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{{Organization
|OrganizationName=United States Military Academy at West Point
|OrganizationType=Educational Institution
|Mission=To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army.
|CreationLegislation=An Act of Congress on March 16, 1802
|Employees=1700
|OrganizationExecutive=Superintendent
|Services=Undergraduate education; Military training; Leadership development; Cadet character development
|HeadquartersLocation=41.38914, -73.95681
|HeadquartersAddress=606 Thayer Road, West Point, NY 10996
|Website=https://www.westpoint.edu
}}
{{short description|U.S. Army federal service academy in West Point, New York}}

The '''United States Military Academy''' ('''USMA''', '''West Point''', or '''Army'''<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.si.com/college-football/2015/04/13/army-football-new-uniforms-logo|title=Army unveils new name, uniforms and logo in athletics rebrand |first = S. I. |last=Wire |website = SI.com |date=13 April 2015 }}</ref>) is a [[United States service academies|United States service academy]] in [[West Point, New York]]. It was originally established as a fort during the American Revolutionary War, as it sits on strategic high ground overlooking the [[Hudson River]] {{convert|50|mi|km|0|sp=us}} north of [[New York City]]. The academy was founded in 1802, and it is the oldest of the five American service academies and educates cadets for [[Commission (document)#United States|commissioning]] into the [[United States Army]]. The academic program grants the [[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. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is classified as a [[liberal arts college]] by [[U.S. News & World Report|U.S. News]] and is ranked #8 in the 2025 edition of the Best Colleges in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category.

Candidates for admission must apply directly to the academy and receive a nomination, usually from a member of Congress. Other nomination sources include the president and vice president.<ref>United States Military Academy, West Point. [http://www.usma.edu/admissions/sitepages/apply_nominations.aspx "West Point Admissions"].</ref> Students are officers-in-training and are referred to as "[[Cadet|cadets]]" or collectively as the "United States Corps of Cadets" (USCC). The Army fully funds tuition for cadets in exchange for an active duty service obligation upon graduation. About 1,300 cadets enter the academy each July, with about 1,000 cadets graduating. 

The academy's traditions have influenced other institutions because of its age and unique mission. It was the first American college to have an accredited [[civil engineering]] program and the first to have [[class rings]], and its technical curriculum became a model for [[engineering]] schools. West Point's student body has a unique rank structure and lexicon. The academy fields 15 men's and nine women's [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) sports teams. Cadets compete in one sport every fall, winter, and spring season at the intramural, club, or intercollegiate level. Its [[Army Black Knights football|football team]] was a national power in the early and mid-20th&nbsp;century, winning three national championships. Among the country's public institutions, the academy is the top producer of [[Marshall Scholarship|Marshall]] and [[Rhodes Scholarship|Rhodes]] scholars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marshallscholarship.org/about/statistics|title=Statistics|website=www.marshallscholarship.org|access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/office-of-the-american-secretary/us-winners/colleges-and-universities-of-all-us-rhodes-scholars-over-time/|title=US Rhodes Scholars Over Time|website=www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2 November 2020}}</ref> Its alumni are collectively referred to as "The Long Gray Line," which include U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and [[Ulysses S. Grant]]; [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] President [[Jefferson Davis]]; Confederate general [[Robert E. Lee]]; American poet [[Edgar Allan Poe]]; U.S. generals [[Douglas MacArthur]] and [[George S. Patton|George Patton]]; presidents of [[Costa Rica]], [[Nicaragua]], and the [[Philippines]]; and 76 Medal of Honor recipients.

== History ==
{{Main|History of the United States Military Academy}}
{{For|USMA archives|National Archives and Records Administration #Affiliated facilities}}

=== Colonial period, founding, and early years ===
[[File:Plan des forts, batteries et poste de West-Point, 1780 (2674338525) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|French map of West Point in 1780]]<!--This image is being kept at this resolution instead of using the "upright" designation due to the awkward shape of the image IAW WP:IMAGE, WP:IAR, and WP:MOS-->
The [[Continental Army]] first occupied West Point, New York, on 27 January 1778,{{sfnp|Crackel|1991|p=41}} and it is the oldest continuously operating Army post in the United States.{{sfnp|Palka|Malinowski|2008|p=viii}} Between 1778 and 1780, the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Polish]] engineer and military hero [[Tadeusz Kościuszko]] oversaw the construction of the garrison defenses.{{sfnp|Crackel|1991|p=44}} However, Kościuszko's plan of a system of small forts did not meet with the approval of New York Governor (and General) [[George Clinton (vice president)|George Clinton]] or the other general officers. It was determined that a battery along the river to "annoy the shipping" was more appropriate, and Washington's chief engineer, [[Rufus Putnam]], directed the construction of a major fortification on a hill {{convert|500|ft}} above sea level that commanded the West Point plain. General Alexander McDougall named it [[Fort Putnam]].<ref>Hubbard, Robert Ernest. ''General Rufus Putnam: George Washington's Chief Military Engineer and the "Father of Ohio,"'' pp.64–72, McFarland & Company, Inc., Jefferson, North Carolina, 2020. {{ISBN|978-1-4766-7862-7}}.</ref> The Great [[Hudson River Chain]] and high ground above the narrow "S" curve in the river enabled the [[Continental Army]] to prevent the [[Royal Navy]] from sailing upriver and dividing Patriot forces in the Northern colonies from the south.{{sfnp|Crackel|2002|p=13}}{{sfnp|Crackel|1991|pp=37–45}} While the fortifications at West Point were known as Fort Arnold during the war, as commander, [[Benedict Arnold]] committed his act of [[treason]], attempting to turn the fort over to the British.<ref name="treason">{{cite web |title = Benedict Arnold |publisher=Independence Hall Association |url = http://www.ushistory.org/ValleyForge/served/arnold.html |access-date =14 December 2008 }}</ref><ref name=SpyLetters>{{cite web |title = Spies of the American Revolution |publisher=University of Michigan |url = http://www.si.umich.edu/SPIES/stories-arnold-2.html |access-date = 14 December 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080521130100/http://www.si.umich.edu/SPIES/stories-arnold-2.html |archive-date = 21 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> After Arnold betrayed the patriot cause, the Army changed the name of the fortifications at West Point, New York, to [[Fort Clinton (West Point)|Fort Clinton]], named after General [[James Clinton]].<ref name="treason" /> With the peace after the American Revolutionary War, various ordnance and military stores were left deposited at West Point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsp&fileName=016/llsp016.db&recNum=51 |title=A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 – 1875 |publisher=Memory.loc.gov |access-date=30 December 2013 }}</ref>

[[File:The American Soldier 1805.jpg|thumb|Artillery cadet in 1805, wearing a mixture of commissioned and non-commissioned uniforms prescribed for artillery cadets]]
"Cadets" underwent training in artillery and engineering studies at the garrison since 1794.<ref name="earlyyears">{{cite web |title=The Early Years|work=USMA Bicentennial|publisher=United States Military Academy |url=http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1776.asp |access-date=16 December 2008|archive-date=3 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703035109/http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1776.asp}}</ref> During the [[Quasi-War]], [[Alexander Hamilton]] laid out plans for the establishment of a military academy at West Point and introduced "A Bill for Establishing a Military Academy" in the House of Representatives.{{sfnp|Chernow|2004|p=565|ps={{cnf|date=December 2024}}}} In 1801, shortly after his inauguration as president, [[Thomas Jefferson]] directed that plans be set in motion to establish at West Point the United States Military Academy.{{sfnp|McDonald|2004|p=191}} He selected [[Jonathan Williams (engineer)|Jonathan Williams]] to serve as its first superintendent.{{sfnp|McDonald|2004|p=134}} Congress formally authorized the establishment and funding of the school with the [[Military Peace Establishment Act|Military Peace Establishment Act of 1802]], which Jefferson signed on 16 March.{{sfnp|Ambrose|1966|p=22}} The academy officially commenced operations on 4 July 1802.{{sfnp|McDonald|2004|p=184}} The academy graduated [[Joseph Gardner Swift]], its first official graduate, in October 1802. He later returned as Superintendent from 1812 to 1814.<ref name="earlyyears"/> In its tumultuous early years, the academy featured few standards for admission or length of study. Cadets ranged in age from 10 years to 37 years and attended between 6&nbsp;months to 6&nbsp;years.<ref name="earlyyears"/> The impending [[War of 1812]] caused the [[United States Congress]] to authorize a more formal system of education at the academy and increased the size of the Corps of Cadets to 250.<ref name="earlyyears"/>

[[File:Thayer Statue at West Point.JPG|left|thumb|upright|Thayer monument]]
In 1817, [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] [[Sylvanus Thayer]] became the Superintendent and established the curriculum, elements of which are still in use {{as of | 2020 | lc = on}}. Thayer instilled strict disciplinary standards, set a standard course of academic study, and emphasized honorable conduct.  He was very much inspired by the curriculum of the French {{Lang|fr|[[École Polytechnique]]|italic=no}} where he had been sent upon his demand for two years in order to study the scientific and technological achievements developed by the French Republican faction and bring them back to the United States. Known as the "Father of the Military Academy," he is honored with a monument on campus for the profound impact he had upon the academy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/westpoint/history_1a1.html |title=Sylvanus Thayer |publisher=Smithsonian National Museum of American History|access-date=17 December 2008}}</ref>{{sfnp|Atkinson|1989|p=54}} Founded as a school of engineering, for the first half of the 19th&nbsp;century, USMA produced graduates who gained recognition for engineering the bulk of the nation's initial railway lines, bridges, harbors and roads.{{sfnp|McMaster|1951|p=6}}{{sfnp|Endler|1998|p=12}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/westpoint/history_1a.html |title=A School for the Nation|publisher=Smithsonian National Museum of American History|access-date=10 January 2009}}</ref> The academy was the only engineering school in the country until the founding of [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]] in 1824. It was so successful in its engineering curriculum that it significantly influenced every American engineering school founded prior to the [[United States Civil War|Civil War]].{{sfnp|McMaster|1951|p=6}}{{sfnp|Endler|1998|p=12}}<ref>{{cite book |author1=Brubacher, John |author2=Rudy, Willis |title=Higher Education in Transition |publisher=Transaction Publishers|year=1997 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0O1yXnXkWIsC&q=military+academy+engineering+college+history&pg=PP11|access-date=19 January 2009|isbn=978-1-56000-917-7}}</ref>

[[File:West Point, from Phillipstown, 1831.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15 |left|''West Point, from Phillipstown'' (1831) engraving by W. J. Bennett showing the original buildings of the United States Military Academy]]
In 1835, during the Army's first year of the [[Second Seminole War]], they had only three generals: [[Winfield Scott]], [[Edmund P. Gaines]], and [[Thomas S. Jesup]].{{sfnp|Mahon|1967|p=117}} The Army's remaining fourteen generals "held their rank by [[brevet (military)|brevet]] only,"{{sfnp|Mahon|1967|p=118}} and none of them were West Point graduates. Nearly the only way to obtain a commission up to 1835, was through the academy, "which created loud complaint", and added to the "Jacksonian Democracy...a deep desire to get rid of the Academy, where, Jacksonians were sure, an aristocratic tradition was being bred."{{sfnp|Mahon|1967|p=118}}

[[File:Robert Edward Lee.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Robert E. Lee]], American Civil War general who graduated from West Point and later served as its superintendent from 1852 to 1855]]
The [[Mexican–American War]] brought the academy to prominence as graduates proved themselves in battle for the first time. Future [[United States Civil War|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.<ref name="grantlee">{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1833.asp |title=Challenges and Validation|work=USMA Bicentennial|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=16 December 2008|archive-date=12 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012175449/https://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1833.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{sfnp|Crackel|2002|p=120}} In all, 452 of 523 graduates who served in the war received battlefield promotions or awards for bravery.<ref name="grantlee"/>{{sfnp|Simpson|1982|p=46}} 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."<ref name="Mexican War">{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1848.asp|title=Mid-Century Time of Trial|work=USMA Bicentennial|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=20 December 2008|archive-date=27 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527195822/http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1848.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> New barracks brought better heat and [[gas lighting]], while new ordnance and tactics training incorporated new rifle and [[musket]] technology and accommodated transportation advances created by the steam engine.<ref name="Mexican War"/>{{sfnp|Simpson|1982|pp=48–49}} With the outbreak of the Civil War, West Point graduates filled the [[general officer]] ranks of the rapidly expanding [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] and [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] armies.{{sfnp|Crackel|2002|p=135}} 294 graduates served as general officers for the Union, and 151 served as general officers for the Confederacy.<ref name="Mexican War"/> Of all living graduates at the time of the war, 105&nbsp;(10%) were killed, and another 151&nbsp;(15%) were wounded.<ref name="Mexican War"/> Nearly every general officer of note from either army during the Civil War was a graduate of West Point, and a West Point graduate commanded the forces of one or both sides in every one of the 60 major battles of the war.<ref name="Mexican War"/>{{sfnp|Crackel|2002|p=135}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/wphistory/sitepages/notable%20graduates.aspx |title=Notable USMA Graduates: Did You Know?|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref>

=== After the Civil War ===
[[File:C. Benck, West Point Cadet (right).jpg|thumb|upright|West Point Cadet C. Benek by [[Mathew Brady]]]]
[[File:Henry O. Flipper.jpg|upright|thumb|[[Henry Ossian Flipper]]]]
Immediately following the Civil War, the academy enjoyed unprecedented fame as a result of the role its graduates had played.{{sfnp|Crackel|2002|p=137}} However, the post-war years were a difficult time for the academy as it struggled to admit and reintegrate cadets from former confederate states.<ref name="postcw">{{cite web |title=Postwar Change and Contraction |work=USMA Bicentennial |publisher=United States Military Academy |url=http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1865.asp |access-date=2 January 2009|archive-date=19 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619080253/http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1865.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first cadets from Southern states were re-admitted in 1868, and 1870 saw the admission of the first black cadet, [[James Webster Smith]] of [[South Carolina]].<ref name="postcw"/>{{sfnp|Crackel|2002|p=145}} Smith endured harsh treatment and was eventually dismissed for academic deficiency under controversial circumstances in 1874.<ref>{{cite web|title=COMMISSIONING CEREMONY SCHEDULED IN S.C. FOR WEST POINT'S FIRST BLACK CADET|publisher=United States House of Representatives|url=http://www.house.gov/spratt/newsroom/97_98/news_35.htm|access-date=4 April 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803174231/http://www.house.gov/spratt/newsroom/97_98/news_35.htm| archive-date=3 August 2008}}</ref> As a result, [[Henry Ossian Flipper|Henry O. Flipper]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] became the first black graduate in 1877, graduating 50th in a class of 76.<ref name="postcw"/>{{sfnp|Crackel|2002|pp=145–146}} Two of the most notable graduates during this period were [[George Washington Goethals]] from the class of 1880, and [[John J. Pershing]] from the class of 1886.<ref name="postcw"/> Goethals gained prominence as the chief engineer of the [[Panama Canal]],{{sfnp|Poughkeepsie Journal|2003|p=65}} and Pershing would become famous for his exploits against the famed [[Pancho Villa]] in Mexico and later for leading American Forces during World War I.{{sfnp|Poughkeepsie Journal|2003|p=52}}

