Approximately 1,200 new cadets made the 15-mile ruck march signifying the end of six weeks of cadet basic training that began on Reception Day, June 29.

Cadet Fourth Class Wilson DosSantos, 17, from Brockton, Mass., was the guidon bearer for H company, this year's honor company. "We came in pretty motivated because we won honor company (the day before)," he explained.

This year the march back was 15 miles, up from the standard 12 miles.

The extra miles didn't seem to bother DosSantos.  "We have been building up to it all summer," he said.

Firstie Jake Bursack, H company cadet commander said, "They really had a tougher Beast than any other Beast before this.  They did more miles.  They learned more tasks.  They had to know dozens and dozens of tasks stone cold."

Cadet Fourth Class Randee Farrell, 18, from Clifton, Va., another member of H company, described "Beast" as, "a total change in your life.  If you are able to persevere and are tenacious enough to actually want to do this, then everyone here is willing to help you," she explained.

"Being able to walk down the ski slope with the superintendent, the commandant and the chief of staff of the Army is just something that you will never be able to do any other time of your life," said Farrell.

She explained that for her, finishing Beast was especially satisfying because she had to overcome illness through much of the training.

It was the "thrill of completing something no one can ever take away from you," she added.

Someone else who got a thrill out of Marchback was Army Chief of Staff Gen. Dennis J. Reimer who, for the fourth consecutive year, made the trek to West Point to march back with the new cadet class.

"It is a very special thing for me.  I always enjoy coming here.  Marchback is a special event of the summer," Reimer said.

These cadets represent a lot of our future," he said.  "So the opportunity to come over and spend a few hours with them walking through the sun is a great treat for me," he added.

To USMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Daniel W. Christman, Marchback signifies "a chance for the Class of 2002 ... to bring to a close an intense period of summer training.

"For generations summer training has always been consummated by the march back from Lake Frederick.  This year it is a special opportunity because it is our bicentennial class," Christman added.