United States Military Academy facts for kids
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| Motto | Duty • Honor • Country |
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| Type | U.S. Service Academy |
| Established | 16 March 1802 |
| Endowment | $422 million (2022) |
| Superintendent | Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland |
| Dean | Brigadier General Shane R. Reeves |
| Commandant of Cadets | Brigadier General R.J. Garcia |
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Academic staff
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580 |
| Students | 4,294 cadets |
| Location |
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United States
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| Campus | Rural – 16,080 acres (6,507.3 ha) |
| Fight song | On, Brave Old Army Team |
| Colors | Black, gold, and gray |
| Nickname | Black Knights |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I – PL AHA CSFL EIGL EIWA NCA The American |
| Mascot | Mule |
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United States Military Academy
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| NRHP reference No. | 66000562 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 15 October 1966 |
| Designated NHL | 19 December 1960 |
The United States Military Academy (USMA), often called West Point or Army, is a special school for future military officers. It is located in West Point, New York. This academy started as a fort during the American Revolutionary War. It sits on high ground overlooking the Hudson River, about 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City.
West Point was founded in 1802. It is the oldest of the five American service academies. Here, students called "cadets" train to become officers in the United States Army. The school offers a Bachelor of Science degree. Cadets are graded on their studies, leadership skills, and participation in sports. U.S. News & World Report calls West Point a liberal arts college. It is ranked #8 among National Liberal Arts Colleges in 2025.
To get into West Point, you must apply directly to the academy. You also need a nomination, usually from a member of Congress. Other nominations can come from the president or vice president. Cadets are officers-in-training. They are part of the "United States Corps of Cadets." The Army pays for their education. In return, cadets agree to serve in the military after they graduate. About 1,300 new cadets join each July, and about 1,000 graduate.
West Point has many traditions that have influenced other schools. It was the first American college to have an accredited civil engineering program. It was also the first to have class rings. Its technical courses became a model for other engineering schools. West Point's students have a unique rank system and special words they use. The academy has 15 men's and nine women's sports teams that compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Cadets must play a sport every fall, winter, and spring. This can be an intramural, club, or intercollegiate sport.
The football team was very strong in the early and mid-1900s. They won three national championships. West Point produces many Marshall and Rhodes scholars. Its graduates are known as "The Long Gray Line." Famous alumni include U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant. Other notable graduates are Confederate President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E. Lee. Poet Edgar Allan Poe also attended. Generals Douglas MacArthur and George Patton are also alumni. West Point graduates have led countries like Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and the Philippines. Seventy-six graduates have received the Medal of Honor.
Contents
History of West Point Academy
Early Years and Founding
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The Continental Army first took control of West Point, New York, on January 27, 1778. It is the oldest Army post that has been used continuously in the United States. From 1778 to 1780, a Polish engineer named Tadeusz Kościuszko helped build the fort's defenses. General George Clinton and other officers wanted a strong battery by the river. This would stop ships from sailing up the Hudson River.
Rufus Putnam, Washington's chief engineer, built a major fort on a hill 500 feet (150 m) above the river. This fort was named Fort Putnam. The Great Hudson River Chain and the high ground helped the Continental Army stop the Royal Navy. This prevented them from dividing the Patriot forces. During the war, the fortifications were called Fort Arnold. But Commander Benedict Arnold tried to betray the fort to the British. After his betrayal, the name was changed to Fort Clinton.
Since 1794, "cadets" had been training in artillery and engineering at the fort. In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson decided to create a military academy at West Point. He chose Jonathan Williams as its first leader. Congress officially approved the school on March 16, 1802. The academy opened on July 4, 1802. Its first graduate was Joseph Gardner Swift in October 1802. He later became the Superintendent. In its early years, the academy had few rules for joining or how long students stayed. Cadets were from 10 to 37 years old. They studied for 6 months to 6 years. The upcoming War of 1812 led Congress to create a more formal education system. They also increased the number of cadets to 250.
In 1817, Colonel Sylvanus Thayer became the Superintendent. He set up the curriculum that is still used today. Thayer brought in strict rules and a standard course of study. He also stressed honorable behavior. He was inspired by the French École Polytechnique. Thayer is known as the "Father of the Military Academy." A monument on campus honors his great impact. West Point started as an engineering school. For the first 50 years, its graduates built many of the nation's first railways, bridges, and roads. It was the only engineering school in the country until 1824. Its engineering courses influenced every American engineering school before the Civil War.
