The United States Military Academy Prep School visited their future home September 19th here to help them better understand what will be expected of them next year. The students spent four days staying with cadet escorts in the barracks, audited classes for two days, attended the home football game and generally followed the academy’s routine.

The prep school is for those students who have not quite come up to the academic standards of the military academy in high school or on standardized tests yet exemplify the character and potential leadership qualities that the United States Military Academy is looking for, according to Brig. Gen. Daniel Kaufman, Dean of the Academic Board here. The year they spend in prep school allows them to focus on and correct their academic shortcomings, which exemplifies their motto: Desire, Faith, and Effort.

The academic program at the prep school is closely coordinated with the academy’s curriculum, according to USMAPS officials and focuses on Math and English as well increasing their study skills and time management.

The Dean welcomed the students and thanked the cadet candidates for the commitment they have made at a briefing in Barlett Hall.

"This is a hard school. Having said that, there is a system in place that will help you succeed as a cadet and as an officer. Admissions, instructors and cadets here are all devoted to your success. Your instructors are available to you any time and there are tutors available," Kaufman said.

The Dean explained to the students that West Point looks at what the Army needs and fulfills those needs.

"Now is an excellent time to be in the army because of new technology that is available today that allows the army to do the job they were meant to do more effectively. Twenty years from now, what kind of characteristics will be needed? 

West Point will be ready to meet those needs," he said.

The Commandant of Cadets, Brig. Gen. Leo Brooks Jr. told the students to get themselves academically ready so they could focus on their studies here.

"I rely heavily on prep school cadets. You have already had a year in a military role that your classmates won’t necessarily have. You already know how to make the transition from civilian to soldier. You help me to establish a base line up front for discipline, standards, and physical fitness," Brooks said.

Brooks explained to the students that there was a higher rate of attrition this year than in previous years but only ten of the one hundred sixty- nine prep school students left the academy.

"One hundred fifty-nine previous prep school students are still here. That is because you do come in with a set of values and characteristics already established. The First Captain of Cadets is a graduate of USMAPS and so was the First Captain last year," he said.

Brooks suggested that it is not just in academics that the students have a chance to excel. They can do so in sports as well.

"Our sports programs here are second to none. If you are not into sports, there are tons of clubs that are available. We have a sport parachute team that is extremely competitive. We have scuba diving. We have an equestrian club, sailing and crew.

"Being a military professional means being physically fit and working on the fields of friendly strife out there. Everyone participates in athletic endeavors in some form here," he added.