Hey, I'm currently a Plebe looking to out process at the end of the semester... Does anyone have any information on that process? (How long it takes, process to get it started, what ourprocessing process looks like, what items I need to return/keep) Any info would be great, and thanks in advance!
Information on Outprocessing
- Thread starter SenseiAK
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Warrior-Poet
USMA 2026
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Talk to your chain of command.
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It takes MUCH longer than you think...to be clear. It will take 2 months.
Here is my unsolicited mom-advice. Register and take the classes in the spring term while you are applying to other schools for next year.
Get the credits...finish the year. Consider how happy you will be when you are recognized, the pride of PPW and the happiness of spring break...also, please consider how much fun Buckner is...between Plebe and Yuk year.
Out processing in the winter is a drag...everyone else is busy with classes and clubs and sports and plebian tomfoolery--and it is cold, dark, and gray and suddenly no one has time or interest in you--it is lonely...
So, it is at least 2 months that you can expect to be at USMA...you have to outprocess the US Army. Consider just finishing the Spring term (if your grades are not terrible and you are not feeling mentally unwell)...just get the credits.
Here is my unsolicited mom-advice. Register and take the classes in the spring term while you are applying to other schools for next year.
Get the credits...finish the year. Consider how happy you will be when you are recognized, the pride of PPW and the happiness of spring break...also, please consider how much fun Buckner is...between Plebe and Yuk year.
Out processing in the winter is a drag...everyone else is busy with classes and clubs and sports and plebian tomfoolery--and it is cold, dark, and gray and suddenly no one has time or interest in you--it is lonely...
So, it is at least 2 months that you can expect to be at USMA...you have to outprocess the US Army. Consider just finishing the Spring term (if your grades are not terrible and you are not feeling mentally unwell)...just get the credits.
UHBlackhawk
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This. I would consider finishing the year and put plans in place for next year, especially if it involves attending another university. I would advise against leaving now unless you have firm plans.
If you do not mind asking, and with all due respect, how do you know it's that long of a process? Have you heard of other cadet's out processing taking that long? Thanks in advance!
My problem is I already accepted an offer from another University because I was told that the out processing process is around 2-4 weeks...Do you think there's any chance my paperwork will process faster than 2 months?
Out processing should not take more than two or three weeks, as long as there are no issues such as disciplinary, medical, etc.
If you have an offer to attend another college in the next semester the chain of command should will stand in your way, if they are reasonable. You should consider whether USMA will let you finish the semester, which could be important if your new school is expecting you to come in with college credits.
Separating usually goes smoothly, but there have been instances of difficulties.
If you have an offer to attend another college in the next semester the chain of command should will stand in your way, if they are reasonable. You should consider whether USMA will let you finish the semester, which could be important if your new school is expecting you to come in with college credits.
Separating usually goes smoothly, but there have been instances of difficulties.
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Personally, I would contact your other university and find out what happens if you arent available. That is something you can control…reaching out to them. The out processing timeline for USMA is not within your control. You can guess? But it is not a ‘for certain’.
Control what you can! And have a plan B.
Did you mean should or should not here? Also do you know if it is possible to stay in classes while being in the state of out processing?
Should not. Was in a hurry and didn't proofread.
Ideally your chain of command will respect your decision and make the transition out of USMA as smooth as possible, including helping you get to your new college on time. A Cadet who separates because they have decided that the military is not right for them has fulfilled their obligation. It is in the best interest of West Point that such a Cadet leave with positive feelings towards West Point and the Army.
Of course the chain of command and various departments have to adhere to regulations and make sure the out-processing is done correctly. If you are in good standing and have not caused any more headaches than expected of a normal plebe, separating should not be difficult.
But pay close attention to dates and timelines. If you finish the semester, you should know beforehand whether you will have to come back after Christmas leave to out-process. Even though TEE's end on December 17, the departments involved in out-processing are not going to adjust their Christmas schedule to accommodate you. In that case, the clock on how long out-processing takes could start in early January rather than mid-December.
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Because I am an admin on the WP Moms page and have two graduates. One of my kids had to separate…it took two months. Hope that helps. People are always shocked by how long it takes and how boring the process is.
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It is not about the chain of command. It is about the lengthy out processing checklist. It takes forever and we are heading into the holidays. This cadet would have to go back. It would be late February early March.
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Do not dork up this semester. Get the credits. I don’t think you will be starting at a new university in January. You can ask them to take you during the summer or defer to the Fall.
