Frequently Asked Questions

A. We are a symbol of what this country was founded on, and have produced some of our nation's finest leaders throughout history.

A.  It develops leaders of character.  It produces the best leaders this nation and world have to offer.
 

A.  I was compelled to serve my country in some capacity, and I knew I wanted to pursue higher education. The choice was really very simple. What better way to accomplish both things? The academics here are unmatched. This experience is completely unique. After West Point I will be given a huge amount of responsibility.but that.s what my country has asked of me.

A.  I came to West Point for the commission rather than for the degree. I spent 2 years enlisted as a paratrooper, deployed once to Afghanistan, became a junior NCO; throughout those two years I decided a) I wanted to go back to school and continue my education, and b) I wanted to get a Commission and become an Officer, both for the leadership it entails and the increased paycheck. I didn't have any college credit hours, so OCS wasn't a possibility for me. West Point became my challenge school, my ambitious goal; I expected to do an ROTC program at a public university whose acceptance standards would be at the same level as my not-so-great high school grades. Thankfully, my Army experience and the maturity I gained over the two years proved to be more important to the USMA Admission Board than my high school grades. 

A. There are plenty of commissioning sources if you want to become an Army Officer. However, soldiers rarely ask "where did you get your commission from" - more often, it's "Did you go to West Point, sir?" ROTC programs at other colleges and universities are still a great place to learn and to hone your military and leadership skills, but don't have the same resources or tried and refined experience as the Academy.

A.  I wanted to come to West Point to follow my father's military career. Although he is not a USMA graduate, I still feel that I should serve my country when they need me the most.

A.  I decided to come to West Point to fulfill a sense of obligation to protect and give back to a country that has provided many opportunities to me. 

A.  I decided to come to West Point after my second visit to the campus. I thought it was beautiful, and I loved having the chance to meet cadets and instructors. Everyone seemed to positive and motivated, and that was an environment I wanted to become a part of.

A.  I figured that after this Country offered my parents and me a plethora of opportunities, it was just to give thanks by serving in the Army. Plus, as a first-generation American, I can start my American heritage with a bang.

A.  I always wanted to join the service in some fashion, and West Point provided the perfect opportunity to serve, get a great education, and push myself to grow as a person. 

A. I wanted to be in the Army.   I wanted to be an officer in the Army and I wanted to go to the school that would help me achieve that the best.

A.  I love the challenge and seeing just how far I can push myself, in addition to the fact that I am dedicated to serving my country.

A.  I wanted a better life for myself and my future family.  Being a West Point Grad is one of the highest achievements.

A.  I wanted to have a story to tell that differed from my family's.  I'm the first to attend an Academy, and I did not want to follow the path that I felt everyone expected me to.

A.  West Point is different than other colleges and universities because of the amount of dedication that Cadets and instructors have to educating and training Cadets to prepare for the responsibilities of officership, rather than preparing for some sort of career in the private sector. 

A.  West Point provides a deep understanding of discipline and order. It provides multiple challenges, sometimes in a course of a day you can feel drained. Speaking to my friends back in Texas I realize I do so much more that can prepare me for the future. Each night I go to sleep knowing that I have conquered another challenging day. 

A.  West point focuses on developing a person not only academically, but also physically and militarily.  Most people only challenge themselves in one area, but West Point allows cadets to challenge themselves in all facets.  Also, because of the lack of distractions, West Point is in the middle of nowhere, you can focus on exactly what your job is. 

A.  Everything! You realize how different it is after your first holiday at home, when you talk to your friends. They complain about 8:30 classes, but at West Point, no one sleeps later than 6:30 and we have our first mandatory event (breakfast formation) before 7. As a plebe, most of your friends can't believe the sort of stuff you have to put up with, like cupping your hands, greeting, and maintaining strictly professional relationships with upperclassmen. Then there's the fact that we take more credits a semester than the majority of people at normal colleges--so, on top of all the additional responsibilities we take on, we also have to balance more classes. But, in the end, I think it's safe to say West Point puts out a better product.

A.  At West Point, there is a brotherhood like no other.  A grad from 1985, from 1999, and from 2005  automatically have something to talk about, and you can just instantly talk to someone in your class, even if you've never met before, because they have gone through the same trials as yourself.  I never felt this "vibe" while at other colleges.  Another is the history.  Every brick and stone has a reason for being at USMA.  Some colleges have history, but its not as evident as West Point.

