JustAMomOf4

Here a blog recollecting R-Day 40 years ago -
Deo Vindice » First Day of Beast Barracks 40 Years Ago

USNA69

Ah, yes, the good old days. If they didn't fit the mold-too short, too skinny, too fat, big ears, glasses, goofy looking, geeky, etc-they were gone.

Ann

One of the things that West Point grads do is have the 50 year class sponsor an incoming class e.g. the class of 1960 sponsored my son's class - the class of 2010. Some of the sponsoring class are there on R-Day and many go up to watch the Talent Show at the end of Beast, and then participate in the March Back. My son has a mentor from the class of 1960 and I have loved hearing his stories from the "good old days". While the four class system has replaced the 4th class system, the goal of teaching cadets to function under stress remains.

This is an interesting link:
Why trivia

USNA69

Ann, thanks for the 'Why trivia' link. I had been searching for it. If he were around today, I would bet that he would not recommend that plebes memorize their various rates prior to arriving plebe summer. A great testimony to all the various parts of plebe year.

Moritsuna

Do you think Beast will make me grow taller?

USNA69

You will think that you are taller. That is all that matters.

wpmom2011

My daughter did get taller. She stopped slouching.