<p>I thought I would share some thoughts and observations that I have after visiting West Point last weekend. Our son is a Cow (3rd year cadet) and this is the first visit my wife and I made to USMA since Parents Weekend two years ago.</p>
<p>In case you chose not to read any further, I want to at least make sure you read this:</p>
<li><p>Your daughters/sons are in a great place at USMA. It may sound like too strong a comment, but the leaders and instructors at USMA genuinely love your cadets and are totally committed to your cadet’s welfare. </p></li>
<li><p>Your daughters/sons are flourishing at USMA. USMA continues to instill new skills in your cadet and enhance their existing talents. Your daughters/sons are maturing in a manner that will serve them well and make you proud. Overall, I can confirm firsthand that USMA continues to delevop young men and women of character and convictions.</p></li>
<li><p>Life at West Point definately improves after Plebe year. The cadets (even the plebes) are having more fun than they admit.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Now for my visit.</p>
<p>Classes:
Our visit started Friday afternoon with a visit to our son’s systems engineering class. Let me first tell you that it was a pleasant shock to have our son ask if we wanted to sit in on one of his classes. It was apparent that he was proud to show off his school, fellow classmates and teachers.</p>
<p>The class had about 15 cadets and his instructor was a 1997 USMA grad artillary officer who was doing a 3 year teaching stint. We were introduced to the class and watched the instructor begin class with a 5 minute mission review of a recent special forces mission in Iraq. It had nothing to do with the engineering course, but everything to do with why the cadets are at USMA. My wife was an instant hit when she handed out some of the homemade cookies she had brought for our son.</p>
<p>The class was taught in the Thayer Method where the students have previously reviewed the day’s lesson and classroom time is devoted to answering any questions the cadets have and presenting some problems covering the materials. For this day, at least, there was no lecture from the instructor. During the class another instructor of our son popped her head into the class and introduced herself. She knew our son by name, as well as all the other cadets in the class, and proceeded to politely harrass him in our presence. Good natured harrassment is pretty much the norm between cadets and instructors. </p>
<p>The relationship between the instructors and cadets is really something special. The instructors love West Point and love the cadets. I sensed that the instructors viewed the opportunity to teach cadets as a highly valued honor. It’s far more than a three year assignment. </p>
<p>Campus Atmosphere:
It was a sunny (even hot) October day and my wife and I walked around the campus (yes, I know it’s an army post) after the class since our son had some duties to attend to before he was free for the evening. Several things struck me as the hundreds of cadets purposefully walked from classes to their barracks, and from their barracks to a whole host of destinations. </p>
<p>First , the relative quietness of the area. Although the non-plebe cadets spoke to each other as they walked, there was no yelling or shouting among the cadets as they walked. What was really strange was that there was no music blasting out of the barracks or anywhere else. Not your normal college campus. </p>
<p>The cadets were constantly in motion. There were no groups of cadets sitting or standing around. They were all headed somewhere. Some going to class, some headed out in running gear, and others going somewhere in full ACU combat outfits including flak vests and rifles. Everyone looked like they had a purpose.</p>
<p>Cadets/Buddies:</p>
<p>It was quickly apparent that Cows are much happier and confident cadets than Plebes (no surprise there). The relatively-relaxed third year cadets project a sense of peace not present in their first year always-stressed counterparts. While the Cows know better than to admit they’re enjoying their time at USMA, I think they are. Although the Cows still face many challenges during the final 19 months at USMA, they have acquired the confidence and skills to know they are able to meet those challenges. </p>
<p>Our son asked if it was ok to bring some of his buddies to dinner Friday night. I agreed since the stories are usually much better, and more descriptive, when other cadets are around. I was a little surprised when 9 buddies showed up and we headed out to a restraurant in a shopping center in Central Valley (about a 20 minute drive from USMA). Our son had made the reservations earlier in the week and reconfirmed them before we left for dinner. I mention this since our son’s newly acquired organization skills totally blew away my wife. Organization was just one of many new, positive traits of maturity displayed by our son. Without exception, all the cadets introduced themselves to us and conducted themselves as gentlemen the entire evening. “Yes sir”'s and “Yes Mam”'s have become an ingrained part of their manners. All thanked us for the meal and evening.</p>
<p>Throughout the evening it was apparent that these cadets had become more than good friends. Living together 24/7 and sharing a common experience for the last three years has created a bond that will endure for the rest of their lifes. It was interesting to see how the geographical diversity of USMA cadets exposes them to other young people from around the country. In our group of 10 cadets, only two were from the same state. One was an Air Force Academy cadet on the academy exchange program.</p>
<p>At the restraurant a couple next to our table made it a point to thank our group for being part of our nation’s military and for being so well behaved. The lady said that when they first saw a group of 10 young men coming to sit next to them they were sure their evening meal was going to be ruined.</p>
<p>The highlight of the visit was when the lady at the restraurant asked our son “Are you happy to be at West Point”. Without hesitation he responded, “Yes, mam, I am.” </p>
<p>As a parent, that about as good as it gets.</p>