West Point News

Watch 2012 Graduation

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:20:00 GMT

The graduation ceremony for the West Point Class of 2012 is archived at the Pentagon Channel.

Olmsted Foundation Dedicates Plaque to Scholarship Recipients

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:59:00 GMT

The Olmsted Scholar Program, which was established in 1959, sends service academy graduates overseas for two years of graduate study and other educational experiences. Spouses also receive grants for language training.

On May 22, 2012, a plaque to recognize recipients was erected in Thayer Hall, outside of Robinson Auditorium. COL (R) Robert McClure '76, President of the West Point Association of Graduates, BG Tim Trainor '83, Dean of the Academic Board, and MG Bruce Scott '72, President of the Olmsted Foundation, all spoke of the program's integrity and accolades. Many previous recipeints were also in attendance.

See photos

Museum Reveals New Fort Sumter Exhibit

Fri, 11 May 2012 17:24:00 GMT

Remember Fort Sumter! Operations Against Charleston, 1861-1865

Location: West Point Museum, US Military Academy

Dates: May 20, 2012 to May 1, 2013

Admission: Free

The West Point Museum has unveiled a special exhibition entitled Remember Fort Sumter! Operations Against Charleston, 1861-1865. The exhibition is to run through April 2013.

On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began with the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina. The garrison, commanded by Major Robert Anderson, surrendered and evacuated the fort on April 14.

Charleston was a powerful symbol for both sides. For southerners, it was at the heart of their independence movement. For northerners, it was the hated "Cradle of the Rebellion." The city became the focus of military operations that lasted for 567 continuous days, the longest siege of the Civil War. Charleston was finally evacuated by Confederate troops on February 18, 1865.

Charleston was a test bed for new and innovative military technologies. Rifled artillery and volley guns, ironclad gunboats, underwater mines and submarines were combined with blockade running, amphibious assaults, classic siege warfare, and naval attacks. Sophisticated operations like Charleston were what West Point cadets trained for, and on both sides, they applied lessons from their schooling and careers.

The importance of the siege was recognized at the time and the museum received objects from Charleston during the war. Today, these objects are a major part of the museum's Civil War collections. They have never been interpreted before as a group, and new discoveries in the collection are seen for the first time. The exhibition was curated by Leslie D. Jensen, Curator of Arms and Armor, with assistance from West Point Museum staff.

The exhibition Remember Fort Sumter! remains on view from May 20, 2012, through April 2013 in the Lucas Military Heritage Center at the West Point Museum.

TheWest Point Museum is open at no charge to the public, seven days a week, from 10:30am to 4:15pm. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

West Point Welcomes Chinese Defense Minister

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:12:00 GMT

Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie visited the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Thursday, capping off a six-day visit to the U.S. -- the first by a Chinese defense minister in nine years.

The Chinese Xinhua news agency said the visit was to "implement important consensus" reached between Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Barack Obama.

West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. David Huntoon '73 presented Liang with a ceremonial West Point cadet dress cover, or "Tar Bucket." As part of his visit, Liang also met with 23 cadets who speak Mandarin Chinese.

Liang also presented Huntoon with a 100-book collection of Chinese history and strategy.

Join the West Point Band for a Free Armed Forces Day Concert

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:08:00 GMT

The West Point Band at the United States Military Academy will present its annual Armed Forces Day Concert: Ceremonial Music of West Point on May 20, 2012, at 3 pm in Eisenhower Hall Theatre. This concert is free and open to the public and will showcase the deep musical tradition of West Point and the Army. This event will also celebrate the 210th anniversary of the United States Military Academy, the 150th anniversary of Taps, and the 50th anniversary of General Douglas MacArthur’s speech Duty, Honor, Country, with narration by Sgt. 1st Class Jason Ham.

Click for tickets

The concert will open with Aaron Copland's Fanfare for a Solemn Occasion, displaying the talent and versatility of the West Point Concert Band. Traditional West Point favorites will follow, including the oldest of West Point Songs, Benny Havens, Oh! which dates back to 1838; and The Old Grads March, which features the songs "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," "Old Folks at Home," "Tramp, Tramp Tramp," "Hail, Hail, the Gangs All Here," and "Over There." This year, "Hymn to the Fallen" from Saving Private Ryan, The Right Stuff, and Army Strong will be added to The Old Grads March, representing the achievements of Academy graduates in space and more recent theaters of war.

