WEST POINT ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES PARENT HANDBOOK 2018–2019 2 INTRODUCTION Welcome to West Point! Once your son or daughter reports to Eisenhower (Ike) Hall at West Point on R-Day, you’ll begin a new chapter in your life unlike anything you have experienced. We have designed this booklet to help parents understand and meet the challenges that await you during your cadet’s experience at the United States Military Academy. Prior knowledge about the journey is a powerful tool in preparing you for the 47-month cadet experience. TABLE OF CONTENTS Academy Overview 4 2018 Army West Point Football 58 USMA Academic Achievements 5 The Long Gray Line 62 Parent Support 6 Supporting West Point & 63 the Long Gray Line Parents Clubs 7 The Long Gray Line 66 West Point Association of 12 of Us Stretches Graduates Overview West Point is Everywhere 67 Visiting West Point 14 Calendar of Events 68 Developing Leaders of Character 20 Herbert Alumni Center 91 Plebe Academic Year 38 The Gift Shop 92 Yearling Academic Year 40 Helpful Phone Numbers 94 Cow Academic Year 42 West Point Alma Mater 98 Firstie Academic Year 44 The Army Song 99 Special Events Weekends 46 On, Brave Old Army Team! 100 Programs 50 Important Information 102 Support Services 53 About My Cadet Glossary 54 USMA Map 103 Proudly Funded By 3 Dear Parents, Congratulations and welcome to the West Point family! At the U.S. Military Academy, the Corps of Cadets receives a top-tier education, including military and physical training, but at the heart of everything we do is developing leaders of character. We are privileged to work with your sons and daughters during their 47 months at West Point as they strengthen the moral-ethical attributes essential to great leadership skills that are vital for success as Officers in our Army. Since 1802, West Point has produced graduates who have contributed significantly to American growth and security. It is often said, “Much of the history we teach was made by people we taught.” Our prestigious Academic Program provides a world-class education through our curriculum, faculty, and resources. The Commandant’s Corner is a way to provide information about current cadet activities, important leadership topics, and other information about the Corps of Cadets. You have many opportunities to support your sons and daughters while they attend West Point. Please visit our parent website at usma.edu/parents where you can also find social media resources. Our USMA Parent Communications Liaison, Debra Dalton, and your local West Point Parents Club are also great sources of information. On behalf of the staff and faculty of the Academy, thank you for your support as your sons and daughters prepare for future roles as leaders for our Army. West Point for Thee! Cindy R. Jebb ’82 Steve Gilland ’90 Brigadier General, Brigadier General, US Army US Army 14th Dean of the 77th Commandant Academic Board of Cadets 4 ACADEMY OVERVIEW The mission of the United States Military Academy is “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.” The Academy envisions that graduates will be commissioned leaders of character who, in preparation for the intellectual and ethical responsibilities of officership, are broadly educated, professionally skilled, morally-ethically grounded, physically fit, and committed to continued growth and development both as Army officers and as American citizens. As such, graduates must understand the Profession of Arms and the application of a broad liberal education in the arts and sciences to that profession; the fundamentals of the American Constitution and the responsibilities of commissioned officers to its defense; and the values and ethical standards of the United States Army: the Professional Military Ethic. Graduates must also demonstrate personal devotion to the duties of a commissioned officer: intellectual curiosity, imagination, and creativity; ability to act rationally and decisively under pressure; mastery of the basic military and physical skills required for entry into commissioned service; inspiration and motivation to lead American soldiers in war and peace—leadership characterized by a winning spirit; the ability and motivation to achieve and sustain unit climates that are conducive to military effectiveness and professional excellence; and personal commitment to the selfless standards of officership within the United States Army. Academy systems and programs have been structured to contribute to instilling these characteristics in each graduate. USMA ACADEMIC 5 ACHIEVEMENTS Forbes – 2017 #2 Public College #9 Liberal Arts College #16 Top College in the Northeast #24 Top College