The WPPC
of Oregon & SW Washington Newsletter

SHORT SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Supe         Com         Dean
Military Program       Athletics
West Point Report       Pointer View

Articles in order of Appearance :
-Meeting information & directions--all read, please, coming or not
-Minutes of last meeting--for those who couldn't attend
-New West Point Area Code - 845 after June 2000
-New Head Football Coach named - Todd Berry
-Rhodes Scholars
-Cadet Leader Development System
-Military Intercession
-Gloom period trivia
-Updated admissions page: from our club's home page (i.e. go Home, under PARENTS, left, above; from the home page, click on admissions, under USMA)

                   West Point Parents' Club of Oregon
                    & SW Washington Newsletter  Jan. 2000

                           Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday, January 29th
                          12:30 executive, 1:00 meeting.  4500 Kruse Way, Lake Oswego.

  From I-5, take the 217 exit east, which turns into Kruse Way.  Go 1 mile until you see Kruse Way Plaza on the SE corner.  The building is the one (of two "twins") closest to Kruse Way.  Our meeting room is on the third floor, near the (east) end of the hall.   Bring boodle and books.
Contact Patty or Al Klascius by e-mail <klascius @teleport.com> (503) 695-2824, for questions or to suggest agenda items
     We are doing boodle for the "gloom period", and suggest you bring (or arrange to have someone bring yours) 30 like items.  Here are some suggestions I picked up in addition to the "usual" things:  instant oatmeal, plain and flavored, cup of soup packets (not styrofoam cups--too bulky), freeze dried camping food and jerky, powdered Tang, Gatorade, or friendship tea mix, hot chocolate, instant coffee and creamer individual packets, nuts, raisins, banana chips or other dried fruit,  Chex or other cereal or trail mix, Rice Krispie treats, animal crackers, moistened disposable handi-wipes, sturdy disposable eating utensils, flavored (cherry/lemon/zinc) throat lozenges, labeled samples of aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids, office/desk items like stamps, post-it pads, white-out, glue, AA batteries, disks in envelope, etc.  I hope this helps!  Also, if you're sure you can't make the meeting, you could send your "donation" now to another parent in the club to buy and bring items for you, as I have done already with one long-distance family, or last alternative, send your $ donation directly to our treasurers if you wish to make a donation (all club cadets will receive a boodle bag from our club). Thanks.
     Second thing to bring: your collection of "West Point" and other military-themed reading books.  We will have time to "share" titles and comments during the break/activity part of the meeting.  If you have a recent Howitzer, please bring it also. 
     Reminder: Wear your club-provided name tags.  We will have a (superbowl-appropriate) door prize at the end of the meeting, drawing from the nametags collected from you.

                                     WPPC Meeting Minutes - Oct 31, 1999
                       West Point Parents’ Club of S.W. Washington & Oregon
                          From: "Evelyn & George Mears" <egmears@casco.net>

Executive Meeting – 12:45 PM
Attendance: Al & Patty Klascius, George & Evelyn Mears, Rich Adams.
The Executive Committee discussed the agenda for the day and the following issues:
-Agreed that the WPPC would have better attendance if a Salem location were sought. Will ask at the    regular meeting if anyone can help locate a facility (US Bank, etc.) with a community room.
-There are currently about 25 members of the club, 3 of which are families of 2nd Lts.
-Hatton’s will report the outcome of the club elections after November 15, 1999.
-Tentative meeting date of Saturday, January 29, 2000 for the WPPC (if there are no major conflicts).
-A planning meeting will be held the last weekend in February or the 1st weekend in March. Suggested location – Salem or South Portland.
-The structure of future WPPC meetings was discussed (time allotted to different agenda items). With the advent of the Parent Forum on the Internet, it was suggested that regular meetings move more quickly to leave more time for socializing or individual discussions between parents.

Regular Meeting – 1:20 PM
Attendance: Al & Patty Klascius, Rich & Susan Adams, Wink & Anne Miller, Louis & Marilyn Fox, Joe & Ilene Danelson, George & Evelyn Mears, Beverly Cox (most of whom dressed up in some kind of service gear!), and guest speaker Major Brenden Scherr.

