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The new cadets spend the last week of Cadet Basic Training out in the field, putting all the skills they have learned into practice. For many years, the weeklong encampment was held at Lake Frederick and culminated in a 15-mile ruck march from Lake Frederick back to West Point. A new tradition began with the Class of 2010, and the encampment is now held at Camp Buckner, culminating in a 12-mile ruck march from Camp Buckner. For generations summer training has always been consummated by this event. Since 2000, it has been a tradition for 120 - 150 "old grads" to march back with the new cadets, demonstrating the ties that the Long Gray Line has - the past, the present and the future. In recent years, Retired Maj. Gen. Douglas J. O'Connor, USMA 1954, completeed the marchback in the original pair of boots he was issued as a plebe in 1950. The former infantry officer, has completed four Marchbacks with the new cadets.
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