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Cadre the Cow summer

Cow Year

After the graduation ceremony in May the third year cadets are the new Cow class and will have a gray background on the crest that they wear. For the next two years their time at West Point will focusing on developing them on an individualized basis and they will no longer do everything "in step" with the rest of the cadet in their class.

When they return to the Academy in the fall they will have had the opportunity to either be part of leadership cadre during Beast or they may have been deployed to take part in leadership opportunities and schools across the globe. More detailed information is available at www.usma.army.mil/dmi/ on the programs that are available to cadets during their Cow summer.

Selections for many of these different summer development programs is based on class rank. The Cows do not do all of these programs in one summer, but they can do a few both this summer and the next. During the Cow and Firstie summers, Cadets are required to complete a West Point Detail and a Military Individual Advanced Development [MIAD] The leave time that is available to the Cadet is limited by the type and number of assignments your Cow will have.

Cow Opportunities:

The West Point Detail: Your Cadet may be given the assignment of a detail to CBT of CFT as a member of the cadre. The positions available are squad leader, platoon sergeant or first sergeant. Other Cadet positions are NCO positions are available within each company. There are two details for both CBT and CFT.

Cadet Basic Training [CBT] -.

First detail has the Cows returning to West Point three weeks after graduation. The first week the prepare for the new entering class which will arrive on R-Day. The fill Cadet NCO positions and as such they are responsible for the in-processing and initial training of New Cadets.

Second detail reports mid-July and has a week-long overlap with First Detail. They take over command after the Ice Cream Social and stay in command for the second half of CBT. This Detail is in charge of March Back, the transition during ReOrgy Week, and the Acceptance Parade.

Cadet Field Training [CFT] -

First Detail Cows return to post approximately two weeks after Graduation. The first week is spent in preparations for the Yearling Class which will return for the second summer of Field Training. Again the fill Cadet NCO positions and are are responsible for the Close Quarters Combatives, basic Soldier Skills, and Advanced Rifle Marksmanship training. Most of this training is held at Camp Buckner.

Second Detail reports in mid-July and there is approximately a one-week overlap between the two Details. During Second Detail the Cows will lead the Yearlings through such events as Recondo Day, Operation Highland Warrior and Mounted Maneuver Training.

MIAD [Military Individual Advanced Development] - This is an overview of the cadet military development programs offered by or supported by West Point to enhance a Cadet's leadership and military skills as well as to challenge the personal development.

Air Assault Training - Cadets learn how to conduct military transport operations for personnel and equipment via helicopters. This is an intense training period lasting about 10 days and upon successful completion of the course the Cadet will have earned the Air Assault Badge. This badge is worn on the Cadet uniform and later on the Army military uniforms. Parents may attend their Cadets graduation ceremony from Air Assault School. This training is held at either Camp Smith [ across the Hudson River from West Point ] or at other posts [ including Fort Campbell, KY ]

Airborne School - During this tough three week school Cadets must pass successive tests of ground, tower, and jump weeks. Equipment identification and testing, preparation for airborne operations, and correct exiting, falling, and landing procedures are the skills which will be acquired during this school. This course culminates in five jumps from a C-130 and upon successful completion of the course Cadets are awarded the silver Basic Parachutist Badge or "Airborne wings." This is worn on both Cadet and Army unifor4ms and parents may attend this graduation ceremony.

Cadet Troop Leadership Training [CTLT] - To obtain hands-on leadership experience in an active duty Army unit Cows travel to military posts around the U.S. and world for CTLT. They may work with a Second or First Lieutenant.or they may perform the duties of a Lieutenant under the supervision of the Company Commander. An evaluation for the performance during this time is sent to West Point.This training lasts about a month.

Drill Cadet Leadership Training [DCLT] - Cows are assigned to Army posts integrated into the "Drill" structure and involved in the training of entry-level Army soldiers.

Northern Warfare Training - This school is held here in Alaska and lasts approximately three weeks. The training involves giving the Cadets the skills for Army cold weather/high altitude warfare operations

Sandhurst - Cadets are selected to train with Sandhurst [England's Military Academy] for about a month.

Sapper School - This very specialized training in engineering [breeching operations patrolling, etc.] is afforded to a very limited number of Cadets each year. To qualify, Cadets must complete a pre-qualification course during the second semester of their Yearling year. This school is physically and mentally demand and lasts about four weeks. Upon completion the Cadet will be awarded a Sapper tab but this will not be worn until they have their Army Class A's.

Combat Diver's Course- If a Cadet successfully complete the pre-qualification course at West Point and the Combat Diver's Qualification Course during spring Break they may learn advanced skills in Army underwater operations. Cadets desiring to participate in this course must be extremely dedicated to doing so as well as physically tough. The silver "SCUBA badge" is awarded for this course and is worn on Cadet and Army uniforms.