The West Point Band's Drum Major, Sgt. Major Christopher Jones, will present the history of the music of the annual Graduation Parade at the United States Military Academy. "The music of the West Point Graduation Parade has an extraordinary history to it, including songs that date back to 1805," Jones said. Audiences will be transported to The Plain, West Point's hallowed parade ground as the Concert Band performs Dashing White Sergeant, Army Blue, and the Alma Mater from the concert stage.

An Armed Forces Day concert would not be complete without musical recognition of the service of active military and veterans in the audience, as they stand during their service song in The Armed Forces Medley. Master Sgt. MaryKay Messenger will sing patriotic favorites, as well.

Cadets Participate in Initiative with Vassar

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:01:00 GMT

In an initiative to support interactions between liberal arts colleges and military institutions of higher education, 16 cadets and several faculty members from West Point spent the day at Vassar College with students exchanging experiences and ideas. The program, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, includes a reciprocal visit by Vassar students and faculty later in May. Read more about the Vassar trip at http://alums.vassar.edu/news/2011-2012/120502-Vassar-Meets-West-Point.html

Cadets Brief Assistant Secretary of the Army on Projects Day

Thu, 03 May 2012 18:10:00 GMT

The Honorable Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy, and Environment), came to West Point on Projects Day, May 3, and was briefed on several of the cadet projects related to the Army's Net Zero Energy program, to include the Mess Hall Waste Project, Waste Heat Cogeneration, and the MG380 capstone presentation on behavior change. West Point was named a Net Zero Energy pilot installation in 2011.

Photo and text by Mike Strasser, West Point Public Affairs

West Point Launches New Website

Wed, 02 May 2012 12:28:00 GMT

Be sure to check out the new website for the United States Military Academy at West Point! Go to www.usma.edu for everything you need to know about the Academy.

Graduates, also be sure to bookmark westpointaog.org for everything you need to know about the Long Gray Line!

Kickoff Times for 2012 Home Games

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:07:00 GMT

The Army Athletic Association and CBS Sports Network announced on Thursday that all seven of the Black Knights' games at Michie Stadium in 2012 will kick off at 12 p.m. Army's seven-game home slate is its busiest since the 1994 season.

CBS Sports Network, set to begin its fourth year of broadcasting Black Knights' home games to a national television audience in high definition, is available to approximately 99 million homes nationwide through local cable, video, and telco providers, as well as via satellite on DirecTV Channel 613 and Dish Network Channel 158.

Starting times for the Black Knights five games away from West Point have yet to be announced.

Black Knight fans can order seats 24 hours a day at goARMYsports.com, or by calling 1-877-TIX-ARMY between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Army opens the home portion of its schedule on Sept. 15 versus defending Mid-American Conference champion Northern Illinois. The Black Knights start a three-game homestand on Sept. 29 versus Stony Brook. After its game with Boston College on Oct. 6, Army hosts its annual homecoming game, taking on Kent State on Oct. 13.

After a week on the road, the Black Knights play back-to-back games on the banks of the Hudson, hosting Ball State on Oct. 27 and Air Force on Nov. 3. Army wraps up its home schedule on Nov. 17 versus Temple.

For more dates, check the West Point Calendar!

Season tickets are on sale with sideline seats priced at just $210. The full season ticket package represents a $40 savings off individual game prices and guarantees the opportunity to purchase the same number of tickets to the 2012 Army-Navy Game presented by USAA. The Coach E's Army (sections 5-8A) plan is available for $147. Three- and four-game mini-plans are also on sale starting at $60.

Individual game prices vary from $32 for the Northern Illinois and Stony Brook games to $45 for the Air Force game. The Boston College and Kent State contests are priced at $39 per ticket, while the admission price for the Ball State and Temple games is $35. Group rates are also available. Fans that order 20 or more tickets for a single game will receive a discounted price of $25 for all games except Air Force, which is priced at $35 for groups.

Army A Club season ticket holders have access to priority parking locations. For more information, call the Army A Club office at 845-938-2322. Single game parking passes are also available on game day for $20, or can be purchased in advance for $15 by visiting goARMYsports.com or calling the Army Ticket Office at 877-TIX-ARMY.