Nationwide Princeton Review – 2018 #1 Best Classroom Experience #2 Most Accessible Professors #2 Lots of Race/Class Interaction #4 Everybody Plays Intramural Sports #4 Best Health Services #5 Best College Library U.S. News & World Report – 2018 #1 Public National Liberal Arts College #1 Civil Engineering Program #2 High School Counselor Ranking #4 Best Undergrad Engineering Programs #4 Electrical/Electronic/Communication #5 Mechanical Engineering Program #12 National Liberal Arts College (public & private) College Factual #1 Best College Offering Degrees in Legal Professions #2 Best College to Study Geography and Cartography #3 Best College to Study Environmental Engineering 6 PARENT SUPPORT Our philosophy on parent communication is simply that parents should have the correct information in order to support their sons and daughters while they attend West Point. Please keep in mind that it is a college experience, and your cadet will need to navigate much of it on his or her own. And, we encourage open communication between parents and cadets! That said, it is the role of the Parent Communications Liaison to help answer questions or redirect parents if/when the need arises. West Point Parents Clubs also facilitate communication between the Academy and cadet parents, promoting the image of West Point, assisting the Academy with its recruitment efforts, and providing camaraderie to parents of cadets. This office is responsible for assisting parents and the Parents Clubs that have formed all over the country. West Point Parents Clubs offer an opportunity for mutual support, fellowship, and access to useful information about the Academy and cadet life. At present, there are more than 75 clubs throughout the United States. In addition to sharing with the Parents Clubs, information for parents can be found on the West Point website and via social media. Web: usma.edu/parents Instagram: West Point Parents Facebook: West Point Parents Twitter: West Point Parent Please be sure to join your local parents club for shared camaraderie and understanding of cadet life. To find a club near you, contact the West Point Parents Club Coordinator at 845.938.8826 or at [email protected]. GO ARMY! Debra Dalton USMA Parent Communications Liaison PARENTS CLUBS 7 WE UNDERSTAND… AND WE CAN HELP! Membership in a West Point Parents Club offers valuable opportunities for mutual support, fellowship, and access to useful information about the Academy and cadet life. Although each club is an independent organization, clubs are officially recognized and supported by the Academy. The Parents Club network offers a dynamic line of communication between the Academy and cadet parents. The USMA Parent Communications Liaison, Debra Dalton, relays current information to club presidents, who then communicate with their members through email and newsletters. Typical club activities include meetings, informal get-togethers, tailgates, holiday balls, new cadet picnics, luncheons or dinners, and other events at which cadet families gather. Parents Clubs are not a substitute for communication between you and your cadet’s company tactical officer (TAC). Specific concerns or information regarding your cadet should be addressed to the TAC. Many Parents Clubs communicate and interact with West Point Societies and members of the West Point Admissions Field Force in their local areas. Through this networking, these groups are able to gain a broad perspective on the Academy and to assist in tell- ing the West Point story across the country. Some clubs are becoming more involved by working with the Admissions Office in spreading the word about West Point to their local communities and high schools. Many clubs work with local West Point Societies by coordinating events at away athletic competitions/special events and Founders Day activities. There are West Point Parents Clubs in most states. To join a Parents Club near you, simply locate the club in your region and contact the president. Please see the following pages of this handbook for a listing of Parents Clubs. If there isn’t a club in your area and you would like more information about forming one, please call the USMA Parent Communications Liaison at 845.938.8826. 8 PARENTS CLUBS WEST POINT PARENTS CLUBS Alabama West Point Parents Club of Orange County California West Point Parents Club of Alabama President: Brian Millsap Co-Presidents: Jim and Amy Watkins [email protected] [email protected] West Point Parents Club of Los Angeles County Co-Presidents: John Prindle & Gleam Davis Alaska [email protected] Alaska All Academy Association West Point Parents Club of San Diego WP Representitives: Gregory & Kathleen