Bustling hordes of cadets congregated in Central Area, collecting pertinent information and learning as much as possible about the Army branches and functional areas they will soon work in from branch representatives during Branch Week at West Point. The four-day experience, which took place this year from August 26-29, allows the entire U.S. Military Academy Corps of Cadets to gain knowledge from all 17 Army branches and many functional areas. The cadets gain a sense of what lies ahead for their futures and learn how to make the right decision for a branch when that juncture arrives. Cadets, whether they are getting their first taste of Branch Week as plebes or their fourth as firsties, seize the opportunity to learn as much as they can to make the best decisions for their future as Army officers.
USMA Class of 2023 Class President and now 2LT Melic Belong had a chance to share some of his Air Defense Artillery (ADA) experiences with cadets from his brief time with his current unit – 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. But for him, it started as a cadet wanting to know where his purpose in life lies.
“It was just a few years ago I was literally standing where we’re at right now, and I was introduced to Air Defense, to the culture and the climate of the branch,” Belong explained. “The senior leaders took an interest in me, cared about me, and offered me opportunities, and they have been there to mentor me and be a sounding board… This happened during Branch Week here. I had those kinds of conversations that… changed the trajectory of my life, and I’m grateful for it,” he added. “I’m grateful for Branch Week, and for those leaders and branch representatives who took it very seriously to come out here and advocate for what they do because it was really impactful in my life.”
Excerpt and image taken from https://www.westpoint.edu.