The Mexican–American War made the academy famous. Graduates showed their skills in battle for the first time. Future Civil War commanders Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee (who later led the academy) became well-known in Mexico. In total, 452 of 523 graduates who fought in the war received promotions or awards for bravery. The school modernized quickly in the 1850s. New barracks brought better heating and gas lighting. New training included rifle and musket technology. When the Civil War began, West Point graduates became generals in both the Union and Confederate armies. 294 graduates served as generals for the Union. 151 served as generals for the Confederacy. Almost every important general from both sides was a West Point graduate. A West Point graduate commanded forces in every one of the 60 major battles of the war.
After the Civil War
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After the Civil War, the academy became very famous. But it was also a hard time. The academy worked to admit cadets from former Confederate states. The first Southern cadets returned in 1868. In 1870, James Webster Smith from South Carolina became the first black cadet. He faced harsh treatment and was dismissed in 1874. Because of this, Henry O. Flipper from Georgia became the first black graduate in 1877.
The academy also dealt with hazing. In its early years, hazing was rare. But it became harsher when Civil War veterans joined. Older cadets felt it was their job to "teach the plebes their manners." Hazing became a national issue after cadet Oscar L. Booz died in 1900. Congressional hearings looked into his death and the hazing. When Douglas MacArthur became superintendent, he tried to stop hazing. He put Army sergeants in charge of training new cadets in the summer. Hazing continued in some ways until the late 1900s, but it is not allowed today.
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The Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War created a high demand for officers. This caused classes to graduate early. In 1900, Congress increased the number of cadets to 481. Between 1900 and 1915, many new buildings were constructed. Many famous graduates came from this period: Douglas MacArthur (1903), Joseph Stilwell (1904), Henry "Hap" Arnold (1907), George S. Patton (1909), Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Omar Bradley (both 1915). The class of 1915 is called "the class the stars fell on." This is because a very high number of its members (59 of 164) became generals.
When America entered World War I, the need for officers grew sharply. The academy sped up graduations for all four classes. This meant some students finished in two or three years instead of four. In 1919, Douglas MacArthur became superintendent. He made big changes to the academic program. He added more history and humanities courses. He also changed field training. The Cadet Honor Committee was formed in 1922 under his leadership. MacArthur strongly supported sports. He famously said, "Upon the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that, upon other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory." West Point was first officially accredited in 1925. In 1933, it began giving Bachelor of Science degrees to all graduates. By 1935, the academy could have up to 1,960 cadets.
World War II and Beyond
As World War II spread in Europe, Congress allowed more cadets. The number increased to 2,496 in 1942. Classes started graduating early. The class of 1943 finished six months early. The next four classes graduated after only three years. Summer training moved to a new area called Camp Buckner. West Point played a big part in WWII. Four of the five five-star generals were alumni. Nearly 500 graduates died. After the war, Maxwell Taylor (class of 1922) became superintendent. He updated the academic program. He removed old courses like fencing and horsemanship.
The Korean War did not change graduation schedules. More than half of the Army's leaders during the war were West Point graduates. The Class of 1950, which graduated just before the war, had many casualties. They called themselves "the class the crosses fell on." 157 alumni died in the conflict. Garrison H. Davidson became superintendent in 1956. He improved how students were admitted. He also added elective courses and raised academic standards for instructors. In the 1960s, the number of cadets grew to 4,400. Barracks and academic buildings also expanded.
West Point was affected by the social changes during the Vietnam War. In 1968, the first woman joined the faculty of the all-male school. The academy found it hard to fill its classes. Its graduates were leading troops in Southeast Asia, where 333 graduates died.
Modern West Point
After the Vietnam War ended in 1973, more students wanted to join West Point. On May 20, 1975, a law was passed to allow women into service academies. President Ford signed this bill on October 7, 1975.
West Point admitted its first 119 female cadets in 1976. In 1979, Cadet Vincent K. Brooks became the first African American to lead the Corps of Cadets. Ten years later, Kristin Baker became the first female First Captain. This is the highest-ranking senior cadet. Six other women have held this role. Simone Askew was the first African American woman to lead the Corps in 2017. Today, about 20% of new cadets are women.
In 1985, cadets could officially choose an academic major. Before this, all graduates received a general Bachelor of Science degree. Five years later, the "Fourth Class System" was updated. It became the Cadet Leader Development System (CLDS). This system guides the growth of all four classes. The class of 1990 was the first to get a standard computer. The academy also started using the Internet in the mid-1990s.
