New Families

The West Point Parents Club of North Carolina is an organization run by parents of current or alumni cadets who volunteer their time to provide support and fellowship to prospective and current service academy families and cadets. The viability and success of the club is highly dependent on club member participation.

The official mode of communication with club members is email. If you change your email address, please contact your assigned Zone Leader so that club records remain accurate.

The club will post photos, event reminders, and other informal information on the closed group Facebook page, West Point Parent Club of North Carolina.

The club is a statewide organization that is presently divided into seven zones. The purpose of the zones is to afford the club members within the zones opportunities to gather locally. While membership demographics change yearly, at this time, Zones 2, 3, 4, and 5 have the highest concentration of club families.

Once your son/daughter accepts their Appointment, you can both begin preparing for Reception Day (R-Day). R-Day is the day that your Cadet Candidate (CC) will report to West Point and begin their journey as part of “The Long Gray Line”. 

While there are many sources of information concerning how to prepare for and navigate R-Day and Beast (CBT) in general, one of our favorites is “The Mom’s Guide to Surviving West Point (2nd edition) by Lisa Browne Joiner and Deborah LW Roszel. This book is available on Amazon. Written by veteran West Point moms with input from other West Point moms, the book is designed to guide you as you figure out how best to support and encourage your cadet through their West Point experience. It not only answers many questions and explains West Point jargon, but also helps calm your nerves. It is an excellent read and one you can refer to throughout their journey. 

West Point will send you detailed reporting instructions as well as a packing list. Purchase and pack exactly what is on the list. Following instructions and attention to detail is paramount to success. 

Other recommendations: 

• Complete and mail all paperwork to West Point as soon as possible.
• Purchase the recommended boots and low quarter shoes as soon as possible. Make sure they fit well and allow for plenty of time for your son/daughter to break them in before leaving for R-Day.
• Strongly encourage your son/daughter to run and workout regularly. Staying in top physical form will help them with the physical requirements of Beast. 
• Encourage your son/daughter to hike with a backpack containing 25-35 pounds. 
• Your son/daughter will be required to carry the civilian bag they arrive with for part of R-Day, so make sure the bag is easy to handle. A backpack or duffle style works best. 
• Pack all R-Day items in gallon-size Ziploc bags. This makes transferring items from their civilian bag to their newly issued duffle bag much easier. 
• Socks, socks, and more socks! Some recommend packing 10-15 pairs of good socks.
• Fox River Socks or Thorlo Socks are the most recommended “good socks” brands. Historically, these socks prevent CC’s from getting blisters.
• Underwear- also recommended are 10-15 pairs of extra underwear.
• Compression shorts with a label on the waistband are fine.
• Laundry may take a while to be returned so while CCs are issued socks and underwear, it’s recommended to pack extra. (And we’ve been told the issued ones are not as comfy as their own!)
• For daughters, be prepared to bring any feminine products needed for the entire length of Beast (CBT) as there may not be time/opportunity to buy them. 
• The packing list will note not to bring a phone to R-Day. This is because phones are not allowed during Beast (CBT). Phones are allowed during Reorganization Week. 
• If your son/daughter brings their phone, it will be stored during Beast with the clothes they arrived in and returned after March Back. 
• You may choose to mail their phone two weeks before Acceptance Day (A-Day). Be sure to mark “phone” on the package, so they don’t open it before they are allowed. 
• Talk with your son/daughter about any plans for A-Day before they leave for R-Day. 
• Reporting times for CCs will be staggered on R-Day. If you are traveling with your son/daughter, having accommodations close to West Point the night before can reduce the stress your CC will feel about reporting late. 

June 16, 2024: Hail and Farewell

July 1, 2024: R-Day (Reception Day)

July ?, 2024: Ice Cream Social – halfway through Beast

August 12, 2024: March Back & Beast/Cadet Basic Training (CBT) Ends

August 13 -16, 2024: Reorgy Week (Reorganization Week)

August 17, 2024: A-Day (Acceptance Day)

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June 16, 2024: Hail and Farewell
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Triad Park Field of Honor, 9652 West Market St., Kernersville, NC

Cadets from the Classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 join parents, family, alumni, and special guests to honor our new 2LTs (Class of 2024) and welcome our Cadet Candidates (Class of 2028). For our Cadet Candidates, this is a great opportunity to meet other West Point families from across the state and get your specific questions answered from current/recent West Pointers.

Cadet Candidates (Class of 2028) and families will receive an email invitation to this event. All attendees must register in advance.

More information is coming soon!

