By Erika Norton, WPAOG Senior Multimedia Journalist

Embodying “Duty, Honor, Country” in every step, Old Grads marched alongside the Class of 2030 as the newest members of the Long Gray Line completed their 12-mile journey from Lake Frederick to West Point, marking the culmination of Cadet Basic Training and the start of their first academic year at the Academy. 

More than 400 West Point graduates—the most to ever participate in the March Back tradition since its inception in 2000—joined the march on Monday, August 10, to grip hands with the future Army leaders in a powerful moment of connection across generations. The march also featured more than 100 members of the 50-Year Affiliate Class of 1980, the first West Point class to include women graduates, with Distinguished Graduates Marene Allison and Pat Locke participating in the march. 

Before sunrise, cadets and marchers step off to complete the culmination of six weeks of Cadet Basic Training, a rigorous program that trains new cadets in basic military skills and prepares them for entry into the Corps of Cadets. The Class of 2030 reported to West Point for Reception Day on June 29 and as is tradition, displayed a banner during their March Back featuring their newly created class motto, “Strong and Sturdy,” for the first time.

This was the second March Back for Jackie Ulrich from the West Point Class of 1997, and second she’s done with a daughter entering West Point. The first was in 2026 with her daughter Olivia. This year she marched with her new cadet Ashley. 

“It’s interesting to look at it from a different perspective,” Ulrich said. “I find it very inspiring to see how young they are and see them starting out on a new chapter. They’ve already, in just six weeks, formed a lot of good teamwork and cooperation, and you get to be a witness to that. That’s pretty cool.”

This was the seventh March Back for Dennis Benchoff, West Point Class of 1962. While he comes back to not only stay fit, but to interact with all of the new cadets, he joked that “it gets tougher every year.” 

Throughout the 12-mile trek, cadets are able to hear from graduates about their experience at West Point and while things like technology and military innovations may have changed, West Point’s core values and mission have not. LTG Steven Gilland ’90, the 61st Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, thanked the Long Gray Line for their continued support of West Point and the Corps of Cadets, not just at the March Back, but throughout their 47-month journeys to becoming Army officers. 

“I’ll be the first to tell you this place changed my life,” Gilland said, “and I suspect there’s a few of you that this place changed your lives also for the better. You make a difference, and it makes a difference in our graduates.”