United States Military Academy at West Point facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
United States Military Academy
at West Point
Motto	Duty • Honor • Country
Type	Federal military academy
Established	16 March 1802
Superintendent	LTG David H. Huntoon
Administrative staff	600 faculty
Undergraduates	4,487
Location	West Point , New York , United States
Campus	15,974 acres (65 km2)
Colors	Black, gray, and gold;
Athletics	Black Knights; 24 varsity teams
Affiliations	Patriot League, Atlantic Hockey Association
Website	westpoint.edu
	United States Military Academy
	U.S. National Register of Historic Places
	U.S. National Historic Landmark
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NRHP reference No.	66000562
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	1966
Designated NHL	December 19, 1960

The United States Military Academy at West Point (also known as West Point, USMA, Army (athletic teams)) is a university that teaches students to become officers in the US Army. Students are called "cadets" and are subject to military rules while studying subjects like engineering and military science for four years. For many years, West Point only taught men, but in 1976 West Point admitted its first female cadets. Women currently comprise approximately 15% of entering new cadets.

Military officers compose 75% of the faculty. Civilian professors make up the remaining 25% of faculty positions.

Congress formally authorized and funded West Point on 16 March 1802. West Point was so successful, that military academies were added later for the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force.

Sports

West Point has a very broad sports program. All of its students are required to compete in at least one sport, either at the intramural (i.e., within the school) or intercollegiate (i.e., against other schools) level, in every semester.

The Army intercollegiate sports teams are nicknamed "Black Knights". Most Army teams play in the Patriot League. The football team plays at the highest level, known as Division I FBS, but is independent—not in any conference. The men's ice hockey team plays in Atlantic Hockey.

Images for kids

West Point fortifications 1780
Artillery cadet 1805, in the mixture of conmissioned and nonconmissioned uniforms prescribed for cadets of artillery.
West Point, from Phillipstown. engraving by W. J. Bennett showing the original buildings of the United States Military Academy
Thayer monument
Henry Ossian Flipper
Corps of Cadets c. 1870
Class at West Point, 1929
First female graduates in 1980
Central campus looking north
Cadet Chapel
One of the six wings of Washington Hall during lunchtime.
West Point Cemetery
Class of 2008 toss their hats after "class dismissed"
Cadets cross a rope bridge during summer training
Indoor obstacle course
Class of '57 honor memorial on which the honor code is inscribed
Cadet captains' shoulder sleeve insignia
Cadet color guard on parade
Class of 2012's motto
Rwandan President Kagame visits his son's room during Plebe-Parent Weekend
"Beat Navy" tunnel
A cadet in action during the 2009 Army–Navy lacrosse game
2012 West Point class ring
Sedgwick's spurs
2009 Goat-Engineer game
"Walking the area"
West Point commemorative stamp, 1937 issue
The 57th & 58th Superintendents, LTG Hagenbeck (L) & LTG Huntoon (R)