During the Gulf War, alumnus General Schwarzkopf led the Allied Forces. Many American generals in Iraq and Afghanistan were also West Point graduates. After the September 11 attacks, many more people applied to the academy. Campus security increased. The courses were changed to include studies on terrorism and military drills in city areas. One graduate died in the 9/11 attacks. Ninety graduates have died in operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Global War on Terror. The Class of 2005 is called "The Class of 9/11." The attacks happened during their first year. They graduated 911 students. In 2008, West Point changed the words in its songs "Alma Mater" and "The Corps" to be gender-neutral. This meant lines like "The men of the Corps" became "The ranks of the Corps."
In 2020, the campus faced the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes were limited. The traditional Army-Navy football game was moved to West Point. This was to ensure social distancing. It was the first time in many years the game was held there. West Point beat Navy 15–0.
West Point Campus
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The academy is about 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City. It is on the west bank of the Hudson River. West Point is a federal military area in Orange County. It is next to Highland Falls. Because of its importance in the American Revolution and as a military academy, most of the area became a National Historic Landmark in 1960. In 1841, Charles Dickens visited and said it was a beautiful and fitting place. One of the most visited spots is Trophy Point. It overlooks the Hudson River. It has cannons from past wars and the Stanford White-designed Battle Monument. The entire military area is 15,974 acres (65 km2). But the main academic area, called "central area," can be explored on foot.
In 1902, the firm Cram, Goodhue, and Ferguson designed many buildings. They used a neogothic style, which is still seen today. Most buildings in the central cadet area are in this style. A good example is the Cadet Chapel, finished in 1910. These buildings are made from gray and black granite. Barracks built in the 1960s also copied this style. Other buildings, like older faculty homes, are in Federal, Georgian, or English Tudor styles. Some, like Cullum Hall, are Neoclassical.
The academy grounds have many monuments and statues. The Plain, the main parade ground, has the most. These include the Washington Monument, Thayer Monument, Eisenhower Monument, and MacArthur Monument. The Patton Monument was moved to make space for Jefferson Hall. There is also a statue from the French École Polytechnique outside Nininger Hall. The rest of the campus has 27 other monuments.
The West Point Cemetery is where many famous graduates and faculty are buried. This includes George Armstrong Custer, Winfield Scott, and William Westmoreland. It also holds 18 Medal of Honor recipients. Many recent graduates who died in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried here. Some older graves have large, fancy markers. The largest belongs to Egbert Viele. The cemetery also has a monument to Revolutionary War hero Margaret Corbin.
Athletic Facilities
West Point has historic sports facilities like Michie Stadium and Gillis Field House. It also has modern ones like the Lichtenberg Tennis Center. Michie Stadium recently got major upgrades for the football team. A new artificial turf field was installed in 2008.
West Point Museum
The visitor center is just outside the Thayer Gate. It offers guided tours. These tours are the only way the public can visit the academy grounds. The new Malek West Point Visitors Center opened on September 9, 2016. It is named after Frederic Malek, a distinguished graduate.
The West Point Museum is next to the visitor center. It is in the renovated Olmsted Hall. Opened in 1854, it is the oldest military museum in the country. In summer, the museum offers access to Fort Putnam and Constitution Island. Some famous items on display include George Washington's pistols and Napoleon's sword. There is also a dagger carried by Hermann Göring and a Liliput pistol that belonged to Adolf Hitler.
How West Point is Run
Academy Leadership
The leader of West Point is the Superintendent. This role is like a president of a civilian university. Recently, a lieutenant general (a three-star general) has held this position. Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland became the 61st Superintendent on June 27, 2022. The Superintendent reports directly to the Army Chief of Staff.
There are two other general officers at the academy. Brigadier General R.J. Garcia is the Commandant of Cadets. This is like a dean of students. Brigadier General Shane Reeves is the Dean of the Academic Board. This is like a provost. Brigadier General Diana Holland was the first female commandant. Brigadier General Jebb was the first female Dean. West Point has 13 academic departments. Each department is led by a colonel. These 13 colonels make up the Academic Board.
How to Get Admitted
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Candidates must be between 17 and 23 years old. They must be unmarried and have no children to support. Good high school grades and strong test scores are expected. About 68% of admitted students were in the top fifth of their high school class.
