"[82][244] Graduates of the academy refer to themselves as "The Long Gray Line," a phrase taken from the academy's traditional hymn "The Corps. West Point has 19.75 square miles of land area and 0.90 square miles of water area. Since 1899, Army's mascot has officially been a mule because the animal symbolizes strength and perseverance. [90] After the ban on transgender service members was lifted in 2016, the Class of 2017 saw the first openly transgender graduate. [209] Army is a member of the Division I Patriot League in most sports,[205] while its men's ice hockey program competes in Atlantic Hockey. [224] In the spring, each company also fields a team entry into the annual Sandhurst Competition, a military skills event conducted by the Department of Military Instruction.[225]. Colloquially, freshmen are plebes, sophomores are yearlings or yuks, juniors are cows, and seniors are firsties. Shop Now. The Continental Army first occupied West Point, New York, on 27 January 1778,[11] and it is the oldest continuously operating Army post in the United States. [46] When MacArthur returned as superintendent, he made an effort to end the practice of hazing the incoming freshmen by placing Army sergeants in charge of training new cadets during freshman summer. Donations of class rings are melted and merged. [69][80] The class of 1990 was the first one to be issued a standard and mandatory computer to every member of the class at the beginning of Plebe year, the Zenith 248 SX. [263], U.S. Army's federal service academy in West Point, New York, "West Point" redirects here. U.S. sports media use "Army" as a synonym for the academy. First class cadets hold the leadership positions within the brigade from the First Captain down to platoon leaders within the companies. In the intervening years, the facility would strike pennies, bicentennial quarters (in honor of the 200th anniversary of our Nation’s independence) and gold medals. Currently the BOV is chaired by Representative John Shimkus and is composed of three Senators, five Representatives and six presidential appointees. Most cadets are housed with one roommate, but some rooms are designed for three cadets. The Army fully funds tuition for cadets in exchange for an active duty service obligation upon graduation. [64][65][66] The first woman joined the faculty of the all-male institution amidst controversy in 1968. West Point Lapel Pins; Old Grad; West Point Blankets & Pillows; West Point Class of 2021 ; West Point Class of 2022; West Point Class of 2023; West Point Class of 2024; West Point Class of 2025; Collections. In its early years, lacrosse was used by football players, like the "Lonesome End" Bill Carpenter, to stay in shape during the off-season. In 2008 gender-neutral lyrics were incorporated into West Point's "Alma Mater" and "The Corps" – replacing lines like "The men of the Corps" with "The ranks of the Corps. In its first 65 years, hazing was uncommon or non-existent beyond small pranks played upon the incoming freshmen, but took a harsher tone as Civil War veterans began to fill the incoming freshman classes. A cable TV, air conditioning and coffee machine are included in each room. [31][33] The school experienced a rapid modernization during the 1850s, often romanticized by the graduates who led both sides of the Civil War as the "end of the Old West Point era. "On Brave Old Army Team" is the school's fight song. [236], From the earliest days of the academy, one form of punishment for cadets who commit regulatory infractions has been a process officially known as punishment tours. In all, 55 of the 73 cadets accused of cheating on a calculus final exam in May are athletes, including 17 who remain on the football team, according to figures released to USA TODAY by West Point. Free Wi-Fi access is available. Narang said she decided to apply to West Point to study nuclear engineering and pursue a career path in air defense systems after visiting the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii. Reference: SC.BC.33621. [49] Many of the academy's most famous graduates graduated during the 15-year period between 1900 and 1915: Douglas MacArthur (1903), Joseph Stilwell (1904), Henry "Hap" Arnold (1907), George S. Patton (1909), Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Omar Bradley (both 1915). [163][164], Although the academy's honor code is well known and has been influential for many other colleges and universities, the academy has experienced several significant violations. "[161] Cadets accused of violating the Honor Code face an investigative and hearing process. [172][173] The academy is also authorized up to 60 international exchange cadets, who undergo the same four-year curriculum as fully integrated members of the Corps of Cadets. The academy fields 15 men's and nine women's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports teams. This process is known as scrambling and the method of scrambling has changed several times in recent years. [193][194][195] During plebe year, plebes may be asked, and are expected to answer, any inquiry about plebe knowledge asked by upper class cadets. [134], The West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) also offers scholarship support to people who are qualified but not selected. [76] Five other women have been appointed as First Captain: Grace H. Chung in 2003, Stephanie Hightower in 2005, Lindsey Danilack in 2013, Simone