BOULDER, CO– After a deciding 10-point victory over eighth-ranked Penn State on the road Friday evening, the Army West Point men's rugby team jumped one spot to No. 4 in the Canterbury D1A Top 20 National Poll. The Black Knights have been in the fifth spot since the start of the season and now sit at 4-0 on the season, having captured back-to-back victories over top-10 opponents. Army sits in sole possession of the top spot in the Rugby East with a conference-leading 20 points as one of only two unblemished teams.

The top three spots remain unchanged as St. Mary's leads the way, followed by Life in second and Lindenwood in third. Davenport falls to fifth, followed by Utah, Kutztown, Penn State, Indiana and Wheeling Jesuit to round out the top-10. Five Rugby East schools have found their way into the top-20 with Army at No. 4, Kutztown at No. 7, Penn State at No. 8, Wheeling Jesuit at No. 10 and Iona at No. 20. Read More

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Kenneth Brinson, a freshman on the Army West Point football team, was selected as one of five National High School Scholar-Athletes by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame and will be honored in December for the accomplishment. Each recipient is selected as the best of the best from his region of the country at the high school level. The five honorees, which are now playing college football after graduating high school in 2015, are being recognized solely for their accomplishments in high school.

"The NFF National High School Scholar-Athlete Awards showcase first-class high school football players from across the country," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "This year's honorees have set the standard for accomplishment on the field, in the classroom and in the community. We are truly proud to honor their success in December." Brinson, from Kennesaw, Ga., was a three-sport athlete at The Marist School in Atlanta and earned four letters in football, track and field, and wrestling. He is the school's all-time leader in career sacks and was a two-time team captain. Read More

Boxing (Women’s):

• On 3 Oct., the West Point Women’s Boxing team travelled to Church Street Boxing Gym in the Bronx, NY
• The overall goal of the trip was to improve skills and techniques, as well as have the opportunity to spar with a greater variety of opponents at different skill levels
• Upon arrival, the team conducted warm-up drills, practiced bag work and combination punches, and then prepared to enter the ring
• Most of the team, including CDT’s Sarah Gould ’16, Gabriela Barrera ’17, Rachelle Radcliff ’18, Briana Dorsey ’19 and Ejakhain Obiomon ’19, conducted sparring sessions of two rounds each in the ring
• The team gained experience with the more skilled and diverse sessions, and were offered feedback in be-tween each round
• The trip was very productive, and the team learned some valuable lessons in defense and ring movement, as well as how to respond and deliver head and body punches
• The training also helped the team prepare for the upcoming fights at home versus the University of Michigan on 18 October
• The team will conduct similar training on 7 Nov., to better prepare them for subsequent fights, to include the 2015 Regionals

Boxing (Men’s):

• On 3 Oct., the West Point Men’s Boxing team travelled to Schenectady, NY, where they had seven bouts in a fundraising boxing event
• The team went 3-4
• CDTs Doreck, Bledsoe, and Whittcomb showed great skill and relentlessness with overwhelming victories over their opponents (two were TKOs)
• CDTs Obiomon, Estes, Reyes, and Freiberg all fought against highly skilled opponents and lost close matches
• Each of them never quit and demonstrated strong will and fighting spirit
• Overall, the team gained valuable experience that will help them prepare for bouts against the Naval Academy and Air Force Academy

Hobby Clubs

Scuba:

• On 3-4 Oct., the USMA Scuba team conducted a NAUI Open-Water Certification trip to Dutch Springs, PA
• This was the team’s second trip for AY 15-16
• Thirty cadets received their Basic Open Water Certification
• This was one of the half dozen certification dive trips that the team con-ducts to Dutch Springs, PA, each year
• Scuba Instructor CDT Solomon McGinty ’16, distinguished himself by conducting two additional dives in order to mitigate extenuating circumstances, and to ensure that all of his students met NAUI requirements and received their certifications within the limited time restraints of the week-end trip section

Climbing:

• On 4 Oct., the West Point Climbing team travelled to the Mohonk Preserve at a cliff side known as the Shawangunks, better known as simply “the gunk”, for a tremendous day of rock climbing
• Climbers continued to develop in multiple aspects of rock climbing, including Top Rope Climbing, placing gear for traditional lead climbing, and working on multi-pitch climbing
• The team showed great improvements in performance as the climbers were able to take what they learned during the last trip, and during indoor climbing, and apply it during this trip
• CDT Peter Mueller ’18, had the opportunity to lead his first multi-pitch climb with his partner CDT Brian Hazen ’17