Times sure have changed. That length of time to out-process is disgraceful and should be an embarrassment to USMA.
bookreader
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My kid had to leave WP on a medical leave of absence which is similar to outprocessing when you leave WP. He came home for a year. The process was stunningly long! It took well over a month - I don't remember exactly how long but it was definitely more than 4 weeks. And this was a cadet who was expected to return. It would be longer if the cadet was leaving permanently. Never doubt @DrMom 's advice on this page. She has more first hand knowledge than most of the rest of us combined.
Assuming it will take up to 8 weeks to out-process, OP has three choices:
1. Ask university for delay to Summer or Fall term. Finish semester at USMA, getting credit for first semester classes, and out-process after Christmas leave.
2. Resign and out-process immediately, giving up credit for first semester - assuming out-processing can be accomplished in time since it's already mid-November. Start new university in January.
3. Ask university for delay to Fall term. Finish full plebe year, getting two semesters of college credit. Of course this would mean spending much of the summer out-processing.
As with many other things, I suspect this lengthy separation process is the result of budget/staffing cuts - it is in no-one's interest to have a separating Cadet lingering around for months.
1. Ask university for delay to Summer or Fall term. Finish semester at USMA, getting credit for first semester classes, and out-process after Christmas leave.
2. Resign and out-process immediately, giving up credit for first semester - assuming out-processing can be accomplished in time since it's already mid-November. Start new university in January.
3. Ask university for delay to Fall term. Finish full plebe year, getting two semesters of college credit. Of course this would mean spending much of the summer out-processing.
As with many other things, I suspect this lengthy separation process is the result of budget/staffing cuts - it is in no-one's interest to have a separating Cadet lingering around for months.
Walman888
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This is a good portion of the check list and pocket folder. It will take weeks. This is the check off for an MLOA. Probably not as involved as a permanent separation. But still, finding all of the department chairs required is no easy task. There is very little leeway given. This one has been scrubbed, hopefully well enough. Best of luck at the Post Office.
Seriously though, if it's not for you, no shame in that. Best of luck in all your future efforts.
Seriously though, if it's not for you, no shame in that. Best of luck in all your future efforts.
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Wahoo Fan
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I know of a USMA plebe who outprocessed at the beginning of summer, and it took him about 2-3 weeks. I don’t have any personal experience with the process, but I have heard that part of the reason it takes so long is to make sure the cadet is making the right decision. They don’t want cadets to make a hasty decision about leaving, and therefore this process provides time to talk with various leadership and reconsider.
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This is a good point. When I was on USNA Commandant’s staff, every mid who applied to leave voluntarily was seen by several members of the chain of command and a Chaplain, to ensure the mid was thinking clearly, not acting impulsively or didn’t have a problem that could be addressed with local resources.
Mids who came in to see me who were clearly running TO something concrete, not AWAY from something, could articulate a plan, had talked it through with family and mentors, and seemed relaxed and settled in their decision, made for a quick 15 minutes and best wishes from me.
Others took way longer to get at the root of what was going on. One youngster, a star varsity sprinter with negative whatever body fat, struggled with swimming quals to the point he didn’t want to deal with it and just wanted to never see a pool again he had to do mandatory things in. Pride was a big factor too. I called a SEAL I knew on staff, asked if he was willing to help, called the head of ProDev to see if we could wiggle the mid’s summer training schedule around, called over to the Midshipman Development Center about counseling, called the head track coach and got him onboard to excuse him from off-season running routine temporarily (that coach or an assistant regularly dropped by the pool to support him during his 1:1 SEAL swim sessions), got the Dant and DepDant buy-in, and we set him up with a 3-week custom training block, where he had 1:1 swim coaching for tech skills and performance counseling to get over his ingrained fears. The SEAL taught him how to leverage his enormous lung capacity and stamina to remain buoyant and the mechanics to take advantage of his natural athleticism. He completed every swim qual required for graduation and never went near a pool again. Went Marine ground. Proudly graduated and learned a lesson about pride.
For the OP, the moral of my sea story is if you are clear and settled about leaving and have your plan (which it seems like you do, given school registration), be articulate and confident in your plan. If part of you wants to stay, ask for help. Give careful though to maximizing your free academic credits you can take away. Can you bear to complete the entire year, a day at a time? Rhetorical.
Just be sure you are running TO and not AWAY.