Travel preferences for incoming new cadets going to R-day (West Point)

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TXtoWP2027

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Hello, I have been appointed to the USMA class of 2027 and am incredibly glad to say I have accepted the offer. I was wondering if I should take the accommodated flight and hotel offered by West Point, or if I should fly with my family and let them say their goodbyes on R-day. I would love to hear what y’all did and what y’all’s recommendations are. Thanks!
 
If your folks want to go for R-Day and can come for A-Day, then let them join you. THey will meet other parents, learn about USMA resources...etc. So if they can do it...let them join you. You will kiss them good bye early int he day but they will learn a lot.
Otherwise, if they must select between R Day and A-Day, suggest that they pick A Day....you will need them, their car, and perhaps a nice hotel room for a well-deserved nap.
Both is best--unless your family are serious drama people and you are worried that they will derail your game face. if they are sort of regular support parents, let them join you. It will be helpful for them and ultimately for you.
 
As a parent, both R Day and A Day were incredibly memorable and helpful to attend. Of course we wanted to be there to say our goodbyes. It was also helpful because we had a chance to meet other parents, and we got to talk to people who were experiencing the same emotions that we were—an odd mix of feeling very happy as well as sad to say goodbye. It was therapeutic to talk to the other parents, and we also made lots of new friends. We had never seen West Point before, and we really enjoyed getting a look at the beautiful area as well as experiencing the visitor museum exhibits. So I definitely recommend for parents to go to both if possible, or at least A Day if they can only attend one event.
 
As others have written, I would prioritize A-Day over R-Day concerning your parents attendance. Having them attend both is great if it's something that you collectively desire. As a parent, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of social gathering opportunities for R-Day.-- it's not just a "drop-off". Again, if have to choose, go with A-Day. It's a day of celebration (you completed beast) and you will get some quality time with parents (or sleep). Congrats and best wishes.
 
For parents, if the goal is to spend time with your cadet, then A-Day is the best option. Once the cadet gets on the bus on R-Day the parents will not see them again until A-Day. If the goal is to meet other families, get a lay of the land at West Point and take in the campus, then R-Day is a good option.
 
Sorry to hijack this post, but I have a somewhat similar question and didn't want to make an entirely different post.

I've also been fortunate enough to be offered an appointment as a reapplicant, however, I am a it confused to how the driving reimbursement works. Below is the information I found online from a parent memo in 2020.

"Cadets will be paid $.17 cents per mile for the authorized mileage from home (or last station for active duty) to West Point. In addition, cadets are authorized $151.00 per day per diem for each day of authorized travel. This will help defray cost of lodging and meal expenses during those travel days."

I will be driving roughly 1,400 miles, which falls under 4 days (Mileage/Travel Days Chart 1101-1450 miles 4 days). So I take it this $151 each day is in addition to the $0.17 cents a mile? Meaning if I travel 1,400 miles, I'd be reimbursed $238 for miles & $604 from the 4 travel days, equaling $842. Or is the amount I am reimbursed exactly correlated to the exact amount issued on receipts, and $842 is simply the max they'll be willing to pay if my receipts go over that?

Additionally, under the candidate portal "traveling preferences", there is so option to select driving, only asking for flight information. Do I just select "no" or "N/A" on all options there, and then show up on R-Day with an explanation and receipts? Or is there an alternative form I need to fill out?

I'd just fly there, however my Dad & Brother wanted to attend and figured we'd just turn it into a road trip and stop to see some stuff along the way.

Thank you for your time, and apologies again for the hijacking.
 
Yes. That is what it means. Although you generally do not get a full day of per diem for the first and last day of travel. Congratulations on being re-admitted. But yes, you will be reimbursed at those rates. It seems like a lot of money but it is not. Save your hotel receipt as you will be required to submit it but no need to save your gas receipts just the address of where you started and no need to save your food receipts.
 
Does anyone know if the COVID vaccine will be still mandated for USMA after the pentagon dropped the mandate? It's fine either way, but just wondering.
 
