<p>Your life as a cadet (at least as a plebe, seen through my daughter's eyes) is going to be up and down, emotionally. There will be times you will question if it is all worth it and then you will have moments that will validate your decision. Case in point, last week we got a call from our daughter that was a good indicator she was stressing out after her first week of the new semester---new chain of command, freezing COLD weather, new roommate, plebe drowning had started, new instructors, new classes, freezing COLD weather, start of winter corps squad (track), (did I mention freezing COLD weather?), etc etc etc. We thought hmmm the parents club warned us about the "gloom period." Then tonight we get this great email about how yesterday the cross country team spent time at the supe's house to celebrate their victory over Navy this fall. She was so excited about the tour of the home and all the historical stuff it contained, the trip to the basement, etc. Then she mentioned receiving her "Big A" for her jacket and a letter from the Dean congratulating her on her better than a 4.0 avg her first semester---suddenly tonight she is on top of the world again emotionally---till tomorrow....... It's a roller coaster. If you choose it, hang on and try to enjoy the ride!!!!!</p>
<p>Shogun - congrats to your daughter. As for the freezing cold weather, we've had a few days of what I'd call cold weather (I'm in NJ 50 miles from WP) but nothing I'd call "freezing cold" weather. And, for the most part, it's been remarkably warm in the Northeast so far. This is what happens when you live in SoCal - anything below 70 is "freezing cold". Here in the East we also appreciate nice weather when we have it - we don't take it for granted.</p>
<p>BG, you are right---the leaves haven't even come off the trees here yet except those that have been wind whipped the last few days in 40-70 mph Santa Ana winds. We are spoiled here. When our daughter told us she came back from a run a few days ago with frost on her eyelids and clothes we just couldn't believe it. She is definitely not used to the weather there on the east coast!</p>
<p>Shogun, your daughter's GPA is really impressive! She must be within the top 10. I have the number 1 Plebe and the number 7 Plebe in my Company right now. The only bad thing is is that all they do is study, and have no time for anything else.</p>
<p>What Company is your daughter in?</p>
<p>And while I know this is an easy winter, I'm DYING for that billowing heat coming off the pavement, the sound of the cicadas while I lie in a patrol base. I miss that 2nd Detail of Beast, as ridiculous as it might sound. We did so much cool stuff!</p>
<p>I was looking at some stats awile back about branch choices and I saw that something like one grad went air force and one went navy upon earning their commision. How did that happen, I thought all WP grads had to go army?</p>
<p>Shogun: Looks like your daughter is really excelling in the West Point environment. Congratulations to her and to the fine parents that made it all possible.</p>
<p>Having spent my youth in the Wisconsin tundra, frost on your eyelids was a sign that Spring was near. In the heart of winter, your eyes would freeze shut if you went for a run outside without polar bear fat rubbed on your face.</p>
<p>Also, the walk to and from school was uphill both ways.</p>
<p>Armygreen: Although relatively few do it (usually less than 10 a class) it is possible to get an interservice transfer upon graduation from West Point or the other academies. Lots of paperwork and interviews to pull it off.</p>
<p>Why do it? Some WP cadets want to fly jets or pursue military opportunies not available in the Army.</p>
<p>Actually, there are a pretty decent amount of spots if you want to go Air Force. I'm not really sure how many, but I know there were more Air Force spots open than were actually taken this year.</p>
<p>Marines4me: We have no idea what her class rank is--she probably does but the wife and I agreed not to ask her---she can volunteer the info when she feels like it. Enough pressure seems to be floating about there as it is :)
She has accumulated a couple of extra passes (from apft results, etc) but with corps squad and studying she says she never has any time to take advantage of them--a "double edged sword" as you said. </p>
<p>Aspen, thanks---we just aren't cold weather folks out here--wife grew up in the Western Pacific and I am a "desert rat" from the Mojave Desert in S. California. Not comfortable if we aren't living somewhere that hits a dry 110 degrees at least once a year!</p>
<p>Interesting news--all Cadets who branch-transferred just had their branch transfers rejected. Apparently there aren't enough 2LTs in the Army. The Supe is at the Pentagon now appealing this decision.</p>
<p>anyone know how much larger of a class it will be? and again, marines4me, thanks for takin time out of your day (i know you have to be EXTREMELY busy) to answer questions for us!</p>