WEST POINT: 10 MUST have items for BEAST! | Long Gray Lessons

[@alessandrociminata8714]

You should make a video of the uniforms and equipment you get during your time at West Point

[@LongGrayLessons]

Team Studz For sure!

[@MrGunny2009]

A couple of things I found useful in Beast 1973 (yeah I know, I'm ancient) are: a P38 can opener attached to a key ring and a Bic lighter. The P38 can help open any food or other cans that come your way and it can work as a field expedient screwdriver. The Bic lighter is good for starting small fires to heat your meals and to melt shoe polish to help you get your spit shine. For those who don't know what a spit shine is, trust me, you'll learn. Oh yeah, one more item. Powdered drink mix to add to your canteen. It beats the heck out of plain water during the long field marches. I don't know if they even make these anymore, but I smuggled in Fizzies. To you young bloods, those were tablets like AlkaSeltzers that fizzed and dissolved and created carbonated flavored drinks. It was a big mystery to the upperclass Cadre how I managed to have cola and rootbeer on some of the Beast marches when everyone else, including the Cadre just had plain old water. Easy. I just had Mom and Dad mail them to me in my boodle packages. Good luck in Beast. :-)

[@Crusade6539]

Can you take creatine and pre workout stuff at West Point?

[@machodell4625]

@@Crusade6539 you can but likely not in Beast-- also, creatine can be detrimental when you're doing a lot of ruck marching in hot weather as it can increase the risk of cramping / dehydration.

[@rick72035]

The journal is a great idea. There's an old adage that applies "keep a journal today, and one day it will keep you."

[@benjaminnguyen9997]

Terrific video! Wished I had stumbled on it several years ago when my son was a Pleibe. Thanks for doing this! I have subscribed to your channel.

[@bobkinch9213]

When you get the headlamp, get one that goes White/Red/Blue or Green. If you use a red filter, when you look at the map, you can't see the roads. I don't mean they are difficult to see, the ninja vanish. Same with blue filters and rivers. So make sure your headlamp does white/red/blue. And bring extra batteries.

[@umadbroooooo1]

This came out of nowhere lol. Amazing quality my man, keep it up.

[@LongGrayLessons]

Daniel Shimkus Thanks bro! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@choprjock]

I saw a couple of comments about the need for red lenses on flashlights or headlamps. White light degrades your night vision. (Imagine a flash bulb going off in your face, or an approaching car with their high beams on.) Red light allows you to retain your night vision more readily. Just remember to not mark your maps in red ink. The markings will disappear under a red light.

[@miarummel1473]

As a field force rep, I send this video to all candidates that get an appointment. Very useful information.

[@annguyen1978]

Hi Tom, I’m buying all for my son (Bryant Nguyen). He just committed and will have RDay on 6/26/23. Thank you so much🙏

[@littlechick73]

Thank you so much for making this video! Makes my Christmas List for me!

[@FunkSoulBubby]

They wouldn't let us take any of this stuff in '95. LOL. But thank you for recommending the journal. I tell every kid going to Beast to do this.

[@LongGrayLessons]

Someone had do it! :P

[@markhamilton4287]

Could you give more specific recommendations on boots, multi tool etc...

[@tommyflynn4186]

what brand of red lens headlamp do you recommend

[@jameskervitsky5678]

Thanks dude! This was very helpful even though I am 13. But I plan on attending West Point later on.

[@LongGrayLessons]

Hey James! Glad you enjoyed the video. Check back for more videos!

[@theorangecouchproductionsr9658]

James Kervitsky I’ll see you there

[@captainkiddd3959]

Me too but I’m 10

[@ryanli4572]

Well? How’d it go?

[@jacksondanner5042]

Loved it! Thanks for sharing man!

[@LongGrayLessons]

Jackson Danner Appreciate it!

[@sammygarza6965]

Awesome video! It would be helpful if you could make a video about your experience during the application process for a service Academy!!!