KadeRiddle said:
Does anyone know if the COVID vaccine will be still mandated for USMA after the pentagon dropped the mandate? It's fine either way, but just wondering.
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Admissions will know the current policy for those reporting in as part of the new cadet class.
 
Your portal will include a letter that explains the travel reimbursement in your case.

My plebe son saved all receipts and brought it on R-Day but he said USMA gave him the standard per day amount.

Important thing is keep all paperwork handy in an envelope on R-Day because you will fill-up forms and your bag will get messed up. Also important to have your bank account information handy. My son didn't get any delay in getting reimbursement and monthly pay because he completed the banking paperwork during R-Day.
 
Class of 2026 R-Day, A-Day : we attended both but agree that A-Day gives you a happier and longer time together.

We haven't been to NYC so we arrived two days before R-Day and visited sites together. On R-Day we had time while lining up to ride the bus from Buffalo Soldier parking to Eisenhower Hall, then another line for my son to sign into the ID distribution table. After the 90-sec goodbye in Eisenhower we really didn't get to see my son again. We all felt sad, plus it was raining on R-Day. We wanted to meet with other parents but didn't get to do it.

A-Day is just full of excitement and pride! The weather was beautiful and everyone was just upbeat. Got to meet a lot of other families plus USMA leaders and staff.

If you have to pick one event, pick A-Day.
 
From a plebe: Have your parents go with you on R-Day.

I am not the first in my family to attend an academy, but the last time a family member did, they opted to have the rest of the family stay home and fly out alone, and said they always regretted it.

The night before R-Day was not one that I would’ve wanted to spend alone. It was very special to have my family at my side, and ultimately to spend every last second possible with them. Say goodbyes the night before by all means, but even that last hug in Eisenhower is something you’ll be glad you have.

In retrospect it really all doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, I’ve adapted to life here and beast is far in the rear view mirror, but the first time leaving was definitely the hardest so far. It’s best to have those you love at your side. Plus, I got reimbursed for my travel, so it was a win win.
 
Jacobko75 said:
Sorry to hijack this post, but I have a somewhat similar question and didn't want to make an entirely different post.

I've also been fortunate enough to be offered an appointment as a reapplicant, however, I am a it confused to how the driving reimbursement works. Below is the information I found online from a parent memo in 2020.

"Cadets will be paid $.17 cents per mile for the authorized mileage from home (or last station for active duty) to West Point. In addition, cadets are authorized $151.00 per day per diem for each day of authorized travel. This will help defray cost of lodging and meal expenses during those travel days."

I will be driving roughly 1,400 miles, which falls under 4 days (Mileage/Travel Days Chart 1101-1450 miles 4 days). So I take it this $151 each day is in addition to the $0.17 cents a mile? Meaning if I travel 1,400 miles, I'd be reimbursed $238 for miles & $604 from the 4 travel days, equaling $842. Or is the amount I am reimbursed exactly correlated to the exact amount issued on receipts, and $842 is simply the max they'll be willing to pay if my receipts go over that?

Additionally, under the candidate portal "traveling preferences", there is so option to select driving, only asking for flight information. Do I just select "no" or "N/A" on all options there, and then show up on R-Day with an explanation and receipts? Or is there an alternative form I need to fill out?

I'd just fly there, however my Dad & Brother wanted to attend and figured we'd just turn it into a road trip and stop to see some stuff along the way.

Thank you for your time, and apologies again for the hijacking.
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Check the details, typically for govt per diem, travel reimbursement they will reimburse mileage up to the cost of lowest logical airfare. So if the govt could put you on a flight for less you would only receive that.
 
