West Point military academy has banned pillow fights after this year’s traditional melee ended with dozens of injuries, broken bones and threats of legal action.
QWAIT ... HOW COMMON ARE PILLOW FIGHTS AT THIS PRESTIGIOUS SCHOOL?
ACommon enough that it had turned into an annual bonding exercise. First-year cadets, nicknamed “plebes,” organize the fight every August as a way to build camaraderie after a long summer of training for the young men and women destined to become America’s military leaders. But camaraderie only goes so far. Images posted on social media showed cadets packing hard objects inside their pillows — including a helmet — although the army said many injuries were caused by elbows or falls. An investigation concluded that more senior cadets failed to take proper control as the event spiralled into greater violence. A number of plebes said they were hit from behind or when they were not ready. Many wore body armour, possibly encouraging greater force to be used. And one cadet broke his nose when a blow from behind sent his helmet rotating forward.
QBUT THIS IS ALL JUST GOOD, CLEAN FUN FOR THE WEST POINT CROWD, RIGHT?
AYes, at least initially. The academy took an easygoing view of the high spirits. A spokesman for the academy, Lt.-Col. Christopher Kasker, first said there were no plans to end the annual pillow fight. “West Point applauds the cadets’ desire to build esprit and regrets the injuries to our cadets,” he said in September. “We are conducting appropriate investigations into the causes of the injuries.”
QDOESN’T EVERY PARENT EVENTUALLY HAVE TO TELL THE KIDS TO STOP?
AIt’s true. On Wednesday, the head of the academy said the event had been banned. “While never officially sanctioned, it is now officially banned, and we will take appropriate action to ensure that all faculty, staff, leaders, the Corps of Cadets and everyone at West Point knows that it will not be tolerated,” said Lt.-Gen. Robert Caslen.