<p>Hey everyone–long time no talk.</p>
<p>I ran into someone from CC today, and it reminded me of this site. Many of you are new, and probably don’t know me. I was on CC for probably a year and a half before coming to West Point. I was offered a Marine ROTC Scholarship to Georgetown, an Army ROTC Schol. to Georgetown, an Army ROTC scholarship to Notre Dame, Furman, and various other schools. I was also accepted at both Navy and Air Force. However, I chose the best of all of the above–West Point. </p>
<p>I’d have to say that I’m a completely different person than when I left home. I changed so much during Beast, and that change continued into the Academic Year. I gained an incredible amount of self-awareness, self-confidence, and technical ability during CBT. I also grew older by about 15 years. I didn’t even realize it until I went home for the first time. I’ve had to deal with a lot here as a Plebe, a lot that most Plebes don’t see until later. (a few of those situations you hope your son or daughter won’t experience while here). I’m a member of the best Company in the Corps, the A-4 Apaches. While here, I’ve been lucky enough to get a “Hooah” Note from the BTO, COL Scott, Apache of the Week, Geek of the Week, and be the Apache PL for PPW (the Company Commander, basically). I’m also lucky to have a military “A”. I’m not saying all this to toot my own horn–trust me, I have nothing to prove. At the same time, I have a great time. We do a decent amount of spirit missions, and goof around a LOT. Once you’re here, you come to realize that what everyone sees about West Point is really only one half. That’s what makes this place so great–normally, Cadets are the most immature, fun-loving, great people I’ve ever met. They (we) do the goofiest, most random things ever. But whenever a situation comes along that requires professionalism or leadership, it’s like someone flicks a switch, and suddenly it’s all business. Two-sides: everyone always just sees one. </p>
<p>Anyways, if anyone has any questions about absolutely anything, I’d be happy to help. Anything, no matter how stupid you think it is. I can help ya’ll come up with a list of stuff to bring to R-Day (the list they give you is pretty stupid). There’s a lot of stuff you can get away with bringing that they don’t tell you about, a lot of stuff you SHOULD bring. I can tell you about Beast, I can tell you about the Academic year. I want to help out in any way possible. I loved West Point, come Academic Year. Since then, some of my experiences (which most Plebes WILL NOT have, I promises), have sobered me somewhat. There are some parts I love, and there are some parts I hate. Regardless, West Point is my home. </p>
<p>So, in answer to your questions about how to train beforehand. Quite simply–RUN HILLS AND STAIRS. That’s all there is to it. Build your quads and calves. Do it for months. Do it now, especially if you’re a girl. You will not run on a flat surface here. I am utterly convinced that WP is the only place on Earth that goes uphill both ways. Learn to dread the words “MSC” and “Target Hill”. They were the bane of my existence. The pushups and situps are really easy if you’re in any kind of decent shape. However, for some reason, my class wasn’t very good at them. If you can do 70-75 situps or above, you should be ok. Pushups: Girls, you’ll have to do the same amount during training as the guys. For practical purposes, though, I’d say guys should be able to do 70-75 or above, and girls 40 or above. That’s if you actually want to do decently on the APFT. </p>
<p>Knowledge wise, I seriously wouldn’t worry about it too much. I memorized the second verse of the Star Bangled Banner before I came, which helped a lot. You’ll be studying knowledge literally every second of time you have here that you’re not getting issued crap. BUT there are a couple of ones that wouldn’t hurt to know ahead of time: </p>
<p>Schofield’s Definition of Discipline, Worth’s Battalion Orders, the Alma Mater, the Corps, the Code of Conduct (you’ll learn to HATE this one–it’s the killer during ReOrgy week), and the Soldier’s Creed. This site has these things on it: <a href=“http://www.west-point.org/academy/malo-wa/inspirations/buglenotes.html[/url]”>http://www.west-point.org/academy/malo-wa/inspirations/buglenotes.html</a> If you’re really ambitious, I still wouldn’t suggest learning all that stuff on there. Half of it isn’t used anymore, and you won’t be asked anything about heritage until Reorgy week, and that stuff is really easy. In addition to what I already told you, the Def. of Leather is good, the Star Bangled Banner, and Army Blue. Please don’t actually look at the “Cadet Slang” stuff at the bottom. It’s pretty much ridiculous. Also, most of you parents will want to join/have joined Prospective Net, and eventually Plebe Net. There’s some good stuff on there, but a lot of it I found to be a load of crap when I got here. Everyone there tries to help a lot, so I’m not bashing it at all. I’m glad I was a member before coming here. However, if you want good advice, Cadets aren’t bad resources either (at least IMHO). </p>
<p>Like I said, if you have any questions at all, feel free to ask. Shoot me a PM if you want my email address or anything. Have a great day!</p>