As to family attending, all well said above with A Day over R Day, but if you can swing both, by all means. In the Visitor's Center it is good for your family to get a 50K foot perspective of what the four years will include, which with each year and each subsequent visit have new depth of meaning. If you have a younger sibling, and you can swing it, by all means bring them. You will have a Beast of a summer, but remember that your siblings will have a noticeable absence, and now matter how they express it, will lovingly miss your "big, stinky, messy, loud" presence. Our boys are six years apart. Ran into General Milley during R Day. He asked them what class they would be joining. Since then, whenever General Milley was in the news (and the graduation speaker), younger sibling paid attention. As to our DS, night before he did not sleep much. Your family will force you to eat in the morning. Do it! When we got to Ike Hall for the goodbyes, my DS was on one side with his knee nervously responding like a jack hammer and the young man on the other side of me was chewing the strap on his backpack so hard I thought he was going to cow munch right through it. The best advice I can impart that I hope you pass along to all your mates during Beast is to "Participate, do not anticipate." Stay on task to completing whatever small or large task assigned at that time. The next task, the next meal, the next day, the next week, will all come and is out of your power to control. Participate in the task in front of you and let the next come in its time. Good luck! USMA believes in you. Believe in yourself. Help your classmates.
 
Also, if the family travels on R-Day--and you go early, you can go to the Visitors Center and get your parent ID (with your cadet's admissions letter or a copy of it)...and then the family is set up for the next 4 years--no waiting in line to get on post or waiting in line ever again at the visitors center. Also, if your cadet candidate is going to be on a team sport...the sport may have a picnic/reception on the afternoon before R-Day so that the coaches and players can meet one another. It is a 'nice to attend' event. Also, Assoc of Grads hosts an ice cream social later in the afternoon before R-Day. On R-Day itself, you kiss your baby good bye and watch them head off bravely to the future but then there are booths for FOOTBALL! tickets, and local parents' clubs, and USAA is there and lots of shopping for rah-rah Go Army attire & bling. Later in the afternoon there are usually lectures about the curriculum and the summer training. So, if you can go to both, go to both. If you must go to one, pick A Day. If everyone cannot go to R-Day and A-Day then let one parent go with your cadet candidate to R-Day (no need for a big entourage) and then bring the entourage for A-Day.
 
DrMom said:
Also, if the family travels on R-Day--and you go early, you can go to the Visitors Center and get your parent ID (with your cadet's admissions letter or a copy of it)...and then the family is set up for the next 4 years--no waiting in line to get on post or waiting in line ever again at the visitors center. Also, if your cadet candidate is going to be on a team sport...the sport may have a picnic/reception on the afternoon before R-Day so that the coaches and players can meet one another. It is a 'nice to attend' event. Also, Assoc of Grads hosts an ice cream social later in the afternoon before R-Day. On R-Day itself, you kiss your baby good bye and watch them head off bravely to the future but then there are booths for FOOTBALL! tickets, and local parents' clubs, and USAA is there and lots of shopping for rah-rah Go Army attire & bling. Later in the afternoon there are usually lectures about the curriculum and the summer training. So, if you can go to both, go to both. If you must go to one, pick A Day. If everyone cannot go to R-Day and A-Day then let one parent go with your cadet candidate to R-Day (no need for a big entourage) and then bring the entourage for A-Day.
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The guest pass advice is important. If you happen to get to the area a day or two before, it is worth the side trip to the visitor's center to get your pass before R-Day (or A-Day for that matter). They will issue parents (and siblings, I think) 4 year passes. Grandparents and other family members can get one year passes.

Bottom line, if you can avoid trying to secure passes on the day of the event. The line can be hours long.
 
Family attending R-Day and A-Day is a personal decision. If you travel by yourself to R-Day, you will likely stay in a block of rooms at a hotel near Newark airport, then take a USMA bus up to post. That can be a lot, especially for the step you are taking on R-Day. You might prefer to have your family with you, and let your parents help with some of the travel logistics. However, it might make things more emotional when you get your 60 second goodbye.

As mentioned above, there are a lot of booths and tables set-up, but all-in-all there are not many things for parents to do between the goodbye and the oath ceremony. Also, parents will not have the opportunity to talk to cadets after the goodbye, this includes the oath ceremony.