Army returns 14 players that started at least six games in 2011 and 34 players that started at least one game a year ago. The Black Knights welcome back their top seven rushers from last season's team that led the country in rushing yards per game, and 2012 will mark the first time in program history the Black Knights have returned two players who have rushed for 1,000 yards in a season (Jared Hassin, 2010; Raymond Maples, 2011). The Army defense returns 13 of its top 16 tacklers from 2011, including a group that combined for 15.0 of Army’s 18.0 quarterback sacks.

2012 Army Football Home Schedule

Sept. 15 Northern Illinois 12 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Sept. 29 Stony Brook 12 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Oct. 6 Boston College 12 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Oct. 13 Kent State 12 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Oct. 27 Ball State 12 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Nov. 3 Air Force 12 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Nov. 17 Temple 12 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

Armed Forces Day Concert: Ceremonial Music at West Point

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:13:00 GMT

The West Point Band at the United States Military Academy will present its annual Armed Forces Day Concert: Ceremonial Music of West Point on May 20, 2012, at 3 p.m. in the Eisenhower Hall Theatre. This concert is free and open to the public and will showcase the deep musical tradition of West Point and the Army. This event will also celebrate the 210th anniversary of the United States Military Academy, the 150th anniversary of Taps, and the 50th anniversary of General Douglas MacArthur's speech Duty, Honor, Country, with narration by Sgt. 1st Class Jason Ham. For information and tickets, visit WestPointBand.com or call 845-938-2617.

The concert will open with Aaron Copland's Fanfare for a Solemn Occasion, displaying the talent and versatility of the West Point Concert Band. Traditional West Point favorites will follow, including the oldest of West Point Songs, Benny Havens, Oh! which dates back to 1838; and The Old Grads March, which features the songs "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," "Old Folks at Home," "Tramp, Tramp Tramp," "Hail, Hail, the Gangs All Here," and "Over There." This year, "Hymn to the Fallen" from Saving Private Ryan, The Right Stuff, and Army Strong will be added to The Old Grads March, representing the achievements of Academy graduates in space and more recent theatres of war.

West Point Leadership Helps With Prep School Ribbon Cutting

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:56:00 GMT

From left to right, Brig. Gen. Ted Martin '83, Col. Tyge Rugenstein, Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon Jr. '73, and Brig. Gen. Tim Trainor '83, cut the ribbon to the just finished prep school. The United States Military Academy Preparatory School at West Point held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday morning. It has been two years in the making, moving the prep school to West Point from New Jersey due to base closings.

See more photos at RecordOnline.com

Family of First Chinese Graduate Visits West Point

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:47:00 GMT

On April 11, the Chinese section of the Foreign Language Department supported the visit of Mr. Chee Hwa Tung, Vice Chairman of the 11th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, 1st Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region, and founding Chairman of the China-United States Exchange Foundation.

During the visit, Mr. CH Tung and his delegation met with Brigadier General Tim Trainor '83 and Lieutenant General David Huntoon '73. After lunch in the Cadet Mess, Mr. CH Tung addressed cadets about United States-China relations. The visit ended with Mr. CH Tung, his brother Mr. CC Tung, and Mrs. Harriet Wen Tung, the wife of Mr. CC Tung, paying their respects at the grave of Lieutenant General Ying-Hsing Wen. LTG Wen was the first Chinese graduate from West Point, class of 1909, and is Mrs. Harriet Wen Tung's grandfather.

VIDEO: Dr. Henry Kissinger Has Q&A With Cadets

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:15:00 GMT

Dr. Henry Kissinger spent April 5, 2012, at West Point to inaugurate the Class of 1952 lecture series presented by the Department of Social Sciences. After a Q&A session, with more than 1,000 attendees, he met with cadets and members of the Class of 1952 in a private ceremony.

Research Center Renamed for Its Critical Cyber Mission

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:06:00 GMT

One of West Point's oldest research centers was re-designated Monday as the Cyber Research Center, coinciding with a promotion ceremony for its director.

Formerly the Information Technology and Operations Center, the newly recognized Cyber Research Center and Colonel Gregory Conti '89 were recognized in a ceremony at Herbert Hall with about 60 guests in attendance.

