Earlier this month, cadets arrived at West Point for “R day” or reception day, though social distancing and mask policy prompted by COVID-19 made this tradition look different than times past. Plebe: Cadets in their 1st year at West Point, similar to being a college freshman: Prospectus: The "viewbook" is available in print and online, it explains requirements and important aspects of a West Point education. The festivities kicked off with the Plebe Banquet Friday at the Cadet Mess Hall, followed by a National Defense Service Medal Award Ceremony and a Pass and Review on Saturday morning. The new class of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy this year has been spared a disciplinary ritual as old as West Point itself. Days can be long but overall the 47 month flies by and suddenly you’re at graduation out the door. The festivities kicked off with the Plebe Banquet Friday at the Cadet Mess Hall, followed by a National Defense Service Medal Award Ceremony and a Pass and Review on Saturday morning. All of them are accused of cheating on a calculus exam in May, when West Point had shifted to virtual classes due to the coronavirus pandemic. Honest thoughts about West Point: it was a truly special experience that while difficult and frustrating at times left me a better person, leader, and officer for having spent the time there. Celebrates the accomplishment of completing summer training. The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2024 achieved its first academic year milestone by celebrating Plebe Weekend March 5-6 at West Point. Dwight Eisenhower, the school’s most famous alum, went through his own R-day in 1911. Camp Illumination – The Saturday before Cadets are released from summer training going into their second year. Typically themed as a “garden party” Camp Illumination event is the only class even that takes place at Camp Buckner which is where your cadet is spending most of his summers while at West Point. Pictured here are COL (R) Pat Kane (Class of 1973, Class President), Cadet Jordyn Kenkel (Class of 2023, Ring and Crest Committee Chair), and LTC (R) Al Sciarretta (Class of 1973, 50-Year Affiliation Committee Chair). As with the YWW during the Yearling year, this night is a milestone in a Cadet's time at West Point and is celebrated with a Saturday night banquet and a formal hop. Such cadets usually first complete either EN100: Foundational Writing or a yearlong course sequence offered by the Department of Foreign Languages, "Academic Reading and Writing for International Cadets" (LE101 + LE102), depending on placement examinations administered in the summer before their plebe year begins. Class of 2023 Crest Unveiling. This year is what all cadets have looked forward to since they arrived at West Point on R-Day 3 short years ago. Howitzer Picture: In the Spring of the Cow year, Cows have their picture taken for the Howitzer. Hazing of first-year cadets, or plebes, has been abolished. This picture and the one taken during Plebe year … The Class of 2023 unveiled its class crest at the Plebe Parent Weekend banquet. The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2024 achieved its first academic year milestone by celebrating Plebe Weekend March 5-6 at West Point.