West Point
West Point is a military academy located near Highland Falls, New York. A military presence in this part of America has a long history; the fortifications were designed in 1778, shortly after American independence, and the academy was chartered by legislation in 1802. West Point's motto is:
| “ | To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army. | ” |
Aside from training cadets, graduates of West Point receive a fine education, graduating with bachelor of science degree, paired nicely with a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Army.
History
The Academy has changed greatly over the years: although originally an all-male school, women may now attend, and recently, a West Point graduate became the first female brigadier general.[1]
Famous Graduates
The graduate rolls of West Point read as a veritable "who's who" of famous Americans: Ulysses S. Grant, Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Buzz Aldrin were all West Point students at some point.