FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            RELEASE NO.  20-06

CLASS OF 2010 ENTERS ACADEMY– June 20, 2006         

     WEST POINT, N.Y. –  Approximately 1,320 cadet candidates, including more than 310 minority candidates, 15 international cadets and 29 combat veterans who served in Afghanistan , Iraq or both, are expected to report to West Point on Monday, June 26, Reception Day for the Class of 2010.

The incoming class was selected from a pool of nearly 10,300 applicants. There are 181 women, who comprise 14 percent of the class. Minority enrollment includes 78 African-Americans, 79 Asian-Americans, 101 Hispanic-Americans and 13 Native Americans.

West Point Admissions Director, Col. Michael Jones, said that the Class of 2010 has what it takes to become our nation's future leaders.

“This class includes some of the best and brightest students in the country,” Jones said. “Their overall performance in academics, leadership and athletics is outstanding and provides the necessary foundation for successfully completing the challenging West Point experience.”

“In these times of uncertainty and conflict,” Jones continued, “this patriotic group of young men and women left the comfort and safety of civilian life to devote themselves to becoming guardians of Duty, Honor, Country and our United States Constitution.”

Members of the Class of 2010 include cadets from every state in the nation and 15 international cadets entering the class under the sponsorship of their respective countries. The countries represented include Belize , Cameroon , Iraq , Latvia , Malaysia , Maldives (2), Nicaragua (2), Palau , Peru , Romania , Rwanda , and Thailand (2). Upon graduation, these cadets will return to their country as officers in their armed forces.

During R-Day, the new cadets begin the process of becoming U.S. Military Academy cadets and future U.S. Army officers. They undergo administrative processing, are fitted with their initial issue of military clothing, receive haircuts, medical and physical evaluations, and begin their first lessons in marching, military courtesy and discipline. As their first day ends, the Class of 2010 will stand before many of their parents and friends at Trophy Point to take the Oath of Allegiance from the U.S. Military Academy Commandant Brig. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr.

New cadets will complete six and one-half weeks of Cadet Basic Training, learning the basic skills of the Soldier. They will participate in rigorous physical training, long foot marches, tactical maneuvers, rifle marksmanship and learn to respond quickly and accurately to their commanders under conditions of mental and physical stress. At the end of this initial training period, new cadets will be formally accepted into the Corps of Cadets. The Acceptance Day Parade for the Class of 2010 in scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m.

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Editor's Note: Media wishing to cover R-Day activities should contact the Public Affairs Office at (845) 938-2006.