Overnight Visit

At each company on the first floor somewhere there are company stores. They are stocked, maintained by a CIC and money is used for company parties like a pizza night. The store is known as a place to purchase "Lickies and chewies". At Grant Hall a Cadet can purchase anything they want like candy bars, pizza, hot food, protein tubs, protein bars, fresh fruit and veggie packs and a price that is little more to a lot more at a grocery store. There is the infamous shake machine where a Cadet can choose a shake in the fridge, take it over to the shake machine to stir it up and the cost of 800 calories per 10 oz. (Its taken out a few uncontrollable Plebes and stressed out Yearlings. Its not pretty watching a chubby Cadet trying to jump through the tire at IOCT) The Cadets have plenty to be comfortable and then some. Its the helicopter moms who think something from home is necessary. It really isn't. All Cadets want to become their own person.

Im building defensive positions now because of the barrage of posts and PMs from the helicopter moms soon to follow. Ive survived the carpet bombing before, you may not hear from me for awhile, but rest assured when the dust settles I'll be back.

Push Hard, Press Forward

In Coming!!
 
Tug - are you implying that the overnight visitors should not bring a gift? My cadet brought one because it's simply a nice way to thank a host for their hospitality. He wasn't worried that the cadet didn't have enough food. It was simply a way to say thank you for being willing to host him.

At the time, he was unaware that so many cadets are dealing with weight issues. If he knew then what he knows now, he'd probably bring protein snacks or fresh fruit. But he'd still choose to express thanks with food.
 
DS was just there for an overnight visit earlier this week. The weather was perfect while we are there (cool, but sunny) and I hope that it will be good when you visit too.
The Holiday Inn Express is nice and close. We stayed there this past summer when we dropped him off for SLE. We had dinner at MacArthur's and drinks at Patton's in the Thayer this time. Both were wonderful and nearly empty. The hotel is a special experience for sure. We stayed in Fishkill this time, at the Hyatt House, which has HUGE suites, but it is about a half hour drive from WP.
The morning briefing, including the short tour, was finished by 9:45 if I recall. Definitely get there early because it really starts at 7:45, not 8:00. We had a full day to explore while DS was at WP, but note that a lot of places are closed or have reduced hours in the winter.
A blazer is definitely not necessary; workout clothes may or may not be, depending on the Plebe. DS did not use his, but would have like to.
In regard to a gift, DS brought 2 large candy bars from a local candy store that feature the city's skyline. So it was really just a token gift.
Have fun and best wishes to your son!
 
Just back from overnight visit. My son loved it, and had a great experience. His host cadet was sick so my son kind of got passed around a bit, but primarily with a guy who was prior enlisted, and had some good insight for my son. We got another tour of campus, but because it was so cold this time, we got more looks inside buildings, including classrooms while kids were in class. You really appreciate the benefits of small class sizes.

We did meet with son's RC when we picked him up, and I don't want to jinks anything, but were given very very possivive and assuring insight, with advise to check mailbox closely this upcoming week. Could be that they sent him a free West Point bumper sticker, who knows. RC knows my son also applying to USNA and USAFA, and talked about the distinctions between the services, and of course some of he advantages of WP. It was a very fair analysis, and he ended it by saying he hopes my son chooses WP, but all three academies are great. We all walked out of there very pumped up.

In any event, it was a great trip.
 
brovol, to be honest, I was anxiously waiting for your return and a briefing about the over night. Did you get a chance yourself and take a tour of WP while your DS was gone? Im glad he got a chance to see what was going on there at WP. If you had the opportunity to meet some of the instructors there, you would have met some of the most outstanding folks Ive ever met in my life. 90 percent are active or retired from the military. Unlike other SA there are mostly civilian. WP is very beautiful during the spring and R-Day is one of the most inspirational. You've raised a fine young man that our Country future needs in leadership. Whatever his path may take him, it will be bright.

Good Luck on the BFE

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
My DS is on the CPRC (cadet public relations council). Part of the responsibility is showing prospective cadets around and hosting for overnight visits. He would not turn away cookies, but certainly wouldn't expect a care package. I think that would embarrass him. A thank you note, however, is always appropriate, so try to get the cadet's PO box so your cadet could write to the host.
 