To be accepted, candidates must also pass a fitness test and a full physical exam. Up to 60 students from other countries can attend West Point. Their home countries pay for their education. One cadet from the Philippines is specifically allowed by law.
The application has two main parts. Candidates apply to West Point. They also need a nomination. Most candidates get a nomination from their U.S. Representative or Senator. Some get one from the Vice President or President.
Getting into West Point is competitive. For the Class of 2024, 7.74% of applicants were admitted. This was a total of 1232 students. Students who have attended other colleges can apply. However, they must start as a fourth-class cadet. They go through the full four-year program. Some candidates who are not selected may be offered a spot at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School. After finishing there, they can join the academy if they meet requirements.
West Point's Curriculum
West Point is a four-year college. It focuses on arts, sciences, and military training. It does not have graduate programs. There are 45 academic majors. Popular ones include foreign languages, management, history, economics, and mechanical engineering. West Point is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Most of the teachers (75%) are military officers. The other 25% are civilian professors.
A cadet's class rank helps decide their Army job after graduation. This rank is based on academic performance (55%), military leadership (30%), and physical fitness (15%).
Academics at West Point
The teaching style at West Point is called the Thayer method. Sylvanus Thayer started it. This method uses small classes and daily homework. Students are expected to learn on their own by doing homework before class. Then they discuss it together in class.
The academic program has 31 core courses. These are balanced between arts and sciences. The academy uses semesters, called "terms." Term 1 is fall, Term 2 is spring. Cadets choose their major in the spring of their first year. But all cadets take the same courses until their second year. These core courses include math, information technology, chemistry, physics, engineering, history, geography, philosophy, leadership, psychology, English, foreign language, political science, international relations, economics, and constitutional law. Some advanced cadets can skip basic classes. They can take harder courses earlier. All cadets earn a Bachelor of Science degree.
Military Training
All cadets become second lieutenants when they graduate. So, military and leadership training is part of their education. The Commandant of Cadets oversees this training. New students, called fourth-class cadets, start on Reception Day (R-day). This begins cadet basic training (CBT), also known as Beast Barracks. Many cadets find Beast Barracks the hardest part. It helps them change from civilian to military life. In their second summer, cadets do cadet field training (CFT) at Camp Buckner. Here, they learn more advanced military skills. In their third summer, they might teach CBT or CFT. Senior cadets also train at Camp Buckner. They practice for modern battle situations. Cadets can also train with active Army units around the world. They can attend schools like Airborne or Air Assault.
Active duty officers, usually captains or majors, are Company Tactical Officers (TAC Officers). They guide, train, and teach cadets good discipline. They also serve as role models. Each cadet company has one TAC. A senior Non-Commissioned Officer (TAC-NCO) helps each TAC.
The Department of Military Instruction (DMI) teaches military arts and sciences. They also plan summer training. DMI has representatives from each Army branch. These "branch reps" help cadets choose their future Army job. DMI also includes the Modern War Institute. This center studies current conflicts and how war changes.
Physical Fitness
The Department of Physical Education (DPE) runs the physical program. This includes classes, fitness tests, and sports. The head of DPE is called the Master of the Sword. This name comes from when DPE taught swordsmanship.
All cadets take physical fitness classes. These include military movement (gymnastics), boxing, survival swimming, and advanced combatives. Cadets can also take elective classes like scuba or rock climbing.
Like all soldiers, cadets must pass the Army Physical Fitness Test twice a year. They also must pass the Indoor Obstacle Course Test (IOCT) every year. DPE has given this test since 1944.
Since Douglas MacArthur was superintendent, every cadet must play a sport. This can be an intercollegiate sport, a club sport, or an intramural sport. They play one sport each semester.
Moral and Ethical Training
Cadets learn about morals and ethics throughout their time at West Point. They live by the honor code. They also have formal leadership programs. These teach military values through ethics education. There are also religious programs and guest speakers. The academy's motto, "Duty, Honor, Country," is the basis of its ethical code.
West Point's Cadet Honor Code is simple: "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." If a cadet is accused of breaking the Honor Code, they go through an investigation. If found guilty by other cadets, they face serious consequences. This can range from repeating a year to leaving the academy.
Cadet Life
Cadet Ranks and Groups
Cadets are not called freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Instead, they are called fourth class, third class, second class, and first class cadets. Informally, freshmen are plebes. Sophomores are yearlings or yuks. Juniors are cows, and seniors are firsties. The word plebe comes from the Plebeians, the lower class in ancient Rome. Yearling means a year-old animal. The term cow might come from cadets getting their first long break after their yearling year. Their return was like "the cows coming home."
