New Parents Events and Milestones

New Parents Events and Milestones

Key Milestones for New Cadets: A Guide to Cadet Events for New Parents

As a new West Point parent, you’re beginning a unique and rewarding journey alongside your cadet. Throughout their time at the academy, you’ll have opportunities to participate in a variety of cadet events that highlight important milestones, celebrate accomplishments, and offer a glimpse into military and academic life at West Point. From the excitement of R-Day and Acceptance Day to the traditions of Family Weekend, Ring Weekend, and Graduation, each event is a chance to show your support, build lasting memories, and become part of the West Point community.

R-Day Cadet Basic Training March Back Acceptance Day

Reception Day (R-Day)

The Journey Begins

Reception Day (R-Day) marks the beginning of your cadet candidate’s 47-month journey at West Point. It’s a day filled with pride, tradition, and transition. Cadet candidates report early in the day to begin in-processing for Cadet Basic Training (CBT) - the first phase of their summer training. 

As new cadets report for duty, say goodbye to their families, and begin Cadet Basic Training, for parents, R-Day offers a firsthand glimpse into the beginning of the transformation from civilian to cadet. The sections below provide key details about what to expect on R-Day, including schedules, drop-off procedures, and how to stay connected after your cadet begins training.

Each cadet will receive an assigned reporting time through their candidate portal. While your time together on R-Day is short, we invite families to take part in several activities across campus and to witness the memorable Oath Ceremony in the evening. Be sure to review the official reporting letter in your candidate’s portal for detailed instructions. 

  • Cadet candidates will receive instructions for reporting via email or via their candidate portal.
  • You’ll arrive together (enter West Point via Stony Lonesome Gate and park as directed).
  • Check in, attend a welcome briefing at Eisenhower Hall, and then say your goodbyes—you’ll have about 90 seconds.
  • Afterward, cadet candidates begin Cadet Basic Training (CBT), and you won’t have further contact that day.
  • Later in the evening, you can attend the Oath Ceremony on the Plain to see your new cadet affirm their commitment to West Point. 

Stay Connected & Informed 

  • Join a West Point Parents Club in your area
  • Bookmark the Parent Information Page
  • Follow official West Point social media for photos, updates, and information 

Prepare Emotionally—for You and Your Cadet 

It’s normal to feel proud, anxious, excited, and overwhelmed. R-Day is a big moment, and it's okay to feel a mix of emotions. Talk openly with your cadet about expectations, encourage them, and trust in their readiness. 

You are not alone—thousands of families are navigating this together. Lean on the West Point parent community for support. 

Don’t Forget to Celebrate 

R-Day is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Celebrate the courage, commitment, and hard work that brought your cadet to this point—and yours, too. 

Parents and guests are invited to explore the Parent Welcome & Information Center 

  • Meet support organizations and parent clubs
  • Visit gift and spirit shops
  • Attend the Superintendent's Address in the afternoon
  • Connect with the West Point community from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Eisenhower Hall. 
  • The Oath Ceremony, also known as the Parade, is a special moment when new cadets affirm their commitment to West Point by taking the Cadet Oath. This public ceremony is brief but meaningful.
  • Bleacher seating is available for all guests. Cadets will march onto the Plain in company order (A through I, left to right as viewed from the bleachers) and arranged by height. A map will be available with approximate company locations, but all seats offer a good view of this compact formation.
  • Shuttles will be available immediately afterward to return guests to the parking areas. 

After R-Day, your cadet will: 

  • Begin six weeks of Cadet Basic Training
  • Have no contact with family other than mail* (You’ll receive your cadet’s mailing address shortly after R-Day)
  • Re-emerge as a Plebe on Acceptance Day (A-Day). This day marks the completion of Cadet Basic Training with a military parade on the Plain. A-Day is the first time families will be able to reunite with their cadets after R-Day.

*During CBT, communication is limited to letters only—no calls, texts, or emails until after March Back. Be ready to write and send encouraging notes often. 