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July 1, 2024: Reception Day (R-Day)
Arrival time will be assigned by West Point (Check your portal)
USMA, West Point, NY

R-Day is the day your son/daughter will be received into the training program at West Point. Your son/daughter will arrive at West Point as a “Cadet Candidate”. Their day will be challenging and full- a new haircut, fitted for uniforms, get a new wardrobe, greet the cadet with the red sash, cite “knowledge”, get introduced to their chain of command, learn to march, meet their new best friends, along with a few hundred other traditional R-Day events. They will get through it, and by the end of R-Day your Cadet Candidate will become a “New Cadet.” R-Day is also the start of Cadet Basic Training (CBT) fondly known as “Beast.” Beast lasts for 6 weeks.

If you are planning to bring your son/daughter to R-Day, consider staying the entire day. West Point typically schedules various activities for parents throughout the day. The day will close with the New Cadets first parade, which you will be able to watch from the viewing stands on the Plain.

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July ?, 2024: Ice Cream Social:
TBD
USMA

About halfway through Beast, New Cadets will have the opportunity to attend an ice cream social in the home of a host family. This is a big milestone for your son/daughter as they’re half-way to completing Basic Training. Phones, TV, food, and a relaxing environment will all be provided. You will possibly receive a lengthy call this day. Stand by the ready and always keep your phone with you. The call may come from a number that is not familiar to you, so we recommend answering all calls.

The second half of Beast ends with their last days at Camp Buckner for field training. While in the field, mail delivery is not predictable. Continue writing letters but don’t be disappointed if you don’t receive any in return.

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August 12, 2024: March Back & Beast/Cadet Basic Training (CBT) Ends:
All Day
USMA

The official close of Beast (CBT) is a 12-14 mile “March Back” to the West Point campus. “Old Grads” (alumni) often join the New Cadets to encourage them along the way. Family and friends can show support by cheering along the route but are not allowed to march with the New Cadets. If you decide to attend March Back, time with your New Cadet will be very limited.

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August 13-16, 2024: Reorgy Week (Reorganization Week)
TBD
USMA

Reorgy week begins immediately upon return to West Point. This is the time your son/daughter will prepare for the Academic Year. They will join their new company, move into their barracks, settle in with their new roommates, get their textbooks, and begin their Plebe duties.

Your New Cadet will have access to a computer so he/she can email you. If a phone was stored on R-Day or if you mailed it while your son/daughter was at Beast, expect to hear from your cadet during this week, as time allows.

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August 17, 2024: A-Day (Acceptance Day)
TBD (Saturday)
USMA

Acceptance Day is the day the New Cadets are accepted into the Corps of Cadets, officially becoming “Plebes”. This is officially done in a parade in the morning on The Plain. Family and friends can watch the parade and then spend time with their New Cadet.

Many families visit for the weekend. Plebes are free to spend time with family and friends during the day but must report back to the barracks in the evening and are not allowed to stay overnight. Your cadet will know the rules they need to follow while they are with you. Be sure to ask in advance what they want to do.

West Point runs on a 4th Class system. The class designations are:

• Plebe: (4th Class) Freshman
• Yearling or Yuk: (3rd Class) Sophomore
• Cow: (2nd Class) Junior
• Firstie: (1st Class) Senior

All the cadets together make up the Corps of Cadets. There are approximately 4400 cadets at West Point in all four classes.

Classes typically begin on Monday, following A-Day. Don’t forget to ask for a First Day of Class (FDOC) photo!

Congratulations! You now have a West Point student in the family!

Facebook Pages:

West Point Parents Club of North Carolina

West Point Parents

West Point Class of 2028 Parents

West Point- The U.S. Military Academy

West Point Association of Graduates

West Point Moms

West Point Dads

Websites:

West Point Parents Page- https://www.westpoint.edu/parents

West Point Association of Graduates- www.westpointaog.org/parentresources

Books:

The Mom’s Guide to Surviving West Point (2nd Edition)

West Point Parents Club of North Carolina Leadership Team (3/6/24):

President: Alton Bain (Daniel, 2025) wppcnc1802@gmail.com

Vice President: Tori Torres (Chris, 2024)

Treasurer: James Woody (Campbell, 2023)

Secretary: Laura Konitzer (Mac, 2026)

Membership & Social Media: Kristin Noonan (Luke, 2025)

Webmaster: Christina Vinson (CeCe, 2026)

Zone 1 & 2 Leader (Asheville/Charlotte): Christina Vinson (CeCe, 2026)

Zone 3 Leader (Greensboro/Winston Salem): Rich & Leigh Anne Stewart (Parker, 2025)

Zones 4 & 6 Leader (Raleigh/Greenville): Kim Hunt (Ben, 2025)

Zones 5 & 7 Leader (Fayetteville/Wilmington): Dawn Leone (Trent, 2026, Blake 2022)