Through the Gray

Podcast Wrap. Joe & Carlys talk about the idea behind the podcast, the execution of that idea, and the impact that the podcast has had. Thank you for being a part of this journey and for sharing these stories.

Joe's interest in the military was tied to his experiences with his Dad in the outdoors and participating in Boy Scouting. It was further fueled by popular movies and documentaries he saw in his childhood. Joe had an indirect route to the Military Academy. Enlisting in 1996 and serving as a soldier in support of West Point prior to being accepted as a New Cadet in 1997. Joe initially suffered...

Josh became infatuated with the military and flying after watching “Top Gun”. Josh did everything he could to learn about aircraft and to prepare to become a pilot, including participating in the Civil Air Patrol. Josh needed glasses to correct his vision so becoming a pilot wasn’t feasible, but it didn’t stop his desire to serve. Josh enlisted in the Infantry with the goal to apply to West Point...

Joe chose to apply for West Point based off of financial circumstances and first hand experiences. Joe saw what the structure and discipline of Army did for his older brother and was impressed by a West Point Cadet who spoke locally and absolutely commanded the room of high school students. When Joe entered West Point he was exposed to a shock of a different culture and different mindset, but also...

Joshua Knobel: Religious Calling Josh didn’t see West Point as dramatically different from his other college options, but an overnight stay in 1997 caused him to reassess. Joshs’ host (Class of 2000) stayed up late studying the night before and wasn’t prepared for the upcoming day. His classmates in that moment bent over backwards to makes sure he was. Josh couldn’t imagine that happening at any o...

Hard Truths and A Serendipitous Journey The firstborn child of a Ukrainian immigrant to the US, and following in her career father’s Military footsteps, Jessica gladly accepted and thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of Cadet life at West Point. While at the academy, she ran collegiate cross country, competed in three years of the Sandhurst competition, Officers of Christian fellowship (OCF), ski te...

David was exposed to West Point early and often in his childhood. His Father was a Class of 1974 Graduate and David remembers posing for pictures on cannons on campus in a yellow West Point t-shirt. David’s father and grandfather didn’t push West Point on him, but their pride in service and their family history heavily influenced his views. David was a competitor and a perfectionist. Sports, acade...

Eric Hillerson: Family tradition Eric and his family have a strong connection with military service. Eric’s grandfathers served in WWII and several of his uncles served in Vietnam. Eric became interested in West Point and becoming an officer personally during the sixth grade when Desert Shield / Desert Storm kicked off. Watching the news coverage of what US forces accomplished, combined with watch...

Christian Catron: Healthcare to Wealthcare Christian has no idea what West Point was until his senior year in high school. When he learned about its academic rigor, the opportunity to blow things up over the summer, the ability to play Division I football, and having a guaranteed job lined up after graduation he was sold. Christian was mentally prepared for the rigors of West Point and came with d...

Greg Lee: On the Line Greg aspired towards military service, leadership, and West Point from an early age. Greg’s father was a Vietnam era veteran and military history and the impact of its leaders inspired him. Greg participated in multiple activities throughout high school to prepare himself for acceptance to and attendance at West Point. When Greg applied for the Class of 2000 he was not accept...

Corey

Charlotte Yerdon: Super Trooper Charlotte grow up with two older brothers in a neighborhood of all boys. Charlotte was comfortable playing Army, hide and seek, and being on the run. Many of Charlottes family members served in the military and law enforcement. Her father served in the Army, her older brother became an Apache pilot, and her cousin Jessica Yerdon attended West Point. Charlotte set he...

Brian was initially interested in West Point because a teacher doubted his ability to survive its structure. Brian took that as a challenge and applied himself towards disproving that doubt. Brian acclimated to West Point rapidly and sought out the many leadership opportunities it provided. Brian sought out opportunities to push himself as a teammate and as a leader. Brian was driven to serve and...

West Point was a culmination of goals and challenges that Imani had for himself in highschool. Imani wanted to play in Division I College football, he wanted to challenge himself academically and personally, and he wanted to prepare himself for a career in medicine. Early visits and interactions with West Pointers further solidified those goals. Imani didn’t go to the preparatory school, but went...

Terence wanted to leave Georgia, to be an Engineer, and to play football. West Point checked all of those blocks. Terence had opportunities, but the more he learned about West Point the more it drew him in. Terence was accepted to the Preparatory School and built a strong base of academic skill, physical fitness, and strong peer relationships. Terence played football and track while at West Point...

Jason was inspired by his parents to work hard and serve others. He was active in multiple activities throughout his youth to include Awana, Boy Scouting, Royal Rangers, Church, and wrestling. Jason recieved scholarships and offers to other colleges, but West Point and military service drew his attention. Jason struggled with some aspects of West Point at first, but his quiet deliberate strength a...

West Point helped Ann become the person she envisioned she could be. More than a team captain or president of different school clubs. West Point taught Ann how to lead and influence people. West Point exposed Ann to the military, time management, the necessity to lean upon the support of others, and how to deal with failure. Ann branched Transportation and selected Germany as her first duty statio...

Alex grew up in New Jersey and was drawn towards West Point and the idea of serving something greater than himself. West Point was known for graduating people who went on to do big things, and Alex wanted do something more than average. Alex would be accepted to West Point after accepting an AOG scholarship and attending the New Mexico Military Institute for one year. The delay helped him build a...

Chas was drawn to West Point by the opportunity to play college Football and to serve in the military like his grandfathers. Chas did well at West Point and with the Football team, but faced some difficult decisions when he compared his college experience to that of his highschool peers and when injuries threatened his ability to play on the team. Chas was able to play Football throughout college...

Dan’s father challenged him to go to college, and to find a way to pay for it on his own. Dan’s father had done this and learned many valuable lessons from it. Dan grew up in a small rural town in Virginia. He was active in school and extracurricular activities, but his risk taking was limited. That changed when he entered West Point. Dan was challenged while at West Point, he was forced into unco...

Anastasia Piotrowski: Just Tri Anastasia applied to West Point with dreams of serving in the military and becoming an engineer. While at West Point Anastasia tried to expose herself to every academic challenge and activity. Anastasia tried rowing, powerlifting, languages, and became interested in biology and the medical field. Anastasia applied to become and was accepted to be a Doctor in the medi...

Rob grew up in Columbus, Ohio the oldest of four kids. West Point offered him opportunity to go to college and the structure necessary to push and challenge him in a way staying in Ohio may not. Rob stumbled out of the gates with his Senate nomination interview with John Glenn, but recovered and secured a nomination from Congressmen Mike DeWine. Rob’s experience at West Point mirrored that early i...

Jeff applied to West Point after a suggestion from a good friend and with the support of his family. From a young age, he learned that hard work and keeping an open mind were the basis for creating opportunities and moving forward. Jeff’s branch within the Army was Field Artillery, which took him through Ranger School, intense combat missions, and a future facing the harsh realities of war. After...

Roger.

Eric applied to West Point for the prestige of being a graduate and the adventure of being an Army Officer. Eric wrestled and participated in the Civil Air Patrol while in high school and felt prepared for what West Point would throw at him. Eric had faith in West Point and the military. That they would challenge him and push him to grow, but never put him in a situation that was beyond his capabi...