Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"July 26, 2002
Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"
July
26, 2002
By Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox Jr.
USMA Superintendent
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Welcome to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Your assignment here promises to be unique, professionally rewarding and enjoyable.
In addition to being a federal service academy with a full range of academic, military and athletic activities, West Point is America’s oldest continuously occupied military installation. Its long history and the critical nature of its role in developing commissioned leaders of character contribute to the academy’s stature as an American "national treasure."
Since 1802, West Point has produced graduates who have contributed substantially to our nation’s growth and security in peace and war. Their service is so intertwined with American history that we often say, "Much of the history we teach was made by people we taught." Collectively, graduates of the USMA are known as the Long Gray Line.
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| The cadet color guard is one of the most widely recognized symbols of the U.S. Military Academy. |
You have been assigned to West Point for one purpose only: to assist in the development of future officers. The Corps of Cadets numbers approximately 4,000 men and women from every state in the union as well as several foreign countries. You will play an important role in the cadets’ development through your participation in activities and events associated with the entire West Point community. These will go far beyond your assigned duties and will provide an enjoyable and rewarding experience for your entire family.
West Point is home to more than 1,300 military personnel and more than 2,500 civilian employees. In addition to the academy’s staff and faculty members who are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry, there are also several tenant units and activities stationed here including the PX, Commissary, MEDDAC, DENTAC and others.
Take time to tour the grounds of this installation and you can actually walk where history was made. In fact, the academy’s historical significance and contributions to the country were officially recognized in 1960, when it was declared a National Historic Landmark.
