Welcome to the wonderful world of West Point Parenting. Most of the WEST POINT parents agree that the first year at WEST POINT is the most difficult, not only for the plebes, but for their parents as well. This manual is designed to help you through this special time in your lives as you give support to your son or daughter, and still survive plebe year yourself.
You will have many questions as you make your way from here to Promotion Day when your plebe is allowed new privileges.
To assist you during your plebe year, we have asked a club member to be your sponsor. Your sponsor is available to help you anytime you have questions or need a friendly soul to listen. Your sponsor family volunteered to help and are fully capable of assisting you. Please do not hesitate to call them at any time. We have tried to assign them by area to keep phone call costs down. If they are unavailable, please see the list of the Club Officers for additional phone numbers you can use for assistance.
We hope this manual handles most of your immediate questions and offers you helpful advice that has been gathered over the years from the members of the WEST POINT PARENTS CLUB OF GREATER KANSAS CITY. While we have made every effort to include accurate information, things do change. In the event that the information in this manual does not match, please refer to the official West Point publication. This manual is only intended to supplement information you will receive from the Admissions Office at WEST POINT.
We are a friendly bunch and we hope you will participate with our club; our functions will give you an opportunity to meet other parents who are going, or have gone, through the same experiences as you.
Please review the published schedule for planned leaves and be aware that dates and times may change.
Prepared by Jerry & Linda Simonsen
Updated May, 2002 by Coleen Medsker
This day marks the end of your child's dependence on you and the beginning of a unique experience. We strongly suggest that you accompany your cadet to West Point for R-Day. It helps to be able to picture where they are going to be for the next four years. We also suggest other family members accompany you for this particular day. NOTE: If elderly relatives come, it may be a grueling day for them because of the heat and the amount of walking, which is mostly uphill. This is a day filled with many emotions; these emotions are all normal and natural. With respect to arrival time at Eisenhower Hall, we would only suggest that you neither be too early nor too late. Be sure to say all of your good-byes before you get to "Ike Hall" because you only get 90 seconds for a quick hug after the brief greetings by the officer of the day.
There are scheduled seminars for parents at Eisenhower Hall. We strongly suggest you attend these briefings since they will give you an opportunity to hear the leaders of the academy who will be in charge of your cadets. There is important information also given that will help you better understand what your cadet will be going through. We suggest you take paper and pen so that you can jot down dates that will be very important. For example: the date that your cadet can begin to receive boodle (goodies), etc. At 6:00 PM, there is the Oath Ceremony at Trophy Point. It's a good idea to send a representative to save an area so you'll have a good view. It gets very crowded. HINT: Bring a camera or video and binoculars. Remember, all the cadets will look alike; they are not easy to identify because they all have VERY short hair, same uniforms, no expressions. NOTE: When you were in Eisenhower Hall, you probably received your cadet's address and company assignment for cadet basic training; this will allow you to know his/her Beast Barracks company.
One suggestion made by a former plebe is that the family write a letter to your son/daughter as soon as you return to your motel on R-Day and mail it that night (or better yet, while you're at Eisenhower Hall). Your plebe will be so glad to be one of the first to receive mail. HINT: Mail from home is EXTREMELY important that first year (particularly during Beast). To help friends and relatives to send mail, make out post cards or envelopes with your cadet's address and postage and hand them out to his or her closest friends and relatives. Also, make sure your cadet has an address book with family and friends' addresses, important dates (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.), lots of stamps, envelopes and writing paper (they won't have time to buy these). Don't expect a lot of mail in return.
Cadet Basic Training (Beast Barracks)
R-Day, July 1st, is the first day of cadet life. It is followed by Beast Barracks, as this "basic" military training is affectionately called! Some new cadets actually like it, but others hate it. It's a time when a group of high school graduates are molded into WEST POINT CADETS. The last few days of Beast are spent at Lake Frederick where the new cadets will bivouac (camp out), learn military skills, and select their class motto. Their class motto will be proudly displayed during the long return march back to West Point. March back from Lake Frederick will be Tuesday, August 13, with expected arrival in Central Area by 12:00 p.m.
KEEP IN MIND, BEAST BARRACKS IS PROBABLY THE HARDEST TIME EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY YOUR CADET WILL EXPERIENCE AT WEST POINT. DURING THIS TIME, BE SUPPORTIVE AND POSITIVE.
