how do you become a west point cadet

The following are requirements for candidates applying to USMA at West Point:

Full Answer

What is it like to be a cadet at West Point?

Running, marching, physical and military training. At West Point, you will be pushed harder than you have ever been pushed before, but when you make it through cadet basic training, you will have the confidence and self-assurance that come with succeeding through hard work and determination. Running, marching, physical and military training.

How long does it take to become an officer at West Point?

In your junior year at USMA at West Point, you commit to serve as an Officer in the Army after graduation. Your commitment will be at least five years of Active Duty and three years in Army Reserve Component, for a total of eight years. However, if you leave USMA before your junior year, you don’t have a service commitment.

Does a West Point cadet outrank a NCO?

This regulation shows that cadets rank after commissioned and warrant officers, but before NCOs. Very interesting. I learned something that day. You’re right, Sergeant, a West Point cadet DOES outrank you. Technically. OK, fine. That’s what the reg says, but how does that work in practice?

Who is the only cadet to go missing from West Point?

On January 14, 1950, a cadet named Richard Colvin Cox signed out of his dorm to meet a friend — and was never seen again. Here's the mystery of the only cadet to go missing from West Point. According to Richland Source, Richard Colvin Cox was born in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1928.

See more

How does someone get into West Point?

In order to be accepted, you need to have strong academics, high test scores, and stellar recommendations from many people, including your member of Congress or US senator. Start on your West Point application early, put effort into it, and you'll be on the right track.

How much does a cadet at West Point get paid?

Fully Funded Education: West Point offers its cadets a fully funded education valued at over $240,000 This includes tuition, books, room and board, and medical and dental insurance. Cadets also receive a monthly stipend (between $200-$525) to pay for their other school and personal expenses.

Can you go to West Point without joining the army?

Civilians and enlisted personnel are eligible to apply Admission to West Point is open to civilians and current enlisted members of the military.

How difficult is it to get into West Point?

The acceptance rate at West Point is 10.3%. For every 100 applicants, only 10 are admitted. This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation.

Can you quit West Point?

If a cadet leaves West Point before Affirmation they owe the military nothing, but if they choose to leave after Affirmation they must reimburse the Army for the value of all of the training and education they received as a cadet: an exorbitant sum.

What rank are you after West Point?

Second LieutenantThe Long Gray Line. Joining “The Long Gray Line” of West Point graduates is a mark of distinction, representing high achievement and the promise of outstanding, ethical leadership. Upon graduation, you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army.

What is the hardest military academy to get into?

United States Naval Academy (USNA) USNA is the most competitive of the service academies in terms of admissions, with only 9% of applicants receiving an acceptance.

How much does West Point cost?

The United States Military Academy is a four-year, coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. There is no tuition to attend. Students (Cadets) accepted into West Point are members of the U.S Army, and each Cadet receives an annual salary, room, board, medical and dental care.

How long do you serve after West Point?

eight yearsYour Army Commitment After Graduation In your junior year at USMA at West Point, you commit to serve as an Officer in the Army after graduation. Your commitment will be at least five years of Active Duty and three years in Army Reserve Component, for a total of eight years.

Can you date at West Point?

b) The United States Corps of Cadets Standard Operating Procedure Card 100 – Professional and Personal Relationships - prohibits specific relationships involving cadets. (1) Cadets may not date or engage in an overly familiar relationship with United States Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS) Cadet Candidates.

Is West Point physically hard?

Spending four years at West Point will expose you to a string of strenuous physical challenges. Starting with Beast Barracks, plebes at West Point complete a six-week training exercise that ends with a 12-mile ruck march carrying nearly 50 pounds of gear on your back.

Do West Point cadets get summers off?

Formation is March 22 at 1900 hrs. Plebes still get a week, just not the two full weekends. I think now with the compressed academic schedule the goal is to give every cadet 4 weeks leave every summer. The general idea is to break up summer into 3 - 4 week blocks of which one is leave.

Do USMA cadets get paid?

Yes. You will receive pay at your current enlistment grade (Regular Army Soldiers only). The time at USMAPS counts as time in service, too. At West Point, you receive cadet pay, but your time at West Point is not counted as time in service.

How much do army cadets get paid?

The average salary for a Cadet is $44,906 per year in United States, which is 32% lower than the average US Army salary of $66,538 per year for this job.

Do Military Academy cadets get paid?

Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy are entitled to pay at the monthly rate of 35 percent of the basic pay of a commissioned officer in the pay grade O-1 with less than 2 years of service.

Do you get paid to go to West Point?