Bass Fishing:

• From 25-27 Sept., the West Point Bass Fishing Club travelled to Plattsburgh, NY, to compete in the New York Federation Collegiate Cup qualifying event on Lake Champlain
• A total of four of West Point’s teams had previously qualified for the New York State Championships, and this was the final chance to get the remaining two teams qualified as well
• Although the wind did not cooperate, the teams of CDTs Andrew Hicks and Steve Makowicki and CDTs Garret Julian and Isidro Alaniz persevered and qualified for the State Championships
• CDTs Julian and Alaniz took it down to the wire, finding a school of small-mouth bass in the final 30 minutes of fishing
• The Team CIC and Assistant CIC team of CDTs Chase Miller and Tom Matty set the standard by bringing home almost 15 pounds of fish, and finished third in the event

Soccer:

• On 4 October, Army West Point Club Soccer travelled to Fairfield, CT, to compete against Sacred Heart University
• Army West Point Club Soccer suffered an agonizing defeat on a penalty kick awarded in the final seconds of their away fixture at Sacred Heart University
• The team was restricted to only twelve available players on the roster, and despite facing opponents with twice the number of available players, they dominated throughout the game and had a superior performance
• On Friday, 9 October, Army West Point Club Soccer will face SUNY New Paltz, in a must win fixture in their quest for the Conference Title

Men’s Volleyball:

• On 25 Sept., the Army West Point Men’s Army Volleyball (MAV) team travelled to College Park, MD, to compete in a tournament at the University of Maryland
• The Men’s Army Volleyball team placed two teams within the tournament with MAV-A placing second in the silver bracket
• This was the first tournament of the season, and has prov-en that the team is off to a great start

Sailing:

• On 2 Oct., the Army West Point Sailing team made the long trek to Kingston, Ontario, to compete in the Canadian-American Cup hosted by Queen’s University
• Amongst the field of thirteen was the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), as well as four international all-star teams from the United Kingdom as part of an international tour
• Despite an outstanding performance on the water, Army Sailing finished third behind the two teams from the host school, how-ever, penalties led to an eventual finish in eighth place, just be-hind RMC
• The Army team did manage to beat one of the all-star teams from the United Kingdom
• Despite the disappointing finish, the team feels that it was an incredible opportunity to compete against teams in such an International field, and look forward to securing a top berthing at next year’s event

Support Clubs

Glee Club:

• On 3 Oct., the USMA Glee Club performed in State College, PA, as part of the Penn State University’s Military Appreciation Day
• The Glee Club performed three numbers at the official tailgate
• During half-time of the Penn State vs. Army West Point football game, the Glee Club performed God Bless America alongside the PSU Glee Club
• PSU students were impressed with the maturity and discipline of the Glee Club cadets

Diversity Clubs

Spectrum:

• On 26 Sept., the West Point Spectrum Club travelled to Ulster Park, NY
• There the club hosted a successful plebe and year-ling integration outing at the Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses
• This trip was an excellent experience for new members of the club, and a wonderful opportunity for all members to get to know each other better

Academic Clubs

International Cadets of West Point:

• On 28 Sept., twelve four-year international cadets, and five U.S. cadets from the International Cadets of West Point club attended the 8th Anniversary Global Investment Symposium at the Harvard Club in New York, NY
• The event was hosted by the International Economic Alliance
• Cadets worked with the International Economic Alliance to facilitate the event and listened to the information briefings from the heads of state of Qatar and Myanmar
• Throughout the day, cadets had the opportunity to interact with participants and speakers and the tops of leadership and innovation in International Finance

Debate Forum:

• From 25-28 Sept., sixteen members from the West Point Debate Forum travelled to New Brunswick, NJ, to participate in the Rutgers University Debate Tournament
• In the Novice Division, CDTs Vanessa Chen and Nathan Kreher made it to round 16 in their first ever debate tournament
• In the JV Division, CDTs TJ Collins and Gus Watts picked up a “Gold Star” in a round against the Naval Academy
• CDTs Michael Barlow and Quanz Caston received first and second place speaker awards, and also won the entire tournament, beating 21 other teams

Society of American Engineers:

