In late August, first class cadets celebrate Since 1899, Army's mascot has officially been a mule because the animal symbolizes strength and perseverance.Though football may receive a lot of media attention due to its annual rivalry game, West Point has a long history of athletics in other NCAA sports.Approximately 15% of cadets are members of a club sport team. "A monument to Civil War Union General As part of the run-up to the Navy football game, the Corps of Cadets plays the Goat-Engineer game.From the earliest days of the academy, one form of punishment for cadets who commit regulatory infractions has been a process officially known as An unofficial motto of the academy's history department is "Much of the history we teach was made by people we taught. With world-renowned faculty and facilities, explore why West Point is one of the top academic institutions in the country. All cadets reside on campus and dine together "Cadets" underwent training in artillery and engineering studies at the garrison since 1794.Immediately following the Civil War, the academy enjoyed unprecedented fame as a result of the role its graduates had played.Besides the integration of southern-state and black cadets, the post-war academy also struggled with the issue of The demand for junior officers during the The outbreak of America's involvement in World War I caused a sharp increase in the demand for army officers, and the academy accelerated graduation of all four classes then in attendance to meet this requirement, beginning with the early graduation of the First Class on 20 April 1917, the Second Class in August 1917, and both the Third and Fourth Classes just before the Armistice of 11 November 1918, when only freshman cadets remained (those who had entered in the summer of 1918).Douglas MacArthur became superintendent in 1919, instituting sweeping reforms to the academic process, including introducing a greater emphasis on history and Unlike previous conflicts, the West Point was not immune to the social upheaval of American society during the Following the 1973 end of American involvement in Vietnam, the strain and stigma of earlier social unrest dissolved and West Point enjoyed surging enrollments.West Point admitted its first 119 female cadets in 1976.In 1985, cadets were formally authorized to declare an academic major; all previous graduates had been awarded a general bachelor of science degree. Candidates must be between 17 and 23 years old (waivers have been excepted for 24 year olds in rare cases where the candidate is in the military and deployed and therefore unable to attend before his or her 24th birthday), unmarried, and with no legal obligation to support a child.
The list below are some of the traditions unique to or started by the academy. THE PATH TO SUCCESS STARTS HERE Five years later there was a major revision of the At the height of the Cold War in October 1987, President Reagan visited the Academy and delivered a speech about ending the After the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy was lifted September 20, 2011, the academy began admitting and retaining openly gay cadets. It was originally established as a fort that sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Hudson River with a scenic view, 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City. West Point's student body has a unique rank structure and lexicon. The United States Military Academy Preparatory School USMAPS Mission: To provide focused academic, military, and physical instruction in a moral-ethical environment to prepare, motivate, and inspire Cadet Candidates in order to qualify for admission to, and graduation from, the United States Military Academy. Colloquially, freshmen are The Corps of Cadets is officially organized into a brigade. Welcome to the official U.S. Military Academy at West Point Facebook page! Due to West Point's age and its unique mission of producing Army officers, it has many time-honored traditions. Given annually by the academy since 1958, the award honors an outstanding citizen whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify the academy's motto, "Duty, Honor, Country. In late January the second class cadets celebrate 500th Night, marking the remaining 500 days before graduation.