Askew in 2017, and Reilly McGinnis in 2020. Find West Point properties using the search facility provided top of the page or use the region links to search through specific county location. [152] There is one TAC for every cadet company. These include instruction in the values of the military profession through Professional Military Ethics Education (PME2), voluntary religious programs, interaction with staff and faculty role models, and an extensive guest-speaker program. Immediately after senior cadets return to the barracks after receiving their rings, fourth class cadets take the opportunity to surround senior cadets from their company and ask to touch their rings. U.S. refugee travel document or other travel document or evidence of immigration status issued by OHS containing a photograph (permit to re-enter Form 1-327 and refugee travel document Form 1-571). In late August, first class cadets celebrate Ring Weekend, in February they mark their last 100 days with 100th Night, and in May they have a full week of events culminating in their graduation. [112][113] During the summer months, the museum operates access to the Fort Putnam historic site on main post and access to the 282 acre Constitution Island. [182], Each class of cadets elects representatives to serve as class president and fill several administrative positions. Brief History of West Point. Another tradition associated with punishment tours is that any visiting head of state has the authority to grant "amnesty," releasing all cadets with outstanding hours from the remainder of their assigned tours. Five years later there was a major revision of the Fourth Class System, as the Cadet Leader Development System (CLDS) became the guidance for the development of all four classes. West Point is located in southeast New York. For various reasons these graduates were omitted from the original class roster, and a suffix letter was added to avoid renumbering the entire class and subsequent classes. Following the September 11 attacks, applications for admission to the academy increased dramatically, security on campus was increased, and the curriculum was revamped to include coursework on terrorism and military drills in civilian environments. Local Offices: Find Your Local West Point Recruitment Team. 9 Mar. [49] The period between 1900 and 1915 saw a construction boom as much of West Point's old infrastructure was rebuilt. West Point is on the Hudson River about 60 miles north of New York City. Brigadier General Curtis A. Buzzard is the Commandant of Cadets, equivalent to a dean of students at the civilian level. [59] The academy had its last serious brush with abolition or major reform during the war, when some members of Congress charged that even the accelerated curriculum allowed young men to "hide out" at West Point and avoid combat duty. [49] In all, wartime contingencies and post-war adjustments resulted in ten classes, varying in length of study from two to four years, within a seven-year period before the regular course of study was fully resumed. From 1802 through the Class of 1977, graduates were listed by general order of Merit. [206] Army's chief sports rival is the Naval Academy due to its long-standing football rivalry and the interservice rivalry with the Navy in general. The academy library has a large collection of cadet rings on display. [124][125], To be eligible for appointment, candidates must also undergo a Candidate Fitness Assessment[126] and a complete physical exam. He expanded and modernized the academic program and abolished antiquated courses in fencing and horsemanship. Cadets who get into trouble frequently and spend many weekends "walking off their hours" are known as "area birds. The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known as West Point, Army, Army West Point,[6] The Academy, or simply The Point, is a four-year federal service academy in West Point, New York. Cadets are required to adhere to the Cadet Honor Code, which states that "a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." According to a Vanity Fair essay, the LGBT cadets were well accepted. General Alexander McDougall named it Fort Putnam. [93] Based on the significance both of the Revolutionary War fort ruins and of the military academy itself, the majority of the academy area was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. 11 Mar. Municipal Court - Plea Court Date. West Point Motel has a 24-hour front desk. L'Académie militaire de West Point (en anglais : United States Military Academy at West Point, couramment abrégé en « USMA » ou « West Point ») est une base et une académie militaire de l'armée de terre américaine, une des écoles militaires les plus prestigieuses aux États-Unis avec celle de l'Académie navale d'Annapolis et l'Académie de la Force aérienne des États-Unis. [148][149] Most cadets consider Beast to be their most difficult time at the academy because of the transition from civilian to military life. The origin of cow is less known. "[96] One of the most visited and scenic sites on post, Trophy Point, overlooks the Hudson River to the north, and is home to many captured cannon from past wars as well as the Stanford White-designed Battle Monument. The foundation of the ethical code at West Point is found in the academy's motto, "Duty, Honor, Country. The academic program grants a Bachelor of Science degree with a curriculum that grades cadets' performance