• On 30 Sept., seven members from the West Point Student Chapter of the Society of American Engineers (SAME), attended an evening meeting of the SAME’s New York City Post at the Harvard Club
• At the meeting, the cadets had the opportunity to speak with representatives from a variety of engineering firms in the NYC area, as well as listen to a presentation from Mr. Aris Stathopoulos, Deputy Chief Engineer (Program Management), MTA Bridges and Tunnels
• In addition, the cadets met COL David Caldwell, the incoming NYC Post President and Commander of the NY District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Domestic Foreign Affairs:

• On 29 Sept., thirteen cadets from the West Point Domestic Affairs Forum travelled to New York City
• During this trip section, the cadets met with prominent journalists from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Fox news
• Discussion ranged from domestic policy, foreign affairs, presidential politics, and how the media as an institution is adapting to the digital age

Polish Language:

• On 4 Oct., eight cadets of the Kosciuszko Squadron Polish Cultural Forum joined dozens of New York metropolitan Polish cultural, religious, and social groups, as well as veter-ans, for the 77th General Kazimierz Pulaski Parade as they marched up 5th Avenue before a crowd of 20,000 spectators
• Cadets started the day at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where they acted as altar servers during a Parade Mass celebrated by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, visiting Archbishop of Krakow, and long-time cold-warrior and confidant to Pope John Paul II
• At the invitation of Parade organizers, the cadets joined scores of New York Area civic leaders for the Parade Breakfast
• Following the Parade, cadets travelled to Greenpoint in Brooklyn, NY, to “Krolewskie Jadlo” to sample authentic Polish cuisine

Debate (Model UN):

• From 1-4 Oct., the USMA Model UN team travelled to New York, NY, to attend Columbia University’s Model UN in New York (CMUNNY)
• CMUNNY is an extremely competitive conference featuring approximately fifty schools and every top-tier team on the Model UN circuit, including Harvard University, Georgetown, and the University of Chicago
• The West Point team engaged in a heated debate throughout the weekend on topics ranging from the Vietnam conflict to the Colombian drug war and others
• The West Point team capped the conference by winning the Outstanding Small Delegation award, beating over thirty schools, including the U.S. Naval Academy and the Coast Guard Academies
• The following cadets were recognized with awards for individual performances: CDT Jack Bagdadi ’17, Best Delegate - first place; CDT Anthony Veith ’16, Out-standing Delegate - second place; and CDT Dubinas Rokas ’18, Verbal Commendation
• The following cadets were also integral to the teams success: CDT Shiv Arya ’17, CDT Nathaniel Librizzi ’18, CDT Jon Paul ’18, CDT Christine Sidhu ’18, CDT Benjamin Denn ’19, and CDT Patrick Rogers ’19

Cadet Programs

Upcoming Book Signings

19 October - 0930 to 1130 at the Book Store

• Martin King and Michael Collins, co-authors of The Fighting 30th Division

27 October - 1334-1430, Thayer Hall Room 144

• Julian Kulski, author of The Color of Change

Cadet Hostess:

Cadets in Company F4 demonstrate how to properly cut with a fork and knife while dining with the Cadet Hostess in the Mess Hall. Sharyn, the Cadet Hostess, dines every Wednesday with rotating tables to keep a finger on the pulse of cadet life, and to make sure certain basic dining skills are not forgotten from CBT.

2016 West Point Calendar:

A great West Point gift for others and you!! Will be shipped in October! Purchase and help support cadet clubs and activities during the year! The 2016 West Point Calendar is a full sized 9 X 14 Wall Calendar with 12 GORGEOUS full color scenic photographs of West Point and the surrounding Hudson Valley. The special price of $20 includes FREE Shipping/Handling!

Profits from calendar sales go directly to the Cadet Activities Fund, which supports all Extracurricular Activities for the Corps of Cadets at West Point! Questions? Please contact Cadet Publications at (845) 938-7989/2780.

For online sales, click on the following link Cadet 2016 Calendar or Send a check made payable to CAF to:

Directorate of Cadet Activities
Attn: 2013 Wall Calendar
655 Pitcher Rd.
West Point, NY 10996

Please include your street address and day time phone number with all orders.

Click the Cover to read the entire update.

Cadets assisted Habitat for Humanity during the organization's build-a-thon. The Cadets spent the weekend at MJ Fruits and Vegetable painting the grocery store and planting a garden. Story

West Point Parents and family members enjoyed a crisp autumn day with their cadets to kick off Parents Weekend 2015! Get weekend updates and information here.

Visit our Facebook page to see photos.