Photos and videos of R-Day and CBT will be shared by West Point Public Affairs and across official platforms throughout the summer: 

To stay connected and informed on upcoming events, sign up for the Parent Insider Newsletter

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Cadet Basic Training (CBT)

The Beast

Cadet Basic Training (CBT) is a demanding progression of sequenced training requirements and the foundation for all future instruction at USMA. It trains, instructs, inspires, and transitions new cadets from civilians to cadets and begins to teach the fundamental military competencies and values necessary to develop leaders of character strongly committed to military service.

Cadet Basic Training (CBT), also known as “Beast,” is the first major challenge your cadet will face at West Point. This rigorous six-week program begins on Reception Day (R-Day) and is designed to build physical fitness, mental toughness, and teamwork while introducing cadets to military life.The sections below provide helpful information about what your cadet will experience during CBT, what communication is allowed, and how you can support them during this important transition.

  • Limited contact
    • During CBT, contact is limited to brief phone calls or regular mail. We ask that you not visit West Point during CBT. This is a time for your sons and daughters to experience the challenges and rigors of their initial training.
    • New cadets will have an opportunity to call home during their training. Calls are scheduled for the midway point of training.
  • Cadet Wellness and Health
    • During this challenging period, cadets are provided multiple services and resources to ensure their mental, spiritual and physical health. For more information on the resources available to your cadet, check out our Cadet Wellness page. If you have an immediate concern regarding the welfare or wellness of your cadet, please call the Central Guard Room at 845-938-3030.
  • In the event of an injury
    • Should a new cadet incur an injury, medical staff are on-site to provide immediate care. The USCC (United States Corps of Cadets) physician provides constant medical oversight throughout the entirety of CBT, ensuring a high level of medical readiness and response. If a higher level of care is needed, Keller Army Community Hospital on West Point provides comprehensive medical services. All cadets have complete health insurance coverage as active-duty service members. In the rare event of a significant injury, the tactical officer will permit the new cadet to contact their family to inform them. A new cadet's continued participation in training following an injury is determined by the severity of the injury and the medical team's assessment of their fitness.
    • For additional information on the emergency, safety and health resources available to current cadets, go to our Current Cadet Resources page.
  • In the event of withdrawal from West Point during CBT
    • The out-processing from CBT can take anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks. The initial counseling process by the Chain of Command is deliberately extended over a few days to give the new cadet every opportunity to assess the situation with upperclassmen feedback. At that point, one of the out-processing tasks at the Tactical Officer level is to contact the parents to inform them.
    • In most cases, the TAC authorizes the new cadet a phone call home as most of the issues tend to revolve around homesickness. In some cases, multiple phone calls are authorized to navigate the situation, but is not the norm as new cadets are supposed to be overcoming the challenges of CBT themselves.
  • Contact
    • New cadets will have an opportunity to call home during their training. Calls are scheduled for the midway point of training. They sometimes are allowed an additional call depending on their training schedule. You may also see calls or texts from your cadets from a different number, so make sure to keep a look out.
  • Stay up to date
    • Our Public Affairs and Visual Information team capture many training events and share them on our website, social media platforms and Flickr. Be sure to follow us to get a glimpse of your cadet’s journey.
  • In the event of a family emergency
    • During Cadet Basic Training, a family emergency is generally defined as a serious illness, severe injury, or death of an immediate family member that requires the new cadet's immediate awareness or presence. If such an emergency arises, call the Central Guard Room at (845) 938-3030. Ask to leave a message for a member of your new cadet's TAC team. They will return your call as soon as they receive the message. Your new cadet's chain of command will then advise you on whether notification to the American Red Cross is necessary for further verification or coordination. Please be assured that counselors and chaplains are readily available to support cadets through difficult times. After CBT concludes, you can typically connect directly with your cadet or through their chain of command for emergencies.

