The History of the United States Army at Westpoint

Over the break, I have been spending an unjustifiably long amount of time each day researching West Point, a prestigious military academy in New York.

The college only accepts 10% of its applicants, which makes sense given its challenging curriculum.  Not only are students expected to learn new material, they have to learn how to be a cadet in the military. Their structured day to day lives include working out for multiple hours, learning a variety of military drills (one of the drills involved students entering a room filled with tear gas.  They were forced to open their eyes and mouths as wide as they could, and when they got out they started coughing and sobbing), cleaning for SAMIs (Saturday Morning Inspections.  Prepping for a SAMI can take longer than 7 hours).  They also are expected to memorize phrases from a booklet called the West Point Guide (see a list of phrases: http://www.west-point.org/academy/malo-wa/inspirations/buglenotes.html )  

The plebes (or Freshmen) may be asked a phrase from the guide at any moment by upperclassmen.  If the Plebe doesn't know a phrase verbatim, he or she is subject to hazing.

You are probably wondering what any of this has to do with history, but as it turns out, Westpoint has trained some of the greatest leaders in history:  Robert E. Lee, General Patton, Douglas MacArthur, and Edgar Allen Poe (Poe dropped out.) Even presidents like Grant and Eisenhower went to Westpoint.

Even more impressive, the Academy was actually founded by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson in 1802--right after the Revolutionary War!  It wasn't easy, given that many of the founding fathers were dubious about starting a military academy.  Some members of congress saw it as too aristocratic and voted against it.

It wasn't until 1817 that the Academy became more of an academy and less of a military bootcamp.  Superintendent Col. Sylvanus Thayer put a new emphasis on honor, improved the academics, and created the "Thayer Method."  The method includes small class sizes and time for individual studying.  Thayer introduced the songs and sayings that formed West Point's culture, making it very attractive to ambitious students.

Though still rooted in Thayer's traditions, the school is very different today than it was back then.  For one thing, it is a lot more ethnically diverse.  Following the civil war, the first African American was admitted into West Point.  His name was Henry O. Flipper.  Unfortunately, none of his classmates spoke to him for his entire four years at West Point.
Their game was called 'The Silencing," a reflection of the racial prejudices that were present even after the Emancipation Proclamation.

 Additionally, it wasn't until 1976 that women were allowed to attend West Point after Congress passed a law allowing women to serve in federal service academies in '75.

Before the Clinton era, there were no gay students allowed at West Point.  In the Clinton Era, cadets had to follow the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy of the Clinton era, which meant that they could attend the academy as long as they didn't come out as gay. Obama repealed DADT in 2011, making the academy a more inclusive place.  Today, there exists a gay-straight alliance known as Spectrum at the college.

Although hazing still occurs at West Point, it is following a trend of inclusivity.  All in all, West Point Military Academy is a wonderful option for students who want to challenge themselves mentally and physically.  If you want to walk in the footsteps of great leaders and love traditions, the Academy might be the perfect place for you!!

Sources:

http://www.usma.edu/wphistory/SitePages/Notable%20Graduates.aspx
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Journals/Military_Affairs/24/4/The_Forgotten_Founder_of_West_Point*.html
http://www.usma.edu/SitePages/Home.aspx
https://www.nytimes.com/topic/organization/united-states-military-academy
http://www.buffalosoldier.net/HenryO.Flipper2.htm