SLE activities

RileyUSMAcandidate

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Mar 11, 2015
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Hello all, I'm just curious about some aspects of what military/academic activities are featured at SLE. I've already been accepted, and I'm attending in June. I've read the official itinerary, in which there's a time slots named "intramural sports" "physical training" "workshop" and "military training". Could anyone give me some specific information about any of that? Do we get to fire any weapons or just weapon familiarity? Thanks in advance.
 
Someone please respond to the post! I am accepted to Session 3 and I would like to know more about the program.
 
I went to SLE last summer. We got there on a Saturday, and we were basically put through a watered down version of R-Day (lots of yelling). We were given our athletic shirts for PT and a polo shirt for everything else (meals, academic workshops, etc.) We were also given a card with academy and military knowledge that we had to memorize throughout the week. I was thinking that it would be that intense for the whole week, but it wasn't nearly as bad for the rest of the week.

The second day was a Sunday. We were woken up early to go take the CFA. After that, we went to eat breakfast, and then those who wanted to were allowed to go to religious services. We probably had some sort of brief after lunch. You will have at least one brief every day where they talk to you about cadet life, sports opportunities, etc. (Try not to fall asleep during these briefs like many kids will do.)

The next four days followed a similar schedule. We would get up at about 5:30 to do PT with our platoons, which was typically calisthenics or a short run (~1.5 mi). After that, we would shower off and go to breakfast formation. (Every time you go somewhere, you will march in formation with your platoon or walk in a single file with your squad.) After breakfast, we would go to some sort of brief, and then we went to our respective academic workshops. You will go to these workshops, which are taught by USMA professors, for about half an hour. They give you an overall idea what that major will be like, and you will get to do some fun activities (especially if you're in Systems Engineering). One workshop before lunch and another one after lunch. Personally, I went to the Foreign Language, Civil/Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Engineering workshops, which are the ones that I signed up for on my SLE application. After your workshops, you might have another brief or some kind of activity with your platoon. One day our platoon played squad-vs.-squad basketball, and one day our platoon played dodgeball against another platoon, which was about the full extent of the intramurals. Another time, we got to go shoot M4's on a virtual firing range. It was basically like playing a video game, but the M4's did simulate the recoil. There was also a Call of Duty-like video game that we got to play. Additionally, We got to do other things like tour the post and visit the Cadet Store. The days feel really long because they start early and are packed full of things to do, but I guess that's how it would be for an actual cadet. It's really hard to stay awake during those briefs later in the week.

The final full day that we spent was probably the most fun. It was the military training day, which lasted all day. They take you around to different stations throughout Camp Buckner. First, we got to see a demonstration by some infantry soldiers, try on some combat gear (ruck, vests, etc.), and check out some construction vehicles that engineers use. Next, we went through some of the obstacles in this obstacle course that they have at Buckner. After that, an Army combatives team put us through some tough exercises and taught us some of their combatives techniques. We also got to handle different rifles, like M4's, M16's, and M240-B's. Lunch was a delicious MRE, and our squad leaders gave us the run-down on MRE trading (M&M's are the most valuable item you can get.) We finished there around 5:30 PM and then went back to the barracks to change clothes before dinner and wash off all the mud and dirt.

On the last day, we had a closing ceremony, and then it was time for everyone to leave. Overall, it was one of the greatest experiences that I have had. If your squad is anything like mine was, your squad mates will become your best friends by the end of the week. It's still crazy to me how much we bonded in such a short amount of time. There's really nothing to be worried about for SLE, but I do have some pieces of advice. First, make sure that you are physically prepared to do your best on the CFA. I was able to pass the CFA at SLE, and I didn't have to take it any more. You would be surprised at how many kids showed up without the level of fitness required to succeed on the CFA. Second, you should make sure to bring snacks. The only meals that they provide are breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you will find yourself hungry throughout the day. Third, make sure to pack everything on the packing list, especially bedding. One of my roommates was expecting USMA to provide sheets and blankets, but that is not the case. I hope your experience is as good as mine was. You're going to have a great time.
 
