Resources for Parents & Cadets

What Resources does West Point Have for Parents?

Visit the West Point Parents FAQs to find answers to the following topics: R-Day, Cadet Basic Training, March Back, Acceptance Day, Parent-Plebe Weekend, Cadet Summer Training, Ring Weekend, and Graduation

Visit the West Point Cadet Journey Page to learn about the 4 years at the USMA

Visit the West Point Parents Page for:

What if there is an Family Emergency?

If you have a family emergency and cannot reach your cadet via phone, text or email, you can call Central Guard Room (CGR). CGR is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - (845) 938-3030. In addition, if there has been a death in the family, please contact the Red Cross or 877 272-7337.

The Red Cross helps with the verification in order for the chain of command to make a decision regarding emergency leave. If you need to reach a member of your cadet's TAC team - Brigade Tactical Department Contact List .

What about Social Media?

Now that you are a cadet or the parent of a cadet, privacy is paramount for security reasons. Do not openly post travel plans on social media and do not post pictures of your cadet or others without permission. For a guide on social media usage, please visit this site.

What about Health Insurance?

Your cadet will be covered from the first day of Beast (Plebe Year), by Tri-Care. You may opt to keep your own coverage on your cadet, or not. If you do keep your own coverage, Tri-Care will be second to your primary insurance. See this guide for more information on Cadet Healthcare and Insurance.

What about Other Insurance?

  • Auto Insurance - check with your car insurance provider as many offer special rates for Cadets at the Academy. Cadets are not allowed to have vehicles at West Point until Cow year. You may be able to leave them as an insured but at a discounted rate. There are rental cars available to cadets at West Point, so you will want to make a decision as a family about insurance.

  • Renter’s Insurance - Check with your homeowners policy, but also check with military specific insurance companies. Many offer a Cadet Insurance policy to cover laptops and uniforms. Uniforms are expensive to replace if lost or damaged, so this is a valuable policy to look at.

  • Life Insurance - All Cadets are issued life insurance as part of their service. Check limits and make sure it is right for you and your family.

What is the Association of Graduates?

West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) is the Alumni Association & Foundation for the United States Military Academy (USMA). Through AOG giving, many programs are provided for our cadets and graduates. Visit their website for giving opportunities, graduate passes and perks, funeral support, veteran services, travel programs and more.

All Parent Clubs, including this Club the West Point Parents Club of Long Island and New York City, are organized under the auspices of the West Point Association of Graduates. Our latest bylaws can be read here. Other West Point Parents Clubs’ websites can be found at, Parent Clubs – West-Point.ORG.

What is the Army A Club?

Army A Club supports the Academy’s overall mission of producing leaders of character by providing an extraordinary Division-I athletic experience for our over 1,000 cadet-athletes. If you’ve ever wondered how to get early access to Army vs. Navy or season tickets to sporting events at West Point, the Army A Club is the place to start. Learn more here.

Where Can I Buy Tickets to an Army Sporting Event?

Check out the Army Athletics page to purchase tickets and Army team gear here.

What if my cadet needs academic or emotional support while at West Point?

While your cadet is at West Point they may need academic or emotional support. West Point provides many services to support the success and well being of your cadet.

  • The Center For Personal Development (CPD) provides comprehensive counseling services to the Corps of Cadets in an accepting and supportive environment.  CPD is staffed by Army and Civilian clinical psychologists with a broad range of experience providing counseling and behavioral health treatment. 

  • West Point’s various faith communities are warm, friendly, and ready to serve your cadet.  Chaplains can be contacted to explore opportunities to grow in faith or for support, when needed. Visit the Chaplains Page for more information.

  • West Point also offers Personal Librarians to your cadet. Every plebe at USMA gets matched with a Personal Librarian who is available to answer questions, help with papers and research, let you know what’s going on in the library, and connect you with resources.

Special Events while at West Point

There are many special events while you are at West Point. For a list of events and more information on attending, please visit this page.

How to Dress as a Civilian or Cadet for Events

If this is all new to you, or if you’re worried that you won’t be dressed appropriately as a civilian for a West Point event; use this page to map civilian to military dress code.

Where can I buy stuff, including class-specific & apparel?

  • Daughters of the U.S. Army Gift Shop (DUSA) provides great gifts for each class year. If you have a Plebe, keep an eye out in early Spring before Beast to pre-order class specific items. It is located inside the West Point Museum, next to the West Point Visitor's Center.

  • Army Athletic Gear - official website for all things sports to, “Go Army, Beat Everyone!”

  • Fanatics is the official sports gear provider of Army Athletics. You can visit them on campus at the Visitor’s Center or Online.

  • PX - your cadet can order uniforms and pick up or buy additional issued items at the PX (Exchange) on campus. The PX is also home to additional services like banking, the barber, USAA, PenFed, and more. If you’re looking for Grad Gifts, there is a store located in the PX where you can purchase class coins and custom gifts like a holder for the graduate sword and coin displays.

  • Academy Store Online and the Thayer Hall Academy Store has everything a Cadet and Cadet Candidate needs including uniform (including shoes and boots) study supplies (including textbooks), and personal goods. Popular purchases by parents for their graduating cadets include the Saber, Saber Display Case, and Engraving Plaque for the Display Case. The Cadet Store carries Diploma Frames, and Commission Frames. Fax, call, or mail your order. CADET STORE ORDER FORMS can be found here. You may also email orders to, USMACadetStore@westpoint.edu .

  • WPAOG Gift Shop - located in Herbert Hall near Michie Stadium, this store has many items that will help you wear your school pride and gift friends and family with assorted items.

  • West Point Spouses’ Club Gift Shop - is a hidden gem on the Garrison located at the entrance to the K Lot that contains all sorts of nicknacks - including his/hers dress accoutrements, Class-Year gifts, household decorations, and hand-crafted items.

  • Online Bookstore - supports Cadets’ buying textbooks and course materials needed for their classes

How Do I send Mail or Support Packages?

  • Sending Mail to your Cadet see instructions here.

  • The Thayer Hotel offers dinner delivery to your cadet. It is a nice break from the mess. Cadets also enjoy these deliveries on weekends or during TEEs (final exam week).

  • Boodle Boxes are always a welcome spirit-lifter for cadets. They come filled with cookies and snacks. As a benefit of membership, all WPPCLINYC Member Cadets receive one (1) Boodle Box per year during our annual Boodle Boxing on Super Bowl weekend. Non-Member Parents can also make a special request to us and the WPPCLINYC will be happy to pack one for your Cadet. If you missed our annual Event, or you want additional boodle, there is a company that will pack and deliver Boodle Boxes throughout the year. These can be ordered and scheduled using this form.

  • Birthday Cakes, Mid-Week Dinners, Subscription Boxes of Cookies can all be ordered and delivered to your cadet from Bear Mountain Bakery.