<p>Well, I am home on MLOA, because of some retarded crap with my nervous system or something. Hello 2013 classmates! Anyway, since I have been through most of Beast I, if anyone has questions or anything I can try to answer them, especially questions regarding MLOA, resignations(I had so many interviews regarding this even though I never at any time considered a resignation), and the cadet counseling services.</p>
<p>Hi Requiem,
Sorry to hear this, but it sounds like you'll be back for next year? It might be helpful to some if you could explain the procedure that WP follows when dealing with MLOA's at Beast (without, of course, divulging any personal info on yourself or your condition).
Thanks!</p>
<p>Requiem,
Thanks from the bottom of my heart for your commitment to serve. I'm so glad to hear you will be back next year!</p>
<p>Yes, I will be back next year =]
As for the MLOA process, it can last anywhere from 3 days to a month, depending on the conditions involved. There are tons of interviews with CPD (Center for Personal Development), the brigade surgeon (Major Hustead, great guy), company chain of command, and the cadet counselors. After the MLOA is cleared by the brigade surgeon and the company TAC officers, one would enter the awesome (read awful) Transient Barracks. It's basically jail with good food. Some kids last over a week in Transient, some kids stay for a day or two, depending on how fast the paperwork moves. The paperwork has to go through the ccc, the commandant, civilians working S-1 or S-4 or something, and then the superintendent. During this time the transient will have to pack away all the issued items for storage, turn in rifles, bayonets, and TA-50, interview with the surgeon and CPD, get a military ID card, settle with treasury and post office, and sit around and wait. Mostly just sit around and wait. And when the paper work finally comes through, the civilian S-somethings will get airplane tickets and send the transient home (didn't work very well for me though, I was stuck at the airport for a while because my ticket wasn't "issued"). The MLOA process is very similar to the resignation process, except nothing issued (with exception to rifles and TA-50) is turned in, and fewer interviews are involved. While on MLOA, the cadet is considered active duty and receives full cadet pay, in addition to medical reimbursements and such. The cadet will also have to report back to west point before R-day the next year to be cleared medically. Fun stuff.</p>
<p>If there are any other questions regarding MLOA or Beast I in general, feel free to ask :-)</p>
<p>Requiem-I am so sorry to hear this happened. I will hope and pray all your medical issues are resolved swiftly, so your extra year is spent dealing with calculus and chemistry as opposed to doctors. Best wishes!!</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing your story--get well soon so you can get back in the game!!</p>
<p>Just wanted to let you know that there are many moms out there pulling for you! This breaks my heart as I remember so many of your posts beginning about the same time I started lurking for information for the class of 2012. You are a great inspiration to all of us and your attitude says much about your character. Keep your chin up, you are in my prayers!</p>
<p>So sorry this happened to you. It's good to hear that you plan to be part of the class of 2013. A year may seem like forever, but it will pass quickly.</p>
<p>Thanks for your offer to answer Beast questions.</p>
<p>How did you handle the heat and humidity?</p>
<p>Could you share what a day of Beast entailed?</p>
<p>After observing your other classmates, any suggestions especially for a female applicant on preparing for this experience?</p>
<p>In general, if a new cadet suffers a healable injury during Beast that prevents him/her from completing it, is (s)he granted the MLOA until the next Beast? Are there any restrictions while on the MLOA? For instance, could such a new cadet go perform community service in Africa if (s)he is recovered and just waiting for the next Beast?</p>
<p>I'll try to answer these one at a time :-). Usually, if a new cadet suffers a heal-able injury during Beast, either a MLOA is granted or (I'm pretty sure about this since I've seen it happen to others, but take my words with a grain of salt) can complete beast on physical profile. The new cadet will then have to come back as a squad leader in cow year to "redo" beast. The new cadet can go and do whatever he/she wants during the year (restricted by the UCMJ and such), so I think community service should be fine, as long as it does not aggravate the condition. </p>
<p>Onto O2B@C's question, I didn't really have a problem with the heat and humidity since I've lived in similar environments before, but it was not that bad. Just keep hydrated and out of the sun as much as possible I guess. </p>
<p>A typical day begins at 0500 with the awesome screaming and banging wake up call the Cadre gives, and everyone lines up for PT formation. PT consists of calisthenics and "group" runs depending on running ability. I didn't get to do too much PT since I had a profile. After PT is personal cleanup time, and then breakfast formation. Depending on the day, drill/issue points/briefings follow breakfast and last until lunch. The same continues until mid afternoon, and then comes the Mass Athletics. After that it's pretty much dinner time, and then lots of "squad leader" time after dinner where it's basically drill, TA-50, etc. Everyone has half an hour of "personal time" between 2130 and 2200. 2200 is sleep time, and the whole cycle begins again.</p>
<p>Suggestions for female applicants (I am female):
1. Get in shape! West Point has these great hills on which to run. They're great to look at and a total pain in the... to run up and down. And the rumor about 80 percent of the new cadets failing the APFT is NOT TRUE. The number is closer to 40 and nobody wants to be in that 40.
2. Learn to shower quickly, and learn to put up wet hair quickly.
3. Do some kind of backpacking activity, many of us were killed on the ruck marches and I had some major issues with those as well. My back was not used to the ruck and it hurt for quite a while.</p>
<p>I hope this helps, and I will post more when I think of more.
4. Learn to swim well.</p>
<p>Requiem,
I'm sorry that you had to return home. I know that it must be such a let down after looking forward to starting your USMA journey. I guess you could think of this year as your "prep" year. You will be going into Beast next year better prepared for what is to come. </p>
<p>Re: the hills at West Point. My son says EVERYTHING is uphill both ways! :D</p>
<p>I met a plebe last year during PPW that had a major injury during Beast last year. He was in transition barracks until after PPW receiving medical treatment, before he was sent home to heal. He reported on R-Day this year. His news to friends is that Beast is "ridiculously easy." Amazing how things look when you remove the "fear of the unknown."</p>
<p>requiem,</p>
<p>Heal well and have a good year. You'll be back in no time.</p>
<p>Requiem, this might be a dumb question but what does it mean you have a "profile" so you didn't do too much PT?
Also, what kind of swimming do you have to do during beast?</p>
<p>profile is for kids who have sports injuries/illnesses and cannot perform normal PT after being evaluated by a doctor. That being said, profile/reconditioning isn't just a nice place to relax. You still get dropped...alot. As for the swimming portion, it was just a 150 yd test however you want to do it.</p>