Al & Patty Klascius opened the meeting.

-The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as submitted.
-The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed and approved as submitted.
-Historian’s Report – Suzanne Olsen will no longer be our historian as her son has separated from USMA.
-Announced that election results will be forthcoming after November 15th and that 2 positions do not have candidates (Historian & Secretary).
-A Ghost Story about West Point read for entertainment.  (Well, it was Halloween! -ed.)

Discussion Items
-Holiday activities – directions to the All Academy Ball at McChord AFB on December 26, 1999 - $25.00 per person.
-Army-Navy Football Telecast at the CAA Clubhouse in Aurora, Oregon hosted by Bill & Shannon Roller – 9 AM, December 4, 1999. $15.00/Adults, $7.50/Children under 12. RSVP at (360) 896-0708 or bill_roller@compuserve.com by November 30, 1999.
Watch for paintball activity during the holiday break – will report details by email.    (There was none.-ed.)
-No interest expressed at this time for an organized get-together during Christmas of area WP Cadets, MALOs and Congressmen.
-Joe Danelson will look into the fund raiser possibility of an assigned 800 phone line.
-Cadet Rules and Regulations sheet was handed out with attached cadet academic schedule/calendar.
-January 29th boodle meeting – Louis Fox volunteered the use of his business conference room for the WPPC meeting. It is located in Lake Oswego.
-Guest Speaker – Brenden Scherr.
Major Brenden Scherr graduated from West Point along with his wife, Leah Scherr. They live in Corvallis with their 2 young children. Maj. Scherr talked mostly about life after West Point. Most informative was the discussion of the advancement procedure and a 2nd Lt.’s life in the Army. Generally, young officers are able to assess their opportunities for leadership positions and advancement in today’s US Army by the use of their military ranking. Maj. Scherr also answered questions from the parents.
-Cadet News - given orally by parents present.
-Tulip bulbs were distributed – thank you Patty & Al!
-Adjourned – 4:30 PM

                                 New AREA CODE for West Point
                                              Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999

It's official. After about six months of legal battles, the powers that control phone area codes have decided to give ALL the 914 prefixes to Westchester County. All the phones in Rockland, Orange (where West Point is located), Putnam, Ulster and Sullivan Counties will get a new area code. That area code is 845. As of June 5, 2000 the new area code will be dialable. Between that date and Dec 4, 2000 anyone dialing 914 will be connected to their number but will be given a reminder of the area code change. After Dec 4, 2000 calls will not be connected using the 914 area code.

Went to the Army/Navy game and Friday night gala in the Philadelphia Convention Center. 
Had a great time, even though we lost! (-ed.) Here's the subsequent announcement
From: "Salvatore, D. MS PAO" yd2883@exmail.usma.army.mil
Fri, 17 Dec 1999 11:59:06 -0500