Besides the integration of southern-state and black cadets, the post-war academy also struggled with the issue of [[hazing]]. In its first 65&nbsp;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. The upper class cadets saw it as their duty to "teach the plebes their manners."{{sfnp|Ambrose|1966|p=223}} Hazing at the academy entered the national spotlight with the death of former cadet [[List of hazing deaths in the United States#1900s|Oscar L. Booz]] on 3 December 1900. Congressional hearings, which included testimony by cadet [[Douglas MacArthur]], investigated his death and the pattern of freshmen's systemic hazing.{{sfnp|Leon|2000|p={{pn|date=December 2024}}}} 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.{{sfnp|Ambrose|1966|p=277}} The practice of hazing continued on some levels well into the late 20th century, but is no longer allowed in the present day.{{sfnp|Lipsky|2003|pp=21, 27}}
[[File:The USMA Corps in mid 1800s.jpg|left|thumb|Corps of Cadets {{circa|1870}}]]

[[File:United States Military Academy uniform in 1882 art, from- Uniform of the army of the United States, 1882 (page 13 crop) (cropped).jpg |thumb|upright|United States Military Academy uniform in 1882]]
The demand for junior officers during the [[Spanish–American War]] caused the class of 1899 to graduate early, and the [[Philippine–American War]] did the same for the class of 1901. This increased demand for officers led Congress to increase the Corps of Cadets' size to 481&nbsp;cadets in 1900.<ref name="ww1">{{cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1890.asp|title=Supporting an Emerging Global Power|work=USMA Bicentennial|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=2 January 2009|archive-date=12 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012134740/http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1890.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> The period between 1900 and 1915 saw a construction boom as much of West Point's old infrastructure was rebuilt.<ref name="ww1"/> 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). The class of 1915 is known as "[[the class the stars fell on]]" for the exceptionally high percentage of general officers that rose from that class (59 of 164).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/westpoint/history_6b.html|title=The Class the Stars Fell On|publisher=Smithsonian National American History Museum|access-date=16 December 2008}}</ref>{{sfnp|Simpson|1982|p=178}}

[[File:Haldane a West Point.jpg|thumb|left|Haldane at [[West Point]] sometime before the Great War.]]
[[File:Townsley 4057755543 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|[[Richard Haldane]] leaving reviewing grounds with Clarence Page Townsley: Capt E.R Householder; Capt E.R. Gregory]]
The outbreak of America's involvement in World War I caused a sharp increase in the demand for army officers, and the academy accelerated graduation of all four classes then in attendance to meet this requirement, beginning with the early graduation of the First Class on 20 April 1917, the Second Class in August 1917, and both the Third and Fourth Classes just before the Armistice of 11 November 1918, when only freshman cadets remained (those who had entered in the summer of 1918).<ref name="ww1"/> 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.<ref name="cullumIX">{{cite web|editor-last=Branham |editor-first=Charles N. |year=1950 |url=http://digital-library.usma.edu/libmedia/archives/cullum/VOL9_PART0001.PDF |title=Supplement: Volume IX 1940–1950 |work=Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point Since its Establishment in 1802 |publisher=USMA Digital library |access-date=1 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720103455/http://digital-library.usma.edu/libmedia/archives/cullum/VOL9_PART0001.PDF |archive-date=20 July 2011}}. See class introductions for each class from 1917 to 1923.</ref>

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 102-08174, USA, Unterricht in der Offiziersschule West-Point.jpg|thumb|right|Class at West Point, 1929]]
Douglas MacArthur became superintendent in 1919, instituting sweeping reforms to the academic process, including introducing a greater emphasis on history and [[humanities]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/westpoint/history_6a.html|title=Restoring the Academy |publisher=Smithsonian National American History Museum|access-date=17 December 2008}}</ref> He made major changes to the field training regimen and the Cadet Honor Committee was formed under his watch in 1922.{{sfnp|Ambrose|1966|pp=278–280}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/committees/honor/Info/main.htm|title=Overview|publisher=Cadet Honor Committee|access-date=2 January 2009}}</ref> MacArthur was a firm supporter of athletics at the academy, as 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."{{sfnp|Ambrose|1966|p=275}} West Point was first officially accredited in 1925, and in 1933 began granting Bachelor of Science degrees to all graduates.<ref name="prewwII">{{cite web |title=Interwar Expansion|publisher=United States Military Academy|url=http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1919.asp|access-date=20 January 2009|archive-date=27 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027160113/http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1919.asp}}</ref> In 1935, the academy's authorized strength increased to 1,960 cadets.<ref name="prewwII"/>

=== World War II and Cold War ===
As [[World War II]] engulfed Europe, Congress authorized an increase to 2,496 cadets in 1942 and began graduating classes early. The class of 1943 graduated six months early in January 1943, and the next four classes graduated after only three years.<ref name="wwII">{{cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1939.asp|title=World War II and a Modern Academy|work=USMA Bicentennial|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=20 January 2009|archive-date=10 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110184924/http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1939.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> To accommodate this accelerated schedule, summer training was formally moved to a recently acquired piece of land southwest of main post. The site would later become Camp Buckner.{{sfnp|Ambrose|1966|p=208}} 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. A proposal was put forth to convert the academy to an officer's training school with a six-month schedule, but this was not adopted. West Point played a prominent role in WWII; four of the five [[five-star rank|five-star generals]] were alumni and nearly 500&nbsp;graduates died.<ref name="wwII"/> Immediately following the war in 1945, [[Maxwell Taylor]] (class of 1922) became superintendent. He expanded and modernized the academic program and abolished antiquated courses in fencing and horsemanship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/westpoint/history_6c.html|title=Making the Modern Academy|publisher=Smithsonian National Museum of American History|access-date=30 December 2008}}</ref>

Unlike previous conflicts, the Korean War did not disrupt class graduation schedules. More than half of the Army leadership during the war was composed of West Point graduates. The Class of 1950, which graduated only two weeks prior to the war's outbreak, suffered some of the heaviest casualties of any 20th century class and became known sourly as "the class the crosses fell on." A total of 157&nbsp;alumni perished in the conflict.<ref name="coldwar">{{cite web|title=Meeting the challenges of the Cold War|publisher=United States Military Academy|url=http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1950.asp|access-date=20 January 2009|archive-date=18 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118081454/http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1950.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Garrison H. Davidson]] became superintendent in 1956 and instituted several reforms that included refining the admissions process, changing the core curriculum to include electives, and increasing the academic degree standards for academy instructors.<ref name="coldwar"/> The 1960s saw the size of the Corps expand to 4,400&nbsp;cadets while the barracks and academic support structure grew proportionally.{{sfnp|Ambrose|1966|p=230}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,840798,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522045849/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,840798,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 May 2009 |title=Hilton on the Hudson |magazine=Time| publisher=Time Inc |date=23 December 1966|access-date=25 January 2009}}</ref>

West Point was not immune to the social upheaval of American society during the Vietnam War.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/11/21/archives/is-west-point-troglodytic-a-critical-look-at-the-way-the-army.html |title=Is West Point Troglodytic?; A Critical Look at The Way the Army Trains Its Cadets |last=Bunting |first=Josiah |access-date=25 January 2009 |date=21 November 1970 |work=The New York Times |page=30}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,829847,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222102933/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,829847,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 December 2008 |title=West Point & All That |publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time|access-date=25 January 2009|date=8 February 1963}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,904585,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211071235/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,904585,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2009 |title=Humanizing the U.S. Military |access-date=25 January 2009|date=21 December 1970|magazine=Time| publisher=Time Inc}}</ref> The first woman joined the faculty of the all-male institution amidst controversy in 1968.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/02/02/archives/first-for-west-point-a-woman-teacher.html |title=First for West Point: A Woman Teacher |date=2 February 1968 |access-date=25 January 2009|page=37 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> West Point granted its first [[honorable discharge]] in 1971 to an African-American West Point cadet, Cornelius M. Cooper, of California, who applied for [[conscientious objector]] status in 1969.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schumach|first=Murray|date=1971-02-13|title=West Point Alumnus Released Honorably As a War Objector|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/02/13/archives/west-point-alumnus-released-honorably-as-a-war-objector-west-point.html|access-date=2021-12-17|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The academy struggled to fill its incoming classes as its graduates led troops in Southeast Asia, where 333 graduates died.<ref>"In Memory of Our Classmates who Fell in Vietnam" by Ron Meier USMA '66</ref><ref name="changeform">{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1970.asp|title=The Long Gray Line Changes Formation|work=USMA Bicentennial|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=16 December 2008|archive-date=8 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108061545/http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1970.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Modern era ===
[[File:Cadets_at_West_Point,_1976.jpg|thumb|Class of 1980 Cadets Carol A. Young, Gregory Stephens, and Kathryn A. Wildey at West Point, December 1976]]
Following the 1973 end of American involvement in Vietnam, the strain and stigma of earlier social unrest dissolved, and West Point enjoyed surging enrollments.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,944970,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222064210/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,944970,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 December 2008 |title=Flourishing Academies |magazine=Time| publisher=Time Inc |access-date=25 January 2009|date=26 August 1974}}</ref> On 20 May 1975, an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill of 1976 opening the service academies to women was approved by the House of Representatives, 303–96. The Senate followed suit on 6 June. President Ford signed the bill on 7 October 1975.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://history.army.mil/html/books/030/30-14-1/index.html|title=The Women's Army Corps, 1945–1978|last=Morden|first=Bettie J. |year=1990|website=history.army.mil|publisher=U.S. Army Center of Military History|pages=318–324|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>

West Point admitted its first 119&nbsp;female cadets in 1976.{{sfnp|Barkalow|1990|p=20}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://americanhistory.si.edu/westpoint/history_6d.html|title=The Class of 1980|publisher=Smithsonian National Museum of American History |access-date=30 December 2008}}</ref> Also in 1976, physics professor [[James H. Stith]] became the first tenured African American Professor.<ref>{{Cite web|date=14 July 2010|title=Col. James Stith's Biography |url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/col-james-stith |access-date=2021-02-23|website=The HistoryMakers|language=en}}</ref> In 1979, Cadet, later General, [[Vincent K. Brooks]] became the first [[African American]] to lead the Corps of Cadets.<ref name="Esch">{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Fairfax-County-West-Point-First-Captain-Simone-Askew-440355033.html |title=Fairfax County's Simone Askew Is First Black Woman to Lead West Point Cadets |last=Esch |first=Mary |date=14 August 2017 |work=NBC4 Washington|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Kristin Baker, ten years later, became the first female First Captain (a depiction of her is now on display in the Museum), the highest ranking senior cadet at the academy in 1989.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kkpnyc.com/westpoint/westpoint_history.html |title=Notable Graduates |publisher=Koerner Kronenfeld Partners, LLC |access-date=30 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605090057/http://www.kkpnyc.com/westpoint/westpoint_history.html |archive-date=5 June 2013 }}</ref> Six 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, Reilly McGinnis in 2020, and Lauren Drysdale in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title=Leaders Among Leaders|url=http://www.goarmysports.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/091313aaa.html|publisher=Army Black Knights|date=13 September 2013|access-date=15 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222033851/http://www.goarmysports.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/091313aaa.html|archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Macungie woman named First Captain at West Point |url=https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/macungie-woman-named-first-captain-at-west-point/article_7a6287bc-d5b8-11ea-9d49-7f271163c36b.html |work=[[WFMZ-TV]] |date=3 August 2020 |access-date=1 September 2020}}</ref> [[Simone Askew]] was the first African American woman to lead the Corps.<ref name="Esch" /> In the 21st century, women comprise approximately 20% of entering new cadets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westpointaog.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=2801 |title=Class of 2012 enter West Point |publisher=West Point AOG |access-date=30 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511122532/http://www.westpointaog.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=2801 |archive-date=11 May 2011 }}</ref>

[[File:Class of 1980.jpg|thumb|First female graduates in 1980]]
In 1985, cadets were formally authorized to declare an academic major; all previous graduates had been awarded a general bachelor of science degree. 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.<ref name="changeform"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1980.asp|title=Years of Continuity and Progress|work=USMA Bicentennial|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=16 December 2008|archive-date=7 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107212939/http://www.usma.edu/Bicentennial/history/1980.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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]]. The academy was also an early adopter of the Internet in the mid-1990s, and was recognized in 2006 as one of the nation's "most wired" campuses.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2075080,00.asp|title=Top 20 Most Wired Campuses|work=PC Magazine|access-date=20 December 2008|first=Susie|last=Parker-Perry|date=20 December 2006}}</ref>

During the [[Gulf War]], alumnus General [[Norman Schwarzkopf|Schwarzkopf]] was the commander of Allied Forces, and the American senior generals in [[Iraq]], Generals [[David Petraeus|Petraeus]], [[Raymond T. Odierno|Odierno]] and [[Lloyd J. Austin|Austin]], and Afghanistan, retired General [[Stanley McChrystal]] and General [[David M. Rodriguez|David Rodriguez]], are also alumni. 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.<ref name="Sept11">{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B01E3DB1F39F935A25750C0A9649C8B63 |title=For a Bastion of Tradition, A New World; Events of Sept.&nbsp;11&nbsp;Altered West Point, Too |work=The New York Times |date=16 March 2002 |access-date=25 January 2009|last=Foderaro |first=Lisa}}</ref> One graduate was killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and ninety graduates have died during operations in [[Operation Enduring Freedom|Afghanistan]], [[Operation Iraqi Freedom|Iraq]], and the ongoing [[War on Terror|Global War on Terror]].<ref>{{cite web |title=In Memoriam |publisher=West Point Association of Graduates |url=http://www.westpointaog.org/page.aspx?pid=734 |access-date=20 January 2013 |archive-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320165606/http://www.westpointaog.org/page.aspx?pid=734 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hampson |first=Rick |title=West Point's Quiet Place of Honor, Lost Dreams |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=28 December 2011 |page=1}}</ref> The Class of 2005 has been referred to as [[Class of 9/11|The Class of 9/11]] as the attacks occurred during their first year at the academy, and they graduated 911 students. 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."<ref>{{cite web|author=<!-- Byline --> The Associated Press |url=http://www.armytimes.com/article/20080604/NEWS/806040313/West-Point-adopts-gender-neutral-song-lyrics |title=West Point adopts gender-neutral song lyrics &#124; Army Times |publisher=armytimes.com |access-date=30 December 2013}}</ref> In December 2009, President [[Barack Obama]] delivered a major speech in Eisenhower Hall Theater outlining his policy for [[Military operations of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)#2009|deploying 30,000 additional troops]] to [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]] as well as setting a timetable for withdrawal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/arts/television/02watch.htm |first=Alessandra |last=Stanley |title=Before Audience of Cadets, a Sobering Message of War |work=The New York Times |date=1 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/world/asia/02prexy.html |title=Obama Adds Troops, but Maps Exit Plan |first1=Sheryl Gay |last1=Stolberg |first2=Helene |last2=Cooper |date=1 December 2009 |work=The New York Times }}</ref> President Obama also provided the commencement address in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/05/28/remarks-president-united-states-military-academy-commencement-ceremony|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|title=Remarks by the President at the United States Military Academy Commencement Ceremony|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|date=28 May 2014}}</ref>

After the [[Don't ask, don't tell|Don't Ask, Don't Tell]] policy [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010|was lifted]] 20 September 2011, the academy began admitting and retaining openly gay cadets. By March 2012, cadets were forming a gay-straight alliance group called Spectrum.<ref>{{cite news|title = Gay pride groups appear at U.S. military academies - CNN.com|url = http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/31/us/military-academies-gay-pride/index.html|website = CNN|access-date = 2015-09-27}}</ref> By March 2015, Spectrum had two faculty and 40 cadet members, a mixture of gay, straight, bi, and undecided. According to a Vanity Fair essay, the LGBT cadets were well accepted.<ref>{{cite web |title = So What's It Like to Be a Gay Cadet at West Point These Days?|url = https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/06/being-gay-west-point-after-dont-ask-dont-tell|access-date = 2015-09-27|first = Dave|last = Cullen |website = [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date = 30 June 2015}}</ref> After the ban on transgender service members was lifted in 2016, the Class of 2017 saw the first openly transgender graduate. However, she was denied a commission and was honorably discharged.<ref>{{cite news |title = Loophole in Rules on Transgender Troops Denies 2 Their Commissions|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/us/loophole-in-rules-on-transgender-troops-denies-2-their-commissions.html |access-date = 2017-10-20|first = Sheryl|last = Stolberg |newspaper = The New York Times|date = 26 May 2017 }}</ref>
[[File:Corps of Cadets COVID.jpg|thumb|The Corps of Cadets assembled with facemasks for the 2020 Army-Navy game.]]

