<p>(Sorry if the curses are inappropriate-hopefully the *** takes care of that=)</p>
<p>I posted this on the Military.com forums but I decided to post it here as well.</p>
<p>I'm going to USMA in around 2 months, and I'm excited as hell. My plan is classic huah- Combat Weapons Team, Military Art & Science, branch Infantry,Ranger School, then the 82nd or the 75th(God willing) Thing is, some other kid in my school got accepted, despite doing horrible on his physical(below average on 4 events, 8:32 mile-fantastic), yet he's acting like some hard-<strong><em>. Always talking about killing people "You don't have to be able to run at West Point, you just need to be willing to kill people." Pretty easy to when you're going arty(nothing against arty),pretty easy to say when you're going to USMA for the money. In addition, he answered the age-old "If you were given an order you thought was immoral" question with a yes(tool). Now I know that none of this affects me, but eveytime this kid tries to engage me in conversation like we're brothers-in-arms or some crap, I just want to tell him that he's a tool, a chickens</em></strong>, a five and flyer(I know that one's gonna get me in trouble, but that's how I feel). I never have because 1)Not everyone has to be, should be, or wants to be an Airborne Ranger(but he's acting like he already is one-its infuriating) 2)I haven't done any of that high speed stuff yet so I shouldn't be judging, except for actually preparing for Basic and selection to the Combat Applications Program(kid actually thinks we're going to be marching just one mile,told this to an AFA kid like it was something to be proud of, he's in for a big surprise come summer) 3)maybe's he's just acting like a hard-*** to impress people(phase I went through in middle school) Still, this kid almost makes me less proud that I'm going to USMA(pains me to say it, but how in the hell did this guy get accepted? Are the standards lower than I thought?) and I hate being associated with him. IT's almost like his acceptance invalidifies all the hard work I did to get in, all the fear I felt waiting for my acceptance. How do I deal with people like this? Should I just keep my mouth shut? Anyone else have a similar situation? Massengales....</p>
<p>That's tough man. My suggestion? Put him in his place. It'll save him later on during Beast when he goes in, trying to be all hard, and getting yelled at not only by upperclassman, who have a heck of a lot more experience, but also being LAUGHED at by prior enlisted folk who've actually seen combat.</p>
<p>But chances are you won't see that guy much during the summer. Just give him a fair warning to change his way now or to face the consequences later you know?</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah, I've been thinking about just asking why he's says the things he does in a serious manner. But than I get labeled as overly hardcore,or holier-than-thou. His brand of crap is hard to describe, not necessarily thinking that he's hardcore, but pretending(I hope) that killing people, that war(I say we nuke North Korea!) is a game. As far as letting Beast deal with him, I see him as a sycophantic coward.(suck-up) But hopefully the Point can deal with him.</p>
<p>You could always encourage him to post his rantings on "My Space", etc. for all to see (Bigger Audience). Won't take too long for the upper classes at WP to take notice. Most assuredly, they will assist him during Beast and beyond!</p>
<p>Zaphod is correct, don't worry about him. If life is true to form, the upperclassmen will give him the extra encouragement and support he needs. Upperclassmen are easily impressed, especially by young Plebes who know so much already and are willing to share their wealth of experience and knowlege with their older counterparts. It makes their day brighter.</p>
<p>I agree with zaphod. You'll have enough on your plate to worry about. Most likely you won't be in the same Beast company, so you won't see much of him during the summer. I'll bet the combination of cadre and classmates will help him to adjust his attitude. Just keep in mind that you'll meet others just like this.</p>
<p>Go ahead and get used to that kind of talk. He'll get whatever he deserves eventually; it always happens. </p>
<p>But one thing--I'm sure you don't mean it this way, but I have to say it. No one is "going" anything. He isn't necessarily going to get Arty, and you're not necessarily going to get Infantry. Additionally, all branches have their uses, so don't come into West Point with an attitude that anyone who doesn't want to go Infantry is a POG. Though the infantry will never admit it, they couldn't do anything if it weren't for Quartermaster (try going on a mission without supplies), MI (try walking the streets of Baghdad without a map or intel), or many other branches. I'm not trying to be harsh or criticize you, just trying to give you a heads up of the way things are going to be. </p>