I went to SLE last summer. We got there on a Saturday, and we were basically put through a watered down version of R-Day (lots of yelling). We were given our athletic shirts for PT and a polo shirt for everything else (meals, academic workshops, etc.) We were also given a card with academy and military knowledge that we had to memorize throughout the week. I was thinking that it would be that intense for the whole week, but it wasn't nearly as bad for the rest of the week.

The second day was a Sunday. We were woken up early to go take the CFA. After that, we went to eat breakfast, and then those who wanted to were allowed to go to religious services. We probably had some sort of brief after lunch. You will have at least one brief every day where they talk to you about cadet life, sports opportunities, etc. (Try not to fall asleep during these briefs like many kids will do.)

The next four days followed a similar schedule. We would get up at about 5:30 to do PT with our platoons, which was typically calisthenics or a short run (~1.5 mi). After that, we would shower off and go to breakfast formation. (Every time you go somewhere, you will march in formation with your platoon or walk in a single file with your squad.) After breakfast, we would go to some sort of brief, and then we went to our respective academic workshops. You will go to these workshops, which are taught by USMA professors, for about half an hour. They give you an overall idea what that major will be like, and you will get to do some fun activities (especially if you're in Systems Engineering). One workshop before lunch and another one after lunch. Personally, I went to the Foreign Language, Civil/Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Engineering workshops, which are the ones that I signed up for on my SLE application. After your workshops, you might have another brief or some kind of activity with your platoon. One day our platoon played squad-vs.-squad basketball, and one day our platoon played dodgeball against another platoon, which was about the full extent of the intramurals. Another time, we got to go shoot M4's on a virtual firing range. It was basically like playing a video game, but the M4's did simulate the recoil. There was also a Call of Duty-like video game that we got to play. Additionally, We got to do other things like tour the post and visit the Cadet Store. The days feel really long because they start early and are packed full of things to do, but I guess that's how it would be for an actual cadet. It's really hard to stay awake during those briefs later in the week.

The final full day that we spent was probably the most fun. It was the military training day, which lasted all day. They take you around to different stations throughout Camp Buckner. First, we got to see a demonstration by some infantry soldiers, try on some combat gear (ruck, vests, etc.), and check out some construction vehicles that engineers use. Next, we went through some of the obstacles in this obstacle course that they have at Buckner. After that, an Army combatives team put us through some tough exercises and taught us some of their combatives techniques. We also got to handle different rifles, like M4's, M16's, and M240-B's. Lunch was a delicious MRE, and our squad leaders gave us the run-down on MRE trading (M&M's are the most valuable item you can get.) We finished there around 5:30 PM and then went back to the barracks to change clothes before dinner and wash off all the mud and dirt.

On the last day, we had a closing ceremony, and then it was time for everyone to leave. Overall, it was one of the greatest experiences that I have had. If your squad is anything like mine was, your squad mates will become your best friends by the end of the week. It's still crazy to me how much we bonded in such a short amount of time. There's really nothing to be worried about for SLE, but I do have some pieces of advice. First, make sure that you are physically prepared to do your best on the CFA. I was able to pass the CFA at SLE, and I didn't have to take it any more. You would be surprised at how many kids showed up without the level of fitness required to succeed on the CFA. Second, you should make sure to bring snacks. The only meals that they provide are breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you will find yourself hungry throughout the day. Third, make sure to pack everything on the packing list, especially bedding. One of my roommates was expecting USMA to provide sheets and blankets, but that is not the case. I hope your experience is as good as mine was. You're going to have a great time.
Thank you so much! I'll definitely take your advice it means a lot!
 
Do you wear your collared shirts at any other time besides upon arrival? Also are there kids who wear plain colored and nice but non-collared shirts? Just wondering if I need to go out and buy a collared shirt to wear.
 
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