State of the Corp

vipercrew

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Mar 7, 2023
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Anyone hear from your cadet (or cadets on this forum) that the state of morale in the Corp of Cadets is pretty low right now? Talked to my Yuk yesterday and he said morale is pretty low, lower than this time last year for sure. Frustrated that several old traditions have been taken away, and more focus on things that do not bring anything positive to the Corp. He is fine with things being tough, but, at least keep the old traditions that build camaraderie and morale. Interested in hearing others thoughts and experiences.
 
The only thing I've heard along those lines was that team leaders were instructed not to give welcoming gifts to their plebes this year. I'm not sure how old that tradition is, I know they did last year when my yuk was a plebe, but in "my day" any "gift" an upperclassman gave a plebe was usually not something the plebe wanted lol
 
That was a downer for my Yuk as well. Also the AS For Class 4 days a weeks isnt high on his list, but that sounds like getting back the the way its always been. He said its been a lot more mandatory meetings, drill, and such that are really eating into time he would rather be studying or working out. Its hard to tell what is different versus what is typical according to the West Point Happiness chart.
 

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Also, it is Corps. So, focus on what you can control, let West Point leadership worry about the state of morale of the corps of cadets.
 
They are aiming to get a lot of the discipline back that was relaxed during the covid years. That includes wearing as for class uniforms. I think alot of this is actually good. And yes, the cadets need to lock down and dial in. And they will.
 
That was a downer for my Yuk as well. Also the AS For Class 4 days a weeks isnt high on his list, but that sounds like getting back the the way its always been. He said its been a lot more mandatory meetings, drill, and such that are really eating into time he would rather be studying or working out. Its hard to tell what is different versus what is typical according to the West Point Happiness chart.
Love that chart. DS is a Citadel knob and it's like they are on parallel tracks. Really hard "embracing the suck" of all the "fun" Corps things such as shining brass, parade practice and such. Happiness is in short supply by design. But not easy to be a Cadet mom/dad. I did not realize I would have to earn my amatuer therapist badge this year..
 
I asked my firstie son if the morale of the Corps was low due to changes and here is his reply:

They say that every year. As a firstie morale feels about the same. People always say it’s low but it’s really not. People just like to complain and say it is lower than it is. We never really have high morale just because we are so busy. I have a good time.
 
I asked my firstie son if the morale of the Corps was low due to changes and here is his reply:

They say that every year. As a firstie morale feels about the same. People always say it’s low but it’s really not. People just like to complain and say it is lower than it is. We never really have high morale just because we are so busy. I have a good time.
Great perspective. Change is constant in the military. We always had a statement in the Marine Corps, it’s time to worry when people stop complaining. A few things; this is a tough time of year and complaining to parents is a safe place to do that. The new year has wore off. Weather is turning. The grind is in full effect. If the biggest complaint is wearing a uniform to class instead of cammies, life is good. Cadets/Mids complain to family because they need to vent. It’s safe. Doesn’t mean anything more than that.
 
DS is a Firstie. That graphic resonates with our understanding of his experience. What we have observed over the years is an ever growing set of truly strong friendships. For our son those relationships are the center of his morale at any time. As he move into leadership roles over the years it seems that his focus is more on making sure his company is doing well than ruminating on what has changed. And not all changes are bad for broader morale. The changes in Sandhurst competition this fall seem to have led to an incredible focus on team based fitness. Teams are working hard and getting after it
 
My son's lowest morale point was first semester of Yuk year. That seems to be the biggest change point for the cadets as the academics seem to be especially difficult Yuk year and they take on plenty of new responsibilities as a first time leader in the Corps. He is a Firstie now. He is in one of the most demanding majors - Mech Engineering - and he is on a club team and travels a lot (placing demands on his time). And his job is pretty demanding. But his morale is very good when compared to previous years. Life just gets better with each passing year for a cadet. Complaining about policies or policy changes (like as for class wear) is standard practice.
 
Thanks all for your input. I was not intending (and thankfully it has't) gone down the path of the USAFA "What's the jazz with the new USAFA supe?" thread. Just checking in with others who have been (or going through) the process. I am very glad my son is venting to us. I am also glad its just venting and not despair. He says things are very busy and just would like to have a few minor wins which is why the AS for class came up. He talks to us with his roommates and friends around, and they joke and laugh about the "suck" which I am glad they are making light of it. He and his buddies are all pretty high end guys (high in class rank, on competitive clubs, tough majors (mine is Mech E too), Company Guidon, etc) so it could be a combination of all that too.

Thanks again!
 
Can someone tell me what happened in the infamous USAFA supe thread?

What's the jazz with the "What's the jazz with the new USAFA supe?"?
It was a very active thread in the USAFA page about all the changes the new Supe there made, pissed some folks off, but honestly from conversations I have had with some of my sons friends who are there, USAFA had gotten way to lax and a correction was warranted. Unfortunately, that thread kinda spiraled out of control, and I think it has been removed.
 
It was a very active thread in the USAFA page about all the changes the new Supe there made, pissed some folks off, but honestly from conversations I have had with some of my sons friends who are there, USAFA had gotten way to lax and a correction was warranted. Unfortunately, that thread kinda spiraled out of control, and I think it has been removed.
It has. A second one sprung up, but I can no longer see that one either.
 
It was a very active thread in the USAFA page about all the changes the new Supe there made, pissed some folks off, but honestly from conversations I have had with some of my sons friends who are there, USAFA had gotten way to lax and a correction was warranted. Unfortunately, that thread kinda spiraled out of control, and I think it has been removed.
Ah I see
 
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