upon a broad academic program, military leadership performance, and mandatory participation in competitive athletics. Donation to DUSA. West Point, NY, United States 10996-0000. Its origins can be traced to the American Revolution. As of the 2010 United States Census, West Point's population was 674, down from 746 as of the 2000 census. [57] In 1935, the academy's authorized strength increased to 1,960 cadets. The academy's traditions have influenced other institutions because of its age and unique mission. The 2015 football season marked Navy's fourteenth consecutive victory over Army, the longest streak in the series since inception. The entire central campus is a national landmark and home to scores of historic sites, buildings, and monuments. For outside of the U.S. and Canada, […] [123] The interquartile range on the old SAT was 1100–1360 and 68% ranked in the top fifth of their high school class. [104] There is also a statue commemorating brotherhood and friendship from the École Polytechnique in the cadet central area just outside Nininger Hall. Check official timezones, exact actual time and daylight savings time conversion dates in 2021 for West Point, PA, United States of America - fall time change 2021 - DST to Eastern Standard Time. [61] The 1960s saw the size of the Corps expand to 4,400 cadets while the barracks and academic support structure grew proportionally. Being late to class or having an unkempt room may result in as little as 5 hours while more severe misconduct infractions may result in upwards of 60 to 80 hours. [237] This process is better known to the cadets as "hours" because as punishment, cadets must walk a specified number of hours in penalty. The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known as West Point, Army, Army West Point, The Academy, or simply The Point, is a four-year federal service academy in West Point, New York.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. [187] DCA sponsors or operates 113 athletic and non-sport clubs. The 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment (1–1 INF) and the 2d Army Aviation Detachment, both stationed on nearby Stewart Army Subpost, provide military training and aviation support to the USMA and the West Point Garrison. The men's lacrosse team has won eight national championships and appeared in the NCAA tournament sixteen times. Future Civil War commanders Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, who also later became the superintendent of the academy, first distinguished themselves in battle in Mexico. [151], Active duty officers in the rank of captain or major serve as Company Tactical Officers (TAC Officers). [68][69], Following the 1973 end of American involvement in Vietnam, the strain and stigma of earlier social unrest dissolved and West Point enjoyed surging enrollments. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark #268. "[169], The Corps of Cadets is officially organized into a brigade. [75] In the 21st century, women comprise approximately 20% of entering new cadets. Cadet Nutcracker; St. Nicholas Cadet Ornaments; West Point China Collection; Spirit. More than half of the Army leadership during the war was composed of West Point graduates. [214] From 1992 through 1996, Army won all of the games against Navy for the first time since the legendary days of Blanchard and Davis, and it introduced the fraternal group of players identifying themselves as the Fat Man Club, initiated by the offensive linemen of the Class of 1996. Otherwise the cadet will pass the exam and the course. The academy has produced many notable generals during its 212 years. The commanding officer at the USMA is the Superintendent, equivalent to the president or chancellor of a civilian university. Above average high school and/or previous college grades, and strong performance on standardized testing is expected. Howard. Gen. Diana Holland became West Point's first woman Commandant of Cadets in January 2016. West Point plays a pivotal role during World War II, loaning silver to the Atomic Energy Commission, industry, and our allies under the Lend-Lease Program. [243], An unofficial motto of the academy's history department is "Much of the history we teach was made by people we taught. With the completion of Jefferson Hall, Patton's statue was relocated and unveiled at a temporary location on 15 May 2009, where it will remain until the completion of the renovation of the old cadet library and Bartlett Hall. West Point fields a total of 24 club sports teams that have been very successful in recent years, winning national championships in judo, boxing, orienteering, pistol, triathlon, crew, cycling, and team handball. The applicant then submits to a formal interview. Deals. [20], In 1817, Colonel Sylvanus Thayer became the Superintendent and established the curriculum, elements of which are still in use as of 2020[update]. Unescorted visitors are asked to report to the Visitor Control Center at 2107 New South Post Road, West Point, NY 10996 to apply for a West Point AIE Credential. Current local time in West Point, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA, Eastern Time Zone. The BOV is a panel of Senators, Congressional Representatives, and presidential appointees who "shall inquire into the morale and discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods, and other matters relating to the academy that the board decides to consider."