<p>Parents of candidates entering the Class of 2012 at USMA can now join Plebe-net. That is an email list just for the new class. Link is at .........
Plebe</a> Net</p>
<p>Just so people know; a good deal of information on plebe net is either misinterpreted or flat wrong. Too many new cadets and plebes write home complaining about how terrible things are, and their grievances are taken as fact. It can be a good resource, but just take what you read with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>kevin07 - Please try to re-phrase or explain? Your comments seem to contradict each other? What do you mean by "grievances taken as fact??" You may have info to share, but i don't think it is real clear.</p>
<p>For those interested in accurate information regarding West Point, but are not part of the Class of 2012, you can sign up for:</p>
<p>Prospective</a> Net</p>
<p>kevin07 -</p>
<p>I'm also confused about what your message is communicating, but being a parent of a rising yuk, I want to heartily endorse plebe-net. As plebe parents we could ask questions regarding the new and very involved environment of West Point and receive accurate answers. The moderators usually have the personal knowledge to answer these questions in detail, but if they don't have the answer they can get it and do. They are wonderful.</p>
<p>When my plebe didn't have time to give me details on events, activities, travel, regulations, etc., plebe-net was detailed and extremely helpful.</p>
<p>Plebe-net is not a site to gripe or complain, but to ask for information and receive it. Accurate, official information.</p>
<p>Plebe-net and parent-net are both fairly stringently moderated. I would encourage all WP parents to join WHICH EVER APPLIES TO THEM (PLEBE-NET FOR THE NEW CADET PARENTS OF 2012, AND PARENT NET FOR PARENTS OF THE CLASSES OF 2009-10-11).</p>
<p>I agree with shogun. All West Point parents should be a member of a parent forum. The information provided on the forums by the moderators is based on fact...not speculation or rumor. The forums are not allowed to run amuck with hyperbole and personal agendas. They may not be as entertaining as some other discussion grouops, but then, you can rely on the information given by the moderators.</p>
<p>Plebe net is an absolutely fabulous way to get information that is difficult to get from your Plebe, or perhaps even unknown by your Plebe. The forum is heavily monitored by folks that know what they are doing and have access to information that is not generally available. I can think of a couple of times last year where a parent posted something that was inappropriate and in a very short period of time the moderators corrected the post. Being on Plebe Net will make the year easier for you and your Plebe. A million thanks to last years moderators!</p>
<p>For those who have not signed up: Please consider doing so...we had a question a few weeks ago and after posting, a 2012 parent who works at USMA called and gave me the info and straightened out the problem. It's been great; sometimes it is a ton of info, but easy to sort through and get what is necessary or pertinent.</p>
<p>Do people attend registration day at onset of plebe basic training/arrival</p>
<p>I take it that you are asking whether friends and family attend R-Day. Absolutely. There will be a lot folks at West Point on R-Day to watch the new cadets begin their journey. Friends and family walk with the new cadets into Ike Hall for the intitial briefing and are given a very short period of time to bid their new cadet good bye and good luck. The middle part of the day is on your own. About 4:30 or 5:00 the new cadets march out of the sally ports of Washington Hall to Trophy Point to take the oath. Friends and family line the street and clap as the new cadets march past. After the ceremony the new cadets march back into Washington Hall and that is your last chance to see new cadets until A-Day. There is a reception in Highland Falls the day before R-Day and a free concert that night at Trophy Point. </p>
<p>With that said, all parents do not attend for various reasons. There are three different events that you may want to attend Plebe Year (A-Day, R-Day and Plebe Parent Weekend). Many parents would prefer to attend A-Day to see how their new cadet has changed during Beast and Plebe Parent Weekend is a must.</p>
<p>That morning goes fast! From the time we arrived to the moment we said goodbye was probably less than one hour. There’s no registration; you are basically just dropping your child off.</p>
<p>The “R” in R-Day stand for “Reception”.</p>
<p>It’s Reception Day for New Cadets. The amount of time it takes from when you arrive to when you say good-bye varies. The line can be 1-2 hours long.</p>
<p>Even after parents say good-bye there is much to do and the day goes quickly. It is a personal choice whether or not to accompany your son/daughter.</p>
<p>After the quick good-bye and getting whatever parent info is available, can we take our car, leave and return in the afternoon for the oath ceremony? I think our report time is 6:30 am so I’d think we’d need to plan to get to the gate by 6 am (leave hotel in Peekskill at 5:30ish) …staying on the grounds w/ younger siblings and grampa until late afternoon sounds exhausting…I’d love to go back to the hotel and come back if that’s allowed? Any info would be appreciated.</p>
<p>You absolutely can go and come back. Be warned however that traffic at the West Point gates can be slow and hectic, so allow yourself additional time to get through the gate on your afternoon trip. Don’t be fooled by getting through the gate fairly easily in the morning as only one third of the new cadets will report that early and you will have very little other traffic. In the afternoon you may be competing with more new cadet parents and lots of regular traffic.</p>
<p>well that’s a relief – how much time would you give for getting back in for the afternoon? (is 90 minutes enough time to queue up at gate, park and get to the stands?)</p>
<p>^
heck yeah. They will be running the shuttle buses all day as well. If you want to you can drop Grandpa and the kids off at the plane, park and get the shuttle back. </p>
<p>Also - there will be a briefing before the Oath - you probably won’t want to miss it. It’s given by the Supe, Commandant and Dean, I think it was from 3-4 pm last year. From there we walked over to trophy point for the oath.</p>
<p>The march to the oath ceremony is not on the parade ground. It is on the street that winds its way to Trophy Point from Washington Hall. When you drop your new cadet off in the morning you will be able to go upstairs in Ike Hall to buy West Point merchandise, sign up for stuff and most importantly get your new cadets mailing information. On the mailing information card you will find his or her Beast Company letter and number. There will be a program that will tell you where to stand for the oath ceremony that will give you the best chance of seeing your new cadet based on his or her Beast Company. One warning however, by that time they will all have had their hair cut, will be wearing hats and will all look alike. As a result, you will join the other friends and family playing the time honored game of “Where’s Waldo?” Take lots of pictures and/or video if you can. While I didn’t find my Waldo during the parade and Oath, I did find him when going through my pictures. Good luck and enjoy!</p>
<p>If you stay, Grandpa can sit inside Grant to relax, or in the comfort of Ike…while you spend the day seeing campus and playing “Where’s Waldo.” Most parents stay all day and snap pics like crazy. When u get home, you post them, and while everyone is waiting for that first letter to arrive, you spend hours and hours and hours looking for a glimpse of your Waldo!</p>
<p>And after that 20-second goodbye, nothing like a bit of retail therapy with a bunch of crying moms to help you get through the day. You can buy more West Point stuff than you thought existed. You can meet with representatives from various state Parents’ Clubs. Also, you can walk around watching New Cadets - even if you don’t find your own, it’s great to see what they’re doing.</p>