Last Updated: 5/28/99

West Point Traditions

This page gives a brief description of the tradition being discussed.
Follow the links provided for more detailed descriptions.
For control of the music, click on the musical note.

The following sections reflect the West Point traditions, customs, lore and memories that illuminate the human and personal side of Academy life. It is through individual contributions that these pages were made possible. We request and encourage all current cadets and old grads to send us your personal memories of the Academy via the e-mail links found at the bottom of each page.

The Spirit of West Point

Pointer magazine
June 2, 1950
Author: James S. German ('50)
Beautiful words and inspiring phrases are written by professional authors, but that which fills a man's heart is written by deed.
For over a hundred years, the accomplishments of men who have gone forth from West Point have written on the pages of history the story of "The Spirit of West Point".
A man who graduates from West Point feels that he must maintain a standard set by those who have gone before.
He has learned to apply himself to a task with the object of doing the job to the best of his ability.
He has learned the meaning of an integrity which he values as highly as he does his life.
Be not mistaken however.
There is no automatic process by which all men become models of devotion to "Duty, Honor, and Country" merely by spending four years at the Military Academy.
When they leave Cadet life, they embark on their careers armed with those qualities which they have made an honest effort to develop in themselves.
Some men carry away that which West Point has given them every opportunity to gain by experience and study; others leave still lacking intangible qualities that they failed to grasp.
Those who have armed themselves well with the tools of their profession will have one weapon which only the men of the Corps are privileged to bear.
It is a keen edged blade, forged by Duty, sheathed in Honor, dedicated to the Service of Country.
It is borne by those who know the meaning of "The Spirit of West Point."
------
The above was also included in LTC (Ret) German's obituary published in the January 1995 issue of the Assembly.

These pages are updated almost daily. Be sure to check each link from time to time to see if there is more on that page. The date shown on the left side of the page tells you if there has been an update that day. Some subtopics are being moved if they become so large in material that they become a topic in their own right.

For a definition of terms used on this page CLICK HERE

1.THE LONG GRAY LINE

THEN AND NOW
The following letter is dated September 22, 1839, "Military Academy, West Point, New York." Many of the accounts could have been written today
A LETTER HOME
BONDING CLASS TO CLASS
While going through their long four years, cadets are so concerned with their immediate requirements and environment that they do not realize the bonds they are forming with those in classes before them and also those after them. It will be four years in their lives that they will never forget and the bonds they form while cadets will last throughout their lives even though they may never serve with their classmates in their various assignments.
A 1964 graduate's father expressed it this way, on 4 Jul 1960, the day before his son left for West Point:

"Tomorrow you are going to join a unique band of men. You and they are about to do something which will mark and bind you all in a special way and which will continue to link you all forever."

2. ACADEMICS.

From the 1996-97 Catalog and a Prospect us

booklet sent by Admissions to candidates:
"The Military Academy's Academic Program includes an excellent, broadly structured under graduate curriculum that balances the physical sciences and engineering with the behavioral and social sciences. The goal is for every graduate to be able to think creatively and express clearly original ideas on both technological and interpersonal issues. In addition, the Academy seeks to instill in cadets a commitment to progressive and continued educational development. Class size is small, usually 14 to 18 cadets per class, so a cadet is far more than a face in a crowd. Small classes assure cadets receive personalized, individual attention. Tutoring and additional instruction are also available."
MORE ON ACADEMICS

CLASS GOAT
GOATS:A cadet or cadets academically near the bottom of the class.
ORIGIN OF THE TERM AND THE "GOAT FUND"

3. LIFE AT WEST POINT

THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF A CADET
We have titled this topic The Everyday Life of a Cadet because the stories in it reflect that title. While these stories could easily be shown in one or the other of the many Topics, we believe they represent things that were more likely to occur on any given day in the four year experience at West Point.
BARRACKS LIFE
FOOD AND CADETS
CARS
HOPS
100th NIGHT SHOW
PETS.... Yes, Pets!