The Corps of Cadets is organized like a brigade. The highest-ranking cadet is the Brigade Commander, called the First Captain. The brigade has four regiments. Each regiment has three battalions. Each battalion has three companies. Companies are named A through I, with a number for their regiment. For example, H1, H2, H3, and H4 are all "H" companies. First class cadets hold all the leadership roles. Second class cadets are cadet sergeants. Third class cadets are cadet corporals. Fourth class cadets are cadet privates.
Daily Life in the Corps
Cadets come from all 50 states and U.S. territories. West Point also has up to 60 international exchange cadets. They go through the same four-year program. Cadets attend West Point for free. The Army pays for everything. In return, they agree to serve five years of active duty and three years in the reserves after graduating.
Most graduates become second lieutenants in the Army. Foreign cadets become officers in their home countries' armies. Since 1959, cadets can also choose to join other military branches. A small number do this each year.
Cadets get a monthly payment of $1,017.00 (as of 2015). Money is taken out for uniforms, books, and meals. Cadets can use the rest as they wish. All cadets eat together in Washington Hall for breakfast and lunch on weekdays. They also have internet access on school-issued devices. In the 2016–2017 school year, there were 4,389 cadets. About 20% of the students are female.
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
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| White | 62% |
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| Black | 13% |
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| Hispanic | 12% |
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| Asian | 8% |
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| Other | 4% |
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| Foreign national | 1% |
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| Native American | 1% |
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| Economic diversity | |||
| Data not available | |||
All cadets live on campus for four years. They live in one of nine barracks buildings. Most cadets share a room with one roommate. Some rooms are for three cadets. Cadets are grouped into "companies" with letter and number codes. All members of a company live in the same barracks area. The commandant might change cadets' companies sometimes. This is called scrambling. All 4,000 cadets eat breakfast and lunch together in Washington Hall on weekdays. The Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center, rebuilt in 2004, has many fitness facilities.
Each class of cadets elects leaders. They choose a class president and other roles. They also elect a ring and crest committee. This committee designs the class's crest, which is on their class rings. Each class crest must have "USMA" and their class motto. The class motto is chosen during basic training. Mottos often rhyme or sound similar to their class year.
Cadets follow the West Point Leader Development System (WPLDS). This system explains their roles each year. They start as trainees (new cadets). Then they become CDT Privates (freshmen). They end as CDT Officers (seniors). Freshmen have no leadership roles. They learn to follow orders in a strict system. Seniors have important leadership roles and more privileges.
Activities and Traditions
Cadets have many clubs and activities. The Directorate of Cadet Activities (DCA) runs most of them. DCA supports 113 athletic and non-sport clubs. Many cadets join clubs. This gives them a break from their busy cadet life. DCA also runs three cadet restaurants, the Cadet Store, and publishes The Howitzer (yearbook) and Bugle Notes. Bugle Notes is also called the "plebe bible." It is a manual of traditions, songs, and facts about the academy. Plebes must memorize this knowledge during basic training. Upper-class cadets can ask plebes questions about this knowledge.
Each cadet class has at least one special "class weekend" each year. Fourth-class cadets have Plebe Parent Weekend in the spring. Third-class cadets celebrate Yearling Winter Weekend in February. In late January, second-class cadets celebrate 500th Night. This marks 500 days until graduation. First-class cadets have three formal events. In late August, they have Ring Weekend. In February, they celebrate 100th Night. In May, they have a week of events ending with graduation. All "class weekends" include a formal dinner and dance, called a "hop." These are held at Eisenhower Hall.
West Point Athletics
Since 1899, Army's mascot has been a mule. This animal symbolizes strength and determination. The football team is called "The Black Knights." This comes from their black uniforms. Sports media often just call the academy "Army." "On Brave Old Army Team" is the school's fight song. Army's main sports rival is the Naval Academy. This is because of their long football rivalry and general competition between the Army and Navy. Fourth-class cadets greet older cadets and faculty with "Beat Navy." A tunnel under Washington Road is even named the "Beat Navy" tunnel. Army also plays the U.S. Air Force Academy for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.
