More than 1,200 U.S. citizens and 16 international students, including 280 women, and 445 minorities reported to the U.S. Military Academy on July 1 for Reception Day to join West Point’s Class of 2028. The incoming class was selected from a highly qualified national pool of over 12,300 applicants.
“The Class of 2028 includes some of the best and brightest students in the country and epitomizes the depth and breadth of interest from our youth across America for service to our nation,” said Director of Admissions COL Rance Lee ’97. “Their exceptional performance in academics, athletics, and leadership has been remarkable and provides the foundation for successful completion of the demanding 47-month West Point experience and for service to our nation as a commissioned leader of character.”
“In these times of uncertainty in the world, this patriotic group of young men and women left the comfort and safety of civilian life to devote themselves to becoming guardians of Duty, Honor, Country and our United States Constitution,” Lee continued.
The Class of 2028 includes cadets from every state in the nation and 16 international cadets entering the class under the sponsorship of their respective countries. The countries represented include Cameroon, Ghana, Germany, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Senegal (2), Singapore, Thailand, The Republic of Korea, and Tunisia. Upon graduation, these cadets will return to their respective countries as officers in their armed forces.
During Reception Day, the new cadets begin the process of becoming West Point cadets and future U.S. Army officers. New cadets went through administrative processing, were fitted with their initial issue of military clothing, received haircuts, medical and physical evaluations, and began their first lessons in marching, military courtesy and discipline. As their first day ended, the Class of 2028 stood before many of their parents and friends on the Plain to take the Oath of Allegiance from the U.S. Military Academy’s Commandant of Cadets, BG R.J. Garcia ’96.
The West Point Association of Graduates and the 50-Year Affiliate Class of 1978 were present throughout the day to welcome the new cadets and their families into the West Point family.
New cadets will now complete six weeks of Cadet Basic Training, learning the basic skills of the soldier. They will participate in rigorous physical training, small-unit tactical training, and rifle marksmanship, and learn to respond quickly and accurately to their commanders under mental and physical stress. At the end of this initial training period, new cadets will be formally accepted into the Corps of Cadets. The Acceptance Day Parade for the Class of 2028 is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17.
