Cadets Not Returning on March 29

[jl123]

Letter from Superintendent today. Most important parts:

1. .... the Corps of Cadets will not return to West Point on March 29 as originally planned....... I do not know when the Corps will return at this point.......
2. No decision has been made yet about graduation and commissioning for the Class of 2020, and we will continue to conduct a thorough planning process to ensure the safe return of the Corps at the right time. We will continue to plan for the commissioning of the Class of 2020 to meet the needs of the Army.......

 

[Capt MJ]

Maximum flexibility and adjustment of expectations will be the prudent path. Be prepared for however it plays out and go with it. This is a year where patterns may break in all kinds of unusual ways.

The Class of 2020 will distinguish itself by rising to the challenge and surmounting every obstacle with class. I looked up the motto - “With Vision We Lead.” Early opportunity to show this as a class.

The only thing that is actually required to move from cadet/midshipman to commissioned status is being given a diploma, wrapping up cadet/mid admin, signing any commissioning papers and other paperwork, taking the oath with someone authorized to give it, getting orders in hand for the next duty station, checking out. All the wonderful rest of it - parades, concerts, balls, receptions, parties, awards ceremonies, the big ceremony, speeches, handshakes with VIPs, hats in the air, salutes for silver dollars - none of that is required.

I truly hope none of that special stuff is impacted, but when a senior officer mentions “the needs of the Army,” it’s best to prepare for the full continuum of possibilities.

 

[Cookiemom]

Maximum flexibility and adjustment of expectations will be the prudent path. Be prepared for however it plays out and go with it. This is a year where patterns may break in all kinds of unusual ways.

The Class of 2020 will distinguish itself by rising to the challenge and surmounting every obstacle with class. I looked up the motto - “With Vision We Lead.” Early opportunity to show this as a class.

The only thing that is actually required to move from cadet/midshipman to commissioned status is being given a diploma, wrapping up cadet/mid admin, signing any commissioning papers and other paperwork, taking the oath with someone authorized to give it, getting orders in hand for the next duty station, checking out. All the wonderful rest of it - parades, concerts, balls, receptions, parties, awards ceremonies, the big ceremony, speeches, handshakes with VIPs, hats in the air, salutes for silver dollars - none of that is required.

I truly hope none of that special stuff is impacted, but when a senior officer mentions “the needs of the Army,” it’s best to prepare for the full continuum of possibilities.

I agree but as a 21 parent i feel for the 20 parents.

 

[cptenca]

it’s not about the 2020 parents. It’s about the unprecedented situation in which we find ourselves. The classes that graduated early during the World Wars and other crisis times provide the example for the 2020s. They will graduate and they will be Leaders of Character and remembered for how this happened. Their parents can watch the live stream graduation and consider themselves lucky compared to 100 years or more of parents who never attended a graduation

 

[RLTW]

taking the oath with someone authorized to give it

Are there any requirements for commissioning that mandate physical colocation? Or, could a commission oath be valid via Skype or similar? Just curious.

 

[Capt MJ]

The JAGs could weigh in, but I could see a FaceTime or Skype oath event happening, with scanned/signed paperwork flying around. That signed paperwork is the key to activating O-1 pay and locking down the date of rank. I am sure it’s all being researched, evaluated, analyzed, compared to other options, mutually discussed with other SA counterparts.

 

[cptenca]

The oath is recorded on DA 71.
It can be administered by almost any official including the local clerk of court and even a notary in some locations.

The oath of office may be taken before any commissioned officer of any component of any Armed Force, whether or not on active duty (10 USC 1031), or before any commissioned warrant officer when acting as an adjutant, assistant adjutant, acting adjutant, or personnel adjutant in any of the Armed Forces (See UCM, Article 136; 10 USC 936). A commissioned warrant officer administering the oath of office will show his/her title in the block to the left of his/her signature. 4. Oath of office may also be taken before any civil officer who is authorized by the laws of the United States or by the local municipal law to administer oaths, and if so administered by a civil official, the oath must bear the official seal of the person administering the oath, or if a seal is not used by the official, the official's capacity to administer oaths must be certified to under seal by a clerk or court or other proper local official.

 

[jl123]

Harvard just announced postponement of May 28 commencement. They will do an online awarding of degrees on May 28 and plan to host an in-person celebration sometime later, once it is safe to bring people together again. My guess is that many graduates would not return for the in-person celebration given travel, jobs, etc.

It may come down to something similar for SA's - at this point I can't see them bringing tens of thousands together. As a minimum, the Firsties have to physically go back at some point to clear out rooms and belongings - including cars that are scattered throughout USMA and airport parking lots.

 

[Casey]

Couldn’t resist. I know it’s a hard time for the Corps and the Academy staff as they figure this out. I have full faith they’ll continue to do so with the ability the institution has always in the past.

 

[DrMom]

The JAGs could weigh in, but I could see a FaceTime or Skype oath event happening, with scanned/signed paperwork flying around. That signed paperwork is the key to activating O-1 pay and locking down the date of rank. I am sure it’s all being researched, evaluated, analyzed, compared to other options, mutually discussed with other SA counterparts.

Actually. not commissioning but didn't an astronaut COL Drew Morgan, US Army, just give the Oath of Enlistment to recruits here on earth? Cannot get more 'remote' than outer space. It sets a precedent.