Army Football
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Army football started in 1890. Navy challenged the cadets to a game. Navy won that first game. But Army won the next year. The two academies still play each December. This is usually the last college football game of the season. In 2015, Navy won its fourteenth game in a row against Army. The next year, Army won 21–17. Army's football team was most successful under coach Earl Blaik. They won national championships in 1944, 1945, and 1946. Three Army players won the Heisman Trophy: Doc Blanchard (1945), Glenn Davis (1946), and Pete Dawkins (1958). Famous NFL coaches Vince Lombardi and Bill Parcells were Army assistant coaches early in their careers. The football team plays home games at Michie Stadium. The field is named after Earl Blaik. Cadets must attend football games. They stand for the whole game. At home games, one of the four regiments marches onto the field before the team. They lead the crowd in cheers.
Other Sports at West Point
West Point has a long history in other NCAA sports. Army is part of the Division I Patriot League for most sports. Its men's ice hockey team plays in Atlantic Hockey. John P. Riley Jr. coached hockey at West Point for over 35 years. Every year, Army plays the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) Paladins in a hockey game. This series started in 1923.
The men's lacrosse team has won eight national championships. They have been in the NCAA tournament sixteen times. The 2005–06 women's basketball team won the Patriot League tournament. They went to the 2006 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament. This was the first time any Army basketball team went to the March Madness tournament. The coach, Maggie Dixon, sadly died soon after at age 28. Bob Knight, a very successful men's basketball coach, started his career at Army in the 1960s. One of his players, Mike Krzyzewski, later coached Army before becoming famous at Duke.
About 15% of cadets play on a club sport team. West Point has 24 club sports teams. They have won national championships in judo, boxing, orienteering, and other sports.
Most students (about 65%) play intramural sports. These are called "company athletics" at the academy. The DPE's Competitive Sports committee runs these programs. They were named one of the "15 Most Influential Sports Education Teams in America." In the fall, they compete in basketball, flag-football, soccer, and wrestling. In the spring, they play combative grappling, floor hockey, and swimming. Each company also enters a team in the annual Sandhurst Competition. This is a military skills event.
West Point Traditions
West Point has many old traditions because it is an old school that trains Army officers. Here are some special traditions.
Cullum Number
The Cullum number is a special ID number for each graduate. George Washington Cullum (Class of 1833) created it in 1850. He started writing biographies of every graduate. He gave number one to the first graduate, Joseph Gardner Swift. Then he numbered all graduates in order. Before he died in 1892, he finished three books. These books covered classes from 1802 to 1850. From 1802 to 1977, graduates were listed by their class rank. Starting with the Class of 1978, they are listed alphabetically. Some graduates have an "A" after their number. This means they were missed from the original lists. Former cadets who attended but did not graduate also get Cullum numbers, but in a different way.
Class Ring Tradition
West Point started the tradition of the class ring for colleges. The class of 1835 was the first to have rings. Before 1917, cadets could design much of their ring. Now, only the center stone can be changed. One side of the ring has the academy crest. The other side has the class crest. The center stone has "West Point" and the class year. The academy library has a large collection of cadet rings. Senior cadets get their rings during Ring Weekend in the fall of their senior year. After they get their rings, freshmen gather around them. They ask to touch the rings. After the cadets say a poem called the Ring Poop, the senior usually lets the freshmen touch the ring. Since 2002, old class rings are melted down. Some of the gold is mixed with new gold to make rings for each new senior class.
Thayer Award
West Point gives out the Sylvanus Thayer Award every year since 1958. This award honors a great citizen. Their service and achievements show the academy's motto: "Duty, Honor, Country." The person receiving the award cannot be a graduate of West Point. Many famous Americans have received this award. These include George H. W. Bush, Colin Powell, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Ronald Reagan.
Sedgwick's Spurs
A statue of Civil War Union General John Sedgwick stands near the Plain. Sedgwick's bronze statue has spurs that spin freely. Legend says that if a cadet is about to fail a class, they should wear their full-dress uniform the night before the final exam. The cadet visits the statue and spins the spurs at midnight. Then, the cadet runs back to the barracks as fast as possible. The legend says if Sedgwick's ghost catches them, they will fail. If not, they will pass. Being out of their rooms after midnight is against rules. But this tradition is sometimes overlooked.