Brig. Gen. Diana Holland became West Point's first woman Commandant of Cadets in January 2016.<ref>"Pentagon names 1st female commandant of West Point's cadets" [http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/12/15/pentagon-names-1st-female-commandant-west-points-cadets/77359008/ ''Army Times'' 15 December 2015]</ref>

In 2020, the campus confronted its first major pandemic in a century, with the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] causing limitations on classes, and the relocation of the traditional [[Army–Navy Game|Army-Navy football game]] to ensure [[social distancing]]. For the first time in many years, the 121st iteration of the game was held at West Point rather than the traditional [[Lincoln Financial Field]] in Philadelphia. Ultimately, West Point beat Navy 15–0.<ref>{{Citation|last=Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|title=201212-D-WD757-2874|date=2020-12-12|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/thejointstaff/50721292907/|access-date=2021-08-19}}</ref>

== Campus ==
{{Main|United States Military Academy grounds and facilities}}
[[File:USMA Aerial View Looking North.jpg|right|thumb|Looking north toward the central campus]]
[[File:West Point's Trophy Point Amphitheater (improved version).jpg|alt=View of an amphitheater in front of a river with rolling hills in the background, with West Point cadets in front of the stage and performance attendees in the foreground|thumb|The Trophy Point Amphitheater hosts cadet ceremonies as well as free summer concerts.]]
The academy is located approximately {{convert|50|mi|km}} north of New York City on the western bank of the [[Hudson River]]. [[West Point, New York]], is incorporated as a federal military reservation in [[Orange County, New York|Orange County]] and is adjacent to [[Highland Falls, New York|Highland Falls]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E6DC1139F936A25756C0A962958260 |title=If You're Thinking of Living in Highland Falls; In the U.S. Military Academy's Shadow |last=Cheslow |first=Jerry |date=15 May 1994 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Based on the significance both of the [[American Revolution|Revolutionary War]] fort ruins and of the military academy itself, the majority of the academy area was declared a [[National Historic Landmark]] in 1960.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=405&ResourceType=District |title=United States Military Academy|publisher=National Historic Landmarks Program|access-date=4 January 2009|url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090109200504/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=405&ResourceType=District |archive-date=9 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url={{NHLS url|id=66000562}}|title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: United States Military Academy|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=4 January 2009}}</ref> In 1841, [[Charles Dickens]] visited the academy and said "It could not stand on more appropriate ground, and any ground more beautiful can hardly be."{{sfnp|Simpson|1982|p=13}} 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 (USMA)|Battle Monument]].{{sfnp|Crackel|1991|p=181}} Though the entire military reservation encompasses {{convert|15974|acre|km2|0|sp=us}}, the academic area of the campus, known as "central area" or "the cadet area", is entirely accessible to cadets or visitors by foot.<ref name="size">{{cite web |title=USMA Facilities |publisher=Office of Admissions |url=http://admissions.usma.edu/Prospectus/wpe_facilities.cfm |access-date=29 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108184459/http://admissions.usma.edu/Prospectus/wpe_facilities.cfm |archive-date=8 January 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Cadet Chapel USMA.JPG|left|thumb|[[West Point Cadet Chapel|Cadet Chapel]]]]
[[File:One of six wings of Washington Hall, the Cadet Mess Hall at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY during lunch.JPG |left|thumb|One of the six wings of Washington Hall during lunchtime]]

In 1902, the Boston architectural firm [[Bertram Goodhue|Cram, Goodhue, and Ferguson]] was awarded a major construction contract that set the predominantly [[Gothic Revival architecture|neogothic]] architectural style still seen today.{{sfnp|Palka|Malinowski|2008|p=27}} Most of the buildings of the central cadet area are in this style, as typified by the [[West Point Cadet Chapel|Cadet Chapel]], completed in 1910.{{sfnp|Crackel|1991|p=275}} These buildings are nearly all constructed from granite that has a predominantly gray and black hue. The barracks that were built in the 1960s were designed to mimic this style.{{sfnp|Palka|Malinowski|2008|p=27}} Other buildings on post, notably the oldest private residences for the faculty, are built in the [[Federal architecture|Federal]], [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]], or [[Tudor style architecture|English Tudor]] styles.{{sfnp|Poughkeepsie Journal|2003|p=78}} A few buildings, such as Cullum Hall and the [[Old Cadet Chapel (West Point)|Old Cadet Chapel]], are built in the [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] style.{{sfnp|Simpson|1982|pp=163–164}}

[[File:Nininger Hall in winter.jpg|thumb|Nininger Hall, part of the original Cadet Barracks]]

The academy grounds are home to numerous monuments and statues. The central cadet parade ground, [[The Plain (West Point)|the Plain]], hosts the largest number, and includes the [[Washington Monument (West Point)|Washington Monument]], [[Thayer Monument]], [[Eisenhower Monument]], [[MacArthur Monument (West Point)|MacArthur Monument]], [[Kosciuszko's Monument (West Point)|Kosciuszko Monument]], and [[Sedgwick Monument (West Point)|Sedgwick Monument]]. [[Patton Monument (West Point)|Patton Monument]] was first dedicated in front of the cadet library in 1950,{{sfnp|Palka|Malinowski|2008|p=179}} but in 2004 it was placed in storage to make room for the construction of Jefferson Hall. With the completion of Jefferson Hall, [[George S. Patton|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patton statue is back |work=PointerView |url=http://www.westpoint.edu/Dcomm/PV/yr2009/09MAY07.pdf|access-date=15 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511175707/http://www.westpoint.edu/Dcomm/PV/yr2009/09MAY07.pdf|archive-date=11 May 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> There is also a statue commemorating brotherhood and friendship from the {{Lang|fr|[[École Polytechnique]]|italic=no}} in the cadet central area just outside Nininger Hall. The remaining campus area is home to 27 other monuments and memorials.{{sfnp|Miller|2002|pp=128–130}}

[[File:West Point Cemetery.JPG|right|thumb|[[West Point Cemetery]]]]

The [[West Point Cemetery]] is the final resting place of many notable graduates and faculty, including [[George Armstrong Custer]], [[Winfield Scott]], [[William Westmoreland]], [[Earl Blaik]], [[Margaret Corbin]], and eighteen Medal of Honor recipients.{{sfnp|Poughkeepsie Journal|2003|p=16}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usma.edu/sites/default/files/pdfs/ABOUT/Cemetery%20Brochure.pdf |title=West Point Cemetery|publisher=USMA Memorial Affairs|access-date=31 December 2019}}</ref> The cemetery is also the burial place of several recent graduates who have died during the [[War on Terror|ongoing conflict]] in Iraq and [[Afghanistan]]. Many of the older grave sites have large and ornate grave markers, the largest belonging to [[Egbert Viele]] (class of 1847), chief engineer of [[Brooklyn]]'s [[Prospect Park (Brooklyn)|Prospect Park]].{{sfnp|Poughkeepsie Journal|2003|p=16}} The cemetery is also home to a monument to [[American Revolution|Revolutionary War]] heroine [[Margaret Corbin]].<ref>{{cite web |title=West Point Cemetery |publisher=USMA Memorial Affairs |url=http://www.usma.edu/history/SiteAssets/SitePages/Cemetery/West%20Point%20Cemetery.pdf |access-date=15 February 2014 |archive-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225231003/http://www.usma.edu/history/SiteAssets/SitePages/Cemetery/West%20Point%20Cemetery.pdf}}</ref>

=== Athletic facilities ===
{{Main|United States Military Academy grounds and facilities#Athletic Facilities|l1=West Point athletic facilities}}
West Point is home to historic athletic facilities like [[Michie Stadium]] and Gillis Field House as well as modern facilities such as the Lichtenberg Tennis Center, Anderson Rugby Complex, and the Lou Gross Gymnastics Facility.<ref>{{cite web|title =Facilities|publisher =CBS Interactive|url =http://www.goarmysports.com/facilities/army-facilities.html|access-date =31 January 2012|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120501204945/http://www.goarmysports.com/facilities/army-facilities.html|archive-date =1 May 2012|url-status =dead}}</ref> Michie Stadium recently underwent a significant upgrade in facilities for the football team, and the academy installed a new artificial turf field in the summer of 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title =FieldTurf is the Choice for Army's Legendary Michie Stadium |work = Reuters |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS188746+31-Jul-2008+PNW20080731 |access-date =13 January 2009 |date =31 July 2008 |url-status =dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090526101403/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS188746+31-Jul-2008+PNW20080731 |archive-date =26 May 2009 }}</ref>

=== West Point Museum ===
{{see also|National Museum of the United States Army#Other Army museums}}
The visitor center is just outside the Thayer Gate in the village of [[Highland Falls, NY|Highland Falls]] and offers the opportunity to arrange for a guided tour. These tours, which are the only way the general public can access the academy grounds, leave the visitor center several times a day. The old West Point Visitor Center was housed in the now-demolished Ladycliff College library building. On 9 September 2016, West Point broke ground in order to begin construction of the new 31,000 square foot Malek West Point Visitors Center. It is being built on the location of the former visitor center. The Malek West Point Visitors Center is named after Frederic Malek, USMA Class of 1959 and a 2014 Distinguished Graduate.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.usma.edu/pv/Pointer%20View%20Archive/16SEP15.pdf |title=West Point's First Impression |last=Hamel |first=Keith |date=15 September 2016 |newspaper=Pointer View |volume=73 |issue=36 |page=5 |access-date=20 January 2017 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202072405/http://www.usma.edu/pv/Pointer%20View%20Archive/16SEP15.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The '''West Point Museum''' is directly adjacent to the visitor center, in the renovated Olmsted Hall on the grounds of the former [[Ladycliff College]]. Originally opened to the public in 1854, the West Point Museum is the oldest military museum in the country.{{sfnp|Poughkeepsie Journal|2003|p=7}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/Museum/|title=The West Point Museum|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=3 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116053123/http://www.usma.edu///museum/ |archive-date=16 January 2009}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fort Putnam|publisher=United States Military Academy |url=http://www.usma.army.mil/Tour/FortPutnam.asp|access-date=18 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050219065654/http://www.usma.army.mil/Tour/FortPutnam.asp|archive-date=19 February 2005}}</ref> Some of the most notable items on display at the museum are [[George Washington]]'s pistols, Napoleon's sword, a dagger carried by [[Hermann Göring]] when he was captured, a revolver that belonged to Göring, and a silver-plated party book, signed by Charles Lindbergh, Herbert Hoover and Mussolini, among others. In addition, a gold-plated [[Liliput pistol|Liliput]] pistol that belonged to [[Adolf Hitler]] is on display.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adolf Hitler's Pistol. Liliput, Model I, .32 caliber pistol given to Adolf Hitler by Nazi Party member Max Kehl sometime before WWII |url=https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-adolf-hitlers-pistol-liliput-model-i-32-caliber-pistol-given-to-adolf-133023388.html |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.alamy.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Administration ==

=== Academy leadership ===
{{Main|Superintendent of the United States Military Academy}}
[[File:Hagenbeck and Huntoon at Change of Command Ceremony 19 July 2010.png|right|thumb|upright=1.25|The 57th & 58th [[Superintendents of the United States Military Academy|Superintendents]], LTG [[Franklin L. Hagenbeck]] (L) & LTG [[David H. Huntoon]] (R)]]
The commanding officer at the USMA is the [[Superintendents of the United States Military Academy|Superintendent]], equivalent to the president or chancellor of a civilian university. In recent years, the position of superintendent has been held by a [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] (three star general). The 61st Superintendent, Lieutenant General [[Steven W. Gilland]], took command on 27 June 2022, replacing [[Darryl A. Williams]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westpoint.edu/news/press-releases/west-point-welcomes-new-superintendent|title=West Point Welcomes New Superintendent|date=2022-06-24|website=United States Military Academy|language=en-US|access-date=2022-06-28}}</ref> The academy is a direct reporting unit, and as such, the Superintendent reports directly to the [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army|Army Chief of Staff (CSA)]].<ref>{{cite web |title =ALOG News: Army approved new AMC command |publisher =Army Logistician |url =http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/SepOct06/alog_news.html |access-date =17 January 2008 |archive-date =13 January 2008 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080113155041/http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/SepOct06/alog_news.html |url-status =dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Army Regulation 10–87: Army Commands, Army Service Component Commands, and Direct Reporting Units |publisher=Department of the Army |url=https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/ar10-87.pdf |access-date=17 January 2009}}</ref>

