On December 19, the December Class of 2025 graduated in Crest Hall in front of family and friends.  LTG Steven Gilland ’90, 61st Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, gave the graduation address, and the Commandant of Cadets BG R.J. Garcia ’96 commissioned the newest graduates.

Today’s graduates join the ranks of more than 56,000 living West Point graduates who forge strong, enduring bonds among themselves and with the Long Gray Line.

Presenting their second lieutenant bars was COL (R) John M. Uhorchak ’75, who represented the 50-Year Affiliation Class of 1975. During 28 years of service in the U.S. Army, COL (R) Uhorchak served in Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. As the sole orthopedic surgeon at the 46th Combat Support Hospital in Mogadishu during the 1993 Black Hawk Down battle, he performed 22 emergency surgeries in just 34 hours.

The Class of 1975 has developed a special relationship with the Class of 2025 since the summer of 2021. Members of ’75, Courage and Drive, have engaged with and supported the Class of 2025 during key events that mark a cadet’s West Point experience, culminating with today’s presentation of second lieutenant bars engraved with 75-25.

The Association of Graduates stands ready to provide a lifetime of support to each graduate at every stage of their experience. Today, we celebrate these newest graduates and their accomplishments, and we are proud of the young women and men they have become.  As they embark on service to our nation, we welcome our newest grads with open arms into the Long Gray Line.