WINTER 2011 In This Inaugural Issue: First Captain Marc Beaudoin ’11 A Publication of the West Point Association of Graduates The Class of ’73 thanks those who serve, remembers those who have gone before us, and congratulates our West Point Association of Graduates on the publication of this inaugural issue of West Point magazine. —Proud and Free DutyHonorCountry To make a gift to the Class of ’73 40th Class Reunion Gift Project, please visit www.westpointaog.org/netcommunity/73gift or call 845-446-1656. ON the COVER 7 First Captain 28 Marc Beaudoin ’11 has traveled the world and Fort Putnam immersed himself in various cultures. Now he It was the keystone in Kosciuszko’s commands the Corps of Cadets as First Captain fortress West Point that prevented and has selected Infantry as his branch. the British from dividing the colo- nies by freely moving their forces along the Hudson River. 30 Undiscovered Truths and the Sympathetic Imagination Dr. Elizabeth D. Samet tours the North Slope of Alaska with two of her former students prior to the deployment of their brigade to combat. Dean Tim Trainor ’83 4 Brigadier General Tim Trainor promises no “seismic shifts” as the 13th Dean of the Academic Board but a Systems Engineering approach to fine tune the curriculum and allocation of resources. IN THIS INAUGURAL ISSUE Departments 8 Boots on the Ground 21 West Point Prep School 34 Development 2 Letters In a volunteer army fighting on two The U.S. Military Academy Prepara- Engineering in Honduras fronts, how can the demands of tory School has moved several times In many cases, the best efforts to 3 From the Superintendent deployment, necessary training during its existence, but now it is provide engineering solutions in 27 Start the Days! and family life be balanced? returning to West Point. developing countries succeed or fail at the lowest levels. 40 Gripping Hands 12 The Ace of Clubs 22 Journey to Vietnam The Director of Cadet Activities Cadets met with a former bodyguard 37 Women’s Soccer Team 48 Past in Review is responsible for the “most of Ho Chi Minh and viewed both Stefanie Golan was named Patriot robust extracurricular program cultural sites and former battlefields League Women’s Soccer Coach of in the country.” in Vietnam. the Year, and the team won the regular season title (4-0-3). 18 Nininger Award Captain Bobby Sickler ’05 stressed 38 Alexandra Lostetter ’11 teamwork as key to the success of his Co-captain Alex Lostetter allowed helicopter scout team in destroying only six goals all season and is Army’s insurgent vehicles in Mosul, Iraq. all-time shutout leader. From Your West Point Send your thoughts about West Point magazine to [email protected]. Association of Graduates All letters to the editor are considered for publication, usually in condensed format. Cover Photo: Charlie Graham; This Page: Sylvia Graham,SylviaGrahamCharliePage:Graham;Charlie ThisPhoto: Cover WEST POINT | WINTER 2011 1 letters As you read this issue of West Point magazine, Volume 1, issue 1 • Winter 2011 remember that many members of the Long Gray Line currently are deployed in The mission of West Point magazine is to tell combat. We honor all those who served or are the West Point story and strengthen the grip serving and those who have fallen. of the Long Gray Line. Publisher West Point Association of Graduates Editor in Chief Julian M. Olejniczak ’61 To The Long Gray Line: 845-446-1517 [email protected] Welcome to West Point magazine! Editors Joyce Jones The Board of Directors and the staff of the West Point Association of Graduates(WPAOG) 845-446-1520 take great pride in sending this inaugural issue of West Point to as many of you as [email protected] possible. West Point is part of our overall strategic communications effort to engage Sylvia Graham 845-446-1562 graduates and other “Hearts in Gray” in support of the U.S. Military Academy and [email protected] Corps of Cadets. In the coming months, you can expect to see additional information- Editorial Advisory Group sharing initiatives, and enhanced content across all media. John Calabro ’68 Jim Johnston ’73 The thing that unites us as graduates is the formative four-year experience many of us Kim McDermott ’87 Maryellen Picciuto ’86 had as cadets at West Point. Regardless of whatever career path each of us chose or Samantha Soper professional success we may have achieved, at one point we all reported to the Cadet Advertising in the Red Sash, endured Plebe swimming, bivouacked at Camp Buckner and grew into Joyce Jones adult Leaders of Character who later went on to serve our nation. This magazine is 845-446-1520 [email protected] designed to focus on, celebrate, and reconnect all of us with today’s West Point and the magnificent young men and women who have stepped forward to “follow close Address Updates Tammy Flint order behind” us in the Long Gray Line. 845-446-1642 [email protected] ASSEMBLY, with its focus on the activities of alumni and other constituents, will change Design format and still be sent to those who have subscribed. Over time, we anticipate many Impel Creative of its features, particularly Class Notes, will move to a platform on the WPAOG website, All letters to the editor are considered for publication, where classmates can update their information more frequently and without the space usually in condensed format. limitations of today. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors We hope that you will support West Point magazine and continue to support the and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policy, or attitude of the U.S. Army, United States Military Academy, West Point national treasure that is West Point with your time, talent, and resources to keep Association of Graduates, its officers, or the editorial staff. both strong now and in the future. Go Army! The appearance of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the West Point Association of West Point, for Thee! Graduates of the products or services advertised. POSTMASTER If this magazine is addressed to a member of the military services, no postage is necessary for forwarding (See Postal Manual, Section 159.225). If no forwarding address for this military member is available, send Form 3579 to West Point Association of Graduates, West Point, NY 10996-1607. West Point is published quarterly in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall by the West Point Association of Graduates, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996-1607. Periodicals postage paid at West Point, NY 10996 and additional mailing offices. Send address changes to Tammy Flint, West Point Association of Graduates, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996-1607. West Point is printed by QuadGraphics. Jodie Glore ’69 Bob McClure ’76 EST POIN W T Chairman President & CEO West Point AOG Board of Directors West Point AOG A S S S E O T C A IA U T I AD ON OF GR 2 www.WestPointAOG.org Letters A Letter from the Superintendent Congratulations to the West Point Association done in both our departments and at our of Graduates on this premier issue of West Point centers of excellence, like the Combating magazine. This is a great way for WPAOG to Terrorism Center and Systems Engineering’s keep the Long Gray Line informed about the Operations Research Center. The Bionic Foot United States Military Academy. project is an outstanding example of this West Point’s most important mission is to kind of connection to our Soldiers. You will produce commissioned leaders of character read all about these special contributions committed to the values of Duty, Honor, in this and future issues. Country, and prepared for service to the Time, Treasure, and Talent is our theme for nation. Our vision echoes and reinforces involvement. Share your special talents with the mission: “West Point is recognized as a cadets, faculty, or West Point community preeminent leader development institution members as you can. Share your treasure whose graduates—a principal source of by supporting events, academic enrichment commissioned officers for the United States programs, or other projects which capture Army—are leaders of character; the founda- your imagination. Spend time telling the David H. Huntoon, Jr. ’73 tion of our professional military ethic, and West Point story in your own communities. Lieutenant General, U.S. Army a critical resource of intellectual capital for 58th Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy the nation.” Every graduate has a great story worth telling. West Point magazine will illustrate West Point magazine illustrates many of the a few, but there are 48,000 of you with ways in which we accomplish that mission much more to tell. We ask that you seek and move to the vision. Feature articles will opportunities in your own communities cover cadet life, academics, athletics, and to strengthen your ties to the Americans special enrichment opportunities. we serve while highlighting West Point’s “West Point magazine illustrates many of the ways in which we accomplish that mission and move to the vision. Feature articles will cover cadet life, academics, athletics and special enrichment opportunities.” As an international landmark, West Point tremendous history, traditions, and current has much to offer our visitors, from Trophy contributions to the nation. Point to Fort Putnam, and from our world We are excited that the West Point Associa- class museum to our legendary monuments tion of Graduates is embarking on this new that speak to the valor and sacrifice of our endeavor. For the first time, every graduate graduates. Feature articles in West Point will receive an alumni publication.