A.  The difference between West Point and other colleges and universities is the fact that students are pushed on all levels. Students are forced to focus on their weaknesses and improve them instead of pushing them to the side (which would be possible at other institutions). 

A.  This year I learned that I should stop worrying about what people thought of me and focus on completing the tasks that were placed in front of me. 

A.  I learned that when more is asked of me, I can successfully meet challenges. The Army will never stop asking more and more from me. I am confident that I will not disappoint the Army. Both they and I cannot afford anything less. 

A.   I have learned that I need to be able to interact with and depend on others to accomplish anything. 

A.  West Point has been the most humbling and the most empowering experience of my life. I've learned hard work at a whole new level.

A. The only way to grow as a person is to push yourself.  A person must be internally motivated in order for any external motivation to have an effect.  Those who are intrinsically internally motivated will rise to the top of whatever they do. 

A.  Following orders.  Everyone who comes here is an independent person, but you are forced to put that aside to follow those higher ranking than you.  Even if you feel that there is a better way, you have to set aside your leadership role and learn to be a follower first. 

A.   Leading my peers has proved to be the most difficult challenge. Even if the task was menial.such as organizing laundry pickup and delivery.peers hold each other to a higher standard. People do not like it when one of their peers wastes their time. Motivating a peer to do something your way as opposed to their way, especially when your authority is more or less arbitrary, has been my hardest leadership experience.

A.  The most challenging experience at West Point is having the full knowledge the length of the commitment to the military and what that entails.

A.  Beast Barracks. 

A.  The live fire station definitely seemed hard for me. I hadn.t been accustomed to holding a gun, therefore shooting all over the place seemed a bit challenging at first. However, throughout the six weeks I learned how to cope with the feeling and get used to guns. 

A.  Prioritizing what is important is the greatest challenge at West Point, as well as remaining calm, even when overwhelmed with work.  They always seem to give too much to do, but most of the time you find a way to get it done. 

A.  I would say getting through every day is challenging. Some days are harder than others, but you just have to remember why you came to the academy and everything will work out.

A.  My most challenging experience at West Point was the 13 mile ruck march. I only weigh 103 pounds and the ruck that I was carrying was about half my weight along with the combination of being extremely tired and having a swollen ankle was not the ideal condition for me to continue my march. However, with the help of my dear prepster buddies I was able to continue on and push until the very end. 

A.  Someone who personally and professionally cares for each individual he or she is in charge of, and who takes the time to make sure each subordinate is getting the most complete experience.

A.  An ideal leader of character has a great personality and while doing his/her job, still manages to capture the respect of his/her subordinates.

A.  A leader of character admits when he has done something wrong.  He doesn't need to make it seem like it's an easy thing to admit, it actually helps to see that his is human if he struggles with it.  A leader of character also takes the time to learn about his subordinates and to find out as much as he can about a situation.  Approach for Clarification is an important tool in this case. 

What is your favorite aspect of the West Point Experience?

A.  The friendships you forge, especially during CBT (Cadet Basic Training).  You go through so much with your CBT platoon, and its great when you are able to get back together with them and recount all the stupid, funny, and life-changing stories.  You learn to put so much trust in the people around you during CBT, and that trust leads to some amazing friendships.

A.  The people we meet. Everyone is so unique and with so many backgrounds a cadet dives into a pool of different cultures and personalities. Getting to know the roommates and company mates is a fulfilling experience. 

A. The best part about West Point is the friendships that you develop throughout the experience.  You make friends you know you could count on any time. 

A.  Growing accustomed to the idea that I am serving people from coast to coast and that they recognize and thank me for dedication and commitment.

A.  Being a part of a fraternity.  I'll be just walking along, and some random upperclassmen will stop me and ask me about my day.  I've never been a part of an organization like that, and it's a wonderful feeling to know that no matter what, someone is always looking out for you. 

A.  The Thayer Method is the best part, to me, because it forces me to learn a lot before my classes take place and increases my comprehension.  I think its an effective learning tool.  Also, in the real Army, we aren't going to be spoon-fed the information we will need to accomplish missions.  We need to have the smarts to figure things out on our own, which the Thayer method encourages.

