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Cadet Development: Military
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Cadet life is immersed in a military environment that is unique to West Point. The Corps
of Cadets is organized as a "brigade" under the command of a Commandant of Cadets.
The commandant is a brigadier general in the U.S. Army. There is both an officer and a
cadet "chain of command," providing many opportunities to practice and develop
personal leadership skills.
The bulk of "hands-on" military training occurs during the summer. Freshmen, or "plebes," begin their West Point experience with Cadet Basic Training. This six-week program of instruction focuses on basic soldier skills and courtesies, discipline, personal appearance, military drill and ceremonies, and physical fitness. Extensive demands are made on new cadets as a test of their emotional stability, perseverance, and ability to organize and perform under stress.
Sophomores, or "yearlings," begin Cadet Field Training in June at nearby Camp Buckner on the West Point Military reservation. They have had a few weeks of leave following the completion of academics. Cadet Field Training consists of nearly eight weeks of rigorous military training that emphasizes crew/squad and platoon level soldier skills. Various weapons are fired for familiarization and a week is spent at Fort Knox, Kentucky to become acquainted with armor and mechanized infantry operations and equipment.
During the third summer at West Point cadets spend time all over the world, attending specialty training such as Air Assault Training and Mountain Warfare Training. They may be assigned to regular Army units at home and abroad to gain valuable leadership experience in positions of responsibility.
Some juniors or "cows," as they are known, take an active part in the training of the freshmen and sophomores at Cadet Basic Training and at Cadet Field Training.
Seniors, or "firsties," assume leadership of the Corps during both Cadet Basic Training and Cadet Field Training.