There are two other general officer positions at the academy. [[Brigadier General]] [[R.J. Garcia]] is the Commandant of Cadets, equivalent to a [[dean of students]] at the civilian level. [[Brigadier General (United States)|Brigadier General]] [[Shane R. Reeves|Shane Reeves]] is the Dean of the Academic Board, equivalent to a [[Provost (education)|provost]] at the civilian level.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/dean/sitepages/biography.aspx|title=Brigadier General Cindy Jebb|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref> Brigadier General Diana Holland was the first female commandant.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.army.mil/article/159993/Holland_named_first_woman_commandant_at_West_Point/|title=Holland named first woman commandant at West Point|author=ARNEWS/USMA|date=15 December 2015}}</ref> Brigadier General Jebb was the first female Dean.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/169503/us_military_academy_announces_new_academic_dean|title=US Military Academy Announces New Academic Dean |author=ARNEWS/USMA|date=10 June 2016}}</ref> There are 13 academic departments at USMA, each with a colonel as the head of department. These 13 tenured colonels comprise the core of the Academic Board. These officers are titled "Professors USMA" or PUSMA.{{sfnp|Lea|2003|p=214}} The academy is also overseen by the Board of Visitors (BOV). 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." Currently the BOV is chaired by Representative [[John Shimkus]] and is composed of three Senators, five Representatives and six presidential appointees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westpoint.edu/bov/SitePages/Home.aspx|title=Board of Visitors – Home|work=westpoint.edu|access-date=2 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234928/http://www.westpoint.edu/bov/SitePages/Home.aspx|archive-date=2 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Admission requirements ===
[[File:West Point, United States Military Academy, in the highlands of the Hudson. New York Central Lines - Frank Hazell. LCCN94504463 (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|West Point in a New York Central Lines ad]]
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Candidates must be between 17 and 23 years old (waivers have been accepted for 24-year olds in rare cases where the candidate is in the military and deployed and therefore unable to attend before their 24th birthday), unmarried, and with no legal obligation to support a child. Above-average high school or previous college grades and strong performance on standardized testing are expected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://admissions.usma.edu/Prospectus/step_01.cfm|title=Steps to West Point 1: Basics Requirements|publisher=USMA Office of Admissions |access-date=19 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203062931/http://admissions.usma.edu/Prospectus/step_01.cfm|archive-date=3 February 2010}}</ref> The interquartile range on the old [[SAT]] was 1100–1360 and 68% ranked in the top fifth of their high school class.<ref name="Class2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/Class/2012/profile.asp|title=Class of 2012 Profile|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=29 December 2008|archive-date=22 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222172717/http://www.usma.edu/Class/2012/profile.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CN"/>

To be eligible for appointment, candidates must also undergo a Candidate Fitness Assessment<ref name="usma1">{{cite web|url=http://admissions.usma.edu/apply_medical.html|title=Medical & Physical|publisher=USMA Office of Admissions|access-date=31 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214033300/http://admissions.usma.edu/apply_medical.html|archive-date=14 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a complete physical exam.<ref name="usma1"/> Up to 60&nbsp;students from foreign countries are present at USMA, educated at the expense of the sponsoring nation, with tuition assistance based on the [[Gross National Product|GNP]] of their country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://admissions.usma.edu/pdf/InterInfo.pdf|title=USMA International Cadet Program|publisher=USMA Office of Admissions|access-date=31 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404140352/http://admissions.usma.edu/pdf/InterInfo.pdf|archive-date=4 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Of these foreign cadets the [[Code of Federal Regulations]] specifically permits one Filipino cadet designated by the [[President of the Philippines]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/32/575/3 |title=32 CFR 575.3 – APPOINTMENTS; SOURCES OF NOMINATIONS. |work=Legal Information Institute |publisher=Cornell University Law School |access-date=28 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529075105/https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/32/575.3 |archive-date=29 May 2016}}</ref>

The actual application process consists of two main requirements: candidates apply to USMA for admission and separately provide a nomination. The majority of candidates receive a nomination from their [[United States House of Representatives|United States Representative]] or [[United States Senate|Senator]]. Some receive a nomination from the Vice President or even the President of the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/SitePages/FAQ_Admission.aspx|title=FAQ – Admission|publisher=USMA Office of Admissions|access-date=30 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525223511/http://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/SitePages/FAQ_Admission.aspx|archive-date=25 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The nomination process is not political. The academy applicant typically provides written essays and letters of recommendation. The applicant then submits to a formal interview.<ref name="policyarchive1">[https://www.policyarchive.org/bitstream/handle/10207/2687/RL33213_20060221.pdf Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management]{{dead link|date=February 2024|bot=medic}}''Congressional Research Service''. Retrieved 19 December 2008</ref> Admission to West Point is selective: 7.74% of applicants were admitted (total of 1232) to the Class of 2024.<ref name="Class2024">{{cite web |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/usma-media/inline-images/about/g5/Class_2024_Profile_v2.pdf |title= Class of 2024 Profile|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref>

Candidates may have previous college experience, but they may not transfer, meaning that regardless of previous college credit, they enter the academy as a fourth class cadet and undergo the entire four-year program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_admission.cfm#TRANSFER|title=FAQ: Do you accept transfer students?|publisher=USMA Office of Admissions|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219041258/http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_admission.cfm#TRANSFER|archive-date=19 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Candidates considered academically disqualified and not selected may receive an offer to attend to the [[United States Military Academy Preparatory School]].<ref>{{cite news|title=School Offers a Taste of West Point |date=19 February 1995 |work=The New York Times |page=NJ6 |last=Kamin |first=Arthur}}</ref> Upon graduation from USMAPS, these candidates are appointed to the academy if they receive the recommendation of the USMAPS Commandant and meet medical admission requirements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/USMAPS/pages/visitors/faqs/questions.htm#amI|title=Frequently Asked Questions|publisher=United States Military Academy Prep School|access-date=31 January 2012}}</ref>

The West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) also offers scholarship support to people who are qualified but not selected. The scholarships usually cover around $7,000 to civilian universities; the students who receive these scholarships do so under the stipulation that they will be admitted to and attend West Point a year later. Those who do not must repay the AOG. [[Marion Military Institute]], [[New Mexico Military Institute]], [[Georgia Military College]], [[Hargrave Military Academy]], [[Greystone Preparatory School]] at [[Schreiner University]], and [[Northwestern Preparatory School (California)|Northwestern Preparatory School]] are approved programs that students attend on the AOG scholarship prior to admission to West Point.<ref>{{cite web|title=West Point Preparatory Scholarship Program of the West Point Association of Graduates|publisher=West Point Association of Graduates|url=https://www.westpointaog.org/document.doc?id=3351|access-date=15 October 2017}}</ref>

=== Research centers and institutes ===
The Academy's research centers and institutes include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Point Research Centers & Institutes (with Parent Organizations) |url=https://www.westpoint.edu/research/centers-and-institutes |access-date=2024-09-19 |publisher=United States Military Academy}}</ref>
{{div col}}
* Army Cyber Institute
* [[Combating Terrorism Center]]
* Center for Data Analysis and Statistics
* Center for Environmental and Geographical Science
* Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
* Center for Innovation and Engineering
* Center for Languages, Cultures, and Regional Studies
* Center for Leadership and Diversity in STEM
* Center for Molecular Science
* [[West Point Center for Oral History|Center for Oral History]]
* Center for the Study of Civil-Military Operations
* Cyber Research Center
* Digital History Center
* Lieber Institute for Law & Warfare
* Mathematical Sciences Center
* Modern War Institute
* Operations Research Center
* Photonics Research Center
* Robotics Research Center
* Systems Design and Analysis Center
* West Point Center for the Rule of Law
* West Point Insider Threat Program
* West Point Leadership Center
* West Point Music Research Center
* West Point Simulation Center
{{div col end}}

== Curriculum ==
{{Main|List of United States Military Academy top-ranking graduates}}
[[File:USMA Graduation Hat Toss 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Graduates of the Class of 2008 toss their hats after "class dismissed"]]
West Point is a highly residential baccalaureate college, with a full-time, four-year undergraduate program that emphasizes instruction in the arts, sciences, and professions with no graduate program.<ref name="Carnegie">{{cite web|url=http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/classifications/sub.asp?key=748&subkey=15473&start=782 |title=Carnegie Classifications – United States Military Academy |publisher=Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching |access-date=1 December 2009}}</ref> There are forty-five academic majors, the most popular of which are foreign languages, management information systems, history, economics, and mechanical engineering.<ref name="CN"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dean.usma.edu/sebpublic/curriccat/static/index.htm|title=Academic Catalog: "The Redbook"|publisher=Office of the Dean, USMA|access-date=21 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109014948/http://www.dean.usma.edu/sebpublic/curriccat/static/index.htm|archive-date=9 January 2009}}</ref> West Point is accredited by the [[Middle States Commission on Higher Education]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msche.org/institutions_view.asp?idinstitution=495 |title=Institution Directory – United States Military Academy |publisher=Middle States Commission on Higher Education |access-date=20 January 2009}}</ref> Military officers compose 75% of the faculty, while civilian professors make up the remaining 25%.<ref name="faculty">{{cite web|title=Fact Sheet: USMA Faculty|publisher=USMA Public Affairs Office |url=http://www.usma.edu/dcomm/presskit/factsheets/facultyfactsheet.doc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119115010/http://www.usma.edu/dcomm/presskit/factsheets/facultyfactsheet.doc|archive-date=19 January 2012|access-date=21 January 2009}}</ref>

A cadet's class rank, which determines their Army branch and assignment upon graduation, is calculated as a combination of academic performance&nbsp;(55%), military leadership performance&nbsp;(30%), and physical fitness and athletic performance&nbsp;(15%).<ref name="fullfillmission">{{cite web |title =FAQ: How does the Academy fulfill its mission? |publisher =Office of Admissions |url =http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_wp.cfm |access-date =3 January 2009 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090619074741/http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_wp.cfm |archive-date =19 June 2009 |url-status =dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/studentconsumerinfo/SiteAssets/SitePages/Home/Whitebook%20(Physical).pdf |title=USMA Physical Program Whitebook|page=18|access-date=24 October 2014}}</ref>

=== Academics ===
The academy's teaching style forms part of the Thayer method, which was implemented by Sylvanus Thayer during his tour as Superintendent.{{sfnp|Atkinson|1989|p=521}} This form of instruction emphasizes small classes with daily homework, and strives to make students actively responsible for their own learning by completing homework assignments prior to class and bringing the work to class to discuss collaboratively.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Shell |first=Amy |title=The Thayer method of instruction at the United States Military Academy: a modest history and a modern personal account |journal=PRIMUS: Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies |volume=12 |issue=1 |year=2002 |pages=27–38 |url=http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=584623|access-date=25 January 2009 |doi=10.1080/10511970208984015|s2cid=120391190 }}</ref>

The academic program consists of a structured core of thirty-one courses balanced between the arts and sciences.<ref name="ov">{{cite web|url=http://www.dean.usma.edu/Curriculum/shortcurriculumoverview.cfm|title=Short Curriculum Overview|publisher=Office of the Dean, USMA|access-date=3 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109015350/http://www.dean.usma.edu/Curriculum/shortcurriculumoverview.cfm|archive-date=9 January 2009}}</ref> The academy operates on the semester system, which it labels as "terms" (Term 1 is the fall semester; Term 2 is the spring semester). Although cadets choose their majors in the spring of their freshmen year, all cadets take the same course of instruction until the beginning of their second year.<ref name=CurriculumBriefing>{{cite web|url=http://www.dean.usma.edu/Curriculum/CurriculumBriefing.pps|title=USMA Curriculum|publisher=Office of the Dean, USMA|access-date=20 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040409131213/http://www.dean.usma.edu/Curriculum/CurriculumBriefing.pps|archive-date=9 April 2004}}</ref> This core course of instruction consists of mathematics, information technology, chemistry, physics, engineering, history, physical geography, philosophy, leadership and general psychology, English composition and literature, foreign language, political science, international relations, economics, and constitutional law.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dean.usma.edu/Curriculum/CurriculumBriefing_files/v3_document.htm |title=USMA Curriculum Briefing |publisher=Office of the Dean, USMA |access-date=21 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20040627090221/http://www.dean.usma.edu/Curriculum/CurriculumBriefing_files/v3_document.htm |archive-date=27 June 2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dean.usma.edu/images/academicprogram.gif|title=Academic Program|publisher=Office of the Dean, USMA|access-date=1 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109065131/http://www.dean.usma.edu/images/academicprogram.gif|archive-date=9 January 2009}}</ref> Some advanced cadets may "validate" out of the base-level classes and take advanced or accelerated courses earlier as freshmen or sophomores. Regardless of major, all cadets graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree.<ref name="ov"/>

=== Military ===
[[File:USMA Cadets Cross a Rope Bridge.jpg|right|thumb|Cadets cross a rope bridge during summer training]]
As all cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants upon graduation, military and leadership education is nested with academic instruction. Military training and discipline fall under the purview of the Office of the Commandant of Cadets. Entering freshmen, or fourth class cadets, are referred to as New Cadets, and enter the academy on Reception Day or R-day,{{sfnp|Crackel|1991|p=283}} which marks the start of cadet basic training (CBT), known colloquially as Beast Barracks, or simply Beast.{{sfnp|Simpson|1982|p=102}}{{sfnp|Atkinson|1989|p=9}} Most cadets consider Beast to be their most difficult time at the academy because of the transition from civilian to military life. Their second summer, cadets undergo cadet field training (CFT) at nearby Camp Buckner, where they train in more advanced field craft and military skills. During a cadet's third summer, they may serve as instructors for CBT or CFT. Rising Firstie (senior) cadets also spend one-month training at Camp Buckner, where they train for modern tactical situations that they will soon face as new platoon leaders. Cadets also have the opportunity during their second, third and fourth summers to serve in active army units and military schools around the world.{{sfnp|Neff|2007|pp=88–89}} The schools include Airborne, Air Assault, Sapper, Pathfinder, etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mil/article/89942/|title=West Point cadets compete to earn slots at top-class training programs|author=Mike Strasser, U.S. Military Academy Public Affairs|date=25 October 2012|work=army.mil}}</ref>

[[Active duty]] officers in the [[Military rank|rank]] of [[Captain (United States O-3)|captain]] or [[Major (United States)|major]] serve as Company Tactical Officers (TAC Officers). The role of the TAC is to mentor, train, and teach the cadets proper standards of good order and discipline and be a good role model.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/uscc/btd/btdindex.htm|title=Brigade Tactical Department|publisher=Office of the Commandant, USMA|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-date=19 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219005750/http://www.usma.edu/uscc/btd/btdindex.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> There is one TAC for every cadet company. There is also one senior Non-Commissioned Officer to assist each TAC, known as TAC-NCOs.{{sfnp|Lea|2003|p=190}}

