Palo Alto Cadet Selected as West Point First Captain

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Cadet Elizabeth Fetter of Palo Alto, Calif., has been selected as the First Captain of the U.S. Military Academy’s Corps of Cadets for the 2026-27 academic year, the highest position in the cadet chain of command.

“I was both humbled and honored,” Fetter said. “Humbled by the responsibility of the role and honored by the senior military leadership's confidence in my ability to execute.”

The First Captain is the Cadet Brigade Commander and is responsible for the overall performance, discipline, and development of the Corps of Cadets.  The First Captain leads through the Cadet Chain of Command and exemplifies the Army Values and West Point’s Motto, “Duty, Honor, Country.” Key duties include leading the Corps, enforcing standards, setting goals, and coordinating resources to support the Corps of Cadets.

“Our motto for the Corps of Cadets this year is “Built for Tomorrow.”  What we do today builds tomorrow. This motto challenges us to achieve the Academy's enduring mission: to produce leaders of character ready for a lifetime of service.” 

“West Point, through its teachers, mentors, and friends, has given me so much. The Academy has offered opportunities to travel internationally and study through immersion programs. The institution has helped me grow through physical, mental, and military challenges. Above all, the United States Military Academy has supported my development, preparing me to live the Army Values and commit to a lifetime of service to the Army and the Nation.

Being First Captain offers me the unique opportunity to give back to the institution that has given me so much. This year, I aim to adopt a mindset of servant leadership to lead a Corps Built for Tomorrow.”

Fetter was a recruited athlete for Cross Country and Track and Field, now competes on the Triathlon Team. During her sophomore year, she earned her professional license in triathlon, and during her junior year, she helped the team win the national championship. Her military training includes completing the Army’s Jungle Operations Training Course at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and earning the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. She is majoring in International History and minoring in Mandarin, is a Truman Scholar Finalist, and has been named to the Dean’s List every semester. She was also inducted into Phi Kappa Phi her junior year. She hopes to branch Military Intelligence and serve in Hawaii, where she aims to contribute to intelligence sharing and diplomacy.

About West Point: 

The U. S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federal service academy located 50 miles north of New York City. It was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering and continues today as the world’s premier leader-development institution, consistently ranked among top colleges in the country. Its mission is to build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets to be commissioned leaders of character committed to the Army Values and ready for a lifetime of service to the Army and Nation. For more information, go to www.westpoint.edu.