Candidates must report to the Reception Tent in the Gibbs Hall lower parking lot between 7:00 am and 9:00 am. Do not report for Reception Day (R-Day) prior to the scheduled time. If you arrive at Fort Monmouth before the reporting day, you will need to have enough money to defray your expenses at the Fort Monmouth Guest Lodging or at one of the local hotels or motels. Make reservations at these establishments as early as possible.

You must report carrying all items on the packing list. You must arrive wearing all-black, athletic type shorts (the length of your shorts must be longer than your fingertips when your arms are held straight down at your side while standing), a white short-sleeve crew neck tshirt, mid-calf length all-white cotton socks, a black digital sport-type wrist watch, glasses (if required), and running shoes.

Delays in Reporting or Declination of Appointment.

If you are unable to report by 9:00 am, contact Gibbs Hall before 9:00 am for further instructions: telephone (732) 532-4561/4520. If you decide to decline your appointment, please complete and mail back the declination card and return it as soon as possible.

Travel to Fort Monmouth

Fort Monmouth is located in Eatontown, New Jersey about 45 miles from Newark International Airport. USMAPS is located on the West section of Fort Monmouth, approximately 2 miles from Exit 105 off the Garden State Parkway. If you are traveling to Fort Monmouth by automobile, consult the map for convenient routes. New York City and Philadelphia are the largest cities serviced by regularly scheduled commercial air transportation. Planes arrive at Kennedy, LaGuardia, Newark, and Philadelphia International Airports. Travel expenses will be reimbursed at the government contract rate, so we recommend that air travel be scheduled by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (see attached card).

If you are arriving at Newark Airport, a train ride on the North Jersey Coast Line of the New Jersey Transit system from Newark Airport to Little Silver, NJ will cost approximately $15. A taxi to Gibbs Hall from the train station will cost approximately $20. Both are reimbursable expenses. Check the train schedule online at www.njtransit.com to ensure your travel plans meet the reporting timeline on R-Day.

Parent Notification

If your parents do not accompany you and you wish to notify them of your safe arrival, please do so before reporting to the Reception Tent at Gibbs Hall. Your first days of Cadet Candidate Basic Training (CCBT) will be busy and there will be little or no opportunity for you to telephone your family.

Reimbursement for travel

Candidates who officially in-process and enter the USMAPS Class of 2007 will be reimbursed for direct travel to the Prep School from their home of record of current duty station. Each Cadet Candidate must choose one of the following payment options:

1) You may request reimbursement for the cost of transportation used (economy or coach class), if purchased through Carlson Wagonlit Travel or the airlines directly. Reimbursement is limited to the cost of a government-furnished ticket (copies of tickets or receipts are required). If this option is used, reimbursement will be given for one night’s lodging in the vicinity of Fort Monmouth prior to reporting on R-Day, and copies of lodging receipts are required.

2) If you travel the entire distance to the Prep School by private auto, you will be reimbursed at the rate of 15 cents per mile plus a flat per diem allowance of $91.00 per day for the number of days authorized for such travel.

3) If you schedule travel through Carlson Wagonlit travel at West Point, you will be issued a government-paid air ticket. All receipts for travel, transportation, and hotel expenses must be saved and brought with you to Fort Monmouth on R-Day in order for Cadet Candidates to receive reimbursement. AIR TRAVEL MUST BE ON U.S. FLAG CARRIERS ONLY. Any questions regarding travel reimbursement such as mileage, lodging, or plane fare paid by other than government ticket, should be directed to the West Point Travel Pay Section at (845) 938-6105/3627.

Automobiles at USMAPS

You are permitted to have one privately owned vehicle. Motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds are not authorized. You are given limited opportunities to use your vehicle. For USMAPS vehicle pass privileges and Fort Monmouth Vehicle Registration, you will be required to present:

Students must check with their insurance company prior to bringing their automobiles to Fort Monmouth; insurance rates in New Jersey are among the highest in the nation. If you own a car and have debt associated with the ownership, you must resolve the debt prior to reporting to USMAPS. Be advised that as a Cadet at USMA you are not allowed to have a vehicle at West Point until Spring of your Junior Year.