{{anchor|Department of Military Instruction}}
The Department of Military Instruction (DMI) is responsible for all military arts and sciences education as well as planning and executing the cadet summer training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/dmi/|title=Department of Military Instruction|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-date=17 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217031240/http://www.usma.edu/dmi/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Within DMI there is a representative from each of the Army's branches. These "branch reps" serve as proponents for their respective branches and liaise with cadets as they prepare for branch selection and graduation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Branch Representatives|publisher=Department of Military Instruction|url=http://www.usma.edu/dmi/branching.htm|access-date=19 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102085627/http://www.usma.edu/dmi/branching.htm|archive-date=2 January 2010}}</ref> Within DMI sits the Modern War Institute, a research center devoted to the study of contemporary conflict and the evolving character of war.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://mwi.usma.edu/about-3/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Modern War Institute|language=en-US|archive-date=23 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823194105/https://mwi.usma.edu/about-3/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Physical ===
[[File:Horizontal Ladder and Vertical Rope USMA IOCT.JPG|right|thumb|Indoor obstacle course]]
The [[Department of Physical Education]] (DPE) administers the physical program, which includes both physical education classes, physical fitness testing, and competitive athletics. The head of DPE holds the title of Master of the Sword, dating back to the 19th century when DPE taught swordsmanship as part of the curriculum.{{sfnp|Crowley|Guinzburg|2002|p=235}}

All cadets take a prescribed series of physical fitness courses such as military movement (applied gymnastics), boxing, survival swimming, and beginning in 2009, [[Modern Army Combatives|advanced combatives]]. Cadets can also take elective physical activity classes such as [[Scuba diving|scuba]], rock climbing, and aerobic fitness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/dpe/courseofferings.htm|title=Course Offerings |publisher=USMA Department of Physical Education|access-date=12 December 2008|archive-date=8 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108012425/http://www.usma.edu/dpe/courseofferings.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As with all soldiers in the Army, cadets also must pass the [[Army Physical Fitness Test]] twice per year. Additionally, every year, cadets must pass the [[Indoor Obstacle Course Test]] (IOCT), which DPE has administered in [[Hayes Gymnasium]] since 1944.{{sfnp|Barkalow|1990|p=77}}<ref>{{Cite thesis|author=Degan, Robert|title=The Evolution of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy|publisher=University of Wisconsin|year=1968}}</ref>

Since [[Douglas MacArthur]]'s tenure as superintendent, every cadet has been required to participate in either an [[NCAA|intercollegiate sport]], a [[sports club|club sport]], or an [[intramural]] (referred to as "company athletics") sport each semester.{{sfnp|Ambrose|1966|p=275}}

=== Moral and ethical training ===
[[File:Cadet Honor Plaze USMA Dec 2008.JPG|right|thumb|Class of '57 honor memorial on which the honor code is inscribed]]
Moral and ethical development occurs throughout the entirety of the cadet experience by living under [[Cadet Honor Code|the honor code]] and through formal leadership programs available at the academy. These include instruction in the values of the military profession through Professional Military Ethics Education (PME<sup>2</sup>), voluntary religious programs, interaction with staff and faculty role models, and an extensive guest-speaker program. The foundation of the ethical code at West Point is found in the academy's motto, "Duty, Honor, Country."<ref name="motto">{{cite web |title =About the Academy |publisher =United States Military Academy |url =http://www.usma.edu/about.asp |access-date =25 December 2008 |archive-date =3 May 2008 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20080503120921/http://www.usma.edu/about.asp |url-status =dead }}</ref>

West Point's [[Cadet Honor Code]] reads simply that: "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://admissions.usma.edu/faq_about.html|title=FAQs – About West Point|publisher=USMA Office of Admissions|access-date=31 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101202604/http://admissions.usma.edu/faq_about.html|archive-date=1 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cadets accused of violating the Honor Code face an investigative and hearing process. If they are found guilty by a jury of their peers, they face severe consequences ranging from being "turned back" (repeating an academic year) to separation from the academy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usma.edu/Committees/Honor/index.htm|title=Cadet Honor Committee|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-date=8 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108051949/http://www.usma.edu/Committees/Honor/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cadets previously enforced collective censure by an unofficial sanction known as "silencing" by not speaking to cadets accused of violating the honor code, but the practice ended in 1973 after national scrutiny.<ref>{{cite news |title=Silent Agony Ends for Cadet at Point |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/06/07/archives/silent-agony-ends-for-cadet-at-point-on-graduation-dayatwest-point.html |last=Greenhouse |first=Linda |work=The New York Times |date=7 June 1973|page=93}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cadet Committee at West Point Does Away with 'The Silence' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/12/archives/cadet-committee-at-west-point-does-away-with-the-silence-cadet.html |last=Feron |first=James |work=The New York Times |date=12 September 1973}}</ref>

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. For example, 151 junior cadets were found guilty of "violating the honor code" in their exams in 1976.<ref>From [[The Economist]] magazine, [https://www.economist.com/news/books-and-arts/21610180-rise-ronald-reagan-meant-far-more-victory-republicans-purpose-and?fsrc=scn/tw/te/pe/ed/purposeandworth accessible here (see final paragraph marked '''correction''')]. The corrected article is dated 1 September 2014; accessed 8 September 2014.</ref> In 2020, more than 70 cadets were also accused of cheating on exams.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/21/west-point-catches-70-cadets-worst-cheating-scandal-50-years/5856130002/ |title=West Point accuses more than 70 cadets of cheating in worst academic scandal in nearly 45 years |first=Tom |last=Vanden Brook |website=[[USA Today]] |date=21 December 2020 |access-date=21 December 2020}}</ref>

== Cadet life ==

=== Rank and organization ===
{{multiple image |total_width=400 |direction=horizontal
|image1=USMA Cadet Rank -0.jpg |caption1=Cadet shoulder sleeve insignia
|image2=USMA Cadet Rank -1.jpg |caption2=Cadet captains' shoulder sleeve insignia
|image3=USMA Cadet Rank -collar.jpg |caption3=Cadet collar insignia
}}
Cadets are not referred to as [[Freshman|freshmen]], [[Sophomore|sophomores]], [[Junior (education year)|juniors]], or [[Senior (education)|seniors]]. Instead they are officially called fourth class, third class, second class, and first class cadets. Colloquially, freshmen are ''plebes'', sophomores are ''yearlings'' or ''yuks'', juniors are ''cows'', and seniors are ''firsties''.{{sfnp|Atkinson|1989|p=43}}{{sfnp|Barkalow|1990|pp=23, 81, 109, 124}} Only some of the origins of the class names are known. [[plebs|Plebeians]] were the lower class of ancient Roman society, while yearling is a euphemism for a year-old animal. There are a number of theories for the origin of the term ''cow''; however the most prevalent and probably accurate one is that cadets had no leave until the end of their yearling year, when they were granted a summer-long furlough. Their return as second classmen was heralded as "the cows coming home."<ref>Shellum, Brian (2006). ''Black cadet in a White bastion: Charles Young at West Point''. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, pp. 94–95. {{ISBN|978-0-8032-9315-1}}.</ref>

The Corps of Cadets is officially organized into a brigade. The senior ranking cadet, the Brigade Commander, is known traditionally as the ''First Captain''. The brigade is organized into four regiments. Within each regiment there are three battalions, each consisting of three companies.<ref name=PA>{{cite web|last=Public Affairs Office|title=Class of 2015 Parents Almanac|url=http://www.westpoint.edu/Class/2015/parents_almanac.pdf|work=Page 12|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=1 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905004614/http://www.westpoint.edu/Class/2015/parents_almanac.pdf|archive-date=5 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Companies are lettered A through I, with a number signifying which regiment it belongs to. For example, there are four "H" companies: H1, H2, H3, and H4. First class cadets hold the leadership positions within the brigade from the First Captain down to platoon leaders within the companies. Leadership responsibility decreases with the lower classes, with second class cadets holding the rank of cadet sergeant, third class cadets holding the rank of cadet corporal, and fourth class cadets as cadet privates.{{sfnp|Neff|2007|pp=62–63}}

=== Life in the corps ===
[[File:USMA Color Guard on Parade.jpg|thumb|right|Cadet color guard on parade]]
Because of the academy's congressional nomination process, students come from all 50&nbsp;states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands.<ref name="numofcadets">{{cite web |title =FAQ: Who Attends the US Military Academy |publisher =Office of Admissions |url =http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_wp.cfm |access-date =3 January 2009 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090619074741/http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_wp.cfm |archive-date =19 June 2009 |url-status =dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Overview of the Academy | publisher =Office of Admissions | url =http://admissions.usma.edu/overview.cfm | access-date =3 January 2009 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090522055911/http://admissions.usma.edu/overview.cfm | archive-date =22 May 2009 | url-status =dead }}</ref> The academy is also authorized up to 60&nbsp;international exchange cadets, who undergo the same four-year curriculum as fully integrated members of the Corps of Cadets.<ref>{{cite web |title =USMA International Cadet Program |publisher =Office of Admissions |url =http://admissions.usma.edu/pdf/InterInfo.pdf |access-date =31 January 2012 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120404140352/http://admissions.usma.edu/pdf/InterInfo.pdf |archive-date =4 April 2012 |url-status =dead }}</ref> Cadets attend the United States Military Academy free of charge, with all tuition and board paid for by the Army in return for a service commitment of five years of active duty and three years of reserve status upon graduation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://admissions.usma.edu/faq_about.html#eight|title=FAQs – About West Point|publisher=USMA Admissions|access-date=31 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101202604/http://admissions.usma.edu/faq_about.html#eight|archive-date=1 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

Most graduates are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army. Foreign cadets are commissioned into the armies of their home countries. Since 1959, cadets have also had the option of "cross-commissioning," or requesting a commission in one of the other armed services, provided they meet that service's eligibility standards. Every year, a small number of graduates do this, usually in a one-for-one "trade" with a similarly inclined cadet or midshipman at one of the other service academies.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

Starting on the first day of a cadet's second class year, non-graduates after that point are expected to fulfill their obligations in enlisted service. Cadets receive a monthly [[stipend]] of $1,017.00 for books, uniforms, and other necessities, as of 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Midshipmen Pay and Benefits|url=http://www.usna.edu/Viewbook/life.php|publisher=U.S. Naval Academy|access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref> From this amount, pay is automatically deducted for the cost of uniforms, books, supplies, services, meals, and other miscellaneous expenses. All remaining money after deductions is used at the individual cadets' discretion. All cadets receive meals in the dining halls and have access to internet on approved, issued devices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dean.usma.edu/ietd/cchf.cfm|title=Computing @ West Point|publisher=Information and Education Technology Division at USMA|access-date=1 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109014831/http://www.dean.usma.edu/ietd/cchf.cfm|archive-date=9 January 2009}}</ref> The student population was 4,389 cadets for the 2016–2017 academic year. The student body has recently been around 20% female.<ref name="CN">{{cite web|url=http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=united+states+military+academy&s=all&id=197036 |title=College Navigator – United States Military Academy |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics, United States Department of Education |access-date=19 May 2017}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; "style: text-align:left; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Student body composition as of 2 May 2022
|-
! Race and ethnicity<ref>{{cite web |title=College Scorecard: United States Military Academy|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?197036-United-States-Military-Academy |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref>
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|62|%|2||background:gray}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|13|%|2||background:mediumblue}}
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|12|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|8|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| Other{{efn|Other consists of [[Multiracial Americans]] & those who prefer to not say.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|4|%|2||background:brown}}
|-
| [[Foreign national]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:gold}}
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| colspan="4" align="center"| '''Data not available'''
|}
All cadets reside on campus for their entire four years in one of the nine barracks buildings. Most cadets are housed with one roommate, but some rooms are designed for three cadets. Cadets are grouped into ''companies'' identified by alpha-numeric codes. All companies live together in the same barracks area.{{sfnp|Lipsky|2003|p=29}} The commandant may decide to have cadets change companies at some point in their cadet career. This process is known as scrambling and the method of scrambling has changed several times in recent years.{{sfnp|Murphy|2008|p=10}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1999/article/107/usma-update/|title=K. The Scramble is Back|publisher=West-Point.org|access-date=31 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927003226/http://www.west-point.org/class/usma1999/article/107/usma-update/|archive-date=27 September 2008}}</ref> All 4,000&nbsp;cadets dine together at breakfast and lunch in the Washington Hall during the weekdays.{{sfnp|Poughkeepsie Journal|2003|pp=14–15}} The cadet fitness center, Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center (usually just called "Arvin" by cadets and faculty), which was rebuilt in 2004, houses extensive physical fitness facilities and equipment for student use.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/Dcomm/PV/050819/arvin.htm|title=Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center Grand Opening |work=Pointer View|date=19 August 2005|access-date=4 January 2009|archive-date=10 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110192700/http://www.usma.edu/Dcomm/PV/050819/arvin.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:2012s Motto Beast March Back.JPG|right|thumb|Class of 2012's motto]]

Each class of cadets elects representatives to serve as class president and fill several administrative positions.<ref name="classofficers">{{cite web |title =USMA Class of 2009: Officers and committees |publisher =The Association of Graduates |url =http://www.aogusma.org/class/2009/officers/ |access-date =13 January 2009 |url-status =dead |archive-url =https://archive.today/20090525165925/http://www.aogusma.org/class/2009/officers/ |archive-date =25 May 2009 }}</ref> They also elect a ring and crest committee, which designs the class's crest, the emblem that signifies their class and is embossed upon their class rings. Each class crest is required to contain the initials ''USMA'' and their class motto.<ref name="co2009">{{cite web |title =Class of 2009, "For Your Freedom and Mine" |publisher =United States Military Academy |url =http://www.usma.edu/Class/2009/ |access-date =13 January 2009 |archive-date =9 January 2009 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090109060416/http://www.usma.edu/Class/2009/ |url-status =dead }}</ref> The class motto is proposed by the class during cadet basic training and voted on by the class prior to the beginning of their freshman academic year. Class mottos typically have wording that rhymes or is phonetically similar with their class year.<ref name="co2009"/>

