SPRING 2021 The Combat Experience of EST POIN Younger Graduates W T A S S S E O T Ring Melt for USMA 2022 C A IA U T I AD ON OF GR A Publication of the West Point Association of Graduates THE MILITARY BUILDS LEADERS. WE TAKE IT FROM THERE. We are a veteran-focused company. Email [email protected] and ask about our Veteran’s Rotational Program and our highly-selective Leader Development Program. SECTION : TITLE FROM THE PRESIDENT VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2 • SPRING 2021 Dear Fellow Graduates: The mission of West Point magazine is to tell the Last year, the West Point Association of Graduates unveiled the details of WPAOG’s West Point story and strengthen the grip of the 2030 Strategic Plan, which was developed in accordance with WPAOG’s mission to Long Gray Line. serve West Point and its graduates. Essential to this plan is the importance of support; in fact, the word “support” is mentioned 44 times throughout the Strategic PUBLISHER Plan. In particular, the plan highlights support for the Academy, support for cadets, West Point Association of Graduates Todd A. Browne ’85, President & CEO support for alumni, support for families, and support for the local community. EDITOR IN CHIEF Kim McDermott ’87 The theme of this issue of West Point magazine focuses of the concept of support [email protected] and the many ways that the Academy and the Association fosters a culture of ASSOCIATE EDITOR support. One article, for example, examines the support that West Point Parent Keith J. Hamel Clubs have been providing to cadets for decades, support that has recently been EDITORIAL ADVISORY GROUP enhanced by the efforts of the West Point Association of Graduates. WPAOG has Kim McDermott ’87 Terence Sinkfield ’99 Patrick Ortland ’82 Samantha Soper also recently partnered with the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and ADVERTISING End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS) and is now piloting a bi-directional 845.446.1646 | [email protected] program called REACH that is aimed at supporting both those seeking help and ADDRESS UPDATES those offering to help. You can read more about REACH and the support it offers in West Point Association of Graduates ATTN: Data Services Team this issue. Finally, a third article details the support provided to cadets via the USMA 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996-1607 Sponsorship Program. I am sure some of the younger members of the Long Gray 845.446.1644 | [email protected] Line remember their sponsor family and the support they provided at West Point MEMORIAL ARTICLE MANAGER and, in many cases, beyond. Marilee Meyer HON ’56 845.446.1545 | [email protected] Speaking of younger members of the Long Gray Line, be sure to check out this CONTENT Keith Hamel Erika Norton issue’s cover story regarding the deployment of the “GWOT generation,” where you Kim McDermott ’87 will read about the contributions of younger graduates to the Global War on MULTIMEDIA Terrorism. Their service to the nation and valor have been exceptional. This is Nile Clarke enlightening to “Old Grads” like me. No need to fear those “million ghosts in olive DESIGN drab, in brown khaki, in blue and gray [rising] from their white crosses, thundering Marguerite Smith those magic words”: the GWOT generation of the Long Gray Line embodies “Duty, Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do Honor, Country,” as does every generation who came before and those who will not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy, or attitude of the U.S. come after. Army, United States Military Academy, West Point Association of Graduates, its officers, or the editorial staff. The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not necessarily constitute an In closing, I would thank members of the Long Gray Line, as well as friends and endorsement by the U.S. Army, United States Military Academy, West families of West Point, for their generosity and unwavering support during the very Point Association of Graduates, its officers, or the editorial staff for the products or services advertised. challenging year of 2020, contributing $44.7 million in cash receipts for West Point and the Long Gray Line. Your gifts and participation strengthen the Academy’s POSTMASTER Margin of Excellence programs for cadets, sustain the traditions that pay tribute to West Point is published quarterly in Winter, Spring, Summer and generations of West Point graduates, and support new opportunities that would not Fall. Send address changes to: West Point magazine, West Point Association of Graduates, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY have been possible otherwise. 