(Ceremonial Acceptance of the Plebes into the Corp of Cadets)
Beast Barracks culminates with the Acceptance Parade (an impressive ceremony) on August 17th at approximately 10:00 AM on the Plain. It's at this ceremony that the plebes are allowed to wear their white hats, a symbol of having been officially accepted into the Corp of Cadets.
Updated information regarding Acceptance Parade Weekend is posted to the West Point Homepage. www.usma.army.mil Click on "Commandant's Corner" and then on "Acceptance Day Parade".
(Reorganization from Cadet Basic Training [CBT] to Academic Year companies)
Reorganization Week, commonly called "REORGI" is considered by many to be the absolute worst time of the Plebe year. It comes just when the new cadets are feeling happy and proud that they survived "Beast" and have been accepted as real cadets. This same week, upperclassmen are returning from various summer activities and have nothing better to do than harass the plebes. It only lasts a week, but it really dramatizes the fact that there will now be three upperclassmen for every Plebe.
The academic year commences immediately after REORGI week. Classes usually have less than fifteen students and are very challenging to even the brightest students. Encourage your plebe not to neglect his/her academics. It is very easy to get behind and very hard to catch up. The academy, while educating the whole person, stresses "Academics." Your plebe is well advised to study hard and develop good study habits. One of the most important lessons to learn is time management.
Plebes are allowed to use a pass over this weekend to come home, or it can be a time of relaxation, catching up on sleep, and enjoying the fact that most of the upperclassmen are on leave. If you should go out to see your Plebe, he/she will be proud to be able to show you his/her new world, and you can share a special time to help give your plebe a fresh start. The weather in New York is usually beautiful this time of year, making this a great time for a visit. Also, the plebes are more than ready for a familiar, friendly face.
Plebe Parent Weekend is an absolute must for all parents who can possibly make it. This year it is scheduled for 18-20 October. The Plebes are in charge of West Point for this weekend, and the upperclassmen are all on leave. They will have the opportunity to show off the academy to their families and friends. You will have the opportunity to see your son's or daughter's room, classrooms, meet their instructors and TAC officers. You will also get the "Grand Tour" of such places as the Superintendent's Quarters, the Uniform Factory and the Mess Hall. Tickets are required for some of these events and some only require reservations; however, your cadet must order them in advance (remind him/her). Thousands of people come to West Point to visit their cadets. You will never be allowed to visit some of these facilities again. This is a once in a lifetime experience not to miss. If you have to choose between going to West Point over Labor Day or Plebe Parent Weekend, we suggest you go over Plebe Parent Weekend for the above reasons.
This is a great time to celebrate and to give thanks for what may be the first visit home by your cadet since R-Day. Be sure to make his/her flight reservation EARLY (Sept), since this is the busiest holiday travel period of the year. This leave is a Superintendent's leave; he grants this leave and it is not a charged leave to the cadets.
From Labor Day on, things start to settle down into an academic routine. However, expect emotional ups and downs along the way. Be ready to give your support and encouragement. There may be poor grades on papers, an "F" on a quiz, or not doing well on a WPR (Written Partial Review which equals a midterm exam). At this time, these challenges seem like mountains to the students who may have never had a "C" on a paper before. By the end of the first semester, most cadets have been able to work things out and are doing well by the time finals roll around. They are looking forward to Christmas leave to keep them going.
Remember that Christmas leave time is a very busy travel time, so make flight arrangements early (October). Finals are finished anywhere from Thursday through noon on Saturday according to class schedules. It is safest to schedule flights late in the day, because it is impossible to predict each cadet's departure time until about a week before. By then, it is too late to get reasonably-priced tickets at the time you want.
The hardest farewell often comes when your Plebe returns to West Point after the first Christmas leave. The time spent home was so much fun, and the freedom felt so good that it is tough to go back to the regimentation and all "gray" everything, including the weather. This stretch of time after Christmas leave is aptly named the "gloom period". Be prepared for about a two-week readjustment period.
The two weeks after their return from Christmas leave is devoted to military training before beginning the second academic semester.
Depending on their performance, cadets may be able to take leave at this time. In any event, they have a three-day weekend off from academics.
The Plebe Class is promoted from privates to privates first class the week before Spring Break. The class is now allowed new privileges such as being allowed to talk to their classmates outside their rooms. They still must address upper class cadets by their rank, but the environment is much more relaxed for them. One of the biggest hurdles of the four years is over!
Up until the Class of 2002, Plebe Parent Weekend was held during West Point's Spring Break. Currently, the plebes also have this week off to come home or go on vacation (places like Florida and Cancun are popular spots after all the gray gloom in NY), so don't be surprised if your cadet doesn't come home.