Feds avoid "public relations" and use "public affairs".

I forget which law differentiates those terms (but many don't understand the difference).
 
tug_boat said:
brovol, to be honest, I was anxiously waiting for your return and a briefing about the over night. Did you get a chance yourself and take a tour of WP while your DS was gone? Im glad he got a chance to see what was going on there at WP. If you had the opportunity to meet some of the instructors there, you would have met some of the most outstanding folks Ive ever met in my life. 90 percent are active or retired from the military. Unlike other SA there are mostly civilian. WP is very beautiful during the spring and R-Day is one of the most inspirational. You've raised a fine young man that our Country future needs in leadership. Whatever his path may take him, it will be bright.

Good Luck on the BFE

Push Hard, Press Forward
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Thanks Tug.

Yes we toured the campus. We got a nice tour last summer too, but Tuesdays was nice because we went into more buildings and actually got to see the classes in session, which gave a great perspective. We all love West Point, and in terms of a comparison of WP vs USNA, which we visited twice, we just get a tremendous feeling about WP, and as parents we would feel so comfortable about our son having great support at USMA. We also get a great feeling about the WP cadets. Everyone was more than willing to stop and answer questions, and just seem like the best young people on earth.

Ironically, we happened to meet a Constitutional law professor who graduated from the same law school I did, and was from the same state. He was civilian, but was a great guy to talk to, as he previously taught for several years at USNA, and offered insight on both schools. He gave very high marks to both academies, although gave the impression that WP may have the edge.

My son really enjoyed his interaction with the cadets, and what he experienced. He got called on in a couple classes, and took a quiz in a history class, which he did pretty well on. Lol. He got yelled at during morning formations for being out of dress, and he said he got flush and before he began to respond the senior cadet said, "I'm just messing with you CC", and they all laughed. He loved it, and is very excited.

Thank you for the kind comments. We of course are beaming with pride. He is not one who planned to go to a service accademy for years. He decided only a year ago he would apply to the academies, and ROTC. Thus, his résumé isn't filled with stuff just to have on his résumé; its all just who he is. He is a very good athlete, but not a superstar. He won't challenge for valedictorian, but gets good grades (although if he wasn't a knucklehead too often he probably could be valedictorian). He didn't have a ton of memebrships in organizations, but he was NHS president, and captain of varsity soccer and baseball teams. And honestly, he is as humble as they come (a trait he didn't get from his dad). He has maintained a job, and doesn't complain about not having a lot of free time.

The only thing that could get in the way of him being a West Point cadet is his desire to fly jets, which is strong. Boy do we all wish Army had jets.

Our trip was great, and here is to making it more often.
 
mom3boys said:
My DS is on the CPRC (cadet public relations council). Part of the responsibility is showing prospective cadets around and hosting for overnight visits. He would not turn away cookies, but certainly wouldn't expect a care package. I think that would embarrass him. A thank you note, however, is always appropriate, so try to get the cadet's PO box so your cadet could write to the host.
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We bought my sons host cadet $25 worth of $5 cards which can be used like cash around campus. Unfortunately, his cadet dropped him and ran off before we could meet him, so my son is sending them to him by mail. We figured this way he can decide what he wants and when he wants it.
 
Well you can tell your DS they a slowly phasing out jets in the Air Force and in such disparate need for drone pilots that they've opened it up to enlisted. Im jazzed the trip was successful and you had a good time. Did you stay in the Thayer after much discussion here?

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
tug_boat said:
Well you can tell your DS they a slowly phasing out jets in the Air Force and in such disparate need for drone pilots that they've opened it up to enlisted. Im jazzed the trip was successful and you had a good time. Did you stay in the Thayer after much discussion here?

Push Hard, Press Forward
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No we ended up just sticking with the holiday inn exp, but are committed to staying at the Thayer in the future. The holiday inn was decent and pretty close. The Thayer is beautiful, and it will give us something to look forward to nex time.
 
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