<p>Don't worry about the other dude, though. Trust me, he'll be the least of your worries.</p>
<p>I like USMADAD's idea, let him post about it on Myspace or Facebook. He'll get what's coming to him anyway. The smartest thing that you and him can now do is to swallow your pride and realize that you're not special.</p>
<p>Having been to prep school for a year, I've already noticed a few tools who are going to be in our class next year - get used to it.</p>
<p>One of the first misconceptions that you lose when you get here is the idea that the admissions process doesn't allow people to slip through the cracks. You'll see plenty of people who are the complete anti-thesis of a future officer and you'll wonder, "Who let you in here?" The admissions process isn't airtight by any means, and some of these people will even make it through Beast. You've just gotta do your own thing, let them screw up, and watch them either adapt or fail.</p>
<p>Yep. Some will even graduate. Fortunately, not that many.</p>
<p>You will quickly learn that USxA isn't anything like what you see in the catalogs. It's very different. That includes the people in some cases.</p>
<p>Be aware, however, that some foolish bravado among appointees is nothing new. In most cases it's poorly-controlled exuberance or an attempt to impress those around them. Some are content to know they got in and that's enough. Others like to gloat. </p>
<p>Just remember, however, that it's a LONG way until graduation, and the slimeball next to you may turn out to be the finest officer your class produces. Stranger things can and have happened.</p>
<p>Let him learn. Hopefully the first run will shake him out, and he'll square himself away. Also, Beast changes everyone. After the summer, check and see if he's any different. Someone will probably have rearranged his paradigm by then :) </p>
<p>That said...there are a lot of different kinds of people in the Army, and a lot of different types of officer. Some are the gungho killer type, and they're not all infantry. Some are more diplomatic, and they're not all AG. Everyone will eventually find their niche, though.</p>
<p>Anyway...distance yourself from him right now, especially if you think you're going to say something you regret. Never burn bridges, you can't see the future, and you may have to cross it again. Just wait him out. He may not change anytime soon, but by your 20 year reunion, you'll probably have <em>something</em> in common.</p>
<p>Voxist, point well taken. Matter of fact, you should probably start friending upperclassmen on facebook, to get to learn more about USMA. the class of 2009 would love to hear from you. Make sure to put your profile picture as your acceptance letter, so overyone knows you got in. Congratulations!</p>
<p>All I've found is guys on the CWT who have myspace's, and I usually just ask them about the selection process. I'll take your guys advice and just keep quiet. Hell, I even invited him on a 15 mile hike tomorrow. Who knows? Maybe I judged too soon. Maybe I didn't</p>
<p>yea bro....i agree with iceman2039. The more people you know before you go to USMA, the better. Friend some upperclassman, get to know them...let them know you. It'll help!</p>
<p>Hey and why you're at it, can you send a picture of yourself with your social security number and full name to all the upperclassmen you know? extra points if the picture is you holding your acceptance letter or in surplus BDUs. Don't forget to let your beast cadre know that you are well prepared and knowledgable about the Army and especially the Rangers. And tell your mom to send you lots of artistic letters in pink envelopes, they love that</p>
<p>and if you're planning to get onto CWT, I'd suggest giving up now. They only let on two people from 2010 this year, and one of them ran his first marathon in 2:50 without training. So unless you think you're personally better than the other six hundred "huah" infantry guys that will inevitably be in your class and hoping to make CWT, don't even try.</p>
<p>This point might seem kind of hard on you, but apparently you didn't quite get the sarcasm of a couple of the other guys that posted here. That's what you get for posting anything USMA related online before you get here. Plus you're in the class of 2011, which everyone knows will be the worst class ever.</p>
<p>And there is your introduction to cadet cynicism. Don't let this happen to you. Be realistic, but don't bust peoples balls because they're enthusiastic about something. Are the odds against you: yes. Is it worth a try: definitely. </p>
<p>P.s.- screw2011 was right about one thing; they were being sarcastic about contacting upperclassman. Bad idea.</p>
<p>Well of course I'm not going to do that, and I'm certainly not going to let them know who I am. But some of the guys I contacted actually came back with some useful advice on preparing for selection.</p>
<p>BTW, I know how hopeless it is for a plebe out of high school to get on the CWT. But it won't hurt to try, or, if it does, it'll still be worth it.</p>