                    BERRY SELECTED TO LEAD ARMY FOOTBALL PROGRAM

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Less than two weeks after announcing that he would make a change at the helm of the Army football program, Director of  Intercollegiate Athletics Rick Greenspan has tabbed the man to lead the Cadets into the new millennium. Following consultation with and support of Academy and U.S. Army leadership, Greenspan announced today that Todd Berry would become West Point's new head football coach.  Berry, who has spent the last four years as head coach at Illinois State University, was introduced today as the 32nd head coach in the history of intercollegiate football at the United States Military Academy during a noon-time press conference in the "A" Room at Michie Stadium.
      "I have been inspired by a lot of people in my life," Berry said. "But I've never been any place where the institution has inspired me. West Point is certainly inspiring. I am a very passionate person and I enjoy being motivated. 'The Long Gray Line' ... that means something to me. "There are a lot of college coaching jobs out there that are perceived as being great opportunities, but many of those positions never intrigued me," Berry added. "I like thinking about the ideals of West Point. I want to be around people that think big; that dream big; that aspire to be all that they can be. That's why this is opportunity is so appealing to me."
     Credited with constructing a championship football program at Illinois State from the ground level, Berry guided the Redbirds to the best record in school history this past year and the semifinals of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. Illinois State closed the year at 11-3, falling to Georgia Southern 28-17 on Saturday. Berry directed ISU to a flashy 19-7 record (.731) the past two seasons. A two-time Gateway Conference Coach of the Year honoree, and this year's GTE Region 4 Coach of the Year, Berry directed Illinois State to its first-ever Gateway Conference title this past season, the school's first outright league crown of any kind since 1950. On the heels of a 3-8 record in 1996 and a 2-9 mark in 1997, Berry presided over one of the finest turnarounds in Division I-AA history a year ago, guiding the Redbirds to an 8-4 record, their first-ever trip to the post season playoffs and a national ranking at year's end.
      He has been a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented annually to the top collegiate head coach at the Division I-AA level, each of the past two years. Under Berry's direction, Illinois State established or equaled 50 individual and team school records on game, season and career levels. The Redbirds have been listed in the top 25 national rankings for 19 consecutive weeks. In addition, his players captured 73 individual post season awards, including four Academic All-America citations and six All-America certificates. This past week, he was listed as a "rising star" in the coaching industry by one prominent national sports news agency.  "Across the country, Todd Berry is considered one of the finest young talents in the coaching profession," Greenspan stated. "He is both offensive-minded and creative. Todd boasts a charismatic personality and has the ability to identify and attract talent while maintaining a high standard of excellence throughout every facet of his program.  He possesses tremendous organizational skills and a dynamic presence," Greenspan continued. "Todd is a tireless recruiter, and a genuine and sincere person who will not only respect the traditions of West Point, but live them."
     U.S. Military Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Daniel W. Christman echoed those sentiments. "We were looking for someone who personified the core values of the institution and who kept football in its proper perspective as part of the larger mission for the Military Academy - producing commissioned leaders of character for our Army," said Christman. "Todd Berry exemplified every one of those characteristics. After interviewing Todd for several hours this week, I came away enormously impressed with his commitment to Academy values, his passion for winning and his absolute love for the Military Academy. This was also the opinion shared by everyone we included in the interview process."
     Berry was named head coach at Illinois State on Dec. 18, 1995. His emergence came as Illinois State sought someone with a passion for recruiting, outstanding communication skills and a consistent offensive and defensive scheme. The native of Miami, Okla., carried all of those qualities to Normal, Ill., quickly building a reputation as one of the hottest coaching talents in the country. A dynamic recruiter off the field, Berry's ISU teams featured a high-scoring offensive system that energized both players and fans alike.
     Prior to arriving at ISU, Berry spent four years as offensive coordinator at East Carolina University under head coach Steve Logan. He played a vital role on the Pirate teams that advanced to the Liberty Bowl in both 1994 and 1995. During each of his 13 years as an assistant coach, Berry was involved with a team that won a conference championship, played in the post season and/or was ranked nationally in passing offense.
    "I want to be aggressive in all facets of the game," he has said in the past. "I know that you win with defense first and I appreciate that. Most of my background is on offense, but to be an effective offensive coordinator you have to understand defense."
     While in high school, Berry was an all-state selection in football (quarterback) and track and field at Miami (Okla.) High School. After foregoing scholarship offers from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas, as well as a nomination and acceptance from the U.S. Air Force Academy, he attended Tulsa and played quarterback for the Golden Hurricane from 1979 through 1981 before suffering a career-ending knee injury. 
     A 1983 graduate of the University of Tulsa, Berry has worked for some well-known head coaches during his ascent, holding down assistant positions on the staffs of Logan at East Carolina, John Cooper at Tulsa and Johnny Majors at the University of Tennessee. Berry began his coaching career as an undergraduate at Tulsa with Cooper before moving to Tennessee as a graduate assistant and tight ends coach in 1983 when the Volunteers advanced to the Florida Citrus Bowl at year's end. Following a one-year return to his alma mater as receivers coach in 1984, Berry headed to Oklahoma State University in 1985, where he worked with the likes of future National Football League standout Thurman Thomas. He then served a three-year stint as offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee-
Martin, holding down that position from 1986 through 1988. While at UT-Martin, Berry coached the Pacers to a top five finish in I-AA passing offense, total offense and scoring offense. In his final season, all four receivers, the running back and quarterback signed professional contracts.
     Army's new grid leader is the son of the late Rueben Berry, a former Canadian Football League head coach and longtime mentor of the Saskatchewan Rough Riders. Off the field, Berry is an active participant in coaching clinics and remains a regular member of the speaking circuit. He has also been highly involved with his favorite charity, the Children's Miracle Network, and has served as television host for the CMN fund-raiser the past three years. The 39-year old Berry and his wife, Lisa, have one daughter, Jordan, 12.
     "Rick Greenspan was very clear in outlining the qualities that he was looking for in a new head football coach to lead the Army program," offered Tom Dyer, Vice Chairman of West Point's Association of Graduates. "Todd Berry meets every one of those standards. After meeting with him it became clear that he was unequivocally the right man for the job. He understands the mission of the Academy and truly values 'The Long Gray Line.' Berry brings a passion for West Point and a passion for winning. He will certainly gain my full support and the support of the Association of Graduates."
     Former Army standout quarterback Rollie Stichweh shares a similar impression of the Black Knights' new head football coach. "I have rarely been so impressed with anyone as I am with Todd Berry," Stichweh praised. "He represents all that we're looking for to lead the Army football program to the next level of excellence. I believe Todd represents an exciting combination of high moral character representing the values that West Point seeks to project on the one hand. On the other hand, he is an exceptionally strong leader with a clear vision of where he wants to take the Army football program and how best to get us there."
     Berry will begin in his new duties immediately, assuming the reins of one of the nation's most storied gridiron programs. The Cadets will begin their 111th season of intercollegiate competition, and third as members of Conference USA, on Sept. 9, 2000 when they host Boston College at Michie Stadium.
> www.usma.edu/athletics

