<p>Random Question:
What is the medical like on R Day and the first few days of Beast...
Is it as thorough as the DODMERB review? What do they do? Are you just at attention the whole time? How long is it? Etc.</p>
<p>09's R Day:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usma.edu/Class/2009/R-Day/rday05.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.usma.edu/Class/2009/R-Day/rday05.htm</a> (photos by USMA Public Affairs)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2009/events.php?EventID=3%5B/url%5D">http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2009/events.php?EventID=3</a> (photos by Parents)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.virtualwp.org/channel_closeup_experience_rday2004.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.virtualwp.org/channel_closeup_experience_rday2004.htm</a> (video)</p>
<p>Yeah, I have the same question...can anyone enlighten mumford and me?</p>
<p>Not too much medically--they stab you with a bunch of needles and ask you a lot of questions. Mostly you just go through issue points.</p>
<p>If you would like one cadet's insight into his first year and a half at West Point, check out the journal section of a second year cadet's (Class 2008) website at <a href="http://www.westpointcadet.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.westpointcadet.com/</a> . </p>
<p>It gives a pretty complete summary of his time at West Point beginning with a detailed account of CBT and includes numerous pictures, cadet videos and other materials related to his experiences as a cadet. </p>
<p>His video section includes links to some great army/navy game spirit videos and other cadet-produced videos. Although it's a rip-off of the Terry Tate Reebok commericials, "Barracks Linebacker" is a riot.</p>
<p>I also enjoyed many of his still pictures. From what I can gather, virtually everything that goes on at USMA is being captured on video by cadets. I particularly liked the one of him and a bunch of cadets doing homework in the stands during a women's basketball game that they were "detailed" to attend. While attending athletic events is required, paying attention to the game is not. Another picture I found interesting showed the contrast in housekeeping within the cadets barracks room. One showed the room with uniforms and gear scattered about like a hurricane had hit the room. The other showed the room ready for a SAMI.</p>
<p>The "Cadet Basic Training" part of his journal wasn't as rigorous as I thought. As much as I've been to admissions presentations and seen other things, Plebe summer doesn't seem as tough as I imagined. It's probably just because I've watched too many movies like Full Metal Jacket and things like that. Being that he even had time to write on the computer or watch Saving Private Ryan at the beginning of and all the way through the summer, I was surprised. The PT he described really didn't seem as tough as I envisioned. I know it's really mentally tough, but the physical part of it doesn't seem as hard as I imagined.</p>
<p>yeah, armyfreak could beat Beast right now, and hes only 14.</p>
<p>I highly doubt the cadet wrote that all on the computer during beast. He probably copied letters he wrote home onto the computer. From what I hear, you really don't have much time to write home and you aren't allowed to get on a computer.</p>
<p>NA11987: You're keen to observe that CBT challenges your mental and emotional toughness as much or more than your physical toughness.</p>
<p>However, sometimes the physical aspects are harder than they might appear from an outsiders' perspective. You may laugh at this, but our plebe son said one of the most difficult aspects of CBT for him was the shortage of "pee breaks" during marches and other manuevers. This became a real issue for some cadets since the hydration safety rules required them to drink large amounts of water even when they didn't want to. If your body processes fluids quickly, you can really suffer during a 45 minute "no bathroom breaks" presentation.</p>
<p>The other challenge our son pointed out was the hours spent standing and waiting/listening during the early part of CBT. He said he would much rather run 5 miles than stand still for an hour. He also felt the standing hurt his feet much more than the running and hiking. When I met up with him on A-Day, his first request was to go someplace where he could just sit.</p>
<p>Good luck guys, and thanks for your willingness to serve our great country.</p>
<p>Yea, your feet will hurt an UNBELIEVABLE amount from just standing around in low-quarters. I breathed a sigh of relief every time we went to a briefing or went to bed. Your feet will hurt so badly. </p>