Goat-Engineer Game
Before the Navy football game, the Corps of Cadets plays the Goat-Engineer game. It started in 1907. It is a game between the "Goats" (the lower half of the senior class academically) and the "Engineers" (the top half). They play with pads and helmets using eight-man football rules. The game has been played in different places. Legend says Army will beat Navy if the Goats win. If the Engineers win, Army will lose. In recent years, female cadets also play a flag football game. So now there are two Goat-Engineer games on the same night.
Walking the Area
Since the academy's early days, a punishment for breaking rules is called punishment tours. Cadets call this "hours." They must walk for a certain number of hours as punishment. They get hours based on how serious the rule break was. Being late to class might be 5 hours. More serious actions could be 60 to 80 hours. Cadets wear their dress gray uniform and walk back and forth in a special area of the barracks courtyard, called "Central Area." Cadets who often get in trouble and spend many weekends walking are called "area birds." Cadets who walk over 100 hours in their time at West Point are called "Century Men." Another punishment is "fatigue tours." This means working off hours by doing manual labor, like cleaning. Cadets whose grades are low might do "sitting tours." They study in a special room for hours. Their uniforms are checked before tours start. This inspection is part of the punishment. Sometimes, if uniforms are perfect, cadets might be excused from tours that day. Another tradition is that any visiting head of state can grant "amnesty." This releases all cadets from their remaining punishment hours.
Sandhurst Military Skills Competition
In 1967, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst gave West Point a British Army officer's sword. This was for a military skills competition at West Point. In 2019, the Sandhurst competition lasted two days. Teams from West Point, ROTC programs, and other U.S. service academies competed. International academies from the UK, Canada, Australia, and Ireland have also won.
Notable West Point Alumni
An unofficial saying at West Point is: "Much of the history we teach was made by people we taught." Graduates call themselves "The Long Gray Line." This comes from the academy's song "The Corps." Almost 65,000 people have graduated from West Point. This includes two Presidents of the United States: Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Also, Jefferson Davis, who was president of the Confederate States of America. Four foreign leaders also graduated: Anastasio Somoza Debayle (Nicaragua), Fidel V. Ramos (Philippines), José María Figueres (Costa Rica), and Hun Manet (Cambodia).
Military Leaders
West Point has produced many famous leaders since 1802. During the Civil War, a West Point graduate led one or both armies in every major battle. These included Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. George Armstrong Custer graduated last in his class of 1861. The Spanish–American War saw the first combat for Lt. John "Gatling Gun" Parker. He was the first Army officer to use machine guns to support infantry.
In World War I, alumni included General of the Armies John J. Pershing. Many famous World War II generals were West Point alumni. These include Henry H. Arnold, Omar Bradley, Douglas MacArthur, and George S. Patton. Many of these also led forces in the Korean War. During the Vietnam War, notable generals included Creighton Abrams and William Westmoreland. West Point also produced recent famous generals and statesmen. These include Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr., David Petraeus, and Lloyd Austin.
A total of 76 graduates have received the Medal of Honor. West Point has also graduated 18 NASA astronauts. Five of them went to the moon.
Business Leaders
West Point has become known for producing successful business leaders. Many alumni have become CEOs. Notable alumni include:
- Jim Kimsey, who founded AOL.
- Bob McDonald, former CEO of Procter & Gamble.
- Alex Gorsky, CEO of Johnson & Johnson.
- Keith McLoughlin, President and CEO of Electrolux.
- Jeffrey W. Martin, CEO of Sempra Energy.
- Alden Partridge, who founded Norwich University.
Sports Figures
West Point has contributed to sports. Three graduates have won the Heisman Trophy: Glenn Davis, Doc Blanchard, and Pete Dawkins. Abner Doubleday, who some once thought invented baseball, graduated from West Point in 1842.
Government Officials
Many West Point alumni have held important government jobs. These include Brent Scowcroft, who was National Security Advisor for two presidents. Also, Eric Shinseki, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs. West Point graduate Frank Medina helped lead the campaign for the Congressional Gold Medal for the 65th Infantry Regiment.
West Point is fifth among American universities for total Rhodes Scholarships. It is seventh for Marshall Scholarships and fourth for Hertz Fellowships. The official alumni group is the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG).
Images for kids
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Haldane at West Point sometime before the Great War.
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Richard Haldane leaving reviewing grounds with Clarence Page Townsley: Capt E.R Householder; Capt E.R. Gregory
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Robert E. Lee, American Civil War general who graduated from West Point and later served as its superintendent from 1852 to 1855
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The Corps of Cadets assembled with facemasks for the 2020 Army-Navy game.
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