This week at WP.....

[tug_boat]

The New Cadets are now Plebes! It was unusually hot at WP during A-Day events. Tomorrow starts academics and for some Cadets a big decision will be made as they contemplate stepping over the threshold into class. This represents their commitment as Cows. They will dress in their India White for Affirmation ceremony soon. Ring Weekend is at the end of the month, Firsties will receive their class rings. Earlier this year gold from from alum who have passed, their families gave their ring to be forged as with steel from the Twin Towers were the foundation for class rings.

Ring Poop

Oh my god, sir/ma'am! What a beautiful ring!

What a crass mass of brass and glass!

What a bold mold of rolled gold!

What a cool jewel you got from your school!

See how it sparkles and shines?

It must have cost you a fortune! Please sir/ma'am, may I touch it?

May I touch it please, sir/ma'am?

In nine short months those Firsties will be newly minted 2nd LTs


Push Hard, Press Forward

 

[brovol]

We attended A-Day for my 2020 son, and spent Saturday and Sunday with him after not seeing him since R-Day. It was a fantastic visit. Except for the heat, it was perhaps Mose amazing weekend ever for all of us.

We are incredibly proud of our son and his accomplishments, but also so proud to be a part of the WP family, which is special beyond description.

There is much more I can say, but for now I will just add that for those who seek future appointments to USMA, and believe that the process is difficult, it is well worth the trouble. West Point, it's people and the Cadets are the the absolute best.

 

[Ted75]

Congrats Brovol & Tug Boat and to your young cadets!

Apparently, they went through one of the toughest Beast Barracks in a long, long time...see CBT section below:


Statistics Quoted by Supe:

Files Opened Class of 2020:

Applications: 14, 830 Women: 3,966; African American 1,859; Hispanic 2,016; Athletes 678

Nominations 4,103

Qualified 2,520

Admitted 1,290

SAT 1264; Valedictorians 119; Class Presidents 113

Cadet Basic Training

This year, the military training for the new Cadets was “cranked up” militarily – made it tougher. New Cadets spent 2 weeks at Camp Buckner, not 1. The resignations during/after Beast for the Class 2020 was 2 – 2 ½ times higher than previous years (approximately 4 %).

March Back

This year there were around 300+ old grads marching back to West Point with the new Cadets. The participants spanned 67 years – the oldest grad doing the March Back was from the Class ’48, Roger Conover, who is 90 years of age. The youngest grad was from Class 2015, who marched back with his brother, who is entering West Point with the Class 2020. The majority of the “old grads” were from the Affiliation Class of 1970.

 

[brovol]

The 2020 kids didn't know the difference. My son enjoyed Beast, and particularly Buckner. He loved the week spent in the field with the Green Beret's. He also enjoyed chatting with the old grads. He misses home some, but overall no complaints; not even of the food.

Now the real work begins.

 

[bookreader]

Some 2020 cadets did know the difference. My cadet was at CBT last year. Got injured and returned this year. He noted that it really was much harder and more rigorous. His group had a particularly high rate of resignations. He was glad for the increased challenge but he agreed with the cadet from Faces of West Point (FB page) who said "That was the most fun I never want to have again."

Hooah.

 

[brovol]

Some 2020 cadets did know the difference. My cadet was at CBT last year. Got injured and returned this year. He noted that it really was much harder and more rigorous. His group had a particularly high rate of resignations. He was glad for the increased challenge but he agreed with the cadet from Faces of West Point (FB page) who said "That was the most fun I never want to have again."

Hooah.

That's a great perspective. Thanks. And Congradulations.

 

[FlyBoy1993]

Going to Ring Weekend next week. cannot wait. We have not been back to WP since A-day his Plebe year.

I am also going to Army-Air Force game in November, courtesy of the losers in my fantasy football league.

 

[brovol]

Going to Ring Weekend next week. cannot wait. We have not been back to WP since A-day his Plebe year.

I am also going to Army-Air Force game in November, courtesy of the losers in my fantasy football league.

Nice!! Enjoy. What a cool moment that will be. A few years off to me.