Questions Thread

CBT leads directly in reorganization week, which leads directly into classes. You will receive one pass per semester (but can earn more and can take a spirit pass where you can travel, at your own expense, to the site of an athletic event to cheer on a team and then spend the weekend -- but all arrangements are up to you). Because of the schedule, you may want to plan a family vacation before RDay or next Christmas week.

This is the official schedule, which appears on the Parent Info page on the USMA website:

Calendar Information for Academic Year 2010-2011
June 28, 2010 “R” Day – Reception Day – Class of 2014 reports to West Point
August 9 March Back from Cadet Basic Training
August 9-13 Reorganization Week
August 14 Acceptance Day Parade
August 16 First Day of Classes
August 20- 21 Ring Weekend – (Class of 2011 Event)
September 6 Labor Day (Holiday)
October 11 Columbus Day (Holiday)
November 11 Veterans Day (Holiday)
November 24 Compressed Class Day – Classes end by 1 p.m.
November 25-28 Thanksgiving Holiday
November 28 Cadets must return by 7 p.m.
December 10 Last Day of Classes – First Semester
December 11 Army-Navy Game – Philadelphia – Lincoln Financial Field
December 13-18 Term-End Exams (Finals)
December 19 Winter Leave Begins
January 2, 2011 Winter Leave Ends – Cadets must return by 7 p.m.
January 3-5 Winter Reorganization
January 6 First Day of Classes – Second Semester
January 8 Saturday Class
January 17 Martin Luther King Day (Holiday)
January 22 500th Night (Class of 2012 event)
January 29 Yearling Winter Weekend (Class of 2013 event)
February 21 Presidents’ Day (Holiday)
February 26 100th Night (Class of 2011 event)
March 11-13 Plebe-Parent Weekend (Class of 2014 event)
March 12-20 Spring Leave (begins after last official duty on March 11)
April 28 Projects/Reading Day
May 6 Last Day of Classes
May 7-13 Term-End Exams (Finals)
May 21 Class of 2011 Graduation
 
Oh WOW, thanks. My parents and I were looking for that :rolleyes:


Another question

I wear glasses. Will I need contacts for CBT? I really hope I dont - my parents believe contacts are bad for your eyes in the long run (they sound convincing, but Im not sure) and dont seem really willing to buy me any. Can you do Beast wearing glasses? How uncomfortable is it?
 
Im pretty sure you are required to wear BCG all throughout beast: so no contacts. And contacts aren't bad for your eyes so long as you wear them properly :thumb:
 
BeatNavy said:
Im pretty sure you are required to wear BCG all throughout beast: so no contacts. And contacts aren't bad for your eyes so long as you wear them properly :thumb:
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What does BCG mean :<
 
response

BCG or "Birth Control Glasses"

For how ridiculously unattractive they make you look. You get the picture. :)
 
Just remember that thousands of recruits go through basic training every month at US Army training facilities and anyone requiring corrective lenses will wear army issue spectacles. Also know that in a field environment ( especially anyone in an Infantry unit) contact lenses are not a viable option. Rarely do Infantryman have the opportunity to sanitize their hands for the removal of contacts or have somewhere convenient to store them. When in the field, things happen fast and troops do have the luxury of time to put contacts in or take them out.
 
Oh. Thats both good and bad :\ I dont have to worry about getting contacts, but apparently they must be really ugly looking :frown:

So, I only need to wear these "army-issued spectacles" only for Beast and when classes start I can go back to my old glasses?
 
"but apparently they must be really ugly looking "

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/261204568_6473ec9667.jpg
:)

And Im pretty sure you can wear your glasses or contacts after A-Day, maybe a Parent could confirm.
Are a lot of Infantrymen getting LASIK or PRK nowadays? I would imagine it would help with NVG and/or gas masks as well as not having to worry about losing/breaking eyewear.
 
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Chockstock said:
Oh. Thats both good and bad :\ I dont have to worry about getting contacts, but apparently they must be really ugly looking :frown:

So, I only need to wear these "army-issued spectacles" only for Beast and when classes start I can go back to my old glasses?
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After Acceptance day you are allowed to wear your normal glasses.
 