Cadets today live and work within the framework of the West Point Leader Development System (WPLDS), which specifies the roles that a cadet plays throughout their four years at the academy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cadet Leader Development System (CLDS) |url=https://www.westpoint.edu/cadet-journey/leadership-development |access-date=8 May 2024 |publisher=United States Military Academy}}</ref> Cadets begin their USMA careers as trainees (new cadets), then advance in rank, starting as CDT Privates (freshmen) and culminating as CDT Officers (seniors). Freshmen have no leadership responsibilities, but have a host of duties to perform as they learn how to follow orders and operate in an environment of rigid rank structure, while seniors have significant leadership responsibilities and significantly more privileges that correspond to their rank.<ref>{{cite web|title=FAQ:What is the Cadet Leader Development System like?|publisher=Office of Admissions|url=http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_cadets.cfm#CLDS|access-date=19 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227012054/http://admissions.usma.edu/FAQs/faqs_cadets.cfm#CLDS|archive-date=27 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Activities ===
[[File:Flickr - The U.S. Army - President of Rawanda visits son at West Point.jpg|thumb|[[Rwanda]]n President [[Paul Kagame]] visits his son's room during Plebe-Parent Weekend]]
Cadets have a host of extracurricular activities available, most run by the office of the Directorate of Cadet Activities (DCA).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/index.html |title=DCA Homepage|publisher=Directorate of Cadet Activities |access-date=31 December 2008|archive-date=22 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222135048/http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> DCA sponsors or operates 113&nbsp;athletic and non-sport clubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/clubs/clubshome.html |title=Clubs Homepage|publisher=Directorate of Cadet Activities |access-date=31 December 2008|archive-date=9 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109190031/http://www.usma.edu/uscc/dca/clubs/clubshome.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Many cadets join several clubs during their time at the academy and find their time spent with their clubs a welcome respite from the rigors of cadet life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/clubs/testimonials.htm |title=Testimonials|publisher=Directorate of Cadet Activities |access-date=31 December 2008|archive-date=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223021416/http://www.usma.edu/uscc/dca/clubs/testimonials.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> DCA is responsible for a wide range of activities that provide improved quality of life for cadets, including: three cadet-oriented restaurants,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/rest/restaurants.htm |title=Cadet Restaurants|publisher=Directorate of Cadet Activities |access-date=31 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410191052/http://www.usma.edu/uscc/dca/rest/restaurants.htm |archive-date=10 April 2009}}</ref> the Cadet Store,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/stores/academystores.htm |title=Welcome to the Academy Stores |publisher=Directorate of Cadet Activities |access-date=31 December 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603025434/http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/stores/academystores.htm| archive-date=3 June 2008}}</ref> and the ''Howitzer'' and ''Bugle Notes''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/pubs/pubshome.html|title=Cadet Publications |publisher=Directorate of Cadets Activities |access-date=31 December 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513121108/http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/pubs/pubshome.html| archive-date=13 May 2007}}</ref> ''The Howitzer'' is the annual yearbook, while ''Bugle Notes'', also known as the "plebe bible," is the manual of plebe knowledge. Plebe knowledge is a lengthy collection of traditions, songs, poems, anecdotes, and facts about the academy, the army, the ''Old Corps'', and the rivalry with Navy that all plebes must memorize during cadet basic training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.west-point.org/academy/malo-wa/inspirations/buglenotes.html |title=Bugle Notes: Learn This!|publisher=West-Point.org|access-date=31 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913194545/http://www.west-point.org/academy/malo-wa/inspirations/buglenotes.html|archive-date=13 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{sfnp|Barkalow|1990|p=72}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/pubs/BugleNotes.htm |title=Bugle Notes |publisher=Directorate of Cadet Activities |access-date=31 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110123812/http://www.usma.edu/uscc/dca/pubs/BugleNotes.htm|archive-date=10 January 2009}}</ref> During plebe year, plebes may be asked, and are expected to answer, any inquiry about plebe knowledge asked by upper class cadets. Other knowledge is historical in nature, including information as found in ''Bugle Notes''.{{sfnp|Lipsky|2003|p=9}} However, some knowledge changes daily, such as "the days" (a running list of the number of days until important academy events),{{sfnp|Lea|2003|p=344}} the menu in the mess hall for the day, or the lead stories in ''[[The New York Times]]''.{{sfnp|Lipsky|2003|p=9}}

Each cadet class celebrates at least one special "class weekend" per academic year. Fourth&nbsp;class cadets participate in Plebe Parent Weekend during the first weekend of spring break. In February, third&nbsp;class cadets celebrate the winter season with Yearling Winter Weekend. In late January the second&nbsp;class cadets celebrate 500th&nbsp;Night, marking the remaining 500&nbsp;days before graduation. First class cadets celebrate three different formal occasions. In late August, first&nbsp;class cadets celebrate [[Ring Weekend]], in February they mark their last 100 days with 100th&nbsp;Night, and in May they have a full week of events culminating in their graduation. All of the "class weekends" involve a formal dinner and social dance, known in old cadet slang as a "hop," held at Eisenhower Hall.<ref>{{cite web |title=Class Weekends |publisher=Directorate of Cadet Activities |url=http://www.usma.edu/uscc/dca/programs/weekends.htm |access-date=31 January 2012|archive-date=2 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102123441/http://www.usma.edu/uscc/dca/programs/weekends.htm}}</ref>{{sfnp|Murphy|2008|p=20}} Grant Hall, formerly the cadet mess hall at West Point, is now a social center.<ref>{{harvp|Leon|2000|p=176}}. [https://archive.org/details/bulliescowardswe0000leon/page/176/mode/2up "Grant Hall. Formerly the cadet mess hall at West Point; now a social center."]</ref>

== Athletics ==
{{Main|Army Black Knights}}
[[File:Beat Navy Tunnel, West Point.jpg|right|thumb|"Beat Navy" tunnel]]
Since 1899, Army's mascot has officially been a mule because the animal symbolizes strength and perseverance.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goarmysports.com/trads/army-mules.html |title=Army Mules |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=31 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207000048/http://www.goarmysports.com/trads/army-mules.html |archive-date= 7 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Army Mules|publisher=The Historical Marker Database|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=7434 |access-date=4 February 2009|archive-date=11 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511073700/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=7434|url-status=dead}}</ref> The academy's football team was nicknamed "The Black Knights of the Hudson" due to the black color of its uniforms.<ref>Edson, James (1954). '' The Black Knights of West Point.'' New York: Bradbury & Sayles.</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Army plans games for home gridiron |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1947/01/15/archives/army-plans-games-for-home-gridiron-gen-taylor-behind-return-to.html?sq=army%2520football%2C%2520black%2520knights%2520of%2520the%2520hudson&scp=2&st=cse|date=15 January 1947|access-date=4 February 2009}}</ref> This nickname has since been officially shortened to the "Black Knights."<ref name="qfacts">{{cite web |url=http://www.goarmysports.com/school-bio/quick-facts.html |title=Quick Facts|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=31 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501204259/http://www.goarmysports.com/school-bio/quick-facts.html|archive-date=1 May 2012}}</ref> U.S. sports media use "Army" as a synonym for the academy. "On Brave Old Army Team" is the school's [[fight song]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goarmysports.com/trads/alma-mater.html|title=Traditions – Alma Mater/Songs|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=31 January 2012 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207000036/http://www.goarmysports.com/trads/alma-mater.html|archive-date=7 February 2012}}</ref> Army's chief sports rival is the [[United States Naval Academy|Naval Academy]] due to its long-standing football rivalry and the interservice rivalry with the [[United States Navy|Navy]] in general. Fourth class cadets verbally greet upper-class cadets and faculty with "Beat Navy," while the tunnel that runs under Washington Road is named the "Beat Navy" tunnel. Army also plays the [[U.S. Air Force Academy]] for the [[Commander-in-Chief's Trophy]]. In the first half of the 20th&nbsp;century, Army and [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] were [[Army–Notre Dame football rivalry|football rivals]], but that rivalry has since died out.{{sfnp|Crowley|Guinzburg|2002|pp=243–245}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Lapointe |date=8 September 2005 |title=Notre Dame and Army to Wake Up the Echoes |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/08/sports/ncaafootball/08irish.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=army+%22notre+dame%22+1946&oref=slogin |access-date=4 February 2009}}</ref> Notre Dame beat Army 44 – 6 in 2016.

=== Football ===
{{Main|Army Black Knights football}}
[[File:Army football (53297623003).jpg|thumb|right|Army football players during a game at [[Michie Stadium]] in 2023]]
Army [[American football|football]] began in 1890, when [[Navy Midshipmen football|Navy]] challenged the cadets to a game of the relatively new sport. Navy defeated Army at West Point that year, but Army avenged the loss in [[Annapolis, MD|Annapolis]] the following year.{{sfnp|Ambrose|1966|pp=305–306}} The rival academies still clash every December in what is traditionally the last regular-season Division I college-football game. The 2015 football season marked Navy's fourteenth consecutive victory over Army, the longest streak in the series since inception. The following year, Army won 21–17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/333482426 |title= Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen – Recap |publisher=ESPN|date=14 December 2013|access-date=4 December 2014}}</ref> Army's football team reached its pinnacle of success under coach [[Earl Blaik]] when Army won consecutive national championships in 1944, 1945 and 1946, and produced three [[Heisman Trophy]] winners: [[Doc Blanchard]] (1945), [[Glenn Davis (halfback)|Glenn Davis]] (1946) and [[Pete Dawkins]] (1958).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heisman.com/index.php/heismanWinners#winners-year |title=Trophy Winners |publisher=The Heisman Trophy |access-date=31 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801004040/http://www.heisman.com/index.php/heismanWinners |archive-date= 1 August 2014 }}</ref> Past NFL coaches [[Vince Lombardi]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vincelombardi.com/about/bio.htm |title=Biography |publisher=Official Website of Vince Lombardi|access-date=31 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313153654/http://www.vincelombardi.com/about/bio.htm |archive-date=13 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Bill Parcells]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2008/11/15/a1b_dolphins_1116.html|title=Bill Parcells is Dolphins' Godfather|last=Biggane|first=Brian| date=15 November 2008 |work=The Palm Beach Post|access-date=25 January 2009}}</ref> were Army assistant coaches early in their careers. The football team plays its home games at [[Michie Stadium]], where the playing field is named after Earl Blaik. Cadets' attendance is mandatory at football games and the Corps stands for the duration of the game. At all home games, one of the four regiments marches onto the field in formation before the team takes the field and leads the crowd in traditional Army cheers.{{sfnp|Palka|Malinowski|2008|p=197}} 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. Between the 1998 and 2004 seasons, Army's football program was a member of [[Conference USA]], but has since reverted to its former independent status.<ref>{{cite web|title=Army Football to Leave Conference USA After 2004 Season|publisher=Conference USA |url=http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071003aaa.html|access-date=23 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215063406/http://conferenceusa.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071003aaa.html|archive-date=15 February 2012}}</ref>

=== Other sports ===
{{See also|Army Black Knights men's basketball|Army Black Knights men's ice hockey}}
[[File:ArmyNavyLax2009.JPG|thumb|right|A cadet in action during the [[Day of Rivals|2009 Army–Navy lacrosse game]]]]
Though football may receive a lot of media attention due to its annual rivalry game, West Point has a long history of athletics in other NCAA sports.{{sfnp|Ambrose|1966|pp=305–306}} Army is a member of the Division I [[Patriot League]] in most sports,<ref name="qfacts"/> while its men's [[ice hockey]] program competes in [[Atlantic Hockey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/army/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/2011-12/prospectus/prospectus.pdf|page=1|title=Army Hockey 2011–2012|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=31 January 2012 |archive-date=12 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412120925/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/army/sports/m-hockey/auto_pdf/2011-12/prospectus/prospectus.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[John P. Riley Jr.]] was the hockey coach at West Point for more than 35 years. Every year, Army faces the [[Royal Military College of Canada]] (RMC) [[RMC Paladins|Paladins]] in the annual [[West Point Weekend]] hockey game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goarmysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11100&KEY=&ATCLID=576395|title=Army-RMC Rivalry |publisher=Go Army Sports.com |access-date=1 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503204432/http://www.goarmysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11100&KEY=&ATCLID=576395|archive-date=3 May 2011}}</ref> This series was first conceived in 1923.

The [[Army Black Knights men's lacrosse|men's lacrosse team]] has won eight [[NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship|national championships]] and appeared in the NCAA tournament sixteen times. In its early years, lacrosse was used by football players, like the "Lonesome End" [[Bill Carpenter]], to stay in shape during the off-season.<ref>
[https://admin.xosn.com/fls/11100//Lax%20Action%202009/09LaxGuide77-104.pdf?SPSID=104155&SPID=4573&DB_OEM_ID=11100 ''2009 Army Lacrosse Media Guide''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511134704/https://admin.xosn.com/fls/11100//Lax%20Action%202009/09LaxGuide77-104.pdf?SPSID=104155&SPID=4573&DB_OEM_ID=11100 |date=11 May 2011 }} (PDF), Army Athletic Communications, United States Military Academy, p. 78, 2009.
</ref> The 2005–06 women's basketball team went 20–11 and won the Patriot League tournament. They went to the [[2006 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament]] as a 15th-ranked [[Seed (tennis)|seed]], where they lost to [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]], 102–54. It was the first [[NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship|March Madness]] tournament appearance for any Army basketball team. The head coach of that team, [[Maggie Dixon]], died soon after the season at only 28 years of age. [[Bob Knight]], formerly the winningest men's basketball coach in NCAA history, began his head coaching career at Army in the late 1960s{{sfnp|Atkinson|1989|p=90}} before moving on to [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball|Indiana]] and [[Texas Tech Red Raiders men's basketball|Texas Tech]]. One of Knight's players at Army was [[Mike Krzyzewski]], who later was head coach at Army before moving on to [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]], where he has won five [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|national championships]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22725&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=152844&Q_SEASON=2008 |title=Mike Krzyzewski|publisher=Duke University Athletics|access-date=2 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810161102/http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22725&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=152844&Q_SEASON=2008 |archive-date=10 August 2011}}</ref>

Approximately 15% of cadets are members of a club sport team. West Point fields a total of 24&nbsp;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.<ref>{{cite web|title=College boxing championships at Maryland|work=The Washington Times|url=http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/lovey-land/2009/Apr/05/college-boxing-championships-maryland/|access-date=31 January 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119060018/http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/lovey-land/2009/Apr/05/college-boxing-championships-maryland/|archive-date=19 January 2012}}</ref><ref name="dca">{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/clubs/gallery.htm#NatChamps |title=DCA & Clubs Photo Pages|publisher=Directorate of Cadet Activities |access-date=31 January 2012|archive-date=27 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727235131/http://www.usma.edu/USCC/DCA/clubs/gallery.htm#NatChamps|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The majority of the student body, about 65%, competes in intramural sports, known at the academy as "company athletics." [[Department of Physical Education (DPE)|DPE's]] Competitive Sports committee runs the club and company athletics sports programs and was recently named one of the "15&nbsp;Most Influential Sports Education Teams in America" by the Institute for International Sport.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.internationalsport.com/top100Press.cfm|title=Top 15 Sport Education Teams in America|publisher=Institute for International Sport |access-date=10 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420193803/http://internationalsport.com/top100Press.cfm|archive-date=20 April 2009}}</ref> The fall season sees competition in basketball, flag-football, team handball, soccer, ultimate disc, and wrestling; while the spring season sees competition in combative grappling, floor hockey, orienteering, flicker ball, and swimming.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/dpe/competitivesports/csintramurals.htm|title=Company Athletics|publisher=USMA Department of Physical Education|access-date=10 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218151533/http://www.usma.edu/dpe/competitivesports/csintramurals.htm|archive-date=18 December 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sandhurst 2009 |publisher=Department of Military Instruction |url=http://www.usma.edu/dmi/sandhurst_competition.htm |access-date=12 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227141617/http://www.usma.edu/dmi/sandhurst_competition.htm |archive-date=27 February 2015 }}</ref>

== Traditions ==
{{listen
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Due to West Point's age and its unique mission of producing Army officers, it has many time-honored traditions. The list below are some of the traditions unique to or started by the academy.

