WPAOG has named CPT Nicholas “Nick” Dockery ’11 as the 2017 recipient of the Alexander Nininger Award for Valor at Arms, awarded annually to a recent graduate who is representative of all West Point-commissioned officers who have heroically led Soldiers in combat. In 2012, Dockery deployed to Kunar Province, Afghanistan, as an Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After reassignment to Task Force War Eagle to work alongside the French Military, he was wounded in a direct fire engagement from hand grenades and rocket propelled grenades but stayed in country and finished his deployment as Platoon leader. Dockery will receive the award at a dinner in the Cadet Mess Hall on September 28 and will address the Corps of Cadets. Read more.  Full press release.

More than 1,230 U.S. citizens and 13 international students—including 301 women, 450 minorities and seven combat veterans—reported to West Point on July 3, R-Day for the West Point Class of 2021. The incoming class was selected from a pool of nearly 13,000 applicants and sets historic highs for both women and African-Americans new cadets. “The quality and rich diversity of those entering with the Class of 2021 is exceptional and representative of our nation’s best,” said COL Deborah McDonald ’85, Director of Admissions. “Their strong performances in academics, leadership, athletics, and as respected members of their communities provide the necessary foundation for successful completion of a challenging 47-month West Point experience and for future service to our nation as commissioned leaders of character.” View R-Day photos. Watch USMA’s 30 second “R-Day from Start to Finish” video.

BG Steve Gilland ’90 became the 77th Commandant of Cadets on June 23 during a change of command ceremony in Jefferson Hall’s Haig Room. LTG Robert L. Caslen ’75, Superintendent, told those present that Gilland is “as good as they get,” as he has proven himself as a leader in combat and has a great reputation throughout the Army as a commander. Prior to his current assignment, Gilland has served as the Deputy Commanding General, Operations, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY and with the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), the 2nd Infantry Division (Mechanized), the 75th Ranger Regiment, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and the 1st Cavalry Division. Watch the USMA video of the event.

West Point’s oldest living graduate, LTG (R) William J. Ely ’33, was recently inducted into WPAOG’s John J. Pershing Lifetime Giving Society, which recognizes donors who have given $25,000 or more to West Point. In his 80-plus years as a member of the Long Gray Line, Ely has been a devoted supporter of West Point. He was among the first to donate during this year’s All Academy Challenge, and recently led the alumni procession across the Plain during Grad Week to place a wreath at the statue of Sylvanus Thayer. During his visit, he was interviewed by the West Point Center for Oral History, sharing “Lessons Learned from the First 105 Years,” and he enjoyed a WPAOG Rockbound Highland Home Grad Insider Tour with his family.

On June 28, LTG Robert L. Caslen ’75, Superintendent, sent a letter to the Long Gray Line notifying graduates that the current interment restrictions for the West Point Cemetery will be lifted on August 9, 2017, and that the criteria for interment will return to what is noted in Army Regulation (AR) 210-26, United States Military Academy, and AR 290-5 Army Cemeteries. Thanks to the Molly Corbin Enhancement project (“Section XI”), the cemetery has 311 new “first interment” sites, or an estimated seven years (through 2024) of casketed capacity.

The first female African-American three-star general in U.S. Army history, the current Army Surgeon General, and the highest-ranking woman to graduate from West Point, LTG Nadja West ’82 has celebrated many accolades in her life. Now she can add being named one of CNN’s “distinctively tough” (well, they are more explicit) women of Washington, DC to the list. Watch this video in which CNN’s Dana Bash interviews West about the external (and internal) barriers the general has overcome during her career.

Right after the hat toss and bar-pinning ceremonies of Graduation Day, West Point goes into full military training mode. Cadet Leader Development Training, Cadet Field Training, Air Assault School and, of course, Cadet Basic Training dominate the summer months at the Academy.

The WPAOG Gift Shop will again be taking pre-orders for the Old School Gym A Shirts ($24), but only until July 31, 2017. If you missed your chance to grab one of these nostalgic shirts in April, don’t pass up this opportunity! They are available online or by calling 800.426.4725 during business hours. To customize your shirt with your last name, please enter your name in the “Customer Comment” section, which appears on the checkout page. The shirts will be delivered in mid-September.

Cadets Ben Baumgartner ’19 and Devin Men ’20 recently spent two weeks at the Army Research Lab learning about military robotics and software programming as part of West Point’s Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program. Among other things, the two “levitated” metal, worked with robots, and piloted an unmanned aerial vehicle. Read more about their experiences. Each year, with donor support, WPAOG funding impacts more than 1,000 AIADs (and cultural immersion trips) through the Superintendent’s Annual Fund.

Former Army West Point pitcher Chris Rowley ’13 was called up to the Buffalo Bisons, the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays, in mid-June. Rowley had been pitching for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Toronto’s Double-A farm team, earning a 3-2 record with 49 strikeouts and a 1.73 earned run average in 52 innings pitched. As this article points out, “With a wealth of real-world experience and two years of military service under his belt, the 26-year old is far from being a ‘typical’ minor leaguer.”

The 2017 summer issue of West Point magazine has shipped! Featuring a cover story celebrating the bicentennial of Sylvanus Thayer becoming West Point Superintendent and nearly a dozen more Academy-related articles, the summer issue is perfect reading for your summer holiday! Can’t wait? Read the online edition today.

We're proud to introduce the West Point Authors Bookshelf, a special advertising section in West Point magazine showcasing books by West Point affiliated authors. Check out the Summer 2017 West Point Bookshelf to discover & support books written by fellow members of the Long Gray Line. Learn more about this and other WPAOG advertising and sponsorship opportunities.

Those who pre-ordered the 2017 edition of TAPS, with its 276 Memorial Articles (our largest issue ever), should watch their mailboxes, as the issue is shipping soon. If you haven’t ordered your copy, a limited number are still available--order online or by calling 845.446.1645.

A limited number of copies of the 2015 Register of Graduates & Former Cadets, WPAOG’s most historic publication and the ultimate West Point reference book, are still available. Visit WPAOG’s Gift Shop online or call 800.426.4725 to order your copy before they’re gone.