SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 1 THE SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 VOL. 73, NO. 34 ® UTY ONOR OUNTRY OINTER IEW D , H , C PSERVING THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AND THE COMMUNITY V OF WEST POINT ® Lords of the “Ring Weekend” Surrounded by family and friends, the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2017 assembled to receive its class rings during the annual Ring Ceremony Aug. 26 at Trophy Point. Ring Weekend, which includes the Ring Ceremony, Ring Banquet and a Cadet Hop, commemorates the Firsties’ academic careers as they enter their fi nal year at West Point. See Page 3 for the story. PHOTOS BY STAFF SGT. VITO T. BRYANT/USMA PAO (ABOVE PHOTOS) AND CLASS OF 2018 CADET ALEX WERDEN (RIGHT) 2 SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 NEWS & FEATURES POINTER VIEW Winning future wars starts with Cannon fire, other winning on “fields of friendly strife” courtesies for On July 30, 1918, Pvt. Martin Treptow, a 25-year-old barber They instill from Cherokee, Iowa assigned to the 42nd Division, 168th tenacity, resilience, Reveille and Retreat Infantry, was killed by enemy fire during the Second Battle of discipline, mental By DPTMS Plans and Operations the Marne in World War I. Among his personal effects was a and physical diary, with the following words written in the flyleaf: toughness, and the The firing of a cannon round from the vicinity of the Trophy “America must win this war. I will work, I will save, I will desire to excel and Point Flag Pole in order to announce both Reveille and Retreat endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my upmost, as if the push ourselves to happens each day, including weekends and holidays. issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.” goals and objectives Below are some simple reminders on the proper etiquette to Through his words, Pvt. Treptow understood that the path we previously did render respect to the flag during Reveille and Retreat. to victory required that he give his all to the effort, as if victory not think possible. Reveille depended on him and him alone. He knew that second best That grit and • Military personnel in uniform, in a formation or a group: wouldn’t cut it, and that failure was not an option. “can do” attitude Come to attention, present arms during “Reveille.” Hold salute With the start of the new academic year, the Corps of and the ability to until the last note of “Reveille.” When the music stops, formation Cadets once again returns to the “fields of friendly strife” for overcome adversity is brought to order arms. another exciting season of athletics. Our corps squad teams are the same traits • Military personnel in uniform, not in a formation: Stop, had a great season last year, with an overall win-loss record that build winning face the flag (or in direction of the music), come to attention and of 282-200-17, the best we’ve had in 15 years. Between our platoon leaders and present arms during “Reveille.” corps squad and cadet club teams, we’ve celebrated numerous company commanders when our cadets graduate. It develops When the music stops, come to order arms and continue on conference and national championships. In fact, if you’ve seen the very mindset that Pvt. Treptow espoused in his diary nearly your way. the championship billboards at the post gates, you know that a century ago: to give everything you have, as if the outcome • Personnel in civilian clothes: Stop, remove headgear (if we had so many national championships, we ran out of room of the entire contest depended on you, and you alone. necessary), face the flag (or in direction of the music), come to and had to spill over into the conference championship section! This is also what America expects of us as an Army, because attention and place right hand over heart. Veterans and active- Our men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball when our Nation decides to put boots on the ground, they do duty service members not in uniform may render the hand salute teams are already off to good starts this season, and tomorrow not expect us to go out there and “look good” or just “do our during “Reveille.” night, we head to Philadelphia to kick off our football season best.” They expect us to excel, accomplish the mission and win. When the music stops, drop your hand salute or hand from against Temple. I know we’re all looking forward to a great Winning isn’t necessarily a binary win/lose concept. your heart, then continue on your way. winning season, and especially looking forward to beating Rather, it’s the idea of committing to excellence and playing to • Personnel in vehicles: Stop in a safe area, exit vehicles, Navy. the upper levels of one’s potential. As famed Duke basketball face the flag (or in direction of the music) and render honors as As part of our commitment to being the world’s premier coach and West Point graduate Mike Krzyzewski said: “My described above. leader development institution, we continually emphasize hunger is not for success, it is for excellence. Because when Retreat the idea of building and fostering a culture of excellence and you attain excellence, success just naturally follows.” • Military personnel in a formation: Stand at the position winning in everything we do. We don’t settle for mediocrity or Winning and the pursuit of excellence isn’t limited to the of parade rest during “Retreat.” On the last note of “Retreat,” “good enough,” but continually strive to be the best and then athletic fields. It’s in our classrooms. It’s acing that exam or come to attention and present arms. Hold salute until the last strive to make the best even better. project. It’s overcoming the fear of the high dive or finally note of “To the Colors.” When the music stops, the formation Many of you are familiar with the story of my conversation getting up on the shelf in the IOCT. It’s found in those many is brought to order arms. at the Army-Air Force game a few years ago with Gen. Martin individual challenges and obstacles we face and overcome • Military personnel in uniform, not in a formation: Stop, Dempsey (then the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) who daily. face the flag (in direction of the music) and come to attention told me, “when our cadets graduate, they will be laying it on But that doesn’t mean winning at all costs. Rather, it during “Retreat.” At the first note of “To the Colors,” present the line and they deserve better than mediocrity.” means winning in accordance with our values and who we arms. Hold salute. When the music stops, come to order arms That comment always stuck with me. As leaders, we have a are as a Nation. When we beat Navy in December, we will and continue on your way. responsibility to continually strive for excellence in everything do so honorably, remaining true to the values and standards • Personnel in civilian clothes: Stop, remove headgear (if we do. Our number one priority at West Point is to develop that define us. necessary), face the flag (in direction of the music) and come to leaders who are prepared to fight and win our nation’s wars. To all of our athletic teams, and to the West Point team at attention during “Retreat.” At the first note of “To the Colors,” Part of that preparation is building a culture of excellence and large, think about your role on the team, and consider how you place right hand over heart. winning in everything we do, and in turn, helping our cadets can “do your utmost” and be the catalyst that drives the team to • Veterans and active-duty service members not in uniform internalize that winning spirit and quest for excellence. success and victory, as if the entire outcome depended on you. can render the hand salute during “Retreat.” When the music Athletics are such an important part of our development Think about what it means to produce a culture of winning and stops, drop your hand salute or hand from your heart, then as leaders. When Gen. Douglas MacArthur declared “every excellence, and aspire to that winning spirit that allows us to continue on your way. cadet an athlete” and uttered the words we all know by heart: achieve excellence in ALL that we do. • All personnel in vehicles: Stop in a safe area, exit vehicles, “Upon the fields of friendly strife are borne the seeds that, upon Here’s to a successful winning season! I look forward to face the flag (in the direction of the music) and render honors other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory”—he seeing you all out there cheering on our teams and celebrating as described above. knew that athletics develops certain attributes important for winning and excellence. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at 845- future leaders. Beat Temple! Beat Navy! Beat Everyone! 938-6909. 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 845-346-3214. 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.