=== Cullum number ===
The Cullum number is a reference and identification number assigned to each graduate. It was created by [[Brevet (military)|brevet]] Major General [[George Washington Cullum|George W. Cullum]] (USMA Class of 1833) who, in 1850, began the monumental work of chronicling the biographies of every graduate. He assigned number one to the first West Point graduate, [[Joseph Gardner Swift]], and then numbered all successive graduates in sequence. Before his death in 1892, General Cullum completed the first three volumes of a work that eventually comprised 10&nbsp;volumes, titled ''General Cullum's Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, and covering USMA classes from 1802 through 1850''. From 1802 through the Class of 1977, graduates were listed by General Order of Merit. Beginning with the Class of 1978, graduates were listed alphabetically within each class. Ten graduates have an "A" suffix after their Cullum Number. For various reasons these graduates were omitted from the original class rosters, and a suffix letter was added to avoid renumbering the entire class and subsequent classes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Graduation (Cullum) Number List |url=https://www.westpointaog.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-Cullum-Numbers-List.pdf |website=westpointaog.org |publisher=West Point Association of Graduates |access-date=2023-05-04 |archive-date=5 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505042655/https://www.westpointaog.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2022-Cullum-Numbers-List.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Former cadets, those who attended but did not graduate but separated under honorable conditions, are also given Cullum numbers in a different configuration.

=== Class ring ===
{{Main|United States Military Academy class ring}}
[[File:West Point 2012 Ring.JPG|thumb|2012 [[United States Military Academy class ring|West Point class ring]]]]
West Point began the collegiate tradition of the class ring, beginning with the class of 1835.<ref name="ring">{{cite web|url=http://digital-library.usma.edu/collections/photographs/classrings/|title=USMA Class Rings|publisher=USMA Library Special Collections|access-date=31 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114221417/http://digital-library.usma.edu/collections/photographs/classrings/ |archive-date=14 January 2009}}</ref> The class of 1836 chose no rings, and the class of 1879 had cuff links in lieu of a class ring. Before 1917, cadets could design much of the ring individually, but now only the center stone can be individualized.<ref name="ring"/> One side of the ring bears the academy crest, while the other side bears the class crest and the center stone ring bears the words ''West Point'' and the class year. The academy library has a large collection of cadet rings on display.{{sfnp|Neff|2007|p=284}} Senior cadets receive their rings during [[Ring Weekend]] in the early fall of their senior year. 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. After the cadets recite a poem known as the ''Ring Poop'', the senior usually grants the freshmen permission to touch the ring.{{sfnp|Hulse|1994|p=264}} In 2002, the Memorial Class ring donor program began. Donations of class rings are melted and merged. A portion of the original gold is infused with gold from preceding melts to become part of the rings for each 'Firstie' class.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mil/article/44212/new-tradition-at-west-point-adds-bit-of-molten-history-into-each-new-class-ring/|title=New tradition at West Point adds bit of 'molten' history into each new class ring|author=Mike Strasser, West Point Directorate of Public Affairs and Communications|date=25 August 2010|work=army.mil}}</ref>

=== Thayer Award ===
{{Main|Sylvanus Thayer Award}}
West Point is home to the Sylvanus Thayer Award. Given annually by the academy since 1958, the award honors an outstanding citizen whose service and accomplishments in the national interest exemplify the academy's motto, "Duty, Honor, Country."<ref name="thayeraward">{{cite web |url=https://www.westpointaog.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=946|title=The Sylvanus Thayer Award|publisher=Association of Graduates|access-date=1 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201231450/http://westpointaog.org/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=946 |archive-date=1 December 2010}}</ref> Currently, the award guidelines state that the recipient not be a graduate of the academy. The award has been awarded to many notable American citizens, to include [[George H. W. Bush]], [[Colin Powell]], [[Tom Brokaw]], [[Sandra Day O'Connor]], [[Henry Kissinger]], [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Barry Goldwater]], [[Carl Vinson]], [[Barbara Jordan]], [[William J. Perry]], [[Bob Hope]], [[Condoleezza Rice]]<ref name="thayeraward"/> and [[Leon E. Panetta]].

=== Sedgwick's spurs ===
[[File:Sedgwick's Spurs.JPG|right|thumb|[[John Sedgwick|Sedgwick's]] spurs]]
A monument to Civil War Union General [[John Sedgwick]] stands on the outskirts of the [[The Plain (West Point)|Plain]]. Sedgwick's bronze statue has [[spur]]s with rowels that freely rotate. Legend states that if a cadet is in danger of failing a class, they are to don their full-dress parade uniform the night before the final exam. The cadet visits the statue and spins the rowels at the stroke of midnight. Then the cadet runs back to the barracks as fast as possible. According to legend, if Sedgwick's ghost catches them, they will fail the exam. Otherwise the cadet will pass the exam and the course.{{sfnp|Lea|2003|p=409}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Tour of West Point Monuments & Statues|publisher=United States Military Academy |url=http://www.usma.edu/Tour/SedgwickMonument.asp|access-date=8 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107193437/http://www.usma.edu/Tour/SedgwickMonument.asp |archive-date=7 January 2009}}</ref> Although being out of their rooms after midnight is officially against regulations, violations have been known to be overlooked for the sake of tradition.{{sfnp|Barkalow|1990|p=78}}

=== Goat-Engineer game ===
[[File:West Point Goat Engineer Game &nbsp;9&nbsp;Dec&nbsp;2009.JPG|thumb|2009 Goat-Engineer game]]
As part of the run-up to the Navy football game, the Corps of Cadets plays the Goat-Engineer game.<ref name="gogoats">{{cite web |title =Early days of spirit: first Goat-Engineer game |work =Pointer View |url =http://www.usma.edu/Dcomm/PV/991203/bonfire.htm |access-date =12 January 2009 |archive-date =14 January 2009 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090114164009/http://www.usma.edu/Dcomm/PV/991203/bonfire.htm |url-status =dead }}</ref> First played in 1907, it is a game between the "Goats" (the bottom half of the senior (Firstie) class academically), and the "Engineers" (the top half). The game is played with full pads and helmets using [[eight-man football]] rules. The location has changed over the years, with recent venues being Richard Shea Stadium/Doubleday Field, [[Michie Stadium]], and [[Daly Field]]. Legend states that Army will beat Navy if the goats win, and the opposite if the engineers win.<ref name="gogoats"/> In recent years, female cadets have begun playing a [[flag football]] contest, so there are now two Goat-Engineer games, played consecutively the same night.<ref>{{cite web |title =Army-Navy Spirit Activities |publisher =West Point Public Affairs Office |url =http://www.usma.edu/Dcomm/PressReleasesbd/nr40-07ArmyNavySpiritWeek.htm |access-date =12 January 2009 |archive-date =22 May 2009 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090522120247/http://www.usma.edu/Dcomm/PressReleasesbd/nr40-07ArmyNavySpiritWeek.htm |url-status =dead }}</ref>

=== Walking the area ===
[[File:West Point Cadet walking the Area, May&nbsp;98.jpg|right|thumb|"Walking the area"]]
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''.<ref name="AR210-26">{{cite web|title=Army Regulation (AR) 210–26: United States Military Academy |publisher=US Army Publishing Activity (USAPA) |url=http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r210_26.pdf |access-date=23 December 2009 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090811130131/http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r210_26.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This process is better known to the cadets as "hours" because as punishment, cadets must walk a specified number of hours in penalty. Cadets are "awarded" punishment tours based upon the severity of the infraction. 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. In its most traditional form, punishment tours are "walked off" by wearing the dress gray uniform under arms and walking back and forth in a designated area of the cadet barracks courtyard, known as "Central Area." Cadets who get into trouble frequently and spend many weekends "walking off their hours" are known as "area birds."<ref>{{cite journal|title=Glossary of Army Slang|journal=American Speech|date=October 1941|volume=16|issue=3 |pages=163–169|jstor=486883 |doi=10.2307/486883}}</ref> Cadets who walk more than 100 total hours in their career are affectionately known as "Century Men."<ref>{{cite web |title=Commencement Speech (c/o 2006)|author=President G.W. Bush|publisher=USMA.edu|url=http://www.usma.edu/Class/2006/GradSpeech06.asp|access-date=23 December 2009|archive-date=15 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415171949/http://www.usma.edu/Class/2006/GradSpeech06.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> An alternate form of punishment to walking hours is known as "fatigue tours," where assigned hours may be "worked off" by manual labor, such as cleaning the barracks. Certain cadets whose academics are deficient may also conduct "sitting tours," where they have to "sit hours" in a designated academic room in a controlled study environment, for which they receive half credit towards their reduction of tours. Cadets' uniforms are inspected before their tours begin each day. The inspection process is arduous and considered part of the punishment, but the time spent does not count against the awarded number of tours.<ref>{{cite web |author=Tim Brooks |title=Kicking Pennies in the Rain |publisher=Vocal |url=https://vocal.media/serve/kicking-pennies-in-the-rain|access-date=17 November 2020 | date = December 2019}}</ref> A small number of cadets may be relieved of their tours that day if their uniforms are exceptionally presentable. 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.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rick Hampson|title=West Point offers gravitas, rapt audience|publisher=USA Today.com |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2009-12-02-west-point-obama_N.htm|access-date=24 December 2009 | date=2 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=John Wooley |author2=Gerhard Peters |name-list-style=amp |title=Remarks Announcing a Proclamation of Amnesty for Cadets at the Military Academy|publisher=The American Presidency Project|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=3030|access-date=24 December 2009}}</ref>

===Sandhurst Military Skills Competition===
In 1967 the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] presented West Point with a [[British Army]] officer's sword for use as a trophy in a [[Sandhurst Competition|military skills competition]] at West Point. In 2019 the Sandhurst competition spans two days, 12 and 13 April, with teams from USMA, the ROTC programs, the Naval, Coast Guard, and the Air Force academies. International academies including the UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland have won the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/220062/things_you_need_to_know_before_sandhurst_2019|title=Things you need to know before Sandhurst 2019 |website=army.mil|date=11 April 2019 }}</ref>

== Education of dependents==
[[File:West-point-es-rainbow.webp|thumb|West Point Elementary School]]
[[File:West Point Middle School rainbow 0.webp|thumb|West Point Middle School]]
The [[Department of Defense Education Activity]] (DoDEA) maintains, for children of military personnel, West Point Elementary School and West Point Middle School on the academy grounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dodea.edu/Americas/midAtlantic/WestPoint/index.cfm|title=West Point Community|publisher=[[Department of Defense Education Activity]]|accessdate=2022-07-04|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705202204/https://www.dodea.edu/Americas/midAtlantic/WestPoint/index.cfm|url-status=dead}} - [https://www.dodea.edu/westpointes/index.cfm Elementary site] and [https://www.dodea.edu/westpointMS/index.cfm Middle site]</ref>

The academy is physically in the [[Highland Falls Central School District]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st36_ny/schooldistrict_maps/c36071_orange/DC20SD_C36071.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Orange County, NY|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2022-07-04}}</ref> USMA sends high school aged students who are dependents of on-base military personnel to [[James I. O'Neill High School]] of Highland Falls schools under contract. In 2021, 190 children living on West Point attended O'Neill. In 2021 the agency at West Point announced that the bid to educate West Point High School students would be competitive.<ref name=WangHelu>{{cite news|last=Wang|first=Helu|url=https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/local/2021/09/27/could-west-point-students-and-funding-leave-highland-falls-schools/5833716001/|title=Could Highland Falls lose its West Point students?|newspaper=[[Times Herald-Record]]|date=2021-09-27|accessdate=2022-07-05}}</ref> In March 2022 the O'Neill contract was renewed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Randall|first=Mike|url=https://www.recordonline.com/story/news/2022/03/21/highland-falls-continue-educating-west-point-high-school-students/7095734001/|title=Highland Falls' contract to educate West Point high school students is renewed|newspaper=[[Times Herald-Record]] |date=2022-03-21|accessdate=2022-07-05}}</ref>

== Ranking ==
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is considered a liberal arts college by U.S. News and its ranked #8 in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges.<ref>U.S. News. National Liberal Arts Colleges. United States Military Academy at West Point. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/west-point-2893</ref>

==Preparatory school==
The U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, known as USMAPS, the Prep School, or West Point Prep, was formally established in 1946, but the history of "prepping" soldiers for West Point has been done since Congress enacted legislation in 1916 authorizing soldier appointments to West Point. The school exists today to prepare soldiers and civilians with the academic, leadership, and physical skills to become successful cadets at the United States Military Academy.<ref name="USMAPS"/> It is primarily an academic institution that accepts students and soldiers.<ref name="USMAPS">{{Cite web |publisher=United States Military Academy  |title=The United States Military Academy Preparatory School |url=https://www.westpoint.edu/usmaps}}{{PD-notice}}</ref>

== Notable alumni ==
{{Main list|List of United States Military Academy alumni|List of United States Military Academy alumni (non-graduates)}}

