MARCH 24, 2016 1 THE MARCH 24, 2016 VOL. 73, NO. 11 ® UTY ONOR OUNTRY OINTER IEW D , H , C PSERVING THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AND THE COMMUNITY V OF WEST POINT ® Carter talks Quantum Physics with Cadets The Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter, visits and participates in a Quantum Physics classroom in Bartlett Hall Wednesday morning. PH 366 Instructor, Lt. Col. Corey Gerving, shows Carter a display in the classroom while Class of 2016 Cadets Roberts Nelson (far right) and Charlie Wu explain the projects they’ve worked on this year. See next week’s Pointer View on Carter’s visit to West Point. PHOTO BY MICHELLE EBERHART/PV 2 MARCH 24, 2016 NEWS & FEATURES POINTER VIEW Mental Health: Be a Friend, Think ACE Dear West Point community, increased alcohol or substance abuse. Before long, it could lead • CARE: Actively listen to one to consider taking their own life as a way to escape the what they have to say. Show As a result of a number of mental wellness concerns within situation. them you’re concerned and that our West Point community recently, I want to talk about mental If you experience a life-crisis that starts to make you feel you care. Discuss and care about health. We often focus on physical health and well-being, but we overwhelmed, depressed, isolated to the point of hurting yourself what is troubling them. tend to ignore mental wellness. or taking your own life—please remember that it is OK to ask for • ESCORT: Bring them Mental health is a real thing. We know when something is help. It is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it is a sign of strength. to someone who can provide physically wrong, because our body tells us. But that is not as It takes courage to admit you need help, but never, NEVER be professional assistance (medical, clear with mental health. Left unchecked, it can overwhelm us afraid to ask for it. chaplain, etc.) and don’t leave to the point where we might consider hurting ourselves or taking Talk to somebody—a friend, a co-worker, or battle buddy, them alone. our own life. someone in your chain of command, a faculty member, chaplain If you’re feeling Mental health is something we generally don’t like to talk or a spiritual counselor, anyone you feel comfortable having the overwhelmed or struggling about, because we may think it’s a sign of weakness. But it is conversation with. with an issue that’s leaving you critically important that we do address it, whether it’s affecting If you know someone feeling this way or if you suspect feeling depressed or helpless, do us, or someone around us. someone might be thinking about hurting him or herself, don’t not be afraid to ask for help. West Point is a high-tempo, fast-paced environment, whether be afraid to have the conversation. We all need a helping hand from time to time, and help is you’re a cadet, staff or faculty member. You’re juggling multiple It’s a difficult conversation to have with someone; there’s available. Have the courage to ask and reach out before it may things at once—schoolwork or your job, extracurricular activities, a fear of being wrong about someone needing help or the be too late. Remember that you’re not alone—there are others military duties and family time. assumption that it’s not your place to have the conversation and who can help. We pack a lot into each day for our cadets by design, with the someone else will do it. Finally, look out for each other. That’s what battle buddies intent of helping to teach them time management and balancing Never assume someone else will do it, it could be too late. Just do. Look for warning signs and don’t be afraid to ask if someone priorities, while preparing them for their future careers as Army as it takes courage to admit you need help, it also takes courage needs help. officers. That can create a lot of stress. to approach someone and ask if they need help. Sometimes, letting someone know that you care and that you There are many other things that cause stress and affect our Don’t avoid or judge that person, or try to be a therapist or have their back can make all the difference. mental well-being: personal or relationship issues, financial counselor. Just let them know you care. Remember the acronym issues and many others. ACE: Beat Navy! These things may lead one to feel trapped or hopeless about • ASK: Ask if they’re OK, and ask them directly if they’re life, withdrawing and isolating oneself from others, or even thinking about suicide. Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr. Bitteker receives ADAC honor West Point Middle School student Cat Bitteker receives flowers, balloons and $200 as the grand prize winner of the Spanish language Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Council of Orange County poster contest March 8 at the WPMS. Allie Lerman, a representative from ADAC, was on hand to congratulate Cat and give honorable mention to the other recipients. 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PV Staff Writer, 938-3684 POINTER VIEW IN FOCUS: PLEBE PARENT WEEKEND MARCH 24, 2016 3 Class of 2019 Plebe Parent Weekend: So Freedom Will Reign Story and photos by Michelle Eberhart to face so I’m really thankful that we have this Plebe Parent Weekend, to show our parents what West Point parents came from across the it’s like here, sort of show things through our globe to visit their U.S. Military Academy own perspective.” Cadets for Plebe Parent Weekend March 11-13. While his father went back to Indonesia, Freshman class parents had the opportunity Jacob enjoyed his spring break in Utah with to tour the barracks, visit classes, enjoy the friends and family. Plebe-Parent Weekend Review and attend the Gasper Gulotta, a Class of 1981 graduate Class of 2019 banquet. and father to Class of 2019 Cadet Charlie “I’m really impressed with West Point, it’s Gulotta, enjoyed his Plebe Parent Weekend a beautiful campus filled with amazing people as well. with a lot of high ambition, a lot of skill just In fact, he enjoyed it a lot better the second budding with opportunity,” said Vance Fryer, time around. father to Class of 2019 Cadet Jacob Fryer. “I “It’s a lot nicer now as a graduate,” Gulotta love the support that they get from the leadership said, reminiscing over his own time as a plebe. here as well.” Back in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Fryer traveled to West Point from Jakarta, Gulotta’s wife and then-girlfriend, Joanne, Indonesia for the weekend and flew back on recalls having to eat with him in the mess hall Monday. during Thanksgiving holiday and spring break. “I live internationally … so communication This time, they can bring their plebe home. and opportunities to visit are not easy. It takes “We are really happy to connect with our son a lot of time to come over here,” Fryer said. and see his success here, see the facilities and However, spending time at Grant Hall over see the support he’s getting from the institution,” Class of 2019 Cadets march in front of their parents and Academy Command a meal and meeting his son’s professors made Gulotta said. “And we’re really excited about teams during the Plebe Parent Weekend Review March 12 on Washington Hall the trip well worth it. taking him home for spring break, and giving Apron. “I like to see my son succeeding here,” Fryer him a chance to unwind for a week before “(Charlie) and a lot of his classmates have guests got to watch the West Point Parachute said. “After having made a very determined sending him back from Washington State.” a real desire to serve where I remember most of Team perform a demonstration after the Plebe- effort to get here, to see him succeeding so well, Gulotta says the cadet mindset has changed the folks I was with, we were just trying to get Parent Review.