For varsity athletes they work out and practice with their team. They have authos which is basically a mandate that they do not participate in intramurals or drill.
Roommates change. For my class we got new companies after plebe year. Rumor is that will change for 2018 and later where they'll get new companies before they become firsties. You typically pick roommates (at least for yuks and up, plebes it will depend on company if they let you pick). I had different roommates until cow year where I have lived with the same group all year and we'll probably live together next year. Once you have close friends you tend to stick together. I'm glad to answer questions, I'm not going anywhere this weekend besides maybe Highland Falls for some delicious Hacienda.
dengineer97
New Member
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- Apr 16, 2016
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Hello
I just wanted to ask some questions about Cadet Basic Training. What is the hardest part and how should I prepare for it? what did you need the most personally? (can you tell me something that West point will not tell me?)
I just wanted to ask some questions about Cadet Basic Training. What is the hardest part and how should I prepare for it? what did you need the most personally? (can you tell me something that West point will not tell me?)
Sure, I'm more than glad to share! CBT is really interesting because before you go, if you're like me, you're probably stressed just thinking about it. I remember I was so worried I would be hazed until I dropped dead. Now, having seen it from the other side, I can tell you it is nothing to worry about. That said, you should take it seriously and do your best, because they will teach you many of the fundamentals.
For starters, the hardest part: boredom. I'll be 100% honest, 2017's beast was a joke, most have been since 2016. 2020 (with hindsight we lead hooah) will most likely have it harder because USMA is more than tired of my class's (and those before us) shenanigans. I was dropped for pushups a whopping total of two times, for just 5 regular count pushups. When we messed up, we wrote letters about what we did wrong (or lines which were repeating the same ' I messed up' sentence 500 times... seriously like elementary school). You will be bored, you will be sitting around between briefs and training events, and that's going to be the hard part. 6 weeks seems like a long time when you're leaving home at 18 for the first time.
My second tip: Don't take CBT too seriously. When I showed up I was legitimately afraid because I had heard all sorts of horror stories. It's not that bad at all. PT at 5, training on and off all day, some sports in the afternoons, and you'll be done by 8ish and in bed by 10. If you can step back and frame it for what it is, you'll see it isn't some big deal. By all means, do take it seriously, but not too much. When you have a bad day, shrug it off, West Point is about learning to overcome failure. Make friends. My beast squad and I still talk, and a number of them are my closest friends. It's been years and we still joke about the dumb stuff we did (and boy were we dumb). When you have time off, go chill in a friend's room. New Cadets are allowed to move around within your hall (or at least that's how it was for me) and you should take advantage of the down time to build relationships with your peers. Beast is so much easier when you're close with your squad. If you get yelled at, take it in stride. Even as a cow I get lit up by officers or NCOs periodically, just take it with a stiff upper lip, "hooah roger sir" and move out. Don't let the yelling mess with your head. I had peers who struggled a ton, they were constantly stressed and considering leaving, but they were taking this whole gig for more than it is. CBT is meant to introduce you to USMA and train you on the most basic of tasks. I know for 2020 and onwards there is a big push for better military training. Expect to spend plenty of time at Camp Buckner, expect to ruck a ton, but also expect to have fun doing stuff your peers outside will most likely never experience.
Now, consider this. Those leading you? They're 20 year olds most likely, they are tired out of their minds. They probably feel like crap because they sleep less then 4 hours a night, and have been doing so weeks before you even showed up. They abuse caffeine like there is no tomorrow, and from experience let me tell you, caffeine on an empty stomach is a quick way to feel awake and nauseous. When you're not around, their Chain of Command is up their ass about their performance. They're afraid of doing poorly, because a bad leadership detail grade will destroy their class rank (my friend earned a C as beast cadre and dropped 200). Your leader's grades are forcibly distributed, someone has to get a poor grade. They're just as stressed as you. They want to go home as bad as you. Shoot, many will have Significant Others waiting for them and they're as desperate to board a plane to go on leave as you are to finish. Why do I tell you this? Because you can make their life hell, or you can help. If you keep yourself squared away, and you hold your peers to that standard, then your Squad Leader's job gets easier and your life gets better. Be early for every formation, always be in the right uniform, keep your room clean, all basic things you can do to help your squad succeed. If someone is struggling in your squad, help them! When your SL is getting lit up all the time behind your back they will and can turn that anger on you. If you stay motivated and execute like they expect, their life is easier, your squad looks like a pack of straight studs, and bam everyone is happier.
As for preparation, go out and run. I was slow as a snail when I showed up and it sucked for the first couple weeks. You'll run either ability groups or interval sprints. The hills will hurt you though, so practice those while you can. Aim to at least run your two miles under 15 minutes. Do pullups as well. I showed up able to do only 8 or so and I was always embarrassed when my peers starting cranking out 10+. Basically, be in good shape. You won't face getting kicked out unless you're just in awful condition, but your peers will immediately start to dislike you if you can't keep up.
I know this is a huge block of text, but CBT is important and I want to provide the most candid explanation that I could. If you got more questions about particular parts of beast, ask away.
Oh and pack your stuff into ziplock bags. Bring boxers if you're a guy on top of compression shorts. Compression short suck in the heat day in day out, so having loose fitting boxers is great for when you're not in the PT uniform. DO NOT FORGET HYGIENE STUFF. Please bring deodorant and some cologne/spray. So many new cadets drop hygiene immediately after showing up and start to smell awful. Even as a new cadet, take pride in who you are and maintain a professional appearance. Not smelling like sweat helps. Disposable cameras are pretty legit, I brought some and got some pics of me and my squad. Fox River socks are a good call for your boots, I still wear mine. There are also these really lightweight, thin underarmor socks I recommend. I wore them all CFT as cadre and it helped my feet stay dry and cool. Always powder your feet so you don't get nasty toes. They usually give you an opportunity to go to the cadet store once or twice so bring money, that way you can restock or get new stuff.
Other random tips: Have friends or family send you letters and comics, reading is an easy way to pass the time. I don't know if it is allowed, but bring a book. Remember family can't send you food in the mail unless they're crafty enough to not have the cadre catch on.
Other random tips: Have friends or family send you letters and comics, reading is an easy way to pass the time. I don't know if it is allowed, but bring a book. Remember family can't send you food in the mail unless they're crafty enough to not have the cadre catch on.
JakeFromWisco
5-Year Member
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- Jul 29, 2014
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Do you recommend getting the PC package they offer? Also, would you recommend purchasing an iPad from USMA, or brining our own? Thank you!
FloridaToUSMA2021
USNA 2021 Appointee
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- Apr 12, 2015
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- 74
I'm not sure if anyone has asked this yet but where are you from and who did you receive noms from?
Edit:
I also want to say thank you for doing this AMA. The information I've learned from your responses to everyone's questions has been very eye-opening and I hope you can do this again. Maybe as a firstie?
Edit:
I also want to say thank you for doing this AMA. The information I've learned from your responses to everyone's questions has been very eye-opening and I hope you can do this again. Maybe as a firstie?