Despite gray skies and intervals of rainfall, the West Point community showed up with cheer and praise as the Class of 2027 marched triumphantly for 12-plus miles from Lake Frederick to central area, marking the successful completion of Cadet Basic Training (Beast) on Aug. 7 at the U.S. Military Academy.
Additionally, the USMA Class of 1977 took part in the march as the 50-year affiliate class for the Class of 2027 to motivate and inspire the new cadets along the way. The USMA affiliate class relived their March Back moment as cadets, with some class members marching through the entire 12-plus mile trek while other members were transported to the halfway point to begin their foot march.
"It's pretty cool to see that not much has changed overall, which is fun, but at the same time to see the new style of leadership that's coming in and to see how the younger generation actually implements the new style of leadership. That is awesome," said Bryan Rupert, USMA 2013 graduate. "It's fantastic to actually see them change and grow into the leaders they are now."
New Cadet Andrew Babington said he formed close friendships during CBT and enjoyed many lessons he learned throughout the summer experience.""It's an amazing achievement. We've done a lot of hard work to get through this," Babington said. "We made a lot of great friends and it's just an amazing achievement just to be able to get through all the little things like land navigation, basic rifle marksmanship, and all these ruck marches and I think it's just a great experience.
During Beast, new cadets learned a range of basic military skills, including treating casualties, basic rifle marksmanship, land navigation, receiving Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defense training, and operating radio communication devices, to name a few.
While some obstacles during CBT made getting to March Back seem insurmountable, New Cadet Akin Tolaakinniyi finally found time to reflect on the hardship of his summer journey after arriving at the midway point of March Back.
"It just felt like week-by-week there were new challenges we faced that made it feel like we wouldn't be able to reach this point. So, to finally be here just means a lot," Tolaakinniyi said. "To be able to undertake the academic year (AY) and gain confidence from getting through Beast knowing that the hardest part is behind you. It's a great feeling."
New Cadet Madison Smith added to Tolaakinniyi's statement addressing the hardship she had to overcome and how that experience was ultimately worth it."It feels really good. I would say throughout Beast, I low-key doubted myself. I didn't know if I would make it here," Smith said. "... I kept questioning if I deserve to be here. I just think getting to this point is just making me really confident to tackle the AY and knowing that I have people around me who will always support me is just really helpful as well."
The effort, struggle, and maturity that New Cadet Reagan Phelps experienced gave her a greater understanding of what it means to accomplish a task that may seem impossible at first glance. Now, like Smith, she enters the AY with determination and the understanding that despite things being difficult in the beginning, she will adapt and persevere.
"It's so rewarding because as you go through the weeks of Beast, you go through all these different challenges that at the time feel so isolating. You think 'man, this is the hardest thing I've ever done' but then you get through it and there's something else the next week," Phelps said. "... To finally be here and even just at this point in the 12-mile ruck and realize 'man, I just did that,' is just rewarding. It's rewarding to know that all the hard work you're putting in pays off, and eventually we'll get to that point."
As March Back came to a close, Class of 2024 Cadet First Captain Martayn Van de Wall expressed his excitement for what awaits him and the Corps of Cadets this AY and is looking forward to improving his leadership skills as he mentally prepares to commission into big Army next year.
" ... What we all love about the summer is the team mentality and I think we're going to really focus on that as we move into the academic year, bringing that energy along with us," Van de Wall said. " ... I think this year, on a personal level, is an opportunity for me to practice peer leadership. Yes, I have the bars and the star on my chest, but ultimately, everybody around me in the Class of 2024 is also a peer. "Finding the balance between giving guidance and intent, but also working together," he added. "Leveling the groundwork and making sure that everyone feels like a valued member of the team -- I think if I can do that effectively, and take that forward with me to my Army career, then I'm pretty happy about the way that the future is going to go."