The Coolidge examiner., 1934-05-18
o. ELMO SCOTT WATSON

~ II taking the examinations for admission
= 10 the United states Military academy
- az West Point They are the men who
have received appointments 20 on the
vacancies In the Corps ~ Cadets Up 10 It's maxi
mum authorized strength % 1874. these vacan-
clcs existing BY reason % graduation. resigna
tious and dlsmlssals from the academy
n those who received these appointments are
succcssful In passing the rigorous mental and
physical entrance examinnilons-for there Is no
place In the world where the demand FOR a
sound mind IN q sound body" Is more lmpera-
tive than it Is In Uncle Sans school on the Hud-
son-they wtll enter the academy during the nrst
veek % next July and begin that four years
course - intensive training which makes officers
and gentlemeu"-but most of ell, MEN
Where do these sss cadets come fromf Wen
they come from every part % the United States
and from every stratum of American society.
Nearly haH - them are from the farms of the
North and the East, The ranches OF the West
and the plantations ~ the South. A check-up
on the occupations of the parents % the cadets
NJ West Point In recent years showed the fol.
lowing farmers and planters. l.ls0: merchants
5s2: lawyers and Judges. Gi5: physicians. SGT
army oflcers So: mechanics. 3Ei manufactur-
srs, f5i: cerrymeu. i2s: bankers 90: and one
each for the following nnctloneer. author. chief
81 police. cook. halter. 'ccman Inventor. justice
% the peace pilot. teamster and warden of
prison
From different strata OF society the newcomers
90 the academy may b. when they get OF the
train az the little station M West Point next
July. bu, - hours later the ~ the teamsfer
the son % the iceman the Of the judge and
the son of the army officer are exactly on the
same plane They are al "plcbes~ and as such
are placed IN the least barracks 70 receive
their preliminary training Rich and poor col.
~ IN
treated alike. They all rise az ivethiriy IN the
morning and 20 10 bed Al nine-,hlr,y In the eye-
ming So FAR equality Is concerned. II IS democ-
Tacy 10 the nth degrse.
The course of instruction during the period ~
two months before September classes begin Is
designed 10 give the arrival sound erec,
body. and teach him the fundamental principles
o, military discipline and drlll Throughout this
phase the cade, has little or no time ~ his
own. In what might BE- termed his moments of
leisure. he Il required 10 learn the cleaning and
care OF his rifle and equipment
The great melting rot is at work the egotls-
teal and concelted are brought down: the weak
strengthened: the surly and Indifferent are
taught 20 obey and act quickly democratic
group of youths Is ready 10 Join the Corps OF
Cadets and start the school year. The nrst phase
T. over-the beast becomes cadet
The corps Is organized into a regiment OF -
classes are arranged according 20 height In
cadet argot. the second battalion. composed OF
the short men. are called 'the runts." while the
first snd third batiallons are termed "hankers."
ns descriptive OF their station on the tanks at
parades and other functions.
Cadet commissioned officers and sergeants are
appointed from among the first-classuien (sen.
iors). The highest in rank performs the duty OF
regimental commander. and s titled first cap
tain" subordinate grades range down through
battalion and company commanders TO neuten-
ants. who command platoons. and TO sergeants.
The second-class furnishes the corporals All
these appointments are based on the cadets rat.
ings In leadership. military science. academic
standing conduct and personal appearance.
The mass molding" OF these men Is carried
20 no extreme: II ends with the military organ
zatlons and disciplinary drills In all other actIv
tiles Individual character building sef-reliance
and Initiative are stressed cadet never loses
sigh, Of the great primary aim OF West Point
the development % personal integrity.
Academic sections are formed with never more
than l6. usually Il. cadets to instructor.
After the instructor has discussed the lesson to
explain any parts which are not clear, each cadet
prepares a blackboard assignment. and later
cites orally from the material on his blackboard
Every cadet rectes and Is graded each day. His
assignment customarily includes original work
develops thorough understanding of a topic
rather than the mere ability to memorize. and
the language ~ his oral recitation must be pre-
else and correct Thus he acquires that quality
most essential TO his later career-selfreliance
At West Point participation In athletics Is not
the special privilege OF the swiftest and the
strongest Every fall and every spring through
out the entire four years each cadet is enrolled
for some sport. which he attends twice a week
During the hour and fifteen minutes OF each at
tendance he receives instruction from competent
coaches, and after short preliminary training
plays on his company team In competition with
other companies. In this system OF intramural
athletics. no cadet repeats sport; accordingly
in four years he becomes familiar with eight
different sports which, after he graduates. be
viii employ for the physical training of enlisted
men In the army.
Arter the first class has graduated In June the
pe,x second class-which has completed two