[@edwarddouglaspierce]

Sammy - I'd love to hear his experience too but here's some info you may not know: there is a West Point Field Force whose charter is to help coach cadet candidates through the process. As I tell every cadet candidate, chunk it out. There are even high level project plans as well! Ed www.usma.edu/admissions/SitePages/Field_Force.aspx

[@sammygarza6965]

Edward Pierce, thank you so much! This will definitely be helpful as I continue my application!

[@edwarddouglaspierce]

EXCELLENT! WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE, IT CAN BE FUN BECAUSE YOU'LL SEE YOURSELF BECOME A BETTER PERSON!! But also get ready to face self doubt and the occasional wall. And when you do hit these obstacles, remember a member of the Long Gray Line "Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom." George S. Patton As you apply, you will be assessed on three fronts: (i) academic, (ii) physical fitness and (iii) leadership. So you need to work on all three. 1. Academic is straight forward and as expected - good grades, good SAT/ACT. Advanced Placement classes also look good but only if you do well on them. 2. Physical fitness will include the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). Go online and pull that overview down: www.usma.edu/admissions/Shared%20Documents/CFA_Instructions.pdf Enlist a coach or gym teacher to start testing you. I've seen very fit young men / women take this test and do "meh" because they did not practice it. Just because you are doing great on the track team doesn't mean you'll do well on pull ups, sit ups, push ups and the basketball throw (yes - that's what I said, a basketball throw!) 3. Leadership is not as quantifiable as the previous two. Items like the Gold Award / Eagle Scout are excellent. Girls State and Boys State are excellent but if you go, lead and aspire to be in the House or the Senate - don't just be a wall flower. Varsity letters are excellent but also lead in this capacity. Talk to your coach on ways to better the team, the training regiment, etc. and quantify results which may or may not require you to adapt the program. Here's the project plan i mentioned: www.usma.edu/admissions/Shared%20Documents/Admissions%20Timeline.pdf Also, if you have not opened a file, start there because if we don't know that you're interested, we can't help you out. Lastly, start working on the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA). As mentioned above, just because you're running a sub 20 minute 5K does not mean that you'll well on the rest. And what's great is that push ups and sit ups don't require any special equipment and can be done every night before you go to bed. GOOD LUCK BUT GET READY! IT'S A HECK OF A RIDE! GO ARMY!

[@huihui7277]

Sammy Garza me too man here we go

[@huihui7277]

Edward Pierce wow you are the best field force representative. I wish I had you cause I've been waiting 3 days for mine to respond :(

[@evamiller179]

for black dress socks, i suggest using compression socks to avoid the saggy sock issue

[@DH-lz2ns]

Darn tough tactical boot light cushion socks!!! Expensive but lifetime warranty and they are real quality! Pack like couple of those and some fox rivers!

[@jimsmith1579]

The ziploc freezer bags are best

[@PickellW]

Hey Thomas, thanks for the video. Very helpful. I do have one question though. Do you have a personal recommendation for the multitool? I currently have a Leatherman Skeletool CX which just has a knife, screwdriver, and pliers. Is that enough to get by, or should I go for something with a few more tools? Thanks!

[@LongGrayLessons]

Hey there! I have a leatherman too and it should suffice. You don't need too many gadgets! Keep it simple!

[@jacobscriffiny]

Red Lens Headlamp? How practical will that actually be for Beast? I never saw it on the optional packing list

[@LongGrayLessons]

Scriffdog super practical! Red lenses are more tactical and don't as easily give your position away compared to white light.

[@chasehatton8987]

I'm a soldier headed to WP, but anyway, red lens and general sound and light discipline are essential tasks and part of being a soldier. I know it seems weird but I've seen soldiers dropped and forced to go without a handlight because they don't have red lenses.

