HELP for Accepted Candidates
and their Parents
FIRST let me offer you all a great big "Congratulations". You have just completed a very rigorous, time consuming process to arrive at this point -- ready to head off to the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA) for a unique and rewarding, but at times difficult, four-year journey. It is an experience you and your parents will never forget!
ITEMS for R-DAY
The RED Book "West Point: Instructions for Candidates Offered Admission Class of 2007" is your official source for what to take with you for R-day.This list contains those items and additional suggestions you might consider. Just remember what you take with you must either be carried around with you all day or left in what will become your storage trunk.
| Copies of Travel Tickets and Lodging Receipts |
| --(for reimburseable travel expenses to West Point) |
| Copy of Immunization Record |
| Completed Direct Pay deposit Form 1199A |
| Social Security Card |
| Dental X-rays if not already sent to West Point |
| MONEY |
| maximum of $40.00 in bills and $1.00 in change |
| CLOTHING |
| Comfortable travel clothes |
| --do not bring extra clothes |
| For Women: 9 white or beige bras-durable, modest & supportive |
| --(3 of the 9 to be athletic-strong support while running) |
| 1 or more nylon Spandex bike shorts |
| --to prevent chafing during marches, etc |
| FOOTWEAR -- SHOES & BOOTS |
| Wear one pair of "broken in" inexpensive, black leather laced shoes when reporting |
| --with plain toes and rubber heels |
| One pair good quality running shoes |
| Combat boots--1 or 2 pairs, Black all-leather "broken in" |
| PERSONAL GROOMING |
| Razors or depilatories |
| For Women: clear or hair colored devices to hold hair above the collar |
| Toiletries (if you like/need a particular brand) |
| Deoderant (if you like/need a particular brand) |
| Toothbrush (if you like/need a particular brand) |
| Note that some of these items are provided and others are available for purchase by New Cadets in the Company Store--may be limited in brand selection |
| LUGGAGE |
| One piece of luggage, tagged with your full name |
| PERSONAL ITEMS (optional) |
| Non-electric alarm clock |
| A framed picture, not larger than 8"X10" |
| Sunglasses |
| Plain wristwatch (note that military time is 24 hour clock) |
| Musical instrument |
| Small hand-held dryer and/or curling iron |
| Electric razor |
| Small penlight (mini-mag) flashlight with extra batteries |
| Nail clipper or small key chain type pen knife |
| Bic-type lighter |
| Chap stick |
| Religious reading material |
| extra Zip Lock bags |
| A "pre-paid" telephone calling card |
| Band-aids |
| Moleskin |
| Extra stamps |
| Note that foot care products such as Gold Bond powder, gel insoles for combat boots, wool socks/nylon socks or liners, and extra crew socks (plain white) are additional items commonly recommended. Boot care products like polish, brushes, etc and cleaning supplies can be purchased at the Company Store after R-Day when you know what to purchase. |
| There are additional items recommended by cadets from experience at: |
| http://www.west-point.org/academy/malo-wa/inspirations/GradAdvice1.html |
| And by the Michigan West Point Parents Club at: |
| http://www.west-point.org/parent/wppc_michigan/handbook.html |