                   Four West Pointers Selected as Rhodes Scholars
                                                        Thu, 9 Dec 1999

      Army may not have won on the fields of friendly strife, but last Saturday Army beat Navy 4-0 in Rhodes Scholars in West Point's best class in Rhodes Scholarship competition since the Class of 1959 won six.
       Cadets Craig Mullaney, Melissa Sturm, and Elizabeth Young were 3 of the 32 Americans awarded the prestigious scholarship. They were chosen from 935 applicants. Cadet Chee Yew, a foreign cadet, was the only winner from Singapore.
     Rhodes Scholarships provide two to three years of study at the University of Oxford in England. The scholarships, oldest of the international study awards available to American students, were created in 1902 by the will of Cecil Rhodes, British philanthropist and colonial pioneer. Mr. Rhode's hopes were that the Rhodes Scholars would make an effective and positive contribution throughout the world.
     This year West Point's Scholarship Committee selected 25 cadets to compete for Rhodes Scholarships based on their academic average, an application, and essay. The committee prepared them with a series of seminars, writing sessions, and "practice cocktail parties," according to the Committee's Executive Secretary, Major John Nagle '88, who is also a Rhodes Scholar. Once endorsed by West Point, the cadets had to be nominated by a selection committee from their home state. District Selection Committees representing eight regions of the United States then interviewed the nominees. Winners were chosen for high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, leadership potential, and physical vigor.
     Cadet Melissa Sturm said the experience was very humbling. "Once you get to the interview and see the other candidates...they are so incredible and doing so many incredible things." Sturm is a company commander and member of the judo team. She is an accomplished violinist and founded the West Point String Ensemble. She said a lot of the things she has done at West Point prepared her for the competition, especially the summer leadership positions and the summer academic programs. In the final selection process she was asked 12 questions. Two were "What widely accepted principle of leadership did you find was not true?" and "Evaluate Lincoln and FDR as commander in chiefs." While at Oxford, Sturm intends to earn a M.Phil. in Oriental Studies with a focus on the modern Middle East.
     Cadet Craig Mullaney is ranked first academically and second overall at West Point and serves as the Brigade Operations Officer. He is ranked third in the nation in competitive skydiving and was the Brigade wrestling champion. He intends to earn a M.Phil. in European Literature at Oxford. Cadet Elizabeth Young is the Brigade Adjutant and has won top USMA academic prizes in American politics and international relations. She served as an intern on the Military Staff Committee of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and is a Truman Scholar. She plans to earn a M.Phil. in International Relations at Oxford. Cadet Chee Yew was drafted into the Singaporean Army in 1995 and selected to attend West Point in 1996. At West Point, he earned Regimental Soldier of the Quarter and was an exchange cadet to the Coast Guard Academy where he played rugby. Yew was selected for the Phi Kappa Phi academic Honorary Society and is a graduate of Airborne School and the Army Sapper Course. He will attend Ranger School this summer. He plans to earn a M.Phil. in Politics and Economics at Oxford.
     West Point ranks fourth overall in the nation, behind Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, for Rhodes Scholars with a total of 74 out of 2886 winners since the first selection in 1903. Navy has had 32 winners and Air Force 31.
            