Congratulations! The cadets are now on their way to being all they can be mentally, physically and emotionally! They have withstood the test and they can be proud. However, semester finals week is still a stressful period of time.
The cost of transportation to West Point for your cadet on R-Day will be reimbursed by USMA, so save receipts and be sure to record your mileage (if you drive your cadet to West Point). When your cadet submits forms for reimbursement, he/she will then need the receipts.
If your cadet is going to fly home, he/she should purchase round trip bus tickets to travel from West Point to the appropriate airport. Also, they must be very explicit as to which airport they are flying home from; i.e., Newark, LaGuardia, or Stewart, as they cannot buy them from the bus driver on the day of their departure. This holds true for all air travel to and from West Point for all holidays. Our experience suggests the easiest round trip is from Newark to KCI on Continental Airlines, which usually has the only non-stop flight to New York. However, there are other airlines such as Vanguard and Midwest Express which fly non-stop from KCI to LaGuardia. Check the airlines for the best options. Your cadet can also rent a limo to get a group of cadets to the airport. Depending on how many ride, it can be cheaper than the bus.
Should your cadet get to the airport early and was scheduled on a later flight, he/she usually can be "wait-listed" (or placed on standby) on the next flight out and may get on the earlier flight. Be prepared to get a phone call (maybe from the plane!!) saying he/she will be home earlier!
It is often easier for parents to make flight reservations than it is for plebes, as they have precious little time for this sort of thing. Allow at least three hours for the cadet to get to (and from) West Point from JFK, LaGuardia or Newark airports.
It might be a couple of weeks before your cadet will be allowed to call home during Beast Barracks. The first call home is usually filled with emotions and is sometimes a real "downer". This is normal! The cadets have had it with standing in lines, learning Plebe Knowledge, getting haircuts, testing, and upperclassmen! It may be the worst experience of his/her life to this point. Encouragement and support is what they need to get most from you. Don't be discouraged if another parent tells you they have heard from their Plebe and you haven't. Assignments and free times differ greatly. Be positive and be a good listener!
After the academic year begins, your cadet will have a telephone in his/her room. If your cadet calls from that phone, the charge is ten cents/minute to him. If you choose to absorb this expense, you may want to get him/her a telephone calling card (charged to your phone account) or buy pre-paid calling cards. Sams Club has them for six cents/minute. Another option is to get a 1-800 number at home for your cadet to use. Telephone conversations will be very important to you and your cadet. Notify the cadet about times you think you will be gone from home. Decide on good times for calls and make every effort to keep phone lines open and be there for the calls. With so little free time, it is very disheartening to get a busy signal when a Plebe needs a lift from hearing Mom and/or Dad's voice; call waiting is a good feature to add to your phone service at this time. Keep a pencil and notepad handy to write down questions you will have and to jot down things you will want to share with the rest of the family, friends and anyone who will listen!
E-Mail is another way to communicate with your cadet after the academic year starts. Each cadet is assigned an e-mail account. They receive some of their class assignments and other pertinent information via e-mail. If you have e-mail service, you can download ICQ or AOL's Instant Messenger software for free, which lets you "chat" with your cadet if you are both "on-line" at the same time.
There are many West Point nets you can join for free (i.e., plebe.net at http://www.west-point.org/parent/plebe-net/, parent forum [a must!] at parent-forum@west-point.org, wpp-net at http://www.west-point.org/parent/parent-forum/, sports.net, prayer.net, class of 06.net, etc.) Go to the West Point homepage to get information on these various nets.
We try to put all the information we can get our hands on onto our club's webpage http://www.west-point.org/parent/wppc-kansas/ . Our newsletters, updates on next meetings, etc. will be there. We email the newsletters and information to parents regularly.
Keep them coming! Keep the letters positive and encourage your cadet to think in positive terms. Emphasize taking one day at a time. Urge him/her not to take the harassment personally and tell him/her to maintain a sense of humor (keep smiling on the inside - NOT the outside!!). Enclose a photo, stick of gum, or a band-aid for blistered feet. Get some address labels or an address stamp made for your cadet and send him/her some pre-addressed/stamped envelopes with your address for ease of mailing. Be sure when you address your letters during Beast Barracks that they read "New Cadet 'last name'". He/she will be harassed if you put his/her first name on it. Don't expect too many letters. Plebes will be ordered to write the first one the first night (it's required) and after that plebes are tooooo busy. Mail call with no mail is very discouraging. Try to send as many letters as humanly possible during Beast and the first year. Generally, no food will be accepted during Beast.
