Welcome Class of 2029

Welcome Class of 2029!

📣 The countdown is on—only 26 days until R-Day!

Reception Day (R-Day) at the United States Military Academy is a big milestone for both incoming cadets and their families. Here’s a breakdown of what parents can expect.

For all updated and official information, make sure to visit the West Point Parent's Website.

What is R-Day?

Click on the video below to watch a quick recap of last year's R-Day!

Reception Day (R-Day) marks the official beginning of your cadet candidate’s 47-month journey at the U.S. Military Academy. It’s a day filled with tradition, pride, and transition.

While your time together on R-Day may be short, we invite families to take part in several activities across campus and to witness the memorable Oath Ceremony in the evening.

What to Expect

🔒 Gate Access & Visitor Pass Information

No LAC (Local Area Credential) is needed for R-Day. Cadet families should enter West Point through Stony Lonesome Gate for drop-offs and parking—no pass is required on R-Day itself. 

🪪 Getting a Visitor Pass

If you plan to visit West Point before or after R-Day, you’ll need a visitor pass from the Visitor Control Center (VCC).

Submit the Online Security Form:
Starting June 1st, an online form will be available for early security screening. This form link is also included your new cadet's welcome packet and will be open for three weeks.

Bring Proper ID:
To receive your full-term visitor pass, you’ll need a Real ID-compliant driver's license.
If you don’t have a Real ID, bring a second form of identification (such as a passport or Social Security card).

Shuttle Service & Pass Pickup:
Shuttles will run to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) to assist family members in picking up their official passes. Shuttles from the VCC end at 3:15 p.m. 

• Please note: If you're arriving before R-Day, we recommend stopping by the VCC early to avoid long lines on R-Day.

📍 Arrival & Check-In

Report to parking at the Foley Center near Michie Stadium with your new cadet, luggage, and any guests. Each cadet will receive an assigned reporting time in their candidate portal. 

Be sure to review the official reporting letter in your candidate’s portal for detailed instructions on your cadet candidate's assigned report time. 

👋 Drop-Off Process

After check-in, cadet candidates are put into groups, and a shuttle bus will transport cadet candidates and families to Eisenhower Hall for a welcome briefing in the Theater.

At the end of the briefing, families will have 90 seconds to say goodbye before candidates continue with their in-processing.

Parent Information Area

ℹ️ After saying goodbye to your cadet candidate, we invite you to visit the Parent Welcome & Information Area in Eisenhower Hall, open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here you’ll find:

• West Point Parent Clubs
• West Point support services
• Local vendors and gift shops
• Representatives from the Red Cross, USAA, and the 50-Year Affiliate Class

🚌 Want to see other sites around West Point? A shuttle bus will be available after the morning farewell for families to travel around the installation, including back to Foley parking area.

Enjoy West Point’s warm hospitality as you begin your journey as a West Point family!

Oath Ceremony

Families will not have contact with new cadets after the morning farewell but can watch them take their first steps on the Plain for the Cadet Oath later in the day.

The Oath Ceremony, held at 6:30 p.m. on the Plain, is a special moment when new cadets affirm their commitment to West Point by taking the Cadet Oath. The ceremony is brief but meaningful.

Bleacher seating is available for all guests. Cadets will march in company order (A–I), left to right as viewed from the bleachers, and are arranged by height.

Shuttles will be provided from Ike Hall to the Plain from 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., as well as immediately after the ceremony to return guests to the parking areas.

What's To Come

🪖 Cadet Basic Training

R-Day is the beginning of Cadet Basic Training (CBT), six weeks of intense military and physical training. Once your new cadet leaves Eisenhower Hall, they will move on to receive haircuts, uniforms, medical checks, and gear.

During CBT, new cadets are immediately immersed in the military environment. There will be no opportunities to visit your new cadet during CBT, and new cadets are not allowed to use their personal devices during training.

🍦 Ice Cream Social

New Cadet Visitation Day, long known as the Ice Cream Social, will be on July 20th. This is a time-honored tradition where new cadets spend the day at a community memberʼs home in an informal setting relaxing, contacting family members, socializing and eating ice cream and other delectable treats. 

This event also marks the halfway point of Cadet Basic Training, a significant milestone for these new cadets.

🥾 March Back

After completing Cadet Basic Training, new cadets take part in March Back, a 12-mile trek from Lake Frederick to West Point’s main post. Dressed in full Army gear, they’re joined by alumni from the Long Gray Line and welcomed by cheering families, friends, and community members lining the route.

Taking place on August 11th, you won't want to miss this memorable tradition! Slay the Beast!

Mark your calendar for Acceptance Day (A-Day) on August 16th!

This special event marks the completion of Cadet Basic Training with a military parade on the Plain. A-Day is the first time families are able to reunite with their cadets since R-Day! 

Walking Privileges for A-Day are defined as a 20 mile radius from West Point. 

We hope to welcome you then as your cadet officially joins the Corps of Cadets!

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West Point Insider by the Pointer View is an authorized publication for West Point’s service members, families, and civilian employees. Its contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the DoD, or the U.S. Army. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the West Point Public Affairs office.

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