Here’s a snapshot of what the plebes can expect at the Academy of their next four years.
After enduring the six rigid weeks of Beast Barracks last summer, John Rogers ’17 welcomed the change that was to come. “I’m looking forward to the freedom offered by the academic year,” he said moments after completing the A-Day ceremony on the Plain. “Getting into a routine of my own choosing will be nice.” Routine—yes; freedom—not so much.
The 2012 spring issue of West Point magazine details a day in the life of a cadet from each class year. In all four years, each cadet’s day will begin before the sun is up. By the time most people get to work (and get their coffee and chat about last night’s TV episode with their co-workers), West Point cadets will typically have attended two classes. Then, when most people are looking forward to “happy hour” after work, the typical cadet will be spending 90 minutes to 2.5 hours participating in some type of athletic activity. Lastly, while most people are watching TV or googling around the web after dinner, cadets will be partaking in club meetings or doing homework until lights out (at 11pm). Take heart, new cadets of 2018—each cadet seemed to find 50 minutes in his or her roughly 17-hour day to take a nap or a study break.
If this seems like it will be a daunting schedule, well, it will be! This is West Point, after all. Cadets didn’t earn their reputation as “busiest college students in the nation” by sleeping in and playing hacky sack. But there will be moments of fun too. Many cadets report finding plenty of enjoyment in their “every-cadet-an-athlete” duties. And for those who don’t take pleasure in sports, there will be more than 100 fun and fulfilling extracurricular activities through the Directorate of Cadet Activities with which cadets can be involved (such as the radio station, the film forum, or the flying team).
The bottom line is that cadets are so busy that they don’t have time to worry about filling gaps in their schedules. But should there be a soon-to-be plebe who is longing for a Saturday without a SAMI (Saturday morning inspection) and who would rather count down the minutes to their favorite TV show than call out the minutes until formation, don’t worry: A four-day Thanksgiving Break is only about six months away and the nearly two-week (!) Christmas Break follows closely behind that.
We will be there to capture all the action on R-day so check out our FACEBOOK page and tag your cadet.