Cadet Candidate Passes Following Accident

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Cadet candidate Benjamin K. Bochtler of the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, died due to injuries sustained from an accident at a cliff diving location in Hunter, New York Aug. 31.

“Cadet candidate Bochtler had an incredible smile and infectious positive attitude. He was everyone’s friend. Ben was a prior-enlisted combat veteran who set a tremendous example and used his experience in the Army to help his fellow cadet candidates,” said Col. Joshua Higgins, commandant of the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School. “His warm personality and that big smile made a lasting impact on everyone at USMAPS. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and friends.”

Bochtler, 20, of Bellevue, Neb., passed after a portion of the rock broke from the ledge, causing him to fall. Life-saving measures at the scene were unsuccessful.

“I would like to thank the New York State Police and the first responders that attempted to save Ben’s life,” said Higgins.

Bochtler entered the prep school in July 2019. He was prior service and enlisted in the United States Army in 2016 as an unmanned aircraft systems operator. He attended training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and advanced training at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. He was assigned to 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson, Colo. from March 2018 to July 2019 and deployed to Afghanistan from April 2018 to January 2019 in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

Memorial service and funeral arrangements information are not available at this time.

About the U. S. Military Academy Preparatory School
The U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, known as USMAPS, the Prep School, or West Point Prep, was formally established in 1946, but the history of "prepping" Soldiers for West Point has been done since Congress enacted legislation in 1916 authorizing Soldier appointments to West Point. The school exists today as an avenue of opportunity to a carefully selected group of Soldiers and civilians by providing them the academic, leadership, and physical skills that will prepare them for success as Cadets at the United States Military Academy. Located on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point Prep prepares Cadet Candidates for West Point with a foundation that will last them beyond admission to the Academy and well into the future as leaders of character for the Nation. USMAPS is primarily an academic institution that accepts students and Soldiers from diverse backgrounds and challenges them to meet and exceed West Point's rigorous admission standards. As a military school with a career focus, USMAPS also develops the foundation of professional and physical attributes needed for growth as an officer in the U.S. Army.

About West Point
The U. S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federal, liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City. It was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering and continues today as one of our nation’s premier leader-development institutions, consistently ranked among top colleges in the country. Its mission remains constant—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 U. S. Army. For more information, go to https://www.westpoint.edu.