10996-1607. West Point is printed by Sheridan NH. Grip (wash) Hands! SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions may be ordered for $25 (domestic mail) online at EST POIN W T WestPointAOG.org; by calling 800.BE.A.GRAD; or by sending a check to WPAOG, West Point magazine, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996-1607. (International shipping incurs A S S additional fees: please inquire.) S E O T C A I U Todd A. Browne ’85 A D T I A ON OF GR ON THE COVER: Given by the Classes of 1935 and 1936, the President and CEO American Soldiers Statue honors our nation’s enlisted soldiers. West Point Association of Graduates Photo: WPAOG Archives. 2 WestPointAOG.org FROM THE PRESIDENT The Combat Experience of Younger Graduates IN THIS ISSUE | Ring Melt for USMA 2022 5 COVER STORY | The GWOT Generation of the Long Gray Line Since the turn of the century, a new generation of West Point graduates has emerged and their combat experiences are starting to be known. Classes Connecting Through Time: 10 DEPARTMENTS Ring Melt for the Class of 2022 2 From the President The annual Ring Melt symbolically links cadets and members of the Long Gray Line through the gold 4 From the Superintendent of class rings. 17 WPAOG Military Retiree Recognition Program 50 is Always >19 14 26 Poster: Lusk Reservoir Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, many in-person in Spring activities associated with WPAOG’s 50-Year 36 WPAOG News ADVERTISERS Affiliation Program have been cancelled, but support APi 1 for the program has never been stronger. 38 Gripping Hands Balfour 19 39 Mailbox Century 21 C2 20 Connecting the Lives and Service 42 Parents Corner Falcons Landing 19 of West Point Graduates Herff Jones 17 A look at TAPS and the Register of Graduates reveals 48 Be Thou at Peace Patriots Colony 17 that connecting grads of the Long Gay Line has always 50 Past in Review SACC 19 been part of WPAOG’s DNA. USAA 15, C3 West Point Authors Bookshelf 46 22 Moving WPAOG’s Biggest Party Online When Army fans could not attend the Navy game in person, WPAOG brought the party to them! 24 End Alumni Suicide: It’s Within Our REACH WPAOG unveils a new, bi-directional program, piloted through the VA’s “President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide” (PREVENTS) initiative, aimed at ending alumni suicide. 28 Cadet Sponsors Provide Time Well Spent For more than two decades, the USMA Sponsorship Program has been helping relieve cadets of the stressors of West Point while at the same time showing them the rewards of being part of an Army family and having an Army career. 40 WPPC: We Love Our Cadets! For as long as cadets have been attending West Point, parents have been in the role of support, encouraging cadets along their journey. 43 The Leadership Triad: Fostering Excellence The Leadership Triad assists in problem-solving and finding creative solutions to support cadet-athletes in all areas so that they are properly equipped to Live Honorably, Lead Honorably, and Demonstrate Excellence. Send your thoughts about West Point magazine to [email protected] or @WPAOG From Your West Point on Twitter. View the online version of this magazine at WestPointAOG.org/wpmag Association of Graduates Highlights and videos may be found on WPAOG Social Media. WEST POINT | SPRING 2021 3 FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT Fellow Members of the Long Gray Line: The entire West Point Team joins me in wishing you all a very Happy which focused on wellness and resiliency as part of a greater wellness week. The entire (albeit belated) Founders Day. While many Founders Day events were community also conducted a DoD directed extremism stand down, where we discussed the either modified or cancelled because of the ongoing pandemic, I hope oath of office, impermissible behaviors, and responsibility of reporting. Additionally, we are you took a moment to celebrate our shared proud heritage and kinship taking part in a series of events throughout April during Sexual Assault Awareness and as members of the Long Gray Line. Prevention Month. Through these and other events, cadets learn the importance of building trust and treating people with dignity and respect to build cohesive and winning teams, while We continue to lead and win the fight against COVID here with the focusing on eliminating harmful, trust-breaking behaviors such as sexual assault and sexual deliberate, disciplined, and comprehensive approach that has harassment, racism, and extremism. sustained us and ensured mission success throughout the pandemic. Earlier this year, we took another major step toward defeating this virus We recently finished adjudicating the cases for all cadets accused of cheating on a calculus with Operation Immune Knight, our comprehensive plan to vaccinate term-end exam last spring. Each case was heard individually and on its own merits, and all the Corps, staff and faculty and the extended West Point community. cadets who violated the Honor Code were held accountable for their actions.