Through the Gray

John was inspired to apply to West Point from rural Michigan due to the examples of his father and uncle and the guidance of his mother. John was prepared for the physical and military rigors of West Point, but needed to lean upon the academic skills and expertise of those around him. John had success and enjoyed his time at West Point because of the individuals he surrounded himself with. John jo...

Dave lived near West Point for several years as a young boy and later grew up in Red Hook, New York—a small town two hours north of NYC. He was inspired by West Point early in his life and his connection with the land there brought him back later in life. Dave distinguished himself in the application process by networking and cultivating relationships within his community. Starting from the bottom...

Mike left San Antonio, Texas to attend the Military Academy. Mike graduated as an Economics and Computer Science Major and served as an Armor Officer in Kuwait and Iraq. Mike was selected to serve as the Rear-Detachment Commander for his Tank Battalion when his unit was tapped to deploy for a second tour 9 months after their first. As the Rear-Detachment Commander Mike was critical in creating sys...

Shane was inspired by his father and 80’s military movies to become a pilot. Shane threw himself headfirst into academics and extracurricular activities to build his resume and increase his chances of attending a military academy and becoming a pilot. When Shane attended West Point he found that the academic rigors of the school forced him to choose between his passions and to adjust his expectati...

Torrey started as Class of 2000 before serving a break year in the force and returning as Class of 2001. Torrey was highly recruited out of his home town, but shouldered the expectations of his friends and family alone. Torrey was reluctant to ask for help until it was too late. Torrey was given the chance to serve in the force as an enlisted Artillery soldier for a year to mature and return the A...

Brian wasn’t accepted to West Point out of high school or after a year at the New Mexico Military Institute. Brian’s intelligence and work ethic remained hidden behind his test taking abilities. After a year at NMMI and the United States Military Academy Preparatory School his talents began to shine through. Brian graduated in the top third of his class and married a 2001 Classmate. Brian would be...

Tom was a three sport varsity athlete and two sport team captain with dreams of attending West Point. Tom put all of his efforts into attending a service academy. When he wasn’t selected he chose to enlist in the Army as a Tanker. Tom captured the attention of his leadership at his first duty station and they were instrumental in getting his application resubmitted and approved. Tom’s experience a...

Mike was impelled to serve by the examples of his veteran parents. West Point was not his first choice, but their strong cadet candidate program and luck resulted in his acceptance and attendance. Mike was the epitome of grit and threw himself at multiple challenges and opportunities while at the Academy. Mike fell short of some of those goals, but graduated as an Infantry officer with the skills...

Deb grew up playing GI Joe and watching his Dad serve in the Army. Deb learned to succeed in periods of conflict as a cadet and as a junior signal officer and excelled in areas of collaboration where he could leverage his intelligence and interpersonal skills. Deb was able to support strategic level communications from his positions in Germany and Ft. Bragg early in his career, and transitioned to...

Laura had limitations placed upon her early in life. West Point was the means Laura sought to push herself beyond those limits within a structured environment. Laura’s deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom was anything but structured. In the chaos of war, Laura found her true self and returned forever changed. This is her story.

Charlie joined West Point as a means to escape the National Guard. West Point wasn’t easy for Charlie, but he found his focus and his stride by Junior year. This included a budding relationship with a Marine Officer’s daughter, and his future wife. Charlie graduated the Academy, branched Engineer, and married in rapid succession. Charlie completed of the Officer Basic Course and posted to Fort Ril...

Adam applied to West Point after a frank conversation with his dad during high school. Adam wasn't a stellar high school student, and he struggled academically and athletically initially while attending West Point. Uncomfortable feedback about his performance and growing love of the military spurred him to change his outlook and improve his personal habits. Adam branched Armor and has continued to...

Jaron was enamored with military service based off of early interactions with Cadets and learning of his fathers experiences in Vietnam. Jaron had a delayed acceptance to West Point due to medical issues, and suffered the loss of his mother before arriving for his freshman year at the Academy. Jaron was determined to succeed at West Point and in the military. Jaron fed off the strength of the peop...

Tom was inspired by his father’s service in Vietnam to join the military and attend West Point. Tom embraced the military and academic challenges, but chafed at the restrictive rules of the Academy. Tom needed to know the basics, in order for him to understand what informed risks he could take. Tom’s time at West Point and as an Aviation officer gave him that experience. Tom left the Army during a...

Laura joined West Point from a family with long lineage of West Pointers. Family stories about the ideals of the Military Academy and Military service echoed throughout Laura’s childhood and her acceptance as a new cadet was the end of that dream and the beginning of her life of service. The idealism of West Point was tarnished by the actions of a few when Laura faced sexual harassment and a sexua...

Jared grew up in New York State in a tight knit family. West Point was an opportunity for Jared to blaze his own path to add to that legacy. While at West Point and through out his military service Jared was afforded multiple opportunities to see and experience the world around him. Jared served from Thailand and Iraq to Central and South America. This is his story.

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Kevin joined West Point because he wanted to be a part of an organization known for excellence and professionalism. While at West Point Kevin embraced all aspects of the cadet experience, from intramural sports to drill and ceremony. Developing deep relationships with his mentors and classmates. Kevin commissioned as an Aviation Officer and selected the OH-58D Light Reconnaissance Helicopter as hi...

Brett was accepted into West Point and Annapolis, but a poor decision almost derailed his career before it could begin. While at West Point and in the Military Brett was selected for and participated in activities and programs that stretched the limits of his capabilities and his influence. Whether participating in a pilot CTLT program with a Ranger Battalion, leading Avaition units, or expanding...

Josh joined West Point determined to play NCAA Division I football. His experience there created lifelong habits, friendships, and memories that shape him to this day. An amazing and fun interview covering Josh’s experience at the Preparatory School, on the Football team, as a Graduate Assistant at West Pount during 9/11, his military service in Iraq, and his career in medical device sales. This i...

Brian joined West Point because he wanted to go to college and get rich. Brian did well enough at West Point, but never really dove deep into the opportunities that were presented. Upon graduation he became an Engineer Officer and was stationed in Germany where he found happiness in service and exploring Europe with his wife. Brian’s life was dramatically altered when his first born child was diag...

Jon went to West Point for leadership and saw his passion for academics, engineering, and tight knit teams pull him towards the sea. Jon excelled at submarines, but high stresses in cramped conditions caused him to explore a new career path in naval salvage and recovery. Along the way Jon earned a world class education in Business Management, Naval / Nuclear / and Mechanical Engineering, Jon now t...

Matt came from a family with a strong military tradition, so service wasn’t a question. Matt shares his story and experiences at West Point. Exploring the boundaries of leadership, military development, spirit missions, and taxidermy. His experiences in the military range from sitting in the dark with his battle buddy at Infantry Officer Basic the night of 9/11, to conducting operations in Eastern...

Tereh’s father graduated from West Point and served as an Engineer Professor on faculty. West Point was a constant feature in her childhood and her family; but it was always an opportunity, not a requirement. Tereh made the decision to apply to West Point and the commitment to challenge herself and her potential. As she continued in service Tereh’s network of friends and family gave her the freedo...

Star Hy was on the ground during the US exit from Afghanistan. As a diplomatic security service officer she and her team were critical in supporting the processing of Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans and their families who had supported the US during the war to immigrate to the US. This is her story.