(Looking for a great space for your event? Click here for more about renting Herbert Hall!)

As the CRC Director and Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Conti said this is the era of the cyber warrior and it reflects the country's current needs.

"Our nation is the most technologically advanced and the most technologically dependant on the face of the earth," he said. "This brings great promise and great peril … from lone malicious hackers, to online criminals and nation states wishing to do us harm. In recognition of this, the Department of Defense has recognized cyberspace as an operational domain alongside land, air, sea and space."

Since its establishment in 1985, the center transitioned from the domain of artificial intelligence to informational security.

Date Change: West Point Triathlon

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:30:00 GMT

The dates of the West Point Triathlon have changed to August 18 and 19.

August 18 will be the Toughkids Youth Triathlon

August 19 will be the 23rd Annual West Point Triathlon

The 800-meter swim starts on the shores of the beautiful and tranquil Lake Popolopon. The rolling bike course follows a route from the transition area next to the lake and leads out onto highway 293 for an out-and-back route. On return, the run takes you around the grounds of Camp Buckner to the finish line.

Click here for more information

Women's Soccer Camp Sessions Open for Registration

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:16:00 GMT

Camp Highlights Include:

Develop Soccer Interest
Individual Instruction
Functional Training
Goalkeeper Training
Game Competition
Soccer Films/Lectures

Session I Day Camp June 25-29
Session II Residential July 14-17
Session III Advanced Res. July 18-21

Click here for more information

Click here to register

Army to Play Black-Gold Game at Fort Benning

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:18:00 GMT

In an ongoing effort to strengthen its bond with the men and women of the U.S. Army, the Army football team will hold its annual Black/Gold Game at Fort Benning's Doughboy Stadium on March 9. The event begins at 2 p.m.

"It's something we're anxious to do," Army Head Coach Rich Ellerson said. "It makes too much sense. As spring football games have become a little bit more of a media event, it's a chance for us to showcase the program and articulate that connection with the U.S. Army. Maj. Gen. (Bob) Brown (the Fort Benning commanding general) shares that vision as well. It will be a great experience for us and hopefully for the folks at Fort Benning. It's a first-time thing. We had to get an exception from the NCAA, but it makes sense given the institutional relationships. We'll see where it leads us."

West Point Group Teaches Art of Negotiation

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:14:00 GMT

The success of a mission, deployment or career often depends on relations with local nationals, coalition partners and subordinates. If they become disengaged, operations can go crashing down.

Perhaps no Army organization values the power of persuasion like the West Point Negotiation Project, a group that is changing the way cadets and soldiers communicate -- often by teaching techniques that fly in the face of traditional Army bravado.

"Oftentimes [soldiers] approach things from typical, traditional, positional bargaining, where we argue over our positions, stick out our chests a little bit [and] get frustrated with the other person if they don’t want to give in," said Maj. Zach Mundell '99, co-director of the project.

"Much better" results, he said, come from an approach foreign to many soldiers: Taking a step back to understand someone else's side and agreeing on a course of action that fits both parties' constraints.

Watch video of cadets using these skills in their Cadet Leader Development Training

Thank You to All 2011 Donors

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:13:00 GMT

2011 was a record year in many ways. Thank you to all who donated!

ESPN Anchor Says Cadet Prayer Helped Her Overcome Challenges

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:08:00 GMT

ESPN Anchor Sage Steele spoke yesterday at the Indiana University East's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration to share her personal experience in her talk titled "How diversity and challenges make us stronger and with our own foundational standards, we can make a difference and succeed."

Steele had sports in her blood even before becoming a journalist. She is the daughter of Gary Steele '70, the first African American to play football at West Point, and the sister of Chad Steele, the media relations director for the Ravens.

It was from a West Point Cadet prayer that Sage Steele learned one of the best lessons that she passes on to fans.

The prayer says, "Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half-truth when the whole can be won."

"That part that I mentioned from the West Point Cadet prayer about choosing the harder right than the easier wrong, I think that's something that we can apply to anything -- even something as silly as breaking up with someone," she said.

"It's something that I was raised with and memorized as a child. I make my kids do it. My dad was right and it's true."