CLASS OF 2013 TO ENTER WEST POINT – June 22, 2009

WEST POINT, N.Y. –Approximately 1,300 new cadets, including more than 330 minority candidates, 18 international cadets and 24 combat veterans, who served in Afghanistan, Iraq or both, are expected to report to West Point on Monday, June 29, Reception Day for the Class of 2013.

The incoming class was selected from a pool of more than 11,000 applicants. There are 190 women, who comprise 14 percent of the class.  Minority enrollment, roughly 25 percent of the incoming class, includes 90 African-Americans, 84 Asian-Americans, 10 Native Americans and 127 Hispanic-Americans – marking the highest number of Hispanics for any West Point class to date.

“Once again, our entering class is comprised of stellar young people,” Col. Deborah McDonald, director of admissions, said.  “Their overall performance in academics, leadership and athletics is outstanding and provides the foundation for successful completion of the challenging West Point experience.

“These young patriots are coming here to devote themselves to becoming guardians of Duty, Honor, Country and our United States Constitution. They represent our nation’s promise of the future,” McDonald continued.

Members of the Class of 2013 include cadets from every state in the nation and 18 international cadets entering the class under the sponsorship of their respective countries.  The countries represented include Albania, Colombia, Georgia, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, Slovenia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Tunisia.  Upon graduation, those cadets will return to their respective countries as officers in their armed forces.

During R-Day, the new cadets begin the process of becoming West Point cadets and future U.S. Army officers.  They undergo administrative processing, are fitted with their initial issue of military clothing; receive haircuts, medical and physical evaluations; and begin their first lessons in marching, military courtesy and discipline.  As their first day ends, the Class of 2013 will stand before many of their parents and friends at Trophy Point to take the Oath of Allegiance from the U.S. Military Academy Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Michael S. Linnington.

New cadets will complete six and one-half weeks of Cadet Basic Training, learning the basic skills of the Soldier. They will participate in rigorous physical training, small-unit tactical training, and rifle marksmanship; they will learn to respond quickly and accurately to their commanders under conditions of mental and physical stress.  At the end of this initial training period, new cadets will be formally accepted into the Corps of Cadets.  The Acceptance Day Parade for the Class of 2013 is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m.

About West Point
West Point, The U.S. Military Academy, is a four-year co-educational federal undergraduate liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City. The world's preeminent leader development institution, it was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering. Its mission remains constant-to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army. For more information, go to www.westpoint.edu