USMA IN THE NEWS

Alumni of U.S. Military Academy gather at Camp Arifjan

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Graduates of the United Sates Military Academy at West Point held a dinner at Camp Arifjan on March 21 for 50 local alumni of the academy to mark the annual Founder’s Day of their alma mater. Hosted by Brigadier General Stuart Dyer, commanding general of 335th Theater Signal Command (Provisional), guests of honor included American Ambassador Richard LeBaron, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Maj Gen Dennis E. Hardy, Third Army/US Army central deputy commanding general. US Consul General Sonny Busa, a West Point graduate, was the special guest speaker. 

In his remarks, Ambassador LeBaron commended West Point’s former students for their “service to the nation and life of self-sacrifice.” LeBaron went on to extol the qualities of leadership for which West Point graduates are known, and told them how critical their leadership is at a time when the United States is engaged in an armed conflict. The Ambassador congratulated Sheikh Dr Mohammed on the accomplishments of his son who will complete his studies at the Military Academy at West Point this spring. Cadet Sabah Al-Sabah will be the first graduate of West Point from Kuwait, one of the very few graduates from the Middle East region. 

Speaking to his guests, General Dyer said, “Our alma mater continues to amaze me with the quality of young Army officers that graduate every year; many of who are now leading our nation’s sons and daughters on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Given whose very soil we now celebrate Founders Day; we also honor those members of the Long Gray Line who also assisted in the liberation of the proud nation of Kuwait.” 

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is located 80 kilometers north of New York City on the banks of the Hudson River. It was established in 1802 as a training academy for officers in the United States Army. Its graduates are known as the “Long Gray Line” in recognition of the gray-colored uniforms worn by the Corps of Cadets. Notable alumni have included two U.S. Presidents, as well as thousands of military, civil and business leaders from around the world. Today’s 4,000 cadets study a variety of subjects combined with military training. Upon graduating they receive a Bachelor of Science degree and American graduates receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.