ROOMMATES
Although cadets call each other by their nicknames, until the admittance of females in 1976, cadets frequently referred to their roommates as their wife or wives if there were more than two in a room. This was natural since in many cases, they lived with each other for three or more years in the olden days when cadets were not shuffled at the end of yearling year as they are today. As far as can be determined this tradition has gone into the history books. Today, roommates are referred to as 'roommates' or 'roomies' or 'room dawgs'.
MORE ROOMMATE STORIES

PLEBE DUTIES.
Plebe duties have not materially changed over the years. For historical perspectives and current duties, click on the link below.
HISTORY AND CURRENT DUTIES

DEFINITIONS/PLEBE KNOWLEDGE.
In addition to necessary memorization of academic formulas, etc. for academic proficiency, plebes are required to memorize certain things so that they may demonstrate proficiency in Fourth Class studies. Some of these may be found by clicking on the following link .
MORE ON PLEBE KNOWLEDGE

FUN AND MISCHIEF AT WEST POINT
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"
Life at West Point was never easy, but there were days and nights of mischief and fun.
JOIN US FOR A LITTLE MISCHIEF
CADET LORE

4. CLASS RINGS, MINIATURES, AND A-PINS.

The custom of wearing class rings, now universally popular, was inaugurated in this country by the United States Military Academy beginning with the Class of 1835. Class rings are presented by the Tactical Officers to the First Classmen at a ring ceremony early in the First Class year.
ADDITIONAL HISTORY, RING INFORMATION AND PICTURES

5. TAPS VIGILS.

When a Cadet dies, a memorial formation is held at West Point which few outsiders ever see. It is a quiet, solemn ceremony.

The exact date when the Corps began holding a TAPS vigil is not known. It goes back at least twenty years since we did it when I was a cadet (USMA'80). It is strictly a Corps operation at the discretion of the First Captain. The Cadet Brigade Staff coordinates any support they may need. A vigil is normally held for the death of a cadet (have had two in 1998). For anyone other than a current cadet, the procedure requires the First Captain to request permission from the Commandant to hold a vigil. The Corps did hold a Taps Vigil in 1995 for two grads who died in a training accident at Ranger school shortly after their graduation and in 1998 for an Academy hockey coach who was a grad.
WP-ORG TAPS VIGIL SITE

6. PARENTS CLUBS.

GOALS:
1. To provide a means of communication between the Academy and cadet parents.
2. To offer opportunities for fellowship and mutual support among parents whose sons and daughters are under going a rugged academic, physical, and military training program.
3. To inform the local area about the United States Military Academy.
4. To promote interest in attending the Academy.

Although parents clubs are a relatively new tradition, the oldest one is the WPPC of Michigan. They celebrated 40 years this past year.
Click here to learn more about parents clubs and the USMA Public Affairs

7. USMA BAND, PARADES AND OTHER MUSIC

The United States Military Academy Band, is U.S. Army's oldest active band and the oldest unit at West Point.
The Cadets march in parades on what is called "The Plain" at West Point. A parade is a military tradition with several different purposes to include practice in close order drill, and to render honor.

Another unique feature is that the USMA Band's Drum Major is the only enlisted man in the Army who is permitted to wear a sabre and he proudly wears a cadet sabre.
THE BAND
CADET PARADES
GLEE CLUB AND SONGS

8. CLASS GODSON/GODDAUGHTER GIFT.

"Here's to the man who wins the cup, May he be kind and true, And may he bring "our godson" up, To don the Army Blue." ~ From the Song "Army Blue"

In the above verse, The Cup refers to a tradition back when all cadets had silver napkin rings for their napkins in the Cadet Mess Hall. The napkin rings were donated at graduation and later melted and a silver cup was made and presented to the father of the first son born after graduation and that son was the class GODSON. Silver napkin rings were discontinued at some unknown time but reinstated in the fall of 1949 for the classes of '50 through '52. Cadets were charged for them. Silver napkin rings continued to be used through the late '60's and were again discontinued. However, the rings were kept by the individual graduates but the tradition of a class cup to the first born male has continued even when napkin rings were not in use. Most classes specified wedlock and eight months after graduation in order to be eligible as the class GODSON. Some recent classes have modified the requirement for a son since females are now eligible for admission to the Corps. How many class GODSONS have attended the Academy is unknown although there have been some. It is also known that the GODSON gift presented by one class was given by the father to his son when the son graduated.

A graduate in the class of 1992 reported that their class did not collect for a gift for the class GODSON although later tried to determine who it was. It might appear that this tradition has disappeared or is not practiced by every class.

The class of 1947 has expanded on this tradition. '47 had a class GODSON who was recognized at their 5th reunion with a silver bowl. Additionally they have the tradition of presenting each class son a gift at his graduation - an officer's saber (sword). In 1998, they started a tradition of presenting a class grandson (daughter if they ever have one) with an officer's saber. They have another unusual tradition. They have a class garter which has been used by umpteen class brides and class daughters weddings over the years.