                          The West Point Cadet Leader Development System:
                                      Training Leaders for the 21st Century

     Colonel Kerry K. Pierce '74, an Engineer officer and Rhodes Scholar, is the Director of the Office of Policy Planning and Analysis at West Point. He creates major policies and coordinates change at West Point. One of the more important recent changes is the Cadet Leader Development System (CLDS). I recently had a talk with him and he told me about CLDS and its history.
     In the fall of 1987, when he was Superintendent, Lieutenant General Dave Palmer put together a steering committee that looked at the leader development system. At the time, there was only the fourth class system; there was no formal written program for leader development for the other three classes. The findings of the committee led to the notion of an integrated, coordinated system of programs consisting of progressive leadership challenges which became CLDS. It changed the fourth class system into a four-class system where leadership roles were delineated for each class.  The old system produced leaders like Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Schwarzkopf, so why change a system that appeared to be working? Colonel Pierce said the problem was, "There was an intuitive understanding that what we had was working but there was no articulation of the system, so how do you evaluate it? If all the attention was focused on the fourth class, what about the others?"
     In today's system, cadets get responsibility at an earlier age. Fourth class cadets transition from civilian to cadet and develop self-discipline and commitment to service as squad members. Third class cadets, yes, yearlings were finally given some responsibility, are team leaders which trains them in one-on-one leadership skills and teaches them responsibility for others. Second class cadets hold all the noncommissioned officer positions in the corps including first sergeant and brigade command sergeant major. In this role, they apply and teach soldier fundamentals and master small-unit leadership. All first class cadets are officers, even those that do not have a position. So, there are no more unassigned sergeants hiding out and shirking responsibility first class year. They learn to develop subordinate leaders, lead larger units, and transition to commissioned status. The goal of this system is for every cadet to have a meaningful leadership experience every year. All positions, except permanent captains, are rotated each semester and each cadet is evaluated every step of the way.
     Under the old fourth class system, Cadet Basic Training (CBT) used to be a rite of passage, a way of weeding out those who weren't cut out for the torment of fourth class year. I asked Colonel Pierce, what is it now? He replied, "We don't believe in harassing, demeaning, in-your-face behavior. Stress today is in the standards, not in the way they [fourth class cadets] are treated. The cadre are truly developing and leading them, not harassing them." COL Pierce went on to explain that when he was a cadet, he spent most of his time during CBT in the barracks and drilling on the plain and in   central area. Today, new cadets spend a majority of their time in the field learning skills important to soldiering. He said there is no comparison with the physical demands of today and in the past.
     Throughout history, West Point has had to evaluate itself and make changes in order to meet the changing needs of the nation. When it failed to do so, the academy stagnated. CLDS is one of those changes. The true test of this system will be when this generation of cadets become the military leaders of the 21st century and face the many different challenges given to them by our nation.
     NOTE: The branch insignia presented to the first class cadets during the branching ceremony last week was funded by the Association of Graduates. For other great services provided by the AOG, see http://www.aog.usma.edu/brochure/index.htm
This article is by Karen Fralen '87, in "Gray Matter"
                        
                                                    Military Intersession
                                                    Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999