A. The small student to teacher ratio makes it easy to ask for help, and the instructors are always willing to help outside of class whenever you are available. 

A.  Additional Instruction is the best part of the academic program here at West Point because it shows your teachers where you are struggling so they can help you understand the material and succeed.

A.  The best part of the Academic Program is the teachers. eagerness to help the students. I realize that anytime I need help my teacher is available.

A.  The academic program pushes me more than any other pillar of the West Point program so I am constantly learning what I can do with 20-30 minutes and who I am when I am under lots of stress.

A.  All the available help.  Some comes from the instructors, and some from the upperclassmen.  There's also the Center for Enhanced Performance, where they will do anything to help you.  And even if you're struggling, there is always someone who can help you.  No one ever says, I don't know, or no, I can't help you.  If they aren't available, they'll tell you who is. 

A.  I would say that having a leadership position during the academic year has been the most rewarding for me, I love being a team leader and watching my plebe develop and improve, as well as help him with everything I can. 

A.  The wide variety of training and wealth of resources sets West Point apart from other ROTC programs. Summer training involves much planning and coordination and is unmatched by any single institution. This is important to me because I know I am getting the most out of my officer candidate experience.

A.  The best part of the military program is the different leadership roles Cadets can assume during the academic year. Dealing with one's own issues as well as others' is a very challenging experience. 

A. The summer training is the most critical part of the Military Program.  The military training is what we will use once we become Army officers, so in my opinion it is the most important training.  (2011)

A.  I feel that it.s a fantastic idea to have cadets run and facilitate certain events. That way both of us, leaders and subordinates, learn a bit from each other through our shared experiences.

A.  I love the military program it is directly related to my profession and is hands on training, which benefits me more than anything else.  I would probably have to say the best part is the training is being taught by combat vets who know their stuff.

A.  I like that the training here is practically unlimited, my brother who is an NCO in the Marine Corps has never gotten the chance to do most if not all of the training I can get here.

What is the best part of the Physical Program and why is it important for you?

A.  The best part of the physical program is the diversity. No one can be fully prepared for the array of athletic challenges swimming, boxing, gymnastics, the Indoor Obstacle Course Test, and the Army Physical Fitness Test have to offer. 

A.  Plebe year PE classes (survival swimming, boxing, and military movement.formerly known as gymnastics) were a lot of fun and were a good learning experience. They were important to me because they increased my physical confidence through activities I had never done before, such as swimming with full military gear or climbing a rope.

A.  The intramurals are the best part because they have a wide variety of sports to choose from and it is a good distraction from the academics. 

A.  The best part of the Physical Program is the Company athletics. I believe it.s an excellent way to interact with the rest of the company and build a great camaraderie.

A.  The best part of the physical program is that everyone plays a sport all the time.  This encourages good fittness and stimulates a healthy competitive atmosphere.

A.  The best part of the physical program is the running, I am a fairly strong runner, but the program here during Beast and in intramurals really makes me that much of a better runner.

A.  The Honor and Respect Programs set West Point apart from any other institution because of the high standards maintained in the programs. While one would like to think they are unnecessary, they are essential to shaping behavior appropriately. 

A.  The Honor and Respect Programs are so essential because the Army is such a huge and diverse community, and officers are trusted to uphold the standards.  The Honor and Respect programs give us the strong foundation in character necessary to be a great leader.

A. The Honor program allows students to have complete trust in someone.  It helps create the close bonds that you forge between all of your friends and classmates. 

A.  It elevates the type of college life and it builds trust. It helps develop cadets into leaders of character.

A.  Honor and Respect are synonymous at West Point.  Without them, we cannot function as future officers and leaders.  The programs don't merely teach the definition, they also explain how to handle an uncomfortable situation, how best to address an honor or respect issue, and when something is appropriate in one setting versus another.  And the Honor Code is not something to be afraid of.  It's a tool to help cadets choose the right decision.  If you ask yourself if this violates the Honor Code, then you can make better ethical choices by considering the outcome.