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point women's rugby team earned a hard-fought 19-17 victory over American International College from Anderson Rugby Complex on Saturday evening. With the win, Army improves to 4-2 on the season and remains undefeated in conference action. The Black Knights got on the board first as Kirsten Redmon found the try zone in the seventh minute. Her score was converted by Nicole Heavirland, putting Army up 7-0. American International responded in the 11th minute, with a try and successful conversion to tie the game at 7-7.

They would take the lead in the 22nd minute and entered the break with the 12-7 lead. Army came out strong in the second half as Nicole Heavirland earned a try in the 44th minute to tie the game at 12-12. AIC, however, would respond in the 55th minute, regaining the lead with a try. The tide turned in Army's favor in the 69th minute when plebe Zye Crittington found an open gap in the middle and dotted down between the goal posts. Heavirland kicked in the easy conversion and the Black Knights took the 19-17 lead. Read More

WEST POINT, N.Y. – With the spotlight from ESPN3 shining brightly, the Army West Point sprint football team showed that it is a force to be reckoned with this season after posting a 42-0 shutout-victory over Mansfield on the road on Saturday night. The shutout is the fourth of the season for the Black Knights (4-0, 4-0 CSFL), rivaling only the 1958 team for best start in program history. These two marks are also matched by the 1965 team, who ended its season with four consecutive goose eggs. Full Story»

VESTAL, N.Y. – In its first contest of the 2015-16 season, the Army West Point women's swimming and diving team earned two wins in a tri-meet in Vestal, N.Y. The Black Knights defeated Binghamton 225-59 and skated past Vermont by a score of 167-131. "It was a great opening meet for the Army team," said head coach Mickey Wender. "I am very proud of our performance. This team brings a level of professionalism and ambition that is going to take us a long way. I was very proud of our plebes in the way they stepped up in their first collegiate meet. They were great and really took ownership of what they were trying to do and contributed a tremendous amount in the pool and on the deck. It was a great team win in a competitive meet against the Vermont which came down to the last two events with Jess Burkett winning the 200 IM and team win in the 400 free relay." Read More

MORGANTOWN, WV– Taking to Morgantown, W.Va., for the second of five road contests to close out the season, the fourth-ranked Army West Point men's rugby team downed Rugby East opponent West Virginia 63-13 on Saturday afternoon. Eight different Black Knights found the try zone on the afternoon as the team improved to 5-0 on the season. Army got the jump early, as Andrew Borer scored in the seventh minute. Thomas Del Pino converted the kick and the Black Knights took the 7-0 lead. Del Pino would score a try of his own in the 20th minute to put the Cadets up 12-0. Just four minutes later, Jack Ireland dotted down to put the game at 17-0 in favor of the Black Knights. Captain Donny Goff found the try zone in the 32nd minute as Del Pino added his second conversion of the afternoon. West Virginia would score its first points of the game in the 36th minute, and freshman Torran Raby answered just two minutes later to send Army into the break with the 29-7 advantage. Read More

WEST POINT, N.Y.– With the Star on the line, the Army West Point volleyball team defeated Navy in five sets during Saturday night's rival match. The Black Knights dominated in the first two sets and came back in the fifth to claim the Star with set scores of 25-21, 25-17, 20-25, 19-25 and 15-13. "I am proud of the team tonight for getting the win," said head coach Alma Kovaci. "Every Army-Navy game is always intense. Click here to watch the video.

Navy did a great job adjusting to us and the offense in sets three and four was tough, but our team fought back hard. I am very proud of Maria for handling a high pressure situation and taking Navy out of system. I am also especially proud of Vanessa Edwards for staying calm throughout the match and for her work throughout the years and getting her 2,000th career assist. Overall, the coaching staff did a great job adjusting. The atmosphere was electric, thanks to the fans and USMA leadership for being here and making an impact and supporting our team until the very end." Read More

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Senior Cody Guerry scored two second-half goals, but it was his game winner in the 89th minute that broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Army West Point men's soccer team a 3-2 Patriot League victory over Lehigh on Sunday afternoon at Clinton Field. Army improves to 3-4-3 overall and 1-1-1 in the conference. Click here to watch the video.

The Black Knights created their first chance of the afternoon just 25 seconds into the opening half, as freshman Brett Becia found his way behind the defense and fired a shot from close range on net that Lehigh keeper Jacob Gottwald saved for the first of his three stops in the match. Army senior Chris Britt came up with saves in the 7th and 8th minutes, on attempts from Ben Davis and Brian Vail, respectively, to keep the game scoreless. Britt finished the afternoon with five saves. Read More

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Army West Point men's soccer senior forward Cody Guerry was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after scoring three goals in two games last week. The accolade is Guerry's first career Patriot League honor. Guerry netted a first-half goal in Army's 1-1 draw at Holy Cross on Oct. 7 for his first marker of the season. A native of Garland, Texas, Guerry registered two more tallies during a 3-2 win over Lehigh on Oct. 11 for his first career multi-goal performance.