DO NOT send boodle until told by your cadet when he/she is allowed to receive it. Send the first boodle (food) in an airtight container (like the plastic shoe boxes or other storage containers found at most variety stores), so your plebe will have a place to store future boodle. Suggested items include: cookies, candy, raisins, nuts, individual packets of drink mixes, trail mix, etc. Also, include newspaper articles of interest to your cadet. Cartoons are always welcome. Send small, but frequent, packages rather than large ones because space is limited. Mail them either Federal Express or US Postal Service. Shipping times and rates vary, so check with the different services in your area for more information.
Monthly paychecks will be deposited directly to your cadet's bank account. Any bounced check will cause extreme anguish (demerits and walking the area), so remind your cadet to be very careful with check writing. They don't have much money in their account the first year, so a little extra money from home for snacks and the rare trip away from the post will be appreciated.
Make your reservations for a motel well in advance; otherwise you will not be able to get a room close to West Point. Keep in mind that your cadet cannot be out of uniform at any time while on post. Plebes on pass are allowed to visit with their parents in an off-post motel room (which allows them the opportunity to get out of their uniform and slip into a pair of shorts). Your cadet will have information on his/her walking privilege "limits". While on walking privileges, your plebe must be in uniform.
Many upperclassmen are generally off campus on weekends, so your cadet can spend time with his family. If you have access to a van or RV, you can plan picnics and have a place to relax. There are picnic areas along the Hudson River directly behind the Officers' Club. Be sure to check information on academy rules pertaining the Hotel Thayer - it is now privately owned.
HINT: Hotel Thayer has a terrific Sunday brunch (but recently more expensive) at which your cadet can join you. You might want to make reservations, as it is a very popular place to eat.
Below is a list of Motel/Hotels in the West Point area:
Hotels, Motels, Bed & Breakfasts
Below is a listing of West Point area hotels, motels, and B&Bs (for reference only - not endorsed by the club). It may aid in obtaining reservations for upcoming events. Some of these have distances noted. However, if the motel is 5 miles away, it will take longer than 5 minutes to get to West Point in most cases; i.e., Woodcliff Lake, NJ is only 27 miles away, but it takes 40-45 minutes to get to West Point.
845 area code unless otherwise noted
City / Name / Type / Phone / Notes
Bear Mountain / Bear Mtn. Inn / H/M / 786-2731
Bloomingburg / Jeronimo Farm / H/M / 733-1219
Bloomingburg / Lakewood Manor Inn / B&B / 733-1161
Campbl Hall / Point of View B&B / B&B / 294-6259
Central Valley / Gasho Inn / H&M / 928-2387 / 11 miles away
Central Valley / Harriman Motor Inn / H/M / 928-2266 / 10 miles away
Cold Spring / Country Side Motel / H/M / 265-2090
Cold Spring / Olde Post Inn / H/M / 265-2510 / 18 miles away
Cold Spring / Pig Hill / B&B / 265-9247 / 5 miles away
Cold Spring / Three Rock B&B / B&B / 265-2330
Cold Spring / Village Victorian / B&B / 265-9159
Cornwall / Cadet Motel / H/M / 534-4595 / 7 miles away
Cornwall / Cromwell Manor Inn / B&B / 534-7136
Cornwall-on-Hudson / Cornwall Inn / H/M / 534-2212 / 8 miles away
Crown-on-Hudson / Watergate Motel / H/M / 271-4322 / 12 miles away
Danbury, CT / Danbury Hilton Towers / H/M / 203-794-0600
