What to wear on R-Day?

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newcadet

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Hi all,

I'm anxiously awaiting R-Day and have a few questions about what to wear. I've heard that many new cadets arrive in their low-quarters--is that standard practice? I've also heard that I should arrive with my combat boots outside of my bag and carried in hand--is that advisable? Also, is there a particular outfit that someone would recommend or am I fine in pants and a polo? Thanks so much for the help!
 
newcadet said:
Hi all,

I'm anxiously awaiting R-Day and have a few questions about what to wear. I've heard that many new cadets arrive in their low-quarters--is that standard practice? I've also heard that I should arrive with my combat boots outside of my bag and carried in hand--is that advisable? Also, is there a particular outfit that someone would recommend or am I fine in pants and a polo? Thanks so much for the help!
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Pants and a polo shirt are fine, but you may want to consider shorts and a t-shirt. It is likely to be in the 90's and humid. You will probably be standing around waiting for quite awhile, but after that you will change out of pants and shirt fairly quickly and those clothes will sit unwashed in a storage room until after Beast - if they are wet with rain or sweat, you may not even want to wear them again by the time you get them back.

Wearing low quarters and black socks makes one less thing to worry about changing into. You will fit right in with all of the other new cadets looking like a casting call for Revenge of the Nerds. ;)

Don't let the structured reporting times fool you. Unless you are one of the very first groups taken into Ike Hall, you will stand in line for a LONG time. Best to be as comfortable as possible and with as little to worry about once you leave Ike Hall.
 
Shorts and a t-shirt with socks and sneakers. Be comfortable. there is a lot of standing around while waiting before you are transformed officially into black Army PT shirt and shirts with black socks and low quarters.
 
The forecast is for mid 90's on Rday. Early reports won't have that kind of heat in their line, but later ones might. Cadets used to report in low quarters, but that was a while ago. It's been running shoes the last few years.
 
Also, you can stand in line with a baseball cap and sunglasses--but ensure that you leave them with your mother or if you are travelling to R-Day alone--put them in your backpack/duffel when you enter Ike for the quick good-bye. Once you get into Ike everything will go super fast and you won't have time to think about sunglasses or hats. (You do not want to be that 'Hollywood Cadet' rolling out in your shades....ahem--because you will find yourself throwing them in the amnesty box and missing them on A-Day or so I have been told.)
 
Also, is all your stuff in big ziplock bags? There will be a moment on Monday when you and a group of cadets in your company are in a room and you will be asked to move your things from your civilian bag to an official Army duffel...you will want to do this as quickly and seamlessly as possible--and having everything in a few BIG ziplocks will make it easier for you while you are being verbally encouraged. Good luck. (You have got this!)
 
DrMom said:
Also, is all your stuff in big ziplock bags? There will be a moment on Monday when you and a group of cadets in your company are in a room and you will be asked to move your things from your civilian bag to an official Army duffel...you will want to do this as quickly and seamlessly as possible--and having everything in a few BIG ziplocks will make it easier for you while you are being verbally encouraged. Good luck. (You have got this!)
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Big grin....
 
For those staying for the parade at days end... You will be uncomfortable in the bleachers. Plan plan plan for yourselves too... Water/ small cooler/ those silly squirt-fan bottles.... You can have an umbrella but it MUST go down when ceremony starts.... There is no shade on the Plain and minimal at the bleacher.... Good luck
 
LongRange99 said:
For those staying for the parade at days end... You will be uncomfortable in the bleachers. Plan plan plan for yourselves too... Water/ small cooler/ those silly squirt-fan bottles.... You can have an umbrella but it MUST go down when ceremony starts.... There is no shade on the Plain and minimal at the bleacher.... Good luck
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Given the forecast [96 and sizzling] focus on trying to last until the oath ceremony. You will want to take in all the R-day events, tours, and enjoy the campus but hours on your feet in that brutal heat will knock you down. Get some rest indoors and ALWAYS have extra water with you if outside. The Constitution Island ferry and guided walk is a gem that few will get to enjoy after R day; try and do it if you can. Long hot wait on South Dock for your turn on the ferry but a wonderful piece of history and a big part of the West Point story.

Do NOT forget to have extra drinks and sun hats when you first report; the line outside Eisenhower Hall will get very very long and the sun can be high in the sky before all get inside. They have water jugs available but bring your own containers if at all possible; you will want them to refill all day anyway.
 
DrMom said:
Also, is all your stuff in big ziplock bags? There will be a moment on Monday when you and a group of cadets in your company are in a room and you will be asked to move your things from your civilian bag to an official Army duffel...you will want to do this as quickly and seamlessly as possible--and having everything in a few BIG ziplocks will make it easier for you while you are being verbally encouraged. Good luck. (You have got this!)
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I asked my 2021 what he would have done differently. He said there were some things he would not have brought, but others used, but without a doubt, he said the best thing he did was do Zip-lock Bags. Small Zip-locks inside bigger Zip-locks, inside 2 super large storage Zip-lock bags. Boots tied to his bag. Low-Quarters in his bag. Sneakers on his feet. Best wishes to the 2022's!
 
MidwestDad said:
LongRange99 said:
For those staying for the parade at days end... You will be uncomfortable in the bleachers. Plan plan plan for yourselves too... Water/ small cooler/ those silly squirt-fan bottles.... You can have an umbrella but it MUST go down when ceremony starts.... There is no shade on the Plain and minimal at the bleacher.... Good luck
Click to expand...

Given the forecast [96 and sizzling] focus on trying to last until the oath ceremony. You will want to take in all the R-day events, tours, and enjoy the campus but hours on your feet in that brutal heat will knock you down. Get some rest indoors and ALWAYS have extra water with you if outside. The Constitution Island ferry and guided walk is a gem that few will get to enjoy after R day; try and do it if you can. Long hot wait on South Dock for your turn on the ferry but a wonderful piece of history and a big part of the West Point story.

Do NOT forget to have extra drinks and sun hats when you first report; the line outside Eisenhower Hall will get very very long and the sun can be high in the sky before all get inside. They have water jugs available but bring your own containers if at all possible; you will want them to refill all day anyway.
Click to expand...


As for Constitutional Island Tours, the first one leaves the South Dock at 9am and leaves every 30 minutes. The last boat leaves at 1pm. There are a total of 9 departures from South Dock with a capacity of 35 PAX each. So do the math... 9x35=315 spots available on a first come, first served basis.
 
95% of the kids will be wearing t-shirt and shorts, with running shoes. Some will wear the low quarters, and that is fine, but the vast majority will wear sports shoes. Most will have backpack stuffed, with boots tied to the backpack somehow. It all works in the end though.
 
Was thinking about these kids today. Hope it is not too hot and that they are holding up well and off to a good start. Saw lots of pictures yesterday and everyone had on his or her game face. Let’s go 2022.
 
cr062999 said:
I’m a girl and I wore sports shorts and a t shirt. I wore my low quarters and black socks as well. Don’t carry your boots, if you don’t have room, tie them to your bag
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Will WP issue the boots or cadets responsible to bring their own?
 
GT.Nguyen said:
Will WP issue the boots or cadets responsible to bring their own?
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WP will issue you everything you need to include boots and low-quarters. But, it helps a great deal if you show up with boots and shoes already broken in by you and molded to your feet. Your feet will thank you for it.
 
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