College Profile: United States Military Academy

The United States Military Academy (also known as USMA, West Point, "The Point" or, for collegiate athletic purposes, Army) is a United States Army post and service academy. West Point was the first United States military post built after the Declaration of Independence. In its inception, it was under the command of Benedict Arnold. Established by Thomas Jefferson in 1802, it is the oldest military academy in the United States. Students are referred to as cadets. Collectively, graduates are known as "The Long Gray Line" because of the color of cadet uniforms and the unbroken line of West Point graduates. West Point trains more United States Army officers than any other single institution and a high proportion of distinguished American generals have been West Point graduates. Currently, over 900 graduates are commissioned as U.S. Army second lieutenants every year, representing 25% of new second lieutenants commissioned. The Academy is located at West Point, New York, on a scenic overlook of the Hudson River, about 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City. ( 41°23′38″N, 73°57′16″W). Occupying over 16,000 acres (65 km²), it is one of the largest school campuses in the world. By comparison, the United States Naval Academy is 338 acres (1.37 km²) and United States Air Force Academy is 18,000 acres (73 km²). Its unique combination of facilities includes a ski slope and artillery range, in addition to the academic buildings and sports facilities found on a typical university campus. The post itself was first occupied in 1778; it is thus the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States. The campus and central post area comprise only a small portion of the reservation. The United States Military Academy West Point accomplishes its mission by developing cadets in four critical areas: intellectual, physical, military, and moral-ethical. The four-year process is called the "West Point Experience." The foundation of the ethical code at West Point is found in the Academy's motto, "Duty, Honor, Country." Cadets also develop ethically by adhering to the Cadet Honor Code, which states "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." The 4,000 members of the Corps of Cadets represent every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries. About 1,200 New Cadets enter the Academy on Reception Day each year (about July 1st). Upon graduation, cadets are awarded Bachelor of Science degrees and commissions in the United States Army. They serve on active duty for a minimum of five years.

 

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