USMA IN THE NEWS
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By KARI NEERING
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: January 27, 2004)

Much of Grace Chung's freshman year at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point was spent second-guessing her decision to endure its rigorous mix of academics, discipline and training.

Fast-forward four years to a confident and self-assured senior, an overachiever from Congers who this semester began as first captain of the Corps of Cadets, assuming responsibility for all 4,200 men and women at the academy.

Chung was moved up from the No. 2 deputy brigade commander position to replace Cadet Craig Lubinski of Ohio, who was removed as first captain near the end of last semester for violating administrative rules. Chung said that despite of the circumstances, she was taking advantage of the opportunity and maintaining the academy's honor and integrity.

"It's a privilege and honor to be in this position," said Chung, 21, who will graduate in May. "It didn't happen under the most favorable conditions, but I feel like everyone has stepped up to the plate. I feel like the corps is moving on, and we're doing what we need to do."

Chung, a graduate of Clarkstown North High School, is only the second female cadet to lead the Corps of Cadets since the academy began allowing women to enroll in 1976.

Brig. Gen. Leo Brooks, West Point's commandant of cadets, said Chung was identified long ago as a person who would be a key leader. He said she was smart, physically fit, excelled in leadership roles, and was always a person of good character.

Brooks said Chung's transition was exceptionally smooth, particularly because the cadets knew the importance of abiding by West Point's rules and understood why Lubinski had to be removed. Brooks stressed that Lubinski didn't do anything criminal, but violated rules as to "where you can be and not be, things of that nature."

Brooks, who meets with Chung once a week to discuss her vision on the corps' development, said he considered her to be a fearless woman and role model to her peers.

"No organization can rest on one individual. In our business, people get sick, people die, people change jobs — we always have to be capable of sending someone in to take over the reins of leadership," Brooks said. "(Chung) was already a respected, visible senior leader. The corps has respect for her, and consequently, they had no problem whatsoever accepting her as their newly appointed leader."

Chung was named deputy brigade commander in the fall based on her military and academic performance, already establishing herself as one of the top leaders in the 1,100-plus senior class. She was officially named first captain on Dec. 19, the end of last semester.

Being named to the top position wasn't much different, she said, except for the amount of "face time" required. Everyone from academy visitors to military officials from other countries have been eager to meet and get to know West Point's new student leader.

Cadet Tate Jarrow, 21, of Ithaca, N.Y., said Chung entered the top position under difficult circumstances, but was able to pick up and take over successfully. He said her leadership talent made the transition easy for himself and other cadets.

"She's a great team builder," the 21-year-old senior brigade executive officer said. "Because she builds such a strong team, the unit runs effectively. She's also a very deliberate decision maker. Everything she does is well thought out. She makes sound decisions after full consideration."

Brooks said being first captain at West Point would follow Chung the rest of her career. Cadets don't forget their first captains, he said, and the respect that goes with the position is immeasurable.

"There are 4,200 of the best and brightest here, and one person emerges," Brooks said. "That, in itself, is extremely significant."

Chung is studying geospatial information science, a major offered through the geography department. She is also a member of the Cadet Sport Parachute Team, whose members compete nationally and are responsible for jumping from planes thousands of feet in the air and delivering the football to the field before every home game.

Chung will graduate and be commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army in May, then head to Fort Rutger, Ala., to attend flight school. As one of only about 200 women in her senior class, she said confidence helped her distinguish herself.