Special Forces Assessment School [SFAS] - SFAS is offered to only a handful of Cadets each year and is physically and mental intense school. This training lasts about a month and Cadets must contend with challenges such as a lot of road running, patrolling, marching, sleep deprivation, etc. Cadets who pass this course do not need to pass it again if the apply for Special Forces as senior First Lieutenants.

Academic Individual Advanced Development [AIAD] - Cadets travel around the world to receive unparalleled advanced and specialized training in their Major or Field of Study . Opportunities such as internships in Congress and the Supreme Court, foreign language immersion trips, internships in leading laboratories are available through this program. AIAD's last three weeks and are offered to all Cows and Firsties who have completed the required military training.

Physical Individual Advance Development [PIAD] - This course is often offered, but not limited to, Corps Squad athletes. Cadets receive an additional opportunity for enhanced physical development.

Summer Garrison Regiment [SGR] - This program is for a Cadet who, for whatever reason, fails an advanced summer training program. During SGR they perform garrison duties/details and conduct physical training each day while the majority of the Corps is away from West Point. Not a pleasant duty.

Summer Term Academic Program [STAP] - If a Cadet has had academic difficulties or failed a course, they may be required to take STAP. This is a highly concentrated course of study and the Cadet is given the opportunity to pass the course and improve their QPA [class rank]

Affirmation Oath Ceremony: On the evening before classes the entire Cow Class reports to Robinson Auditorium in Thayer Hall and retake their Oath. This Ceremony, which lasts about twenty to thirty minutes affirms their commitments to complete the next two years of study and to serve the five-year active duty service obligation [ADSO] and three years of Reserves duty after that. After taking this oath, if they do not graduate or decide to leave the Academy they ar committed to Army service as an enlisted soldier. It is an impressive ceremony highlighted by a renewal of an oath similar to the one they took on the Plain two short years before. Families are welcome to attend this ceremony.

Academic Year:

This year is usually a challenging one for Cows but it is also a rewarding year for them. Their course work is now more focused and individualized and tailored to provide privileges, as well as responsibilities that are greater. They have chosen their "path" in the military and the now have a real sense of being in and belonging to the Corps.

Academics: This year will focus on the Field of Study your Cadet selected during their Yearling year. The major academic hurdles during the Cow year are the Sosh Paper and the WPPWE - West Point Professional Writing Exam. The Sosh Paper is required for a cadet to complete the Social Sciences course that all Cows are required to take. Technically it is just another term paper, however its method of delivery is unusual. Each Cow delivers their paper in a unique many. Some may be in costume or on roller skates, some escorted by a Plebe entourage and some may still be "typing it up". The delivery makes for quite a scene and is enjoyed by the entire West Point Family - not just the Cows. The WPPWE is a three-hour mandatory written assignment that assesses the writing style of the Cadets. Four professors grade the paper, an if 3 of the 4 assign a grade of 3 or higher, then the Cadet passes the exam. If a Cadet fails the first attempt, the highest possible grade is a C. Each Cadet has three opportunities to pass the WPPWE. Failure to pass the WPPWE will result in academic separation from the Academy.

Cadet Rank: If a Cadet has not already served as a Cadet NCO they will assume a leadership position during the fall or spring semester. With the exception of the Squad Leaders, there will be a change in the Cadet uniform sleeve rank. From lowest to highest, the ranks include Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, 1st Sergeants and Command Sergeant Major at the Battalion, Regiment and Brigade levels.

Cow Loan Briefing: In January Cows are advised about their Cow Loan. A cow Loan is a sum of money provided to Cadets by a lending institution at a very low interest rate. The money will be made available in March, with advances possible. Payments do not begin until ninety days after graduation. The amounts and rates vary. The class of 2005 received $30,000 at an interest rate of 1.0%. Repayment on the Cadet's loan occurs over 60 equal monthly payments.

500th Night: This night marks 500 days before the Cows graduate. As with the YWW during the Yearling year, this night is a milestone in a Cadet's time at West Point and is celebrated with a Saturday night banquet and a formal hop.

Howitzer Picture: In the Spring of the Cow year, Cows have their picture taken for the Howitzer. This picture and the one taken during Plebe year are mandatory.

Pre-Commissioning Medical/Dental Physical: Cows also begin examinations for pre-commissioning physicals during this time en ensure that any deficiencies can be corrected well in advance of Graduation.

Class Rings: In January the Cows are given information on ordering their class rings. After Spring Break they select their ring.The jewelry company that has been selected to make the rings will put on a "Ring Show" at Eisenhower Hall. Cows will have the opportunity to look at examples of rings, settings, ornamentation, etc and once they have made their decisions they will finalize the paperwork and order the ring that will become the symbol of all the hard work and sacrifice during their time at West Point.At this time miniature rings may also be ordered for fiancees and mothers.

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