Our DS attended USMAPS, so we had the R-Day experience under our belts. We put him on a flight and watched the oath ceremony livestream. We did attend A-Day and family weekend. Here is how I rate attending those events:

* R-Day: An emotional rite of passage, but limited access to post and your cadet.
* A-Day: The weekend is set-up to reconnect parents and cadets. Much more time with your cadet, and more events/tours on post. If your schedule allows, give yourself all day Saturday and Sunday.
*Family weekend: Pleasantly surprised. Most won't list this as one of the must-attend events, but it was our favorite of the three. We were able to tour barracks, academic buildings, the mess hall, etc. Also able to spend a lot of time with our DS. Met his roommates, new friends, etc. Had a wonderful time watching the jump team practice from the library roof terrace. Also a home football game, and West Point's game day experience is special.
 
2025ParentOH said:
The guest pass advice is important. If you happen to get to the area a day or two before, it is worth the side trip to the visitor's center to get your pass before R-Day (or A-Day for that matter). They will issue parents (and siblings, I think) 4 year passes. Grandparents and other family members can get one year passes.

Bottom line, if you can avoid trying to secure passes on the day of the event. The line can be hours long.
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Do you still try to get a guest pass if a cadet’s family is active duty or retired military with IDs?
 
2027Mom said:
Do you still try to get a guest pass if a cadet’s family is active duty or retired military with IDs?
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Escorted Visitors: Escorted visitors are persons who enter West Point accompanied by a qualified escort. Escorted visitors do not need to visit the Visitor Control Center but must remain with the qualified escort and have in their possession an approved form of identification at all times.
DoD Identification Card: If you are in possession of a valid (not expired) Department of Defense-issued identification card, you may enter West Point and other federally controlled installations.

Qualified Escorts: Qualified escorts are Department of Defense identification card holders. This includes Common Access Card holders (Military, Civilian Government employees and contractors) or Teslin identification card holders (Retirees, their spouses and Military dependents.) A qualified escort must accompany each individual he or she is escorting and can only escort up to 15 individuals.

Visitors: If you are not a Department of Defense issued identification card holder you must obtain an Automated Installation Entry (AIE) by filling out an »AIE Credential Request Form and visiting our Visitor Control Center at 2107 New South Post Road, West Point, NY 10996, Tel: (845) 938-0390 or (845) 938-0392. Click here for the » Map Location of Visitor Control Center.

The Visitor Control Center is open Monday-Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. When the Visitor Control Center is closed, visitors will be directed to proceed to Stony Lonesome Gate for a background check and temporary pass. If you do not have a Department of Defense issued identification card, you will be considered one of three categories: Escorted Visitors, Foreign Visitors and Unescorted Visitors. A current driver’s license or passport will suffice for identification, but effective October 1, 2020 driver’s licenses and identification cards from specific territories and states that do not comply with the REAL ID Act of 2005 are not to be used as the sole source for identity verification to access Federal installations. A listing of the current state-by-state compliance is available at REAL ID Act Status of States & Territories.

Foreign Visitors: Foreign visitors must be escorted at all times by a qualified escort in order to enter the installation. That requirement can be met by either entering with a DoD identification card holder or taking a bus tour with an assigned guide provided the bus tour agency presents a valid legible manifest. See below for bus tour information.

Unescorted Visitors: Unescorted visitors are persons 18 years of age and above without a valid (not expired) Department of Defense-issued identification card. Unescorted visitors are asked to report to the Visitor Control Center at 2107 New South Post Road, West Point, NY 10996 to apply for a West Point AIE Credential. The Visitor Control Center is open Monday-Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. When the Visitor Control Center is closed, visitors will be directed to proceed to Stony Lonesome Gate for a background check and temporary pass .
 
If you have a military ID active duty, dependent, retiree, you do not need a West Point ID. That is the golden ticket--well earned through your family's service and sacrifice.
 
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