Oh, good lol

Another question about lifestyle...I've seen the pictures and videos from CBT and I know that the new cadets get their heads shaved :frown: Not something I look forward to, but is it only something for Beast? During the normal school year, what are the restrictions on hair length?
 
Chockstock said:
Oh, good lol

Another question about lifestyle...I've seen the pictures and videos from CBT and I know that the new cadets get their heads shaved :frown: Not something I look forward to, but is it only something for Beast? During the normal school year, what are the restrictions on hair length?
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I believe it can't be touching your ear. I may be wrong.
 
That's what it was when I was there for guys - not touching the ear. However, if it's too thick or shaggy (especially as a plebe), you're going to be told to get it cut. Even upperclass though, if your Tac (or any officer) doesn't think it looks short/professional enough, will tell you to cut it. A lot of times it may technically meet the definition of allowable, but you'll get told anyways. Don't push the envelope and you'll be fine.
 
I'm pretty sure there are requirements on depth and length as well.
 
In enlisted BCT you get your hair cut every two weeks and there is nothing left when the barber is done. I would think that WP cadets will also get hair cuts on a regular basis, especially Plebes. You will find that most male soldiers don't care much about hair. If you get your hair cut to the minimum standards it only takes a week and your hair is too long. If you exceed the standards you will suffer fewer demerits. If you try to stretch the regs to the limits you are asking for trouble. Face it, during your first year you will be bald and you will like it. You must remember you are entering the United States Military Academy. It is a place that defines all aspects of military life. WP cadets set the standards by which their subordinates will live. We would always tell the troops, "If you look like a soldier you will feel like a soldier and if you feel like a soldier you wil act like a soldier."
I was a drill sergeant for 3 years and I saw a lot of rag tag soldiers in my days and it was disgraceful. WP cadets will become US Army officers and must live by a higher standard than anyone else. Start living this way from the first time you set foot on the sacred soil of West Point.
 
Many cadets keep clippers in their rooms to stay neat between haircuts. Most go every 3 weeks.
 
11BRAVO said:
In enlisted BCT you get your hair cut every two weeks and there is nothing left when the barber is done. I would think that WP cadets will also get hair cuts on a regular basis, especially Plebes. You will find that most male soldiers don't care much about hair. If you get your hair cut to the minimum standards it only takes a week and your hair is too long. If you exceed the standards you will suffer fewer demerits. If you try to stretch the regs to the limits you are asking for trouble. Face it, during your first year you will be bald and you will like it. You must remember you are entering the United States Military Academy. It is a place that defines all aspects of military life. WP cadets set the standards by which their subordinates will live. We would always tell the troops, "If you look like a soldier you will feel like a soldier and if you feel like a soldier you wil act like a soldier."
I was a drill sergeant for 3 years and I saw a lot of rag tag soldiers in my days and it was disgraceful. WP cadets will become US Army officers and must live by a higher standard than anyone else. Start living this way from the first time you set foot on the sacred soil of West Point.
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Great attitude 11BRAVO! :thumb:
 
Well, since this is the questions thread I figure I should ask my question here.

I recently got accepted to SLS. Which airport should I fly into and out of to get to West Point? I've heard a lot of people say Newark, LaGuardia, and Nebourgh. I'm looking for the cheapest airport to fly into because I have multiple programs to attend this summer and my funds are drastically low. I want to know if there is a cheaper airport to fly into, but not so far away that the taxi drive over makes up for the saved money. Or is there a bus to take?

The cheapest I can find is Westchester, but no one seems to talk about this one.
 
I know last year West Point provided transportation only from Newark - buses directly to and from WP at no cost. That info should be in the packet you were sent, along with info on times that the tranportation would be provided. We also found that Newark was the least expensive option for us as well just in checking out the other NYC airports at least. I know in general people felt there were other closer airports for parents to fly into, but since WP is providing the transportation, I'd probably go with Newark if that's still the case.

This is the link to last year's information - looks like they don't have this year's on the website yet:

http://admissions.usma.edu/MoreInfo/SLS_Instructions_2009.pdf
 
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Ahg, this is not good news. I can't afford to fly and attend two or three summer sessions.
 
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