East Middletown / Howard Johnson / H/M / 342-5822
East Middletown / Super 8 Motel / H/M / 692-5828
Fishkill / Courtyard Marriott / H/M / 897-2400 / 800-321-2211
Fishkill / Hampton Inn / H/M / 896-4000
Fishkill / Holiday Inn / H/M / 896-6281 / 800-465-4329 / 21 miles away
Fishkill / Marriott Residence Inn / H/M / 896-5210 / 800-228-2100
Fishkill / Wellesley Inn / H/M / 896-4995 / 800-444-8888
Fort Montgomery / Bear Mtn. Bridge Motel / H/M / 446-2472
Fort Montgomery / Holiday Inn Express/ H/M 446-4277
Fort Montgomery / Trading Post Hotel / H/M / 446-3442
Gardner / Country Meadows / B&B / 895-1066
Garrison-on-Hudson / The Bird and Bottle Inn / H/M / 424-3000 / 12 miles away
Goshen / Anthony Dobbins Stage Coach Inn / B&B / 294-5526
Goshen / Best Western / H/M / 800-528-1234
Goshen / Orange Inn / H/M / 294-5144
Greenwood Lake / Breezy Point Inn / H/M / 477-8100
Greenwood Lake / Greenwood Country Motel / H/M / 477-0700
Greenwood Lake / Murphy's Park Inn / H/M / 477-8519
Greenwood Lake / New Continental Hotel / H/M / 477-2456
Harriman / American Budget Inns / H/M / 783-3211 / 15 miles away
Highland Falls / Best Western Palisades / H/M / 446-9400 / 800-528-1234
Highland Falls / Christianna Hotel / H/M / 446-5798
Highland Falls / Palisade Motel / H/M / 446-9400
Highland Falls / Pointer's Echo Motel / H/M / 446-2696
Highland Falls / US Academy Motel / H/M / 446-2021
Highland Falls / West Point Motel / H/M / 446-4180
Hopewell Junction / Bykenhulle House / B&B / 221-4182
Hyde Park / Golden Manner Motel / H/M / 229-2157
Hyde Park / Roosevelt Inn / H/M / 229-2443
Hyde Park / Super 8 Motel / H/M / 229-0088
Kiamesha Lake / Concord Resort Hotel / H/M / 800-431-3850
Liberty / Budget Inn / H/M / 292-6620
Mahwah, NJ / Ramada Inn / H/M / 800-228-2828
Mahwah, NJ / Sheraton Crossroads / H/M / 201-529-1660
Marlboro / Green Valley Motel / H/M / 562-7700
Marlboro / Marlo Inn / H/M / 236-7085
Middlehope / Ka-Jaz Motel / H/M / 562-7700 / 14 miles away
Middletown / Blossom Farm Motel / H/M / 795-2320
Middletown / Days Inn / H/M / 374-2411
Middletown / Diana's Hotel / H/M / 341-0284
Middletown / Gino's Motel & Luncheonette / H/M / 343-7820
Middletown / Global Budget Inns of America / H/M / 374-6040
Middletown / Globe Hotel / H/M / 341-1262
Middletown / Heritage Motel / H/M / 361-1211
Middletown / Holiday Inn / H/M / 342-1474 / 800-465-4329
Middletown / Middletown Motel / H/M / 342-2535
Monroe / Arrow Park, Inc. / H/M / 783-2044
Monroe / James' Motel / H/M / 783-9651 / 21 miles
Monroe / Lake Ann CC Hotel & Apts. / H/M / 783-6575
Monroe / Roscoe House, The / B&B / 782-0442
Montgomery / Days Inn / H/M / 457-3163
Montgomery / National Hotel / H/M / 457-9590
Montgomery / Spruce Lodge / H/M / 564-1830
Montgomery / Super 8 Motel / H/M / 457-3143 or 800-800-8000
Montgomery / Toulon-Sapicourt / B&B / 457-5770
Monticello / Best Western / H/M / 796-4000 / 800-528-1234
Monticello / Friendship Inn / H/M / 794-4700
Montvale, NJ / Ramada Inn / H/M / 201-391-7700 / 25 miles away
New Hampton / Global Budget Inns of America / H/M / 374-3020
New Windsor / Avacar Motor Lodge / H/M / 562-4704
New Windsor / Days Inn / H/M / 800-262-7073
New Windsor / Econo Lodge / 561-6620 / 8 miles away
New Windsor / Empty Nest B&B / B&B / 496-9263
New Windsor / Fonte's Motel / H/M / 561-9869 / 9 miles away
New Windsor / Windsor Motel / H/M / 562-7661 / 8 miles away
Newburgh / Balmville Motel / H/M / 565-4949 / 16 miles away
Newburgh / Comfort Inn / H/M / 567-0567 / 365 day Max 800-228-5150
Newburgh / Courtyard Marriott / H/M / 567-4800 / 48 wk. Max 800-321-2211
Newburgh / Days Inn / H/M / 564-7550 / 12 miles away