This is a short discussion of what awaits cadets when they return to USMA following the current Christmas Holiday Leave period.  Cadets will start a 10 day training period called "Military Intersession" what will fill the time from Tuesday 4 January to Saturday 15 January. Sunday evening 2 January and Monday 3 January are a reorganization period for the Corps of Cadets. Almost every leadership position within the Corps of Cadets will change to new cadet officers starting next week. The only cadet positions that will not change are the First Captain (Brigade Commander), his primary Brigade staff, and the four Regimental Commanders. All other staffs (starting with the Regimental Staffs), and all other command positions will be changed.Monday 17 January (Martin Luther King Day) is a holiday and second semester academic classes start on Tuesday 18 January.   (Larry D. Smith, '62, Sacramento  ldsmith@pacbell.net)

What follows is a combination of information from the Tactical Department at USMA, Karen Fralen '87 of "Gray Matter", and a post by SMITH Larry & Maren 2003 ldsmith@pacbell.net   --Editor
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
     Gloom Period officially begins this week as cadets return to the gray walls of their home away from home. However, they will get a respite from their typical academic routines. Since 1989, West Point has had a two-week period between winter break and second semester called Intersession. The bulk of this time is devoted to teaching cadets Military Science. Military Intersession has been in existence for about 10 years and was instituted after the previous accreditation review. The course directors come from the Department of Military Instruction (DMI) and it is taught by officers on the USMA staff and faculty and some reservists.   Over the years it has been tailored to the point where we are now.
     It actually begins on 4 January. 2 and 3 January are dedicated to a "mini-Reorgy" to allow the Cadets to move back in and get organized. We started this last year and found it to be a good idea. Previously they came back on Sunday and jumped into MI instruction on Monday, which left no time to get organized and ended up in a very haphazard reorganization.
     Military Intersession is organized basically around a 3 period day:
Morning session, afternoon session, and evening study period. A typical day sees a cadet attending Military Science/Instruction classes for a morning or an afternoon. Plebes and Cows have 2 hours of PT during the other session - Yearlings and Firsties do not take PT during MI. The other time during these periods is dedicated to chain of command time, counseling, reorganization time, lectures, and Cadet discretionary time. Every day after classes - @ 1630-1830 is dedicated to Unit Training Time; Corps squad and Club Squad practice; and other organizational lectures and meetings. All in all a very busy period. As a rule, 1st and 4th Reg attend together and 2d and 3rd attend together on the alternate time.
     Like the "Old Corps", the building blocks of MI are the Military Science courses for each class, MS 102 through 402 respectively.  MS 102 (Plebes) focuses on Map Reading and Land Navigation - in preparation for CFT - taught by the Tac NCOs.
     MS 202, Perspectives on Officership, (Yearlings) focuses on the profession of "Officership" - this is a newly structured course about which we are very excited. It combines readings, lectures, journalizing, classroom discussion, etc., focused on our Profession. A Marine, Major Chris Starling, and Sergeant First Class William Jackson developed this 3rd Class course. Its purpose is to teach cadets what it means to be a professional military officer and prepare them for their oath of confirmation held the beginning of 2nd Class year. The course is innovative and unconventional. Cadets participate in seminars and directed activities, many of which take place outside the classroom. In one activity they email recent graduates with questions about challenges facing them in the field. They also research gravesites at the cemetery then look up the obituary for the fallen graduate; most were killed in action in Vietnam. The yearlings also have the opportunity to interview officers who are veterans of recent wars. One interviewee is retired General Frederick
Franks Jr. '59 (interested in armor?? consider reading his Into the Storm, co-written  with renown military author Tom Clancy--ed.), and another received a battlefield commission in the Battle of the Bulge. This is a perfect time to start the Yearlings thinking about the "commitment" they will make beginning Cow year. Previously 202 was focused on "Light Operations", but according to Major Starling, the key ingredient in the course now is a reflective journal that cadets write in every day. They also write essays answering questions such as, "What is it about American Society, specifically its values, that you consider worth sacrificing or perhaps even dying for?" Major Starling believes his course will assist in preparing cadets to not only be good Second Lieutenants, but also good Americans.
     MS 302 (Cows) focuses on Combined Arms Operations - basic war fighting that includes an exciting JANUS computer simulation exercise. 
     MS 402, Tools of the Trade, is the Firsties "Capstone" course. They become a Platoon Leader and work through a series of exercises and challenges that all Platoon leaders would face as they prepare to deploy their platoon. It is interactive with the other classes and places maximum emphasis on the "leader skills" of the new PL. An "Officer Mentor" guides them as their Company Commander; it definitely is not the typical lecture courses many of us remember. It begins with a warning order from their "battalion commander" on an upcoming deployment to Bosnia. As they exit the briefing, they are accosted by reporters with television cameras and microphones. The "platoon leaders" spend two weeks preparing their imaginary platoons to deploy. A few of their tasks include writing a training schedule, counseling a Non Commissioned Officer, and dealing with disciplinary problems and lawyers from JAG.  Like MS202, MS402 Tools of the Trade helps to prepare 1st Class cadets to make the transition from cadet to Second Lieutenant by having them role-play the life of a platoon leader.  According to Captain Bisacre, "MS402 is going to give them
[cadets] experiences that they are going to see in the Army. They will learn both from their mistakes and what they did well and take it with them." The Staff and Faculty are a combination of DMI, BTD, ODEAN, (DMI = Department of Military Instruction, BTD = Brigade Tactical Department, and ODEAN = Office of the Dean.and a Reserve Component Training Unit). All have been preparing throughout the 1st semester.
    In just a couple of weeks, Intersession will be over; cadets will be out of their battle dress uniforms and back into their gray making it through Gloom Period and looking forward to spring break. This is a very fast paced time for Cadets as they focus on these courses and also prepare for the 2d Semester AY '99-'00.


