Military Academy’s Class of 2021 reports for duty
The United States Military Academy welcomed 1,230 students to the graduating class of 2021. Monday was Reception Day, or “R-Day,” and no time was wasted getting the plebes quickly into the West Point regimen.
“R-Day”, traditionally consists of introducing the new cadets to their first taste of military life before they are receive seven weeks of rigorous cadet basic training. The students, consisting of men and women from diverse cultural backgrounds, were chosen out of 13,000 applicants.
New cadets are briefed, given 60 seconds to say goodbye to their families, issued their equipment and clothing. They also have their uniform measurements taken, get the iconic buzz cut, take a physical fitness assessment, are provided with their Bugle Books to memorize and are expected to report to the senior class member known as the Cadet in the Red Sash.
Three of the newcomers are destined for the West Point football team: Cadets Aaron Jones, Joseph King V and Idris Patterson. Jones, 19, of Indianapolis, Indiana, said, “It’s going to be a wonderful experience, one to always remember. I’m going in, hopefully, to learn new things and sharpen what I already know.”
Jones was part of a smaller group of new cadets that attended a prep event before Reception Day. He and a couple of his fellow incoming Army football teammates had taken the prep and believe it will not only benefit their own experience, but also provided experience to pass along to their fellow cadets who did not attend.
“It was definitely beneficial,” said King V, 20, of Jacksonville, Fla. “We got to learn military terms. I think that will help out a lot as far as Beast (a name given to the cadets’ initial rigorous training). It gave us a schedule of waking up early, going to formation, so we know what to do there. It was a great introduction to what we’ll have at (the academy), and also with football. It was nice to play and meet some of our teammates.”
Robert Bauman, 18, of Tampa, Fla., and Paul Lawless of Boca Raton, Fla., will play for the Black Knights football team.
About the experience of
Reception Day, Bauman said, “I’m a little nervous, but I’ve been preparing the past few months for this and I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Lawless, whose family was there waiting in line for a briefing along with the Bauman family said, “I’m excited. I’ve also been preparing, so I’m hope I’m ready for what comes. You’ve got to lug around this big bag, so that’s not fun, but you’ve got to do it.”
Bauman’s father, also named Robert, had a message for his son and all the other cadets.
“I’m extremely proud of my son and all the cadets,” the elder Bauman said. “This is a great, great opportunity and our family is very happy for him. This is an opportunity that sets you for life. The football is just an extra, the cherry on top of the whipped cream, so this is a great opportunity.”
West Point alumni Richard Huh of the Class of 1994 and Hank Schwartzstein of the Class of 1971 both said not much has changed over the years, that Reception Day continues to be rooted in tradition and introduces cadets to values they will promote throughout the rest of their lives.