Newburgh / Econo Lodge of New Windor / H/M / 561-6620 / 800-553-2666
Newburgh / Hampton Inn / H/M / 567-9100 / 8 mos. Max. Advance
Newburgh / Havarest Motel / H/M / 565-7330 / 14 miles away
Newburgh / Holiday Inn / H/M / 564-9020 / 800-465-4329 / 13 miles away
Newburgh / Howard Johnson / H/M / 564-4000 / 13 miles away
Newburgh / Imperial 400 Motel / H/M / 565-3400 / 14 miles away
Newburgh / Knight's Inn / H/M / 562-6170
Newburgh / Marriott Courtyard / H/M / 567-4800
Newburgh / Middlehope Motel / H/M / 561-0541
Newburgh / Morgan House / B&B / 561-8806
Newburgh / Orange Lakes Motel / H/M / 564-1770
Newburgh / Ramada Inn / H/M / 564-4500 / 12 miles away
Newburgh / Rhoda Court Motel / H/M / 562-7477 / 14 miles away
Newburgh / Super 8 Motel / H/M / 564-5700 / 800-800-8000/ 13 miles away
Nyack / Best Western Nyack / H/M / 358-8100 / 800-528-1234 / 25 miles away
Park Ridge, NJ / Marriott Hotel / H/M / 800-228-9290
Pearl River / Pearl River Hilton / H/M / 735-9000
Peekskill / Peekskill Inn / H/M / 739-1500 / 8 miles away
Peekskill / Town Lyne Motel / H/M / 737-8202 / 12 miles away
Pine Bash / Harvest Inn Motel / H/M / 744-5700
Pine Island / Glenwood House, The / B&B / 258-5066
Plattekill / Garden Cathay / H/M / 564-3220
Port Jervis / Comfort Inn / H/M / 856-6611 / 800-228-5150
Port Jervis / Deer Dale Motor Court / H/M / 856-2635
Poughkeepsie / Best Western / H/M / 462-4600 / 800-528-1234
Poughkeepsie / Courtyard Marriott / H/M / 485-6336 / 800-321-2211
Poughkeepsie / Days Inn / H/M / 454-1010
Poughkeepsie / Dorchester Motor Lodge / H/M / 297-3757
Poughkeepsie / Holiday Inn Express / H/M / 473-1151 / 800-465-4329
Poughkeepsie / Sheraton Civic Center / H/M / 485-5300
Saddle Brook, NJ / Marriott Hotel / H/M / 800-228-9290
Slate Hill / Ridgebury Inn & Hunt Club B&B / B&B / 355-4868
Southfields / Tuxedo Motel / H/M / 351-4747 / 15 miles away
Spring Valley / Susse Chalet Hotel / H/M / 426-2000 / 30 minutes away
Stony Point / Stony Point Motel / H/M / 942-0681/ 800-523-8384 / 15 miles away
Suffern / Holiday Inn / H/M / 357-4800 / 800-465-4329 / 23 miles away
Tarrytown / Courtyard Marriott / H/M / 631-1122 / 800-321-2211
Walker Valley / Jeronimo Farm / H/M / 733-5652
Wallkill / Andy's Farm House / B&B / 895-3440
Wappingers Falls / Sunset Knolls Motel / H/M / 297-3149
Wartsboro / Days Inn (Tanglewood Motel) / H/M / 888-2727/2415
Warwick / Inn at 40 Oakland / B&B / 987-8269
Warwick / Peach Grove Inn / B&B / 986-7411
Warwick / Warwick Motel / H/M / 986-4822 / 888-892-7942
Warwick / Warwick Valley B&B / B&B / 987-7255 / 888-280-1671
West Nyack / Nyack Motor Lodge / H/M / 358-4100 / 24 miles away
West Point / Hotel Thayer / H/M / 446-4731 / 800-247-5047
West Point / Lighton Electric Inc. / H/M / 446-4168
Woodcliff Lake, NJ / Woodcliff Lake Hilton/ H/M / 201-391-3600 / 27 miles away
Yorktown Heights / Yorktown Motor Lodge / H/M / 243-4000 / 14 miles away
Schades. 54 Main Street, Highland Falls 845-446-2626
The Park. 53 Main Street, Highland Falls 845-446-8709
The restaurants listed below are all outside the walking privilege area; however, they all rank high on our list and are among the best restaurants within easy driving distance of West Point.
Gasho Japanese Steakhouse. One of the cadets' favorites…authentic reassembled Japanese steakhouse - excellent food, excellent service and entertainment also. Reservations are suggested.
Address is: Route 32, Central Valley, NY 10917. Phone 845-928-2387.
Schlesinger's Steakhouse. One of the cadets' favorites…great steaks, great seafood, hearty portions, good prices. Reservations are suggested.
