SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 1 THE SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 VOL. 74, NO. 36 ® UTY ONOR OUNTRY OINTER IEW D , H , C PSERVING THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AND THE COMMUNITY V OF WEST POINT ® Finding a Branch Fit Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Cruz, fi eld artillery proponent offi ce, Fort Sill, Okla., discusses the use of the LL DR Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefi nder to a cadet during Branch Week Monday. Branch Week takes place from Monday through Friday and gives cadets the opportunity to explore all 17 U.S. Army offi cer braches. Cadets from all class years, as well as U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School cadet candidates and ROTC cadets from other colleges, have the chance to speak with branch representatives to help them decide which military profession best fi ts them. See page 3 for a story on Branch Week. PHOTO BY MICHELLE EBERHART/PV 2 SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 NEWS & FEATURES POINTER VIEW Suicide Prevention: “Be There” for your teammates Dear West Point Community, may lead one to feel trapped or hopeless about admit you need help, it also takes courage to life, withdraw and isolate oneself from others approach someone and ask if they need help. September is National Suicide Prevention or increase alcohol or substance abuse. Before Don’t avoid or judge that person, or try to be Awareness Month, an opportunity to promote long, it could lead one to consider suicide as a a therapist or counselor. Just be there for them the available resources, increase awareness and way to escape the situation. and let them know you care. focus on how we can help and talk to others If you experience a life-crisis that starts Remember ACE: about suicide without increasing the risk of to make you feel overwhelmed, depressed or Ask: Ask if they’re OK, and ask them harm. isolated to the point of hurting yourself or taking directly if they’re thinking about suicide. With the beginning of a new academic your own life—please remember that it is OK to Care: Actively listen to what they have to year, this is an appropriate time to have the ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness; in fact, say. Show them you’re concerned and that you conversation with our teammates about stress it’s a sign of strength. It takes courage to admit care. Discuss and care about what is troubling and mental wellness, as well as being aware of you need help, but never be afraid to ask for it. them. the signs and behaviors that could escalate into Talk to somebody—a friend, a co-worker, Escort: Bring them to someone who a situation where a teammate considers taking or battle buddy, someone in your chain of can provide professional assistance (medical, his or her own life. command, a faculty member, chaplain or a chaplain, etc.), and don’t leave them alone. We generally don’t like to talk about mental spiritual counselor, anyone you feel comfortable If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling health, because we may think it’s a sign of having the conversation with. with an issue that’s leaving you feeling weakness. But it’s important that we do address The theme for National Suicide Prevention depressed or helpless, do not be afraid to ask it, whether it affects us, or someone around us. Awareness Month is “Be There.” One of for help. We all need a helping hand from time West Point is a high-tempo, fast-paced the most important things we can do for our to time, and help is available. Have the courage environment, whether you’re a cadet, staff teammates who may be dealing with these issues to ask and reach out before it may be too late. or faculty member. You’re juggling multiple is to simply be there for them. Remember that you’re not alone—there are That’s what battle buddies do. Look for warning things at once—schoolwork or your job, If you know someone feeling this way or if others who can help. signs and don’t be afraid to ask if someone extracurricular activities, military duties and you suspect someone might be thinking about As leaders, we have the responsibility to needs help. Sometimes, letting someone know family time. hurting him or herself, don’t be afraid to have the ensure that everyone feels like a valued member that you care and that you have their back can We pack a lot into each day for our cadets conversation. It’s a difficult conversation to have of the team, and we must continually reinforce make all the difference. One conversation can by design, with the intent of helping to teach with someone; there’s a fear of being wrong the vital role that every teammate contributes to change a life. them time management and balancing priorities, about someone needing help or the assumption the mission. Leader intervention does make a while preparing them for their future careers as that it’s not your place to have the conversation difference. By “being there” for our teammates, Thank you for all you do. Army officers. That can create a lot of stress. and someone else will do it. remaining vigilant, and engaging with them, we Beat Navy! Personal or relationship issues, like a break- Never assume someone else will do it, can take action when issues do arise to assist our up or financial issues, can also cause stress because when “someone else” comes along, teammates before they reach a crisis. Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr. and affect our mental well-being. These things it could be too late. Just as it takes courage to Please look out and be there for each other. USMA Superintendent Fall Yard Sale force protection message West Point ranked top By Luke Pagan Residents are encouraged to be vigilant and DPTMS Force Protection Officer contact the Military Police desk at 938-3333 when observing any suspicious individuals or The West Point Fall Yard Sale is scheduled acts such as persons taking atypical photographs public college by U.S. News from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and will occur rain or asking abnormal questions about the or shine without a makeup date. installation. By U.S. Military Academy Public Affairs Force Academy for No. 2 on High School Due to the increased amount of vehicle Housing residents should report any Office Counselors’ Top Picks List for National and foot traffic on the installation, the Military suspicious vehicles that may remain in the Liberal Arts Colleges. This is the fifth Police will increase its patrols throughout the housing areas after the conclusion of the yard The 2018 edition of U.S. News & World consecutive year West Point was ranked as a installation with particular attention paid to the sale and into Sunday. Report’s Best Colleges rankings released top pick by high school counselors. housing areas. Please note that if calling 911 while on West Monday places the U.S. Military Academy as “Recognition as the top public college Residents and guests must be cautious while Point, you must inform the operator that you’re the top public college, ahead of sister service is a reflection of our staff and faculty’s driving in the housing areas and comply with all on West Point. academies U.S. Naval Academy, No. 2, and commitment to West Point’s mission to posted West Point traffic restrictions. Please be The operator will immediately divert your U.S. Air Force Academy, No. 3. educate, train and inspire our Corps of Cadets. aware that the general public attending the yard call to the West Point Military Police. West Point also ranks No. 4 on the Best We all share in this achievement,” Brig. Gen. sale is allowed to enter through all three gates. For further details, contact the West Point Undergraduate Engineering Programs list, and Cindy Jebb, dean of the academic board, said. West Point will enforce our force protection force protection officer at 938-8859. takes the top spot in the Best in the Specialties “We will continue to invest in cutting edge directives that require all vehicles entering the Remember: category for civil engineering, fourth for pedagogy, research, facilities and intellectual installation without proper identification to be If you see something, hear something, say electrical/electronic/communications and fifth capital to ensure our graduates are prepared stopped and searched. something. for mechanical engineering. for the unknown challenges that lie on our West Point tied with the U.S. Air horizon.” 40 Mulberry Street, Middletown, NY 10940 POINTER VIEW ® To subscribe to the Pointer View or The Army civilian enterprise newspaper, the Pointer View, is an authorized publication for members The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not if you have delivery problems, call 845-346-3213. of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Pointer View are not necessarily the official views of, or constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army or the Times Herald- Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr. Michelle Eberhart endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of the Army or the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Record. Superintendent PV Assistant Editor, 938-3079 The editorial content of the Pointer View is the responsibility of the U.S. Military Academy Public Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use or patronage Lt. Col. Scot Keith [email protected] Affairs Office, Bldg. 600, West Point, New York 10996, (845) 938-2015.