On Founders Day, Mar. 16, WPAOG launched the “Rockbound Highland Home Program,” a group of exclusive benefits for graduates designed to welcome them back to West Point and enhance their experience at their Rockbound Highland Home. As part of the program, graduates can apply for a “Grad Pass” prior to their visit, which will provide access to post as well as to select Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) activities and facilities known as “Grad Perks.” Once on-post, grads can take a “Grad Insider Tour” of West Point facilities that are not open to the public. Click here to read the announcement to the Long Gray Line from Todd Browne ’85, President & CEO of WPAOG.

BG Steven W. Gilland ’90 will serve as the 77th Commandant of the U.S. Corps of Cadets. Gilland is currently Deputy Commanding General for Operations for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). “I am incredibly humbled to be selected as the 77th Commandant of Cadets. It is a true honor to hold the responsibility of developing and mentoring our Army's future leaders and defenders of our great Nation,” said Gilland. “My family and I are extremely grateful for this opportunity to return to West Point. We look forward to joining the USMA team. Go Army!” Gilland will assume duties as Commandant later this year.

As West Point Societies around the world are celebrating USMA’s 215th anniversary at their Founders Day events, on Mar. 16 Bagram Airfield personnel shared in the tradition. The guest speaker was GEN John Nicholson ’82, Commander, US Forces-Afghanistan and Resolute Support Mission-Afghanistan. Hosting the event was MG J.T. Thomson ’86, Commander, 1st Cavalry Division Bagram Airfield and DCG-S US Forces-Afghanistan. Cutting the cake were the Oldest Grad in attendance Mr. William (Chris) North ’72, and the Youngest Grad 2LT Murphy Danahy ’16. Photos.

The Joint Service Academy Career Program team is now offering webinars on Wednesdays from March - May. Topics include preparing for a job fair, career plan development, personal branding, resume writing, and more! Log into your SACCentral account for information and to register for next week's Webinar Wednesday!

CDT Matthew Arnold ’20 described the symbolism of the class crest at the unveiling during the Plebe Parent Weekend Banquet. “Our crest, like most every crest, contains the Flag, the Eagle, the cadet and officer sabers, our class year and motto, and 'USMA,' though the way each class chooses to use these and other elements speaks to what values are particularly important to it. For us, our vision is paramount. ‘With Vision We Lead’ isn’t just some pun on our class year; it’s a philosophy that as the leaders of the future, we have a responsibility to have a vision for it, and to see that vision through. This is why one of the most striking aspects of the crest is the piercing eye of the eagle. The large, dominant eagle is also reminiscent of older class crests – such as that of our affiliate class of 1970 – reminding us that while our vision must be for the future, we cannot forget our storied past. Its large talons tightly grip the shield with its 20 rivets, symbolizing our class’s commitment to the tireless defense of our country. The eagle’s large talons also grip the three arrows and the olive branch, a reminder that we are guided by the ideas of Duty, Honor, Country, and a want of eventual peace. The seven Army Values are also present in the seven stars on our nation’s flag."

Join us on May 23 for the Alumni Exercises and Alumni Review, followed by the Alumni Luncheon (registration required) in the Cadet Mess Hall. West Point’s oldest living graduate is scheduled to participate in the wreath-laying and the 2017 Distinguished Graduate Awards are presented during the review. The luncheon honors the Distinguished Graduates and the reunion classes of 1942, 1947, 1952, 1962 and 1967. Check our website for other alumni events scheduled at West Point.

West Point’s Ethics Debate team beat out 36 teams from across the country to win the 21st annual Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Feb. 26 in Dallas. Dr. Graham Parsons, team assistant coach from the Department of English and Philosophy, said the team performed consistently well through competition, but definitely peaked in the final round. In order to prepare, the team had to study a diverse range of ethical case studies released to all invitees in early January. These 15 cases covered a variety of topics such as drone strikes, government whistle blowers, data mining on social media networks, and refugees. Full Story.

The Dario Lorenzetti ’93 Memorial Pavilion was dedicated on Oct. 22, 2016 in a special ceremony at Worth Ranch in Palo Pinto, Texas. Dario was killed in October 2012 while serving our country as a government official in Afghanistan. An Eagle Scout, Dario loved Worth Ranch Boy Scout Camp and his lifelong friends and family determined there could not be a more fitting location for a memorial to honor him. Photos.

All around the world, West Pointers are celebrating the 215th anniversary of the founding of USMA! So, as of Mar. 16, you can get the 2015 Register of Graduates & Former Cadets at a special discounted price of $89.00. The Register, updated every five years, is West Point Association of Graduates’ most historic publication, and is the ultimate West Point reference book. It contains a wealth of information on the careers of 72,413 West Point Graduates from 1802-2015, including 218 class mottos and crests, West Point generational family ancestry, USMA leadership, Medal of Honor Graduates and more! Deluxe clothbound edition with custom-designed West Point map endpapers. Visit our Gift Shop online to order your copy! Offer ends May 27, 2016.

TAPS is the official and unique annual memorial magazine of the Long Gray Line. In it, you will find the fascinating and inspiring life stories of West Point graduates. The 2017 edition will be our largest ever, with over 250 Memorial Articles! Advance orders may now be placed online. A limited number of copies of the 2016 edition are still available for purchase. Please call 845.446.1545 to order now.