Finance Checking Accounts

Checking accounts must be established before your arrival. An allotment from your net pay will be deposited to your checking account each month. You can maintain your account with a hometown bank, or you may find it more advantageous to establish your account with one of the local bank facilities that currently serve many Cadet Candidates. The First Atlantic Federal Credit Union has a branch conveniently located on Fort Monmouth’s Main Post. They have ATM machines at various locations throughout Fort Monmouth and there is a main branch in Oceanport, New Jersey, right outside the East Gate of Main Post. Normally, a small deposit is all that is required to open a checking account. You will be able to cash checks at the Post Exchange upon presentation of proper identification. Their web site is www.fafcu.com and phone:(732)380-3600 or (800) 342-1184, Monday-Friday: 8:00 A.M.-7:00 P.M., Saturday: 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.

You must bring the checking account number, routing number and mailing address of your bank, along with a blank check to your account, to establish direct deposit. Failure to have this information will delay initial processing of your pay and could cause undue financial burden. Personal Payroll Identification and Information You must present Social Security identification during in-processing. Cadet Candidate pay is subject to federal income tax and FICA tax deductions. You will also pay deductions for state income tax. You must be prepared to identify your state of legal residence during in-processing.

Expenses On R-Day

You will need a check or money order in the amount of $200.00 made payable to the Cadet Candidate Extracurricular Fund (CCEF) on R-Day, a fund established by and for Candidates to support a variety of social and cultural activities decided upon by the class. During the first week of Cadet Candidate Basic Training (CCBT), you will be required to pay approximately $400.00 by check or money order to purchase your initial issue. However, if you do not bring all the required items listed in the enclosed packing list or you require a haircut (cost is $8.00 cash) upon arrival on R-Day, pocket money may be necessary to purchase required items or services.

As a Cadet Candidate, you should anticipate incurring expenses of approximately $1900-2100 during your time at the Prep School. Expense items include, but are not limited to: uniforms, equipment, academic materials, laundry/dry cleaning, personal services charges (barber, tailor, shoe repair), federal and state taxes, life insurance, and various fees.

You are required to make several non refundable purchases when you arrive to the Prep School and throughout the school year. Here is a breakdown of expenses projected:

These estimates do not include personal travel expenses incurred by the students during authorized leave and pass periods throughout the academic year when students are allowed to travel away from Fort Monmouth.

Cadet Candidate Status

Candidates enter USMAPS under one of three statuses:

1) Active Duty: Candidates who were Regular Army Soldiers serving on Active Duty at the time of their appointment to USMAPS.

2) National Guard/Reserves: Candidates who were serving in the Guard or Reserves at the time of their appointment to USMAPS.

3) Invitational Reservists: Candidates who were civilians (to include Delayed Entry) at the time of their appointment to USMAPS.

Candidates who are currently Regular Army Active Duty Soldiers, or Reservists or National Guard members and were ordered to Active Duty for more than 30 days at the time of their acceptance to the Prep School, receive basic pay according to their current military pay grade. All other incoming Cadet Candidates (to include Soldiers coming from the National Guard, Reserves, and Delayed Entry) receive Cadet Candidate pay which is approximately $864 per month before taxes. National Guard and Reservists will be transferred to a different pay system for which a new Standard Form 1199A (Direct Deposit Form) must be submitted.

From this pay, we require all Cadet Candidates to establish an allotment payable to the USMA Treasurer in the amount of $350 per month for the initial deposit required for their USMA Class. The allotments will start being deducted on the first pay period. The least-paid Candidates will end up with approximately $225 per month of discretionary income. This amount supports the style of life experienced by most Cadet Candidates (e.g. members of this year’s class estimate that $200 per month is more than sufficient to meet their needs) and helps to defray the costs of some of the required purchases we expect Candidates to make throughout the year. Upon transfer to USMA, all Cadets will receive Cadet pay, regardless of prior military service.

Pocket Money

You should carry sufficient funds with you to cover any meals and expenses you may incur during your travel to Fort Monmouth. Additionally, you should report to Fort Monmouth having between $70.00-100.00 in pocket money and bills.