Do West Point cadets get summers off?

I'm planning my college journey and considering applying to West Point. I'm curious about the summer schedule. Do cadets get any time off during the summers, and if not, what does their summer training involve?

In comparison to traditional undergraduate colleges, the summer breaks at military academies, such as West Point, are different. Cadets at West Point do not have a "normal" summer break.

To begin, there's the Cadet Basic Training, also known as "Beast Barracks," which occurs from the time of your arrival in late June or early July until the beginning of your academic year. This period includes intense physical and military training.

Once you are an upperclassman (sophomore, junior, or senior), your summers will be spent in one of the following ways: attending summer school to catch up or get ahead on your classes, training new cadets (in your junior and senior years), taking on an internal/external internship or research experience (funded by West Point), military training sessions, or serving in active army units to build on-the-job leadership experiences. If there is any available time outside of these commitments, cadets may take leave.

Note that some portion of this, like physical training or tactical instruction, is mandated by West Point to ensure that you are prepared for military service after graduation.

While it may seem intense, remember that these opportunities do provide valuable leadership lessons, and real-world experience that employers value. Routines at military academies like West Point are designed to model the rigors and standards of real-world military service. These summer experiences can help you become a better leader, serving you well in both military and civilian life.