In return for a stellar education and training, West Point is fully funded. Students receive free tuition in addition to a stipend of about $10,000 a year. After their years of military service, many graduates go on to successful careers in politics and business, Soto said.

How challenging is USMA at West Point?

It is very physically and mentally challenging because it’s meant to help you reach your highest potential as a future Army Officer and leader. If...

What rank would I graduate with from USMA at West Point?

If you complete all undergraduate degree requirements, you are commissioned as an Army Officer and receive the gold bar of a second lieutenant.

What is life like at West Point, outside of the classroom?

While you’ll be more busy at USMA than your typical college, you’ll have holiday vacations and free weekends. Plus, onsite you’ll choose from hundr...

What internships and study abroad opportunities would I have at USMA?

There are cost-free summer internships at public and private sector organizations for important real-world experience, as well as several immersion...

What is the history of USMA at West Point?

Founded in 1802, the United States Military Academy at West Point is the oldest military academy in the nation. It dates back to the Revolutionary...

Where is West Point?

Campus is 45 minutes from New York City. It sits along the historic Hudson River in New York state.

What does the Army pay for?

The Army pays for all of your training, travel, and advanced education. You could eventually work in the Pentagon, command a large troop unit, or serve as a military attaché in a foreign country. The other option is choose to complete your commitment and return to civilian life.

What is the long gray line of West Point?

Joining “The Long Gray Line” of West Point graduates is a mark of distinction, representing high achievement and the promise of outstanding, ethical leadership.

How long do you have to stay in the army?

Whether you choose to remain in the Army after your five-year commitment is a decision you do not need to make now.

What to do in year 5 in the Army?

In year five, you have a decision to make. You can move ahead in your Army career by getting more advanced education and training. If so, you will prepare for higher levels of responsibility, leadership, and specialization required as commanders.

What do you do after graduation?

In your first year after graduation, you’ll attend a Basic Officer Leader Course for general information and training. Upon its successful completion, you then take branch-specific courses to become competent in the technical aspects of your specialty.

How long do you have to serve in the army after you graduate?

Upon graduation, you will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. You must serve a minimum of eight years after you graduate in a combination of Active Duty and Reserve Component Service. During your senior year, you’ll find out which specialized field, or “branch,” you will enter.

What is West Point's basic training?

At West Point, you will be pushed harder than you have ever been pushed before, but when you make it through cadet basic training, you will have the confidence and self-assurance that come with succeeding through hard work and determination. Running, marching, physical and military training.

Is West Point an athlete?

Whether it’s NCAA, club sports, or intramurals, daily life for cadets always includes some form of competitive fitness. At West Point, every cadet is an athlete. Whether it’s NCAA, club sports, or intramurals, daily life for cadets always includes some form of competitive fitness.

Is West Point a military academy?

But, with more than two hundred years of American and military history, and West Point’s time honored traditions, the U.S. Military Academy truly is like nowhere else. Running, marching, physical and military training.

Does West Point have extracurricular activities?

At West Point, cadets have the option to participate in any of the 130+ extracurricular activities - many which cannot be found at other colleges and universities.

What is the military academy at West Point?

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point trains exceptional leaders, offers free tuition and an annual stipend and is an elite path to become an Army Officer.

Why is West Point so challenging?

It is very physically and mentally challenging because it’s meant to help you reach your highest potential as a future Army Officer and leader. If athletic challenges excite you and you’re willing to face your weaknesses and grow, you’ll face fear and conquer it at West Point.

What are the courses required to transition from civilian to military?

Transition from civilian life to military life with Basic Training, Introduction to Warfighting, and academic courses including English, math, military science, and more.

How to become an officer in the military?

Pursue a bachelor’s degree and earn your commission as an Officer by attending the country’s most prestigious military service college.

How to prepare for leadership roles in the army?

Prepare for leadership roles by applying for jobs in Army branches. You’ll also be training cadets, taking courses in leadership development, chain of command, military history, and more.

Why should we treat West Point cadets with respect?

The Answer: Of course, there is another reason to treat West Point and ROTC cadets with respect: they are not going to be cadets forever. The best way to train cadets to be officers that their soldiers will look up to and their NCOs will respect is to treat them the way you want them to act.

What does "CTLT" mean in the Army?

I t’s summertime, and for many cadets in the Army’s ROTC programs and at West Point, that means “ Cadet Troop Leader Training ” or CTLT.

Where does CTLT happen?

CTLT happens in all kinds of units, both in the US and OCONUS. As far as I know there are no CTLT positions in combat zones.