JOANNIE: When does Gloom Period start?
TOM: About one hour before your plane lands coming back from
Christmas Leave.
JOANNIE: When does it end?
TOM: When the All-Over Bush blooms.
JOANNIE: And just where is the All-Over Bush? Have you ever seen it?
TOM: Well, no. But the upperclassmen told me about it.
JOANNIE: So when DOES Gloom Period end?
TOM: When you can go up on the roof to start working on your
pre-summer tan.

Oh, and that pre-summer tan? I checked with one cadet and was told that it is still possible to go up to the Arvin roof. But since Arvin Gym is being rebuilt, . . . how can Gloom Period ever end?
>>
Tsk, Tsk, Tom,.... You and I both know Gloom Period was officially over when you could see the Sun rising over Pershing Barracks when walking through the North Sallyport in Central Area coming out Washington Hall after breakfast, `sorta like a sunbeam through the eye of an ancient Egyptian obelisk going precisely down into a pyramid shaft to a certain spot on a stone altar when
it was time to plant the Spring crop....I'll figure the Sun angles out later.....`Course if they keep moving Central Barracks around....(Mike & Kit Havey`68) Like my trying to find the real Air Force for 30 years, I never did find the All-Over Bush.

**FOR SOME FUN AND INTERESTING WP History and Traditions see
http://www.west-point.org/family/bicent/

Part of our club's mission statement (see bottom of our home page for complete statement)
includes the goal to "Promote interest in attending the USMA ."  Please remember this in creating and fostering interest among likely candidates during these high-activity admission months.  To assist you, the USMA admissions page has been updated, streamlined, and is a really easy to navigate.   Click Home, under PARENTS, in the left  table, above the beginning of this newsletter; from our home page, click on Admissions, under USMA.  Col. Al Lake, our state liaison officer, is always ready to help you, or to receive potential candidates' names and contact information. You can reach him from our home page by clicking "Liaison Officers",   just below Admissions and Nominations at the top of the left table.  He is also on the "hard copy" of our club roster, which was mailed to you in late October.  Your help and interest is important and appreciated.  Patty

=============================

2000 Oregon/SW Washington Club Officers

President: Al & Patty Klascius (Chad ‘01, Craig '02) klascius@teleport.com
V-President: Richard and Susan Adams (Matt '02) adams@proaxis.com
Secretary:
Treasurer: George & Evelyn Mears (Dwight ‘01) egmears@casco.net
Historian:
Newsletter: Al & Patty Klascius (Chad ‘01, Craig '02) as above
**Please feel free to contact any of the above with questions, suggestions, corrections or for "free" advice.  Your  newsletter editors regret any errors, and appreciate notification of such. Thank you. **