Purple Heart to First Captain

This should put to rest an qualms folks may have about entering West Point from the enlisted ranks and prep school:

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090813/NEWS/908139945

WEST POINT - Cadet Tyler Gordy of Newcastle, Calif., was appointed first captain of the U.S. Military Academy's Corps of Cadets for the 2009-2010 academic year. The prestigious position, announced today, puts the West Point senior in command of roughly 4,400 Army cadets.
Chosen by a team of West Point officers and cadets, the first captain's position is similar to a student body president. The selected senior implements a class agenda and acts as liaison between students and administration.
Gordy, 25, is a comparative politics major who enlisted in the Army at age 18. He applied to West Point after a tour in Iraq, having earned a Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor.

"Cadet Tyler Gordy has an exceptional reputation within the Corps of Cadets because of his experience as a soldier and non-commissioned officer," said Brigade Tactical Officer Col. Mark McKearn. "
Gordy is a former sergeant and scout sniper in the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment. He attended the U.S. Military Preparatory School at Fort Monmouth, N.J. before entering West Point in 2006.

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He was our Regimental Commander for Beast (1st Detail). I've seen him a few time (actually saw him yesterday at book issue too). Most people I've talked to during Beast liked him and thoughd he'd be a shoe in for first captain.

USMAPS!

Maximus said:

USMAPS!

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I'll give the credit to prior service.

everybody i talked to hated him because he thought he was better than everybody. Also, because he would do anything to be first captain.

You know...after 26 years of service I've seen "all types."

The comment re: "everyone hated him because..." fits a LOT of very competent "movers and shakers." Some turn out to be outstanding officers! Some do not. But trust me...ACTIVE duty will "sort the wheat from the chaff."

A classmate of mine...was NOT a highly popular person...his goal was to be the Cadet Wing Commander (think AF version of First Captain) and if possible, the first member of our class to make Colonel.

John and I were "friendly" when working together, in class, sporting teams, etc., but we certainly were not "good" friends. I respected his achievements, disliked his arrogance, and that all being said figured he'd either achieve GREAT things or be CRUSHED once we were on active duty and would fall by the wayside.

Well, once we graduated, John was pretty amazed by what it was to NOW be an officer and responsible to a LOT more folks and to be held to an even more stringent set of rules/values.

And then he got busy being the very best officer/pilot/leader he could be; doing everything he could to develop his technical and leadership skills, learn from good leaders, etc...etc...

Take a look...

http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=8979

I think you'll find that my classmate John has done AMAZINGLY WELL!!! We hold him up as an example of "we may not have really understood him back then, but as officers NOW we really understand a LOT more and he was just ahead of us WAY back then..."

And we're VERY VERY proud of him!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

How does prior service count toward retirement in a case like this Cadets?

I'm guessing his active duty status, say maybe 3 years, gets halted at the entrance of USMAPS, and will pick back up when he graduates West Point?

Or, in this case, does his cadet time count toward retirement?

Prior time counts toward retirement; he'll also be paid more as a new officer than the rest of his classmates because of his prior enlisted time. That will continue until he makes major.

Cadet time does NOT count toward retirement; it's actually specifically mentioned in federal law that it (cadet, midshipman) time doesn't count.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Getting the top spot

By definition you will make enemies to get the top spot at any large organization. All I know is that my cadet is impressed as hell with the guy-not that he has much contact.

chiazo said:

everybody i talked to hated him because he thought he was better than everybody. Also, because he would do anything to be first captain.

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The "tool" thing aside, in real life, and the real world, most true leaders are overachieves, it's kind of how that works.

flieger83 said:

Prior time counts toward retirement; he'll also be paid more as a new officer than the rest of his classmates because of his prior enlisted time. That will continue until he makes major.

Cadet time does NOT count toward retirement; it's actually specifically mentioned in federal law that it (cadet, midshipman) time doesn't count.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

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Thanks Steve, that's what I figured but I thought in the case of a prior enlistment there might be other considerations to cadet time; but I guess the extra time in grade makes up for that.

Again, thanks Steve.

Maximus said:

The "tool" thing aside, in real life, and the real world, most true leaders are overachieves, it's kind of how that works.

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i didnt mean he would overachieve, i meant he would screw over his classmates to get that position.