![sgtbilly > [2007]
New Class of 2011 enters USMA
West Point, NY; -In America high school grads around the country in June and July are usually either getting ready to enjoy independence day activities such as grilling and fireworks or looking forward to spending the rest of the lazy days of summer before school starts.
But for 1,310 cadet candidates on July 2, 2007 the wait and the summer was over.
On that day in July, over 1300 cadet candidates reported to the United States Military Academy at West Point for Reception Day as the Class of 2011 prepared to join the US Army. That summer day of 2007 welcomed the incoming class of 2011 which was selected from more than 10,800 applicants. There were 225 women, who comprised 17 percent of the class. Minority enrollment included 363 minority students, with 81 African-Americans, 104 Asian Americans, 124 Hispanic Americans and 10 Native Americans. The class of 2011, included more than 310 minority candidates, 10 international candidates and 20 combat veterans who served in Afghanistan, Iraq or both.
……And our son Billy.
Billy the youngest of our four children, enjoyed most of his life as a smart fun loving son. The last of ours and the second boy, ended up being the second of our two in the military. Two are not involved with the military. Our daughter Katy works for the Joint Chiefs at the Pentagon. Our son Billy who has wanted all of his life to become an officer in the military wanted more then ever to attend West Point
Of the 1,307-cadet candidates 198 attended the USMA Prep School. Billy or what most of his classmates call him by “Will,” should have been enrolled at West Point a year earlier. But entrance paperwork is not as easy as some might think. There are congressional recommendations and some like our son receive Presidential recommendations. Unfortunately, Billy wasn’t accepted into the class of 2010. Somehow between my Iraq tours and other daily life we or better yet I, missed the deadline. That senior year was followed by last minute arrangements driving around the country side to look at military schools. We drove to Virginia Military Institute, and even visited the Citadel in South Carolina. But just before Billy entered Virginia Military Institute, he received a late phone call and was offered a slot at the USMA Prep School. According to the officer on the phone Billy was told he had 15 minutes to decide. He jumped at the chance and went. The following year he walk up with 198 of his prepster classmates and began in processing to USMA.
The young patriots are the future of America’s Military. They come to USMA to devote themselves to becoming guardians of Duty, Honor, Country and our United States Constitution, as noted by West Point Admissions Director Col. Michael Jones.
According to Jones, members of the Class of 2011 include cadets from every state and 10 international cadets representing Albania, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Kenya, Korea, Paraguay, and Tonga.
During R-Day, the new cadets begin the process of becoming USMA cadets and future US Army officers. They'll undergo administrative processing, 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. That was 2007. Now in their second year most are settling down to military life at West Point. Some have left, but others will continue.](http://sgtbilly.smugmug.com/Military-Life/West-Point-USMA-Class-of-2011/crestlgray/160941806_LJGip-Ti-2.gif "sgtbilly > [2007]
New Class of 2011 enters USMA
West Point, NY; -In America high school grads around the country in June and July are usually either getting ready to enjoy independence day activities such as grilling and fireworks or looking forward to spending the rest of the lazy days of summer before school starts.
But for 1,310 cadet candidates on July 2, 2007 the wait and the summer was over.
On that day in July, over 1300 cadet candidates reported to the United States Military Academy at West Point for Reception Day as the Class of 2011 prepared to join the US Army. That summer day of 2007 welcomed the incoming class of 2011 which was selected from more than 10,800 applicants. There were 225 women, who comprised 17 percent of the class. Minority enrollment included 363 minority students, with 81 African-Americans, 104 Asian Americans, 124 Hispanic Americans and 10 Native Americans. The class of 2011, included more than 310 minority candidates, 10 international candidates and 20 combat veterans who served in Afghanistan, Iraq or both.
……And our son Billy.
Billy the youngest of our four children, enjoyed most of his life as a smart fun loving son. The last of ours and the second boy, ended up being the second of our two in the military. Two are not involved with the military. Our daughter Katy works for the Joint Chiefs at the Pentagon. Our son Billy who has wanted all of his life to become an officer in the military wanted more then ever to attend West Point
Of the 1,307-cadet candidates 198 attended the USMA Prep School. Billy or what most of his classmates call him by “Will,” should have been enrolled at West Point a year earlier. But entrance paperwork is not as easy as some might think. There are congressional recommendations and some like our son receive Presidential recommendations. Unfortunately, Billy wasn’t accepted into the class of 2010. Somehow between my Iraq tours and other daily life we or better yet I, missed the deadline. That senior year was followed by last minute arrangements driving around the country side to look at military schools. We drove to Virginia Military Institute, and even visited the Citadel in South Carolina. But just before Billy entered Virginia Military Institute, he received a late phone call and was offered a slot at the USMA Prep School. According to the officer on the phone Billy was told he had 15 minutes to decide. He jumped at the chance and went. The following year he walk up with 198 of his prepster classmates and began in processing to USMA.
The young patriots are the future of America’s Military. They come to USMA to devote themselves to becoming guardians of Duty, Honor, Country and our United States Constitution, as noted by West Point Admissions Director Col. Michael Jones.
According to Jones, members of the Class of 2011 include cadets from every state and 10 international cadets representing Albania, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Kenya, Korea, Paraguay, and Tonga.
During R-Day, the new cadets begin the process of becoming USMA cadets and future US Army officers. They'll undergo administrative processing, 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. That was 2007. Now in their second year most are settling down to military life at West Point. Some have left, but others will continue.")
After Dec 1, the tradition calls for the Plebe class to buy cigars for the Seniors. And some decide to smoke a few themselves.
After Dec 1, the tradition calls for the Plebe class to buy cigars for the Seniors. And some decide to smoke a few themselves.
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