The tradition of presenting gifts to class sons was alive and well for the Class of 1992 as reported by Bill Artigliere who was one of three class sons for the class of '69. Jim Isenhower, our class scribe, and Paul Robyn were the others. We received a gift in a small ceremony following graduation at Michie Stadium from Bob Kimmitt ('69), then the Ambassador to Germany for President Bush. As a matter of fact, while I was stationed in Berlin, I received a phone call at work from Mr. Kimmitt. He was checking up on me. You should have seen the looks on my soldiers' faces.

THE GODCHILDREN SPEAK

OTHER VERSES OF THE SONG "ARMY BLUE"

9. FLIRTATION WALK.

Plebes are not permitted to walk on Flirtation Walk nor are other personnel stationed at West Point. It is reserved for the three upperclasses.

There is a large rock formation overhanging a section of Flirtation Walk that has been named Kissing Rock. Tradition has it that the rock will fall if the cadet's date does not join in a kiss underneath it.

From a parent:
We were taking our second son to the United States Coast Guard Academy this past July for their "R" day and we heard a story about a young boy and his money making achievements while living at West Point. He'd hide near the kissing rock on flirtation walk. When a cadet would tell his girl the tale about the rock coming apart if she didn't kiss him and she'd refuse, the youngster would begin to toss pebbles down the hill past the couple. A kiss from the frightened girl would quickly follow. Later the youngster would receive a quarter from the cadet for payment (delivery of the pebbles)! The youngster is now the chaplain at the USCGA!

10. STATUES AND SUPERSTITIONS.

There are many statues scattered around West Point. Each is dedicated to a Person or People that West Point honors. Over the years, cadets have developed superstitions/traditions dealing with some of these statues, primarily their belief concerning performance in academic subjects and tests.
MORE ON WEST POINT STATUES

11.LEGENDS AND MYSTERIES

A REAL LEGEND - THE MOLE.
The attached true story is extracted from an article titled "THE MOLE STORY" written by then MAJ John R. Lovett, Class of Jan 1943, which was published in a May 4, 1951 issue of The Pointer Magazine, a cadet publication. Under the title and the author's name is the following: "The POINTER recommends that no member of the present Corps attempt to emulate this one and only character."
The Mole Lives

GHOSTS
For many years, there has been a suspicion that the ghost of the Father of the Military Academy, Sylvanus Thayer, resides in the basement of the Superintendent's quarters. The following is but one example of cadets whohave tried to prove this suspicion:

In E-4, after staring at the building for three years, two of my company-mates (females, of course) requested to spend the night in the basement of the Supe's quarters in search of Thayer's ghost. Our efforts were in vain. I don't think he liked the Coke and Girl Scout cookies - but we WERE studying. I'm not sure how this tradition started, I only remember that it was not an unusual request. We went over at approximately 9pm,Saturday, and remained there the entire night. Mrs. Goodpaster even gave us a nice waffle breakfast for our efforts.
MORE GHOSTS

12. FIRSTIE UNIFORMS/CLOTHING.

Graduating cadets passed useful clothing to the underclasses.

13. WEDDINGS/SCHEDULING.

Because cadets are not permitted to be married while a cadet, once graduated they are free to marry. Romances that have sprung up in the four years have had to wait. The new 2nd Lieutenants will soon be sent to their various assignments. Here the young couple gets their first taste of what being a military family is all about. Move, and move fast!

On the day of Graduation and for a few days following, weddings happened in large numbers, and at an unbelievable rate. In the past, cadets desiring to get married in one of the chapels after graduation signed up and then met and drew numbers. Marriages were performed every half hour starting at 1 PM. The couples drawing number 1 were really rushed to get changed into wedding attire, etc. Couples desiring to hold a reception in Cullum hall were also limited to half-hours for their receptions.

As can be seen in the following message from Chaplain Dick Camp, the procedures have changed somewhat. While the number of weddings on and right after graduation day may have decreased, many still marry at West Point as will be seen in the stories we received.

The process of a lottery for chapel time for weddings after graduation ceased in 1973. There is an interesting correlation with the cessation of mandatory chapel and the number of cadets wanting to get married at the chapel immediately following graduation. I think many