West Point Milestones: Surviving R-Day and Beast

This episode walks through what R-Day and the next six weeks of Cadet Basic Training (“Beast”) look like. Sarah and guest Carlys Lemler explain what parents can do after the 90‑second goodbye, including visiting “Parent Central” in Crest Hall to meet parent clubs, Red Cross, chaplains, medical and academic resources, athletics and gift shops, and to use the letter-writing station and get mailing info. They cover meals, Mass, campus activities, getting visitor passes, and tips like resting, hydrating, bringing binoculars, and arriving early for the superintendent’s briefing and the oath ceremony (which can be canceled due to weather). They outline Beast 1 and Beast 2 training, cadet visitation day also known as the “ice cream social”. There will be practical advice on about the phone calls, supporting cadets who struggle, writing letters, following social media, and staying busy while trusting the process.