[@laurenjohnson7839]

I appreciate your KZbin videos and instagram account!! You have very useful information for upcoming cadets. Just curious as to why you recommend red headlights over white headlights? I've heard before this item would be useful to have for beast 2 and later on at West Point, but I'm not exactly sure what to get.

[@LongGrayLessons]

Lauren Johnson Check out the comment above!

[@BCTSkates]

Black Crew Length Fruit of the Loom socks are BY FAR the most comfortable dressed socks I have ever worn (PLUS IT'S INEXPENSIVEEEE) TRY IT OUT Y'ALL TRUST ME!!!!!

[@treverly]

You're the best!!!!

[@jersey.spotter]

Where does your phone go during BEAST

[@masonbay9945]

They make you turn it in and you get it back at the end of Beast

[@michaelegotti6439]

Thank you very much

[@scottharrelson]

Add a dummy cord and Ranger beads

[@nickolaipetronikov4423]

Hey I met with a bunch of cadets at SLE this summer and a lot of them said not to bring a lot of stuff on R-Day because you have to haul it around everywhere. Would you say that everything on the packinglist is essential, or can you leave stuff out and replace it with things like underwear, moleskin, etc. Not trying to lug around 80 pounds of gear that I might not even use xD

[@LongGrayLessons]

Hey Nickolai. You can stow away items that you won't need right away on R-Day. Bring the essentials and what you think you will need right away. Everything else will be storage.

[@jimc8361]

@@LongGrayLessons How often can you access storage? Do you have to wait until Beast is over?

[@danvelarde446]

So as an estimate… how many pairs of underwear should I bring?

[@dannycastillo9308]

Do you have to wear briefs? Or can you wear boxers

[@ashercroy4982]

Great video Thomas!👍🏼

[@LongGrayLessons]

Asher Croy Thank you!

[@hunterjones8427]

What type of gpa should I plan for to be able to attend West Point. Is it a hard school to get in to?

[@cheesestar467]

A little late. However, you need to make mostly A's and some B's while taking rigorous courses (AP's, Honors, DE). Also, you need a high ACT score/SAT score. For West Point, the average ACT score is a 27-32. The West Point Admissions Team also looks for prospects that have EC's with leadership positions. Overall, West Point is a very hard school to get into. I'm currently a Junior in high school and I have been working since 8th grade to give myself the best chance possible.

[@rome2tact]

@@cheesestar467soooo did you get in?

[@cheesestar467]

@@rome2tact Yea I did. Almost done my second year at west point

[@braydenschrock3397]

Hey Tom, what sport(s) did you play while you were at West Point?

[@LongGrayLessons]

Brayden Schrock I played pick up basketball and soccer.

[@alessandrociminata8714]

Thomas when will your next vlog coming out

[@LongGrayLessons]

Working on it!

[@FierceYoutube]

Thomas can you give me advice I am south Vietnamese and 9 years old.

[@superasianman8656]

why did you choose your mos ?

[@LongGrayLessons]

super asian man I had an interest in medicine.

[@merentube3306]

good video! does west point throw away any type of stuff that you bring? if so what are some examples? thanks

[@LongGrayLessons]

Glad you enjoyed the video! I don't think they throw away anything that is personal. Mostly just contraband.

[@Pumphefner22377]

Are you still in the Army Tom?

[@LongGrayLessons]

Sahaj Kohli yes, I am!

[@Pumphefner22377]

Thomas Vlogs do people that wanna go to west point need to keep a back plan of other colleges?

[@LongGrayLessons]

I don't think too many people do unless they're planning on leaving.

[@perjohansson2865]

why shower so often when it is enough every other day that they did at the Viking age

[@longnguyenthanh7230]

SO AMAZING but i wonder where you are from

[@LongGrayLessons]

Thank you. I'm from MN but my family is from Vietnam.

[@jayoliver3208]

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[@nunyabusiness6450]

All the people I've met from Cali are gay, so I can't tell if he's gay, from cali, both, or neither and I have shoddy hearing 😂