Some Questions

[icelander27]

How much "free time" do you have during CBT? I'm talking about time to read/write letters, hang out with squad mates, etc.

How often, if ever, is there available time for family/friends to visit once the academic year starts?

 

[Just_A_Mom]

"Free time" during CBT, will most likely be spent sleeping. The number of letters that New Cadets write varies widely. There is always time for it - you make time for it.
Some kids like to write and it's sort of therapeutic and write alot - even setting the alarm early to squeeze it in. Others won't write at all or will write very little.

During the Academic year there is time on the weekends for family/friends to visit. On weekends you will have "walking privileges". So you can go into Highland Falls and get off post a little bit. The best times are generally Sat afternoons and/or Sundays.
Home football games are mandatory but family and friends are welcome to go and you can sit with them. They make for great visitation times.

 

[erbium]

Very little free time. If you don't go to church you'll have more. Unless they've changed it, you won't be able to sleep during the day during beast, it gets annoying and adds to the stress, but it's not too bad. There's not much down time during the week, but enough to send a few short letters home or see your squadmates for a little bit. If you're lucky your platoon/company will be able to bond when you're waiting at different sites (moreso during the field training part, issue points aren't fun). That's as best as I can remember.