Below is a schedule showing a new cadet’s day for July and August:

TimeActivity
5 a.m.Wake-up
5:30 a.m.Reveille formation
5:30 - 6:55 a.m.Physical training
6:55 - 7:25 a.m.Personal maintenance
7:30 - 8:15 a.m.Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.Training/classes
1 - 1:45 p.m.Lunch
2 - 3:45 p.m.Training/classes
4 - 5:30 p.m.Organized athletics
5:30 - 5:55 p.m.Personal maintenance
6 - 6:45 p.m.Dinner
7 - 9 p.m.Training/classes
9 - 10 p.m.Commander's Time
10 p.m.Taps

New cadets have services at 8 a.m.  Sundays (various locations). The mission requirements of training may supersede scheduled worship, but they are the exception

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March Back

The Journey to Joining the Corps

At the completion of CBT, all new cadets march (referred to as “March Back”) from Lake Frederick to West Point, roughly a 14-mile march in the traditional ending of Cadet Basic Training. The streets are lined with families and local community members supporting the cadets successful completion of Cadet Basic Training.  

March Back is a proud and symbolic event that marks the completion of Cadet Basic Training. New cadets, alongside upper-class cadets and sometimes alumni, complete a challenging final hike back to West Point from their training site. For families, it represents a major milestone in their cadet’s journey - signaling the end of "Beast" and the beginning of the academic year. The sections below offer information on the significance of March Back, and what it means for your cadet’s next steps at the academy.

  • The movement pauses at the Victor Constant Ski Slope, where they will have an opportunity to eat breakfast and take a brief rest before proceeding through Washington Gate. The formation will be joined by the West Point Band and continue through the post, finishing on the apron in front of Washington Hall.
  • Family, friends, and staff, as well as people who live on post, are welcome to line the streets to welcome the cadets' return in this big celebration to mark their completion of "Beast Barracks! "
  • Old Grads (Alumni) may join March Back by contacting the Directorate of Academy Advancement in the link below.
  • Please know you will not have any contact with your new cadet during this time, but they appreciate the support shown by those in attendance. The cadets eat lunch on the apron. Once lunch is complete, they will join their academic companies and begin the process of reorganization in preparation for the academic year.
View March Back information for Old Grads
  • Once the new cadets complete the March Back, the last event of Cadet Basic Training, they begin approximately five days of reorganizing. This reorganization period is for the entire Corps of Cadets.
  • New cadets will move into their academic year companies, learn their new chain of command, meet their team leader (a yearling assigned to help set the new cadet/plebe up for success), receive their academic schedules, pick up books, pick up computers, attend briefings, attend drill practice, learn the locations of their classrooms, and more.
  • During Reorganization Week, new cadets are escorted to all locations.
  • Visiting is not permitted during Reorganization Week. 

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Acceptance Day (A-Day)

Joining the Corps of Cadets

A week after March Back, on Acceptance Day (A-Day), families are invited to watch the entire Corps of Cadets march in the Acceptance Day Parade on the Plain. The new cadets will march out separately, then join the Corps when the command is given, becoming “Plebes” and members of the Corps of Cadets

A-Day, is a significant milestone that marks the end of Cadet Basic Training and the official acceptance of new cadets into the Corps. Held in late summer, this ceremonial event includes a parade and formal recognition of your cadet’s successful completion of their initial training. For parents, it’s a proud moment to witness the transformation that has taken place since R-Day. The sections below provide details about the A-Day schedule, viewing opportunities, and what to expect during your visit.

  • Handicap accessibility
    • If traveling with guests needing handicapped accommodations, please know handicapped accessible parking is limited in the area of the Plain. You may wish to drop off guests near the bleachers and park in other lots or along Thayer Road. Shuttle buses will be available for your convenience.
  • Items to bring:
    • Hats, sunscreen, and bottled water are recommended depending on the forecast.
  • Point of etiquette:
    • During the parade - please remain seated until all cadets have departed the Plain.
  • Following the parade
    • After the Acceptance Day Parade, cadets are allowed area walking privileges each day for the remainder of the weekend. Cadets must sign in and out each day. On Saturday, cadets must return no later than 30 minutes prior to TAPS in the evening. No overnight passes will be given. On Sunday, cadets may depart on area walking privileges no earlier than 5:20 a.m. and must return for recall formation.
    • Area walking privileges are defined as a 20-mile radius from West Point. The limits are defined by the following boundaries: North – Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa (West Side of Hudson) and Holiday Inn Express Poughkeepsie (East Side of Hudson); South – Interstate 287; East –Interstate 84 and Interstate 684 Interchange; West – Town of Goshen.

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