An unofficial motto of the academy's history department is "Much of the history we teach was made by people we taught."<ref name="Sept11"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westpoint.edu/about/public-affairs/news/fact-sheets|title=Fact Sheets|publisher=USMA West Point|access-date=31 December 2019}}</ref> Graduates of the academy refer to themselves as "The Long Gray Line," a phrase taken from the academy's traditional hymn "[[The Corps (song)|The Corps]]."<ref name="ellerson">{{cite web |title=Army names new football coach |work=Army Times |url=http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/army_ellerson_122708w/ |access-date=8 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Glossary |publisher=United States Military Academy|url=http://admissions.usma.edu/glossary.html|access-date=31 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214032549/http://admissions.usma.edu/glossary.html|archive-date=14 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Corps |publisher=West-Point.org |url=http://www.west-point.org/greimanj/west_point/songs/thecorps.htm |access-date=4 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612072233/http://www.west-point.org/greimanj/west_point/songs/thecorps.htm |archive-date=12 June 2008 }}</ref> The academy has produced just under 65,000&nbsp;alumni,<ref>{{cite book|publisher=The Association of Graduates|title=The Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy |location=West Point, NY|year=2007|page=865}}</ref> including two [[President of the United States|Presidents of the United States]]: [[Ulysses S. Grant]] and Dwight D. Eisenhower; the president of the [[Confederate States of America]], [[Jefferson Davis]]; and four foreign heads of state or government: Former [[President of Nicaragua|Nicaraguan President]] [[Anastasio Somoza Debayle]], Former [[Philippine President]] [[Fidel V. Ramos]], Former [[Costa Rican President]] [[José María Figueres]], and Current [[Prime Minister of Cambodia|Cambodian Prime Minister]] [[Hun Manet]]. Alumni currently serving in public office include [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Jack Reed (Rhode Island politician)|Jack Reed]], [[Governor of Nebraska]] [[David Heineman]], [[Governor of Louisiana]] [[John Bel Edwards]], [[United States House of Representatives|Congressmen]] [[Warren Davidson]], [[Mark Green (Tennessee politician)|Mark Green]], [[Brett Guthrie]], [[John Shimkus]] and [[Steve Watkins]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/about.asp|title=About the Academy|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=31 December 2008|archive-date=3 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503120921/http://www.usma.edu/about.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Military leaders===
The academy has graduated many notable leaders since its inception in 1802. During the Civil War, a West Point graduate commanded one or both armies in every one of the 60 major battles of the war.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Military Academy (West Point) Officers in the Civil War |url=https://civilwarintheeast.com/west-point-officers-in-the-civil-war/ |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=The Civil War in the East |language=en-US}}</ref>  Graduates included [[Ulysses S. Grant]], [[George McClellan]], [[George G. Meade]], [[Phillip Sheridan]], [[William Tecumseh Sherman]], [[John Bell Hood]], [[Stonewall Jackson]], [[Robert E. Lee]], [[Simon Bolivar Buckner]], [[James Longstreet]], [[J.E.B. Stuart]] and [[Oliver O. Howard]].{{NoteTag|Howard was later known for the founding of [[Howard University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Brief History |publisher=Howard University |url = http://www.howard.edu/explore/History.htm |access-date=19 January 2008 }}</ref>}} [[George Armstrong Custer]] graduated last in his class of 1861.{{sfnp|Eicher|2001|p=196|ps={{cnf|date=December 2024}}}} The [[Spanish–American War]] saw the first combat service of Lt. (later, Brigadier General) [[John Henry Parker (General)|John "Gatling Gun" Parker]], the first Army officer to employ machine guns in offensive fire support of infantry and Brig. General [[Irving Hale]], who holds the highest grade point average from the Academy, and helped found the VFW.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://vfwpost1.org/about/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=VFW Post 1 |language=en-US}}</ref>

During World War I, academy alumni included [[General of the Armies]] [[John J. Pershing]], and Major Generals [[Charles T. Menoher]] and [[Mason Patrick]]. West Point was the alma mater of many notable World War II generals, [[Henry H. Arnold]], [[Omar Bradley]], [[Mark Wayne Clark]], [[Robert L. Eichelberger]], [[James M. Gavin]], [[Leslie Groves]], [[Douglas MacArthur]], [[George S. Patton]], [[Joseph Stilwell]], [[Maxwell D. Taylor]], [[James Van Fleet]], [[Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV]], and [[Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr.]] the highest ranking General to be killed in combat during World War II, with many of these graduates also serving in commanding roles in the Korean War. During the Vietnam War, notable graduates general officers included [[Creighton Abrams]], [[Hal Moore]], and [[William Westmoreland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usma.edu/bicentennial/history/NotableGrads.asp|title=Notable USMA Graduates|work=USMA Bicentennial|publisher=United States Military Academy|access-date=4 January 2009|archive-date=18 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518095835/http://www.usma.edu/bicentennial/history/NotableGrads.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> West Point also produced some famous generals and statesmen of recent note including [[John Abizaid]], [[Stanley A. McChrystal]], [[Wesley Clark]], [[Alexander Haig]], [[Barry McCaffrey]], [[Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr.]], [[Brent Scowcroft]], [[Lloyd Austin]], and former [[Director of the Central Intelligence Agency]], retired General [[David Petraeus]].

A total of 76&nbsp;graduates have been awarded the Medal of Honor.<ref>{{cite web|title=West Point Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients|publisher=Medalofhonor.com |url=http://www.medalofhonor.com/WestPoint.htm|access-date=20 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630233102/http://www.medalofhonor.com/WestPoint.htm |archive-date=30 June 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

West Point has also graduated 18&nbsp;[[National Aeronautics and Space Administration|NASA]] astronauts, including five who went to the moon.

===Business leaders===
West Point has been emerging as a "CEO Factory" due to the number of alumni who go on to success in the business world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shock and Awe: West Point Grads Use Military Strategy to Win Big as CEOs |accessdate=2023-04-07 |first=Valerie |last=Young |date=28 Mar 2016 |website=thestreet.com |url=https://www.thestreet.com/investing/shock-and-awe-west-point-grads-use-military-strategy-to-win-big-as-ceos-13501628}}</ref> Noted alumni include:

* [[Jim Kimsey]], founder of [[America Online|AOL]]; 
* Bob McDonald, CEO of [[Procter & Gamble]] who was later nominated to be the Secretary of Veteran Affairs;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bob-mcdonald-former-pandg-chief-to-be-obamas-nominee-to-lead-veterans-affairs/2014/06/29/2fddd794-ffab-11e3-b8ff-89afd3fad6bd_story.html|title=Bob McDonald, former P&> chief, to be Obama's nominee to lead Veterans Affairs|author=Juliet Eilperin|date=29 June 2014|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> 
* Alex Gorsky, CEO of Johnson & Johnson; 
* [[Keith McLoughlin]], President and CEO of [[Electrolux]], 
* [[Jeffrey Martin|Jeffrey W. Martin]], CEO of [[Sempra Energy]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessroundtable.org/about-us/members/jeffrey-w-martin-chief-executive-officer-sempra-energy|title=Chief Executive Officer|website=www.businessroundtable.org|language=en|access-date=2019-06-20|archive-date=20 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620191350/https://www.businessroundtable.org/about-us/members/jeffrey-w-martin-chief-executive-officer-sempra-energy|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
* [[Alden Partridge]], founder of [[Norwich University]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Quick Facts|publisher=Norwich University|url=http://www.norwich.edu/admissions/quickfacts.html|access-date=24 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217201525/http://norwich.edu/admissions/quickfacts.html|archive-date=17 February 2009}}</ref>
* [[Bill Roedy]], former [[chief executive]] and [[managing director]] of MTV Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-22 |title=Bill Roedy to leave MTV |url=https://variety.com/2010/tv/news/bill-roedy-to-leave-mtv-1118024479/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Sports===
Contributions to sport include three [[Heisman Trophy]] winners: [[Glenn Davis (halfback)|Glenn Davis]], [[Doc Blanchard]], and [[Pete Dawkins]]. [[Abner Doubleday]], once thought by some to have created baseball, graduated from West Point in 1842.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History Channel - Abner Doubleday |date=6 February 2023 |url=https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/abner-doubleday}}</ref>

===Government===
West Point alumni include many prominent government officials, including [[Brent Scowcroft]], the [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]] under presidents [[Gerald Ford]] and [[George H. W. Bush]], and [[Eric Shinseki]], former [[Secretary of Veterans Affairs]] under President [[Barack Obama]]. West Point graduate [[Frank Medina]] organized and led the nationwide campaign that brought the [[Congressional Gold Medal]] to the [[65th Infantry Regiment]], also known as the [[65th Infantry Regiment|Borinqueneers]]. 

Among American universities, the academy is fifth on the list of total winners for [[Rhodes Scholarships]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Rhodes Scholarships – Number of Winners by Institution |url=http://www.rhodesscholar.org/assets/uploads/RS_Number%20of%20Winners%20by%20Institution_1_15_16.pdf|website=Rhodes Scholarship|publisher=The Rhodes Trust|access-date=3 February 2016}}</ref> seventh for [[Marshall Scholarships]] and fourth on the list of [[Hertz Foundation|Hertz Fellowships]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dean.usma.edu/Scholarships/|title=Scholarship Winners|publisher=Office of the Dean, USMA|access-date=19 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109021116/http://www.dean.usma.edu/Scholarships/|archive-date=9 January 2009}}</ref> The official alumni association of West Point is the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG or AOG), headquartered at Herbert Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westpointaog.org|title=Association of Graduates |publisher=Westpointaog.org|access-date=1 January 2008}}</ref>

==West Point Garrison and Stewart Army Subpost==
As an active-duty U.S. Army installation, there are several regular Army units that provide support for the USMA and the West Point installation. The U.S. Army Garrison<ref>[https://www.westpoint.army.mil/index.html U.S. Army Garrison West Point] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706212355/https://www.westpoint.army.mil/index.html |archive-date=6 July 2017|access-date= 16 July 2017}}</ref> includes a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Provost Marshal and Military Police, Religious Program Support, Keller Army Community Hospital, the West Point Dental Activity, the USMA Band (a regular Army band—USMA cadets are not members of the USMA band), and the Directorate of Human Resources (DHR). The DHR is the higher headquarters for: Military Personnel Division (MPD), Army Continuing Education System (ACES), Administrative Services Division (ASD) and the [[Army Substance Abuse Program]] (ASAP).

The [[1st Infantry Regiment (United States)|1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment (1–1 INF)]] and the 2d Army Aviation Detachment, both stationed on nearby [[Stewart Air National Guard Base#Units|Stewart Army Subpost]], provide military training and aviation support to the USMA and the West Point Garrison. Additionally, active duty Army support is sometimes provided by the [[10th Mountain Division]], based at [[Fort Drum]], NY.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.pointerview.com/2017/07/13/zeroing-in-on-cadet-field-training-cft-cadets-learn-impact-of-field-artillery/| title = Retrieved 16 July 2017| access-date = 16 July 2017| archive-date = 19 February 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190219015741/http://www.pointerview.com/2017/07/13/zeroing-in-on-cadet-field-training-cft-cadets-learn-impact-of-field-artillery/| url-status = dead}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Hudson Valley|National Register of Historic Places}}
*[[United States Military Academy grounds and facilities]]
*[[List of monuments at the United States Military Academy]]
*[[Kosciuszko's Garden]]
*[[The Army University|Army University]]
*[[U.S. Naval Academy]]
*[[U.S. Air Force Academy]]
*[[U.S. Coast Guard Academy]]
*[[U.S. Merchant Marine Academy]]
*[[Redoubt Four (West Point)]]
*[[West Point Cadets' Sword]]
*[[West Point Band]]
*[[The Jazz Knights]]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}
{{Notelist-la}}
{{notelist-ua}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last =Ambrose |first =Stephen |author-link = Stephen Ambrose | title =Duty, Honor, Country: A History of West Point |publisher=[[Johns Hopkins University Press]] |location = Baltimore |year = 1966|isbn =0-8018-6293-0}}
* {{Cite book |last=Atkinson|first=Rick |author-link = Rick Atkinson |year=1989|title=The Long Gray Line|location=Boston |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin Company]]|isbn=0-395-48008-6}}
* {{Cite book |last=Barkalow|first=Carol|title=In the Men's House |year=1990|location=New York|publisher=Poseidon Press|isbn=0-671-67312-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/inmenshouseinsid00bark}} On integrating women
* Betros, Lance. ''Carved from Granite: West Point since 1902'' (Texas A&M University Press, 2012).
* {{Cite book |last = Crackel |first = Theodore |title =The Illustrated History of West Point |publisher=Harry N. Abrams, Inc |location = Boston |year = 1991 |isbn = 0-8109-3458-2 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Crackel|first=Theodore|title=West Point: A Bicentennial History|location=Lawrence, KS|publisher=[[University Press of Kansas]]|year=2002|isbn=0-7006-1160-6|url=https://archive.org/details/westpoint00theo}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Crowley |first1=Robert |last2=Guinzburg |first2=Thomas |title=West Point: Two Centuries of Honor and Tradition |publisher=Warner Books |location=New York |year=2002 |isbn=0-446-53018-2}}
* {{Cite book |last=Endler|first=James|title=Other Leaders, Other Heroes |publisher=Praeger Publishers |location=Westport, CT |year=1998|isbn=0-275-96369-1|url=https://archive.org/details/otherleadersothe00endl }}
* {{Cite book |last=Hulse|first=Glenn |title=Bugle Notes, 86th Volume |publisher=Directorate of Cadet Activities |location=West Point, NY |year=1994 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Lea |first=Russell |title=The Long Green Line |publisher=Infinity Publishing |location=Haverford, PA |year=2003 |isbn=0-7414-1459-7}}
* {{Cite book |last=Leon |first=Philip W. |year=2000 |title=Bullies and Cowards: The West Point Hazing Scandal, 1898–1901 |location=Westport, CT |publisher=Greenwood Press |isbn=0-313-31222-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/bulliescowardswe0000leon}}<br/>{{cite web |title=Bullies and Cowards: The West Point Hazing Scandal 1898–1901 |url=http://www.citadel.edu/english/bullies%26cowards.html |access-date=31 January 2009|archive-date=26 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526013410/http://www.citadel.edu/english/bullies%26cowards.html}}
* {{Cite book |last=Lipsky |first=David |author-link=David Lipsky |title=Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin Company]]|location=Boston |year=2003|isbn=0-618-09542-X |title-link=Absolutely American}}
* {{Cite book |last=Mahon |first=John K. |year=1967 |title=History of the Second Seminole War 1835–1842, Revised Edition |publisher=University of Florida Press}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=McDonald |editor-first=Robert M. S. |title=Thomas Jefferson's Military Academy: Founding West Point|year=2004 |publisher=University of Virginia Press|location=Charlottesville, VA|isbn=978-0813922980}}
* {{Cite book|last=McMaster|first=R.K. |title=West Point's Contribution to Education|publisher=McMath Printing Co|location=El Paso, TX |year=1951 }}
* {{Cite book|last=Miller|first=Rod |title=The Campus Guide: West Point US Military Academy|publisher=Princeton Architectural Press|location=New York|year=2002|isbn=1-56898-294-1}}
* {{Cite book|last=Murphy |first=Bill Jr.|title=In a Time of War: The Proud and Perilous Journey of West Point's Class of 2002|publisher=Henry Holt & Co. |location=New York|year=2008|isbn=978-0-8050-8679-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/intimeofwarpr00murp }}
* {{Cite book|last=Neff|first=Casey|title=Bugle Notes: 99th Volume|publisher=Directorate of Cadet Activities |location=West Point, NY |year=2007 }}
* {{Cite book|last1=Palka|first1=Eugene|last2=Malinowski|first2=Jon C. |year=2008|title=Historic Photos of West Point|location=Nashville, TN |publisher=Turner Publishing Company|isbn=978-1-59652-416-3}}
* {{Cite book|author=Poughkeepsie Journal|year=2003|title=West Point: Legend on the Hudson|location=Montgomery, NY|publisher=Walden Printing |isbn=0-9674209-1-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Simpson|first=Jeffrey|year=1982|title=Officers and Gentlemen: Historic West Point in Photographs|location=Tarrytown, NY |publisher=Sleepy Hollow Press|isbn=0-912882-53-0 |url = https://archive.org/details/officersgentleme00simp }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
{{Commons category|United States Military Academy}}
* {{Official website|https://www.westpoint.edu/}}
* [http://www.goarmysports.com/ Army Athletics website] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205094440/http://www.goarmysports.com/ |date=5 February 2009 }})

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