<p>Here a blog recollecting R-Day 40 years ago -
Deo</a> Vindice » First Day of Beast Barracks 40 Years Ago</p>
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What happened then, as sanctioned discipline, would be a national scandal today.
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<p>Ah, yes, the good old days. If they didn't fit the mold-too short, too skinny, too fat, big ears, glasses, goofy looking, geeky, etc-they were gone.</p>
<p>One of the things that West Point grads do is have the 50 year class sponsor an incoming class e.g. the class of 1960 sponsored my son's class - the class of 2010. Some of the sponsoring class are there on R-Day and many go up to watch the Talent Show at the end of Beast, and then participate in the March Back. My son has a mentor from the class of 1960 and I have loved hearing his stories from the "good old days". While the four class system has replaced the 4th class system, the goal of teaching cadets to function under stress remains.</p>
<p>This is an interesting link:
Why</a> trivia</p>
<p>Ann, thanks for the 'Why trivia' link. I had been searching for it. If he were around today, I would bet that he would not recommend that plebes memorize their various rates prior to arriving plebe summer. A great testimony to all the various parts of plebe year.</p>
<p>Do you think Beast will make me grow taller?</p>
<p>You will think that you are taller. That is all that matters.</p>
<p>My daughter did get taller. She stopped slouching. ;)</p>