It was great meeting so many of you at Plebe Parent Weekend a couple of weeks ago. I hope you enjoyed spending time with your cadet while getting an insider’s look at West Point. Now, with Winter Storm Stella cleared away, the Corps is back safely from spring break and West Point is alive with activity again. March and April are busy months here with numerous cadet conferences taking place, including the McDonald Leadership Conference, Mission Command Conference and the Senior Conference. These and other conferences, which bring a wide variety of experts and thought leaders to discuss topics ranging from leadership to public policy, are an important part of your cadet’s educational experience. In addition, April also brings our annual Sandhurst Competition, where cadets test their military skills against teams from U.S. and international service academies as well as ROTC units from various colleges and universities. As always, thank you for your support of West Point and for entrusting your sons and daughters to us.

BG Steven W. Gilland ’90 will serve as the 77th Commandant of the U.S. Corps of Cadets. Gilland is currently Deputy Commanding General for Operations for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). “I am incredibly humbled to be selected as the 77th Commandant of Cadets. It is a true honor to hold the responsibility of developing and mentoring our Army's future leaders and defenders of our great Nation,” said Gilland. “My family and I are extremely grateful for this opportunity to return to West Point. We look forward to joining the USMA team. Go Army!” Gilland will assume duties as Commandant later this year.

CDT Matthew Arnold ’20 described the symbolism of the class crest at the unveiling during the Plebe Parent Weekend Banquet. “Our crest, like most every crest, contains the Flag, the Eagle, the cadet and officer sabers, our class year and motto, and 'USMA,' though the way each class chooses to use these and other elements speaks to what values are particularly important to it. For us, our vision is paramount. ‘With Vision We Lead’ isn’t just some pun on our class year; it’s a philosophy that as the leaders of the future, we have a responsibility to have a vision for it, and to see that vision through. This is why one of the most striking aspects of the crest is the piercing eye of the eagle. The large, dominant eagle is also reminiscent of older class crests – such as that of our affiliate class of 1970 – reminding us that while our vision must be for the future, we cannot forget our storied past. Its large talons tightly grip the shield with its 20 rivets, symbolizing our class’s commitment to the tireless defense of our country. The eagle’s large talons also grip the three arrows and the olive branch, a reminder that we are guided by the ideas of Duty, Honor, Country, and a want of eventual peace. The seven Army Values are also present in the seven stars on our nation’s flag."

Now in its 17th year, the WPAOG Class Ring Memorial “Melt” has incorporated a total of 451 rings, with 41 donated this year for the rings for the Class of 2018. “I think the Ring Melt Program is a wonderful idea and one of the more meaningful traditions West Point has, because it provides both a physical and symbolic link between the members of the Long Gray Line,” said BG Diana Holland ’90, Commandant. The Class of 2018 will receive their rings Aug. 24-27 at Ring Weekend. Full Story and Photos.

West Point’s Ethics Debate team beat out 36 teams from across the country to win the 21st annual Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Feb. 26 in Dallas. Dr. Graham Parsons, team assistant coach from the Department of English and Philosophy, said the team performed consistently well through competition, but definitely peaked in the final round. In order to prepare, the team had to study a diverse range of ethical case studies released to all invitees in early January. These 15 cases covered a variety of topics such as drone strikes, government whistle blowers, data mining on social media networks, and refugees. Full Story.

A little snow did not stop more than 1,000 parents from coming to West Point for Plebe Parent Weekend March 10-12. Among other activities, 400 guests attended the WPAOG Plebe Parent Breakfast. For the 7th year, the event brought together families for food and camaraderie, as well as the opportunity to connect with WPAOG staff to learn about the many services and resources WPAOG provides to cadets and their families during their time at West Point and beyond. Todd A. Browne ’85, CEO of WPAOG, emphasized the importance of keeping the Long Gray Line connected, noting “as parents, you understand the value of a strong network, and we hope you’ll help keep your kids connected to the Academy.”

On Feb. 23, the West Point Model UN club hosted the sixth annual West Point Model United Nations Invitational (WPMUNI). More than 100 student delegates from 14 colleges and universities participated in the three-day conference. WPMUNI strives to create the most realistic and fast-paced simulation of the U.S. Government’s national security apparatus for its delegates. Chief of Staff for WPMUNI, Cadet Brittany Scofield ’18, says the most important thing to stress for model UN is “that it creates a relationship with us and the civilian sector and civilian colleges.” Full Story. 

The West Point Parents Club Gulf Coast Chapter has had a busy few months with parent and cadet-related programs. The Holiday Party in December welcomed over 40 members and cadets and was a great chance for cadets from all classes to get to know each other. Next came a Boodle Party, one of the chapter’s signature events. Members packed close to 40 boxes of treats for cadets at West Point and soldiers deployed overseas, and had a great time catching up with old friends and meeting new ones and thanks to technology—Sarasota and Tampa clubs held joint raffles and a silent auction. 2017 kicked off with the first "Moms Meet Up," then, on March 11th, the club supported the West Point Softball team as they took on the University of South Florida with a tailgate before the game and a BBQ afterwards for players, parents, WPAOG members and West Point Parents Club members. Thanks to all who hosted, organized, and participated!

Cadets held their inaugural six-hour “Dance Marathon” at Cullum Hall recently and raised $20,217 for charity, doubling their original $10,000 goal.  Running from 2-8pm, “Dance Marathon at West Point” connected hundreds of cadets from across the country with local children who have battled significant medical challenges at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, the children’s hospital for New York’s Hudson Valley and Fairfield County, Connecticut. “Dance Marathon” is a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) program held at dozens of universities and colleges across North America. Full Story.

The Class of 2017 had the largest participation ever in an initial class opening. Forty-three bricks will be installed when the class section opens just prior to graduation! There is still time to make a donation for a brick or paver in honor of your soon-to-be second lieutenant. The class section will remain open until all spaces are filled.  The next order deadline is July 1 for the August 2017 installation. Learn More.

All around the world, West Pointers are celebrating the 215th anniversary of the founding of USMA! So, as of Mar. 16, you can get the 2015 Register of Graduates & Former Cadets at a special discounted price of $89.00. The Register, updated every five years, is West Point Association of Graduates’ most historic publication, and is the ultimate West Point reference book. It contains a wealth of information on the careers of 72,413 West Point Graduates from 1802-2015, including 218 class mottos and crests, West Point generational family ancestry, USMA leadership, Medal of Honor Graduates and more! Deluxe clothbound edition with custom-designed West Point map endpapers. Visit our Gift Shop online to order your copy! Offer ends May 27, 2016.

TAPS is the official and unique annual memorial magazine of the Long Gray Line. In it, you will find the fascinating and inspiring life stories of West Point graduates. The 2017 edition will be our largest ever, with over 250 Memorial Articles! Advance orders may now be placed online. A limited number of copies of the 2016 edition are still available for purchase. Please call 845.446.1545 to order now.