What is the meaning of 2-8?

2-8. Death, disability, retirement, reassignment, or absence of the commander

Is CTLT a drag?

While CTLT is a useful and important mentorship and developmental activity, many units see CTLT as a drag, and dealing with cadets as a hassle. Sometimes cadets are relegated to less-meaningful duties, or endure some modicum of hazing as part of the experience.

Do West Point cadets outrank NCOs?

The NCO referred me to AR 600-20, Army Command Policy, which makes it pretty clear that West Point cadets do, in fact, outrank Army NCOs. This regulation shows that cadets rank after commissioned and warrant officers, but before NCOs. Very interesting.

Does West Point outrank a sergeant?

So yes, a West Point cadet DOES outrank a sergeant. Or a sergeant major for that matter. But only a complete cadidiot would get his or her cadet rank confused with an NCO’s authority and influence. *This post originally appeard The Havok Journal *.

What is the mission of West Point?

West Point’s mission is “to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty , Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army.”.

How many credits do you need to attend West Point?

Instead of letting cadets focus on self-care, West Point crams the schedule of cadets as full as possible. Most cadets have 15 to 18 credits every semester, no exception. On the weekend, instead of being able to study or relax, you’re required to attend home football games. Nothing creates future leaders of the nation like marching them to watch a football game and stand the whole time. And if it’s not a football game you have to attend on a Saturday, it’s often a parade you’re marching in to honor some old General who graduated from the Academy years ago.

What does West Point view emotional intelligence?

West Point, it views emotional intelligence as touchy feely — not something to be taught or demonstrated to young officers being trained for a career of service in the military.

What does West Point claim to do?

West Point claims to create leaders of character for the United States of America, but it fails to teach cadets some of the most important things needed to be a true leader in the real world.

What happens when you leave West Point?

Once you leave West Point, you don’t have someone watching you every waking moment anymore. Those who show up to West Point lacking in character and graduate will continue to be lacking in character as soon as no one is watching. At West Point, you’re constantly told you’re the best and brightest.

How does West Point help you?

West Point does a few things well. It teaches you how to operate under pressure. It teaches you mental toughness. It teaches you the importance of discipline.

What would happen if West Point was led by leaders of character who cared as much about sexual assault as they do?

If West Point was led by leaders of character who care as much about sexual assault as they do about the well-manicured parade field, you might see real change. If West Point had leaders of character who cared as much about sexual assault as they do about winning football games, you might see real change.

How many years did West Point graduates serve?

About 35-40% of West Point graduates serve a full career in the army (at least 20 years). All generals since at least WWII have served for more than twenty years (if anyone can think of an exception, please let me know).

What percentage of West Point graduates are four star generals?

The percentage of West Point graduates who become four-star generals is extremely small at less than 0.5%.

What school do you have to go to after redeployment?

After redeployment from the combat zone, he’d be required to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS), not West Point. If the Soldier had an Associate’s Degree or at least 60 credit hours of college work completed, that wouldn’t be too much of a problem.

What branch of service did the first cadet go to?

First cadet went Navy then the other two of us went Marines. Will have to look up US CODE, but used to be written in law that any academy can serve as a commissioning ground to any branch of service, but there is a maximum allowance of 1% of inter-service transfers.

Do you need a letter from the Secretary of Defense?

You essentially need a letter from the Secretary of Defense. You must also be a stellar cadet, the kind of cadet that senior officers would be happy to extend themselves by asking for this kind of favor on your behalf.

Is graduating from a service academy a promotion?

But, and there is always a but, graduating from a service academy is a help for promotion and I imagine that, by transferring to another branch, one loses that association.

Can you request a commission from another branch of the military?

You can request a commission from another branch of the service. It is rare, perhaps a few each year. It is not something you should plan on

How has West Point helped women?

Attending West Point has helped both women grow into leaders. They both discuss the different challenges they faced and how they overcame them. Another focus point is the importance of teamwork. Teamwork is pivotal in success at West Point. They have so many great memories from their experience and their military journey has barely begun. Cadet Pratt talks about taking a video for one second each day starting her senior year. Those one seconds are the memories that mean the most to her. We also discuss what being a woman at West Point is like. They have felt supported and have been able to thrive in the environment.

What role did Cadet Blakey play in Cadet Basic Training?

Cadet Blakey talks about her role at Cadet Basic Training helped impact plebes as they began their journey. She could help them with advice specifically for women and highlighted how to pack your ruck. Women have different strengths and while packing weight on your shoulders may work for males, having the weight distributed around your waist can help females.