A.  I chose to major in Human Geography. The coursework is mainly cultural, which interests me, and is important when in a war zone like Iraq or Afghanistan, where knowing the people, the religion, the lifestyle is all quintessential to winning hearts, minds and trust. West Point has a HUGE number of international trips, called Advanced Individual Academic Developments. Within the Geography department, there are dozens of trips planned, including but not limited to Japan, Russia, Vietnam, the Balkans, India, Egypt, Tanzania, Brazil, Four Corners (USA) - all of these trips are designed on advanced study of physical geography and cultural immersion; no other school has opportunities like that.

A.  I am an Environmental Geography and Foreign Area Studies: Latin America double major. I chose Environmental Geography because I have always been fascinated with the Earth and locations around the globe. I chose Latin American Foreign Area Studies because it allowed me to continue to build my Spanish skills I had learned in high school as well as allow me to interpret Latin American culture using political and historical approaches.

A.  My major is Systems Engineering because it is a well respected program focused on decision making and involves both management and engineering skills. 

A.  I chose to major in German since I already had a strong background in that language. I love the Department of Foreign Languages; they are dedicated to seeing us succeed. 

A.  My favorite club at West Point is the Triathlon Team because it allows Cadets a chance to compete against themselves, their teammates, and other college teams and train themselves much more than physically. 

A.  The Combat Weapons Team is my favorite club because I am able to work with a wide variety of agencies and gain a broad training background. 

A.  I am on the Corps Squad Women's Basketball team, and that is my favorite activity here!

A.  I am a leader in the Infantry Tactics Club, and I like it because it allows me to get extra leadership experience outside my normal positions.  We are given the opportunity to familiarize ourselves further with small unit tactics and the inner-workings of a light infantry platoon.  Also, we get to go places like Ft. Bragg and Ft. Drum to expand our training.

A.  My favorite club is the Model Arab League.  We are quite similar to Model United Nations yet it deals with issues facing the Arab League of States.  I have learned so much about the Arab states and about politics in the past 2 and a half months that I am excited to continue with the club.

A.  The Creative Writer's Forum is a fun way to express yourself.  There's a yearly publication called the "Circle in the Spiral."  You can send in essays, short stories, poetry, and pictures too, so it covers all kinds of mediums.  Because its a Fine Arts Club, it often intersects with other Clubs, such as the Opera Forum, African American Arts Forum, and many others. 

A.  I learned that although I was tired, hungry, and missing home, I was still able to push through and succeed. 

A.  I learned that overcoming challenges are rewarding. You can push yourself to a accomplish more. Plus, learned that I can keep a pretty positive attitude during stressful times.

A.  That I really did want to be at West Point.  Unsure at first, my time at BEAST, making friends and learning about the military, reassured my decision to not only come to West Point, but also to be in the military.

A.  I learned that even if I am not the strongest or the smartest, or the best at helping in the squad, I was part of a team.  Knowing that I was included in my squad gave me a feeling of belonging that I always wanted to feel in the civilian world, but never could. 

A.  It's a complete mental game.  Nothing is too difficult physically, but the length of the training (6 weeks) is the most wearing part of the summer. 

A.  I learned that no matter the attitude of the group of individuals going into the mission, the individuals will inevitably come together to cooperate to accomplish each particular mission. 

A.  I learned that I can make friends with anybody. No matter what challenges West Point throws at me and my classmates, we can overcome them together. Camaraderie is real here.

That competence goes a long way.  During our introduction to patrolling phase, I was a team leader in my squad and by the end of the three days I was unofficially running the platoon.  People follow the person who knows what they're talking about, so take advantage of the opportunities to learn what you can about your job.

A.  As CBT Cadre I learned to suck it up for the good of the team.  There were days when we were sleeping in the mud getting rained on, and everyone was sucking.  As SL I couldn't complain to my peers or those under me because that would accomplish nothing past making the situation worse.  By sucking it up and driving on, it both increased the morale of the group and allowed us to focus on training rather than complaining.

A.  One lesson I learned from my cadre is to always Approach for Clarification.  A cadre member got mad at me because I and a squad member were seen as disrespectful to each other.  Really, we were just kidding with each other because we had that rapport, but the cadre saw it as disrespectful.  Rather than pull us aside and tell us to stop that though, he chose to give us bad grades in respect and even went so far as to say we would need respect counseling.  Even though he preached to us "Approach for Clarification" during respect briefings, he did not follow himself.