Address is: 293 Temple Hill Road, New Windsor, NY 12553. Phone 845-561-1762
Rainbow Restaurant. It is excellent Northern Italian cuisine, huge portions, excellent service. Reservations can be made the day before.
Address is: 16 Route 17M, Monroe, NY 10950. Phone 845-783-2670.
The Lakeview House. House on the Lake converted into a quiet, unique restaurant. Perfect for that special occasion. Reservations are recommended.
Address is: 205 Lakeside Rd, Newburgh. Phone 845-566-7100
Bella Rose Ristorante. 9W, Cold Springs (Italian). Phone 845-265-7837
The Blue Heron. 631 Route 17K, Montgomery. Phone 845-567-0111
(voted best in Hudson Valley) 4*
Cosimos. Just a little south of the Hampton Inn on SR 300. It is a lovely, contemporary Italian restaurant with delicious food and reasonable prices.
Be prepared for at least one letter or phone call from your cadet telling you that he/she wants to quit. This is most likely to happen after your Plebe has had some contact with a friend at another college telling him/her about all the free time and parties and lack of rules and regulations, or after an unfavorable contact with an upperclassmen.
When the problem arises, you may need to remind your cadet and yourself about the advantages he/she will have in the future; the opportunity to learn to follow the commands of others, and then the responsibility of leading and commanding; an academic schedule which is a challenge and includes a broad field of subjects; a student-teacher ratio that is unequaled in any other school; incredible athletic facilities and opportunities to participate in many unusual sports ; travel to many places; getting paid while going to school rather than spending thousands of dollars for room, board and tuition; clothes are provided and there are no worries about what to wear each day and who will wash and iron them. Be sympathetic and flexible. Try to get your cadet to give it one more day or week! Quitting is a serious decision - there is no second chance. No one "transfers" from West Point. They must quit.
Encourage your cadet to participate in clubs and athletic activities; to be an active supporter of the Corps. Encourage him/her to continue any religious practices. There may be some trips they can go on if they belong to clubs or athletic groups.
Don't worry about medical attention for your Plebes at the Point. They have excellent facilities. If the problem is serious, he/she will be sent to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. If there is a problem, you will be notified.
If there is a family emergency, you can contact the Tactical Officer (TAC). You will receive his/her name and phone number during R-Day. You can also call the Central Guard, which is open 24 hours/day at 845-938-3030 or 845-938-2555.
If you are interested in ARMY athletic scores, you can call the ARMY hotline at 845-938-ARMY. It is a long distance call, but a regularly updated message will greet you. You can also check your e-mail - parent-forum will usually have the results of all the sports for the week.
Expressions And Phrases Used In The Corps Of Cadets
Cadets, like many young people, have their own language. Many of the terms used on this page are those used by cadets, sometimes referred to as Cadet Slang. Unlike teenager's slang which seems to change with generations, many of the Cadet Slang terms have been around for years but are still somewhat unique so it was felt that a Glossary of Terms should be provided for those not familiar with the Cadet "language".
Ate up - in disarray. As in "His uniform was all Ate up."
Bean Head - Plebe
Beat the Dean - As In "I beat the Dean again" = I passed.
Blowing Post - as in "I'm blowing post." - to go off post when you are not authorized to do so. A very risky prospect, with many hours on the area if you were caught. There is also the term, "BPP's" (BLOW POST PRIVILEGES) as opposed to "OPP's" (OFF POST PRIVILEGES).
So, sometime when cadets do not have OPP's, they take "BPP's" (at their own risk).
Bone - To study; to strive for something
Boodlers - The Cadet boodle store.
Bugle Notes - 'Cadet Bible' - book with historical and required knowledge, issued to 4th class cadets.
Butt - The remains of anything as in the butt of a month or there are 171 and abutt days until graduation.
Cadet Classes:
First Classmen -- Firsties, Seniors
Second Classmen -- Cows, Juniors
Third Classmen--Yearlings, Yuks, Sophomores - The term Yuks is a relatively new term. The reason is that after you finish your plebe year of having the strictest discipline, as a yearling, without as many people looking over you, yearlings were known to let their hair grow to the limits, shine their shoes only for inspections, etc. The term was the response to how they looked "Yuk!" Not all did this, but enough did to rate the term. Another meaning is "Young Upper Classman."
