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Story
September 16, 1886
The Big Sandy News
Louisa, Lawrence County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
W. O. Johnson describes his experience as a new cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, covering admission, strict military discipline, training for bearing, scenery, routines, curriculum, and the benefits despite initial reluctance.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
West Point, N. Y.
In accordance with my promise I write you a short description of the U. S. M. A. of this place. I will begin where my experience began.
When a candidate for admission to this Academy reports, he is immediately assigned a place in barracks, and is not allowed to go out except to examination, and is then marched out by a cadet officer. As soon as he reached the barracks whether having been examined by the medical board or not, he is immediately put under strict military discipline, and if he fails to enter he at least has the advantage of almost one week's excellent training.
When the results of examinations are known, those who fail are so notified and released from ranks and generally are not a little glad to escape. Those who remain have now to undergo much stricter discipline. In order to attain a 'military bearing' new cadets are required to walk with toes depressed letting them strike the ground before the heel: with hands flattened out, palms in front, thumbs pressed on fore-fingers: and with chest inflated and shoulders back. This training lasts about six weeks, and from a comparison of last June's cadets with September's, it seems that the effect of such training is very good.
Usually two-thirds of the applicants are successful, 28 out of 42 were admitted Sept. 1st. The examinations are very fair.
The scenery about West Point is beautiful, as indeed it is all along the Hudson;—but visitors and not cadets have the opportunities of enjoying it. I would advise a candidate on his way to West Point to make a tour around the post and take his last look at the beauties of the place,—at least his last look for a year or two.
There is a hotel at the Point as a convenience to visitors. It is also a convenience to the proprietors—rates $4 a day, or by the week $24.50. Cadets are scarcely ever allowed to visit the hotel although it is in sight of barracks.
The habits of cadets must be regular. They are called to meals by drums, and to classes by bugles, and are driven to bed by drums. There is not a minute's deviation in time from day to day, (except as seasons require,) only on Sundays, when an evening walk of about two hundred yards is allowed.
The course of instruction at this Academy is one of the finest in the United States, and in point of learning one gets ample return for his time. The course includes Drawing, French, Spanish, Ethics, Gymnastics, Philosophy, Physiology, Hygiene, Geology and Mathematics complete, embracing engineering.
The first thing a new cadet does is to wish himself out. Many purposely fail (they say) and a few resign. And when one has been here a week or two he begins to think of 'Home Sweet Home.' But if one consults his best interests he will stay. He is sure to be benefited, and the gain is his own.
Send me the News.
W. O. Johnson.
In accordance with my promise I write you a short description of the U. S. M. A. of this place. I will begin where my experience began.
When a candidate for admission to this Academy reports, he is immediately assigned a place in barracks, and is not allowed to go out except to examination, and is then marched out by a cadet officer. As soon as he reached the barracks whether having been examined by the medical board or not, he is immediately put under strict military discipline, and if he fails to enter he at least has the advantage of almost one week's excellent training.
When the results of examinations are known, those who fail are so notified and released from ranks and generally are not a little glad to escape. Those who remain have now to undergo much stricter discipline. In order to attain a 'military bearing' new cadets are required to walk with toes depressed letting them strike the ground before the heel: with hands flattened out, palms in front, thumbs pressed on fore-fingers: and with chest inflated and shoulders back. This training lasts about six weeks, and from a comparison of last June's cadets with September's, it seems that the effect of such training is very good.
Usually two-thirds of the applicants are successful, 28 out of 42 were admitted Sept. 1st. The examinations are very fair.
The scenery about West Point is beautiful, as indeed it is all along the Hudson;—but visitors and not cadets have the opportunities of enjoying it. I would advise a candidate on his way to West Point to make a tour around the post and take his last look at the beauties of the place,—at least his last look for a year or two.
There is a hotel at the Point as a convenience to visitors. It is also a convenience to the proprietors—rates $4 a day, or by the week $24.50. Cadets are scarcely ever allowed to visit the hotel although it is in sight of barracks.
The habits of cadets must be regular. They are called to meals by drums, and to classes by bugles, and are driven to bed by drums. There is not a minute's deviation in time from day to day, (except as seasons require,) only on Sundays, when an evening walk of about two hundred yards is allowed.
The course of instruction at this Academy is one of the finest in the United States, and in point of learning one gets ample return for his time. The course includes Drawing, French, Spanish, Ethics, Gymnastics, Philosophy, Physiology, Hygiene, Geology and Mathematics complete, embracing engineering.
The first thing a new cadet does is to wish himself out. Many purposely fail (they say) and a few resign. And when one has been here a week or two he begins to think of 'Home Sweet Home.' But if one consults his best interests he will stay. He is sure to be benefited, and the gain is his own.
Send me the News.
W. O. Johnson.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
West Point
Military Academy
Cadet Admission
Military Discipline
Training Regimen
Educational Course
What entities or persons were involved?
W. O. Johnson
Where did it happen?
West Point, N. Y.
Story Details
Key Persons
W. O. Johnson
Location
West Point, N. Y.
Event Date
September 1st
Story Details
W. O. Johnson recounts the admission process at the U.S. Military Academy, including examinations, initial discipline, training for military bearing, daily routines, curriculum, and the personal benefits of enduring the strict regimen despite initial homesickness.