<p>And no, he didn't write it on the computer during Beast. You have no access to anything tech-wise. Plus, you will SCROUNGE to find time to write home. I wrote letters during briefings (you have to be very, very, very careful that the Cadre don't catch you), and during Church.</p>
<p>In Journals in "cadet Basic Training," first entry he writes "As I write this we are watching Saving Private Ryan in Robinson Auditorium." I was only saying that since they were watching movies, it isn't the 24/7 mental/physical/emotional strain I had imagined. I've figured out how to make everything in my life "Expect and prepare for the worst and never be disappointed or taken off guard." It's worked so far, and if I go to WP, I'll just prepare myself for the worst possible situation, and it won't be as hard as I was ready for.</p>
<p>Even siblings of cadets find that Beast can be very, very different than it was for their older brother/sister. The mistake can be in assuming that you know what it will be like based on an older sibling's experience, someone's online journal, or a message board. </p>
<p>Yes, you can try to convince yourself that you have accounted for every worse case scenario and are prepared to deal with them all, but more than likely there will be struggles you had never dreamed of. The pain of standing for long hours is a perfect and simple example. Cadet Candidates run and ruck and hike in preparation then find that simply standing for hours on end becomes an unexpected source of continual ankle/feet/leg problems. </p>
<p>Beast will push your buttons...buttons you don't even know you have: physical, mental, emotional or all three. Be as prepared physically as you possibly can (even the CC's recruited for just about every sport can and do have physical problems during Beast). Acknowledge and accept that you will be challenged in all three areas on some level. It's difficult to worse case scenario when you have never been there.</p>
<p>Maybe they got to watch Saving Private Ryan, but we certainly didn't... Wish we had, though.</p>
<p>Good call, Nova.</p>
<p>Nova07: Good point about buttons you didn't know you had. Also, sometimes relatively little things take on huge dimensions when you're going through a stressful period. Let me illustrate.</p>
<p>Our son said the closest he came to quitting during CBT was after going through the following. It helps to recall that last summer was hottest in recent history and that USMA barracks have no A/C.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>His company was told to go to the barracks (his room was on 6th floor), put on BDU's(camo fatigues), come back down and gather with the rest of company. Son tells me that putting on BDU's correctly is no small task and takes quite a bit of time.</p></li>
<li><p>Company reassembled downstairs and were then told that orders had changed and that BDU's were a no go and to put on gym shorts and t-shirt. Back up 6 flights, change, back down to formation.</p></li>
<li><p>Once again assembled, the cadet leader said he made a mistake and that BDU's were required. Back up stairs, etc. </p></li>
<li><p>Finally, when all companies assembled, it turned out that his cadet leader had made a mistake and his company was the only one in BDU's (no this wasn't intentional hazing, just an honest screw-up). They were then required to do physical training in their BDU's while other cadets were in gym shorts. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Most people would understand why going through this would upset someone. But it's hard to imagine it would be enough to quit West Point over. Trust me, our normally, mild-mannered son said he was seriously considering it at the time. He laughes now about it, but there's still a special look in his eye when he tells the story.</p>
<p>Is it possible to get a copy of the Knowledge? A better question would probably be, "Is it a good idea to learn Knowledge ahead of time?" I want to be prepared, but I have a feeling that I'll **** off some cadre member if I get that much of a head start.</p>
<p>envee everything I've read and every cadet/mid I've spoken with says "Don't bother to memorize knowledge in advance." Enjoy your time between now and summer training. You'll have plenty of time for that later.</p>
<p>Point taken. I'll see you all later; I've got a keg to pick up for my party tonight.:D</p>
<p>what a nice guy... supplying a keg for others to drink with no intention of indulging, himself.</p>
<p>Yeah, I can't tell if that was a joke or not..</p>
<p>Sorry, I haven't quite perfected the use of "forum sarcasm". It was a joke. As I tell all my friends, I can make a fool of myself without alcohol.</p>