Guerry scored in the 57th minute against Lehigh to give Army a 2-1 lead after junior Nick Williams found the back of the net in the 54th minute for the game-tying goal. The Mountain Hawks scored to knot the game up at 2-2 in the 88th minute, but Guerry answered just 20 seconds later, burying a cross from junior Trase Stapley in the 89th minute to give the Black Knights a 3-2 advantage with 1:56 remaining in regulation. Read More

Cadet Britton Tremain who is currently on a Persian Semester Abroad Program in Dushanbe, Tajikistan volunteers his time on the weekends at an orphanage just outside the capital city where he helps teach students basic English. A few of these students may get the chance in the future to participate in the US Department of State's Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program and spend an exchange year in the United States. Story

NYC Engagement: New York District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Orientation and Harbor Inspection Tour. On Friday, 25 September, cadets enrolled in EV481 “Water Resources Planning and Design” traveled to New York Harbor to learn about the mission, capabilities, and operations of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District. LTC John Knight (Deputy District Commander) oriented the cadets to the organization at the District facility at Caven Point, NJ, and then led the group on an inspection of New York Harbor aboard the Hayward, one of the District’s drift collection vessels. Throughout the visit, cadets and district representatives discussed USACE support to military construction and civil works projects, particularly those regarding navigation and coastal protection.

Members of the Latin Dance Club performed at the Hispanic Heritage Luncheon on 6 OCT at the West Point Club to highlight Hispanic Heritage Month. The club performed in front of over 270 cadets, faculty, and guests with three performances ranging from traditional Mexican Ballet Folklorico to the more modern Salsa, highlighting the rich cultural diversity and traditions found in Latin Dance. Attendees were riveted by the complicated footwork and athleticism demonstrated by the performers. The routines were developed and choreographed by club members and reflected the time and dedication of the cadets to perfecting the dances.

On 5 October 2015, LTC Rick Black and CPT Eric Smith took cadets enrolled in HI358 Strategy, Policy, and Generalship to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home, Museum, and Presidential Library in Hyde Park to conclude their study of the First World War, Interwar Period, and Second World War. Museum staff helped the cadets analyze a number of primary documents from the library concerning U.S. involvement in World War II. National Park Service staff provided a tour of the home. This visit deepened the cadets’ understanding of the challenges faced by America’s political and military leaders in the years leading up to and during the Second World War, and how our nation’s leaders responded to those challenges.

On 3 October, a dozen plebes enrolled in core history courses accompanied MAJ Rory McGovern and CPT Ben Griffin to Hyde Park, New York to visit the Vanderbilt estate and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home, Museum, and Presidential Library. The cadets made some interesting observations about power dynamics in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century United States. On the way back, the group stopped to tour George Washington’s headquarters in Newburgh, New York. It was a full day, but the cadets were happy to experience history on a personal level.

The cadets on semester abroad in Kazakhstan have been touring Almaty, visiting churches, chapels, bazaars, soccer matches and experiencing Eid (Muslim holiday celebrates). The cadets in Georgia (now in Moldova) have been touring the Caucasus Mountains. In Moldova, they have been visiting the area around Chisinau. The cadets in Latvia have been visiting the local area. They visited Algonas, a town with one of the oldest Catholic churches in NE Europe. Here are the Latvia cadets (Adams, Nelson, Peasley) at local park with their host families having a grill out.

On Thursday, 24 SEP, Cadets J. Keith Basnett ('16, E2), Bradley Ernst ('16, E3), Colin Gray ('16, C1), Thomas Hoyt ('16, B1), Alex Parra ('16, E2), and Josh Peck ('16, E3) received Department of Chemistry and Life Science coins presented by Deputy Department Head, COL John Burpo, for their roles setting up the annual department tailgate where cadets showcased their work applying chemical engineering to create their own beer and chocolate. Cadet Hoyt and Peck are in charge of beer brewing and chocolate production respectively. The 19 SEP tailgate welcomed cadets, friends and family of the department, and members of the Tappan Zee and NYC Metro sections of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). The locally-based engineering professionals extended invitations to cadets to join in chemical engineering events in New York City.