Fourth Classmen -- Plebes, Freshmen
CBT - Cadet Basic Training (Beast Barracks)
Civies - Civillian Clothes
Class Godson - The first son born after graduation to a member of the class
Goat(s) - The cadets who stand in the lower part of their class academically. The cadet standing academically last in his class is referred to as the Class Goat.
Cold - Absolutely without error, as, "a cold max."
Com - The Commandant of Cadets
D - D is slang for Deficient and normally refers to being Deficient or not passing in Academics.
Drag - A young lady whom a cadet is escorting
Elephant - One who can't dance. A cadet taking dancing lessons.
Fatigue Tour - One hour of punishment
Going Black - "shutting down" the computer
Hives - The cadets who stand in the upper 5 % of their class academically. May also be referred to as Engineers since those in this category used to choose the Engineer Corps as their branch of service following graduation.
Hop - Cadet Dance
Kickin The Dean's Butt - to have done well on a test or assignment.
Max - A complete success; a maximum. To make a perfect grade in an academic class, recitation or PT test.
Minutes - Time remaining before inspection.
Missouri NationaL - A tune supposed to bring rain, normally sung before parades in the hope that they will be canceled.
New Cadet - A cadet not yet officially accepted as a member of the Corps (i.e., during CBT)
OAO - A cadet's One And Only, the steady, the fiancee
OC -- Officer in Charge - A Commissioned Officer from the Department of Tactics serving as the Officer of the Day (OD)
P - An academic instructor or Professor
P-RADE - A parade
P.D.A. - Public Display of Affection
P.M.I. - Afternoon or evening (p.m. inspection)
Poop - Information to be memorized
Poop Deck - The balcony in the dining hall from which the orders are published (read to the Corps)
Pro - Pro is slang for Proficient and normally refers to being Proficient or passing in Academics. May also be used to refer to a cadet's date as being good looking.
Promotion - To place a fourth classman on upper class status.
Sally port - The arched entrances into the Barracks areas
SAMI - Saturday morning inspection.
Slug - A special punishment for a serious offense. Results in loss of privileges, special fatigue duty, confinement to room during off duty hours, and may result in walking punishment tours.
In recent years, it has also been used to define a lazy cadet, one out of shape, one not pulling his load, and one not doing his duty.
Spec (speck) - To memorize verbatim, as: "to spec blind"
Spoon Up - To put in order, to clean up.
Spoony - Neat in personal appearance.
Squared away - Shipshape/ individually competent/well-prepared
Supe - The Superintendent of the Military Academy
Storm - A disordered condition. (Said of things.) A nervous haste. (Said of persons.)
TAC - A Company Tactical Officer, the Officer assigned to supervise and guide the four classes in a Cadet Company.
Cadets often nickname their TACs, unbeknownst to the TACs. Some of the nicknames have been: "Ace" for the TAC whose initials were A.S.C.; "the Wedge" because the wedge is the simplest tool known to mankind: "Spoony"because the TAC was always immaculate in his uniform; and "The Shadow" because he always knew what the cadets were doing even though they never saw him. Another was nicknamed "The Tapper" because he wore a metal tap plate on one shoe. When the cadets heard the 'tap sound', they thought he was walking normally up the stairs when in reality, he was walking up twice as fast since the 'tap sound' only echoed on every other stair.
Turnback - A readmitted cadet.
2.0 And Go - The practice of meeting the minimum passing grade.
Walrus - Anyone who can't swim.
Wife - Used to refer to a cadet's roommate(s). Don't know what is used today with the admittance of female cadets.
Writ - A written examination
WPR - A Written Partial Review similar to a mid-term exam in civilian schools
WGR - A Written General Review similar to a final exam in civilian schools. Now called TEE for Term End Exam.
You must constantly reinforce the positive with your cadet; never let him/her lose sight of the objective. Your cadet is joining the oldest "fraternity/sorority" in the U.S. Past West Point graduates include Presidents Grant and Eisenhower, and Generals Lee, Sherman, Pershing, MacArthur, Bradley, Patton and Schwartzkopf. This is not just a college education; your son/daughter is attending the premier leadership institution in the world. REMEMBER, no one at West Point wants your plebe to fail!
If you need help/support/recommendations, parents in our club are just a phone call away.
Nothing comes without sacrifice and your son or daughter will make sacrifices during their years at the Point, but the reward is great. The pride of accomplishment cannot be taken away from them; they have paid the price and when they walk out to get that diploma on graduation day, no one, but no one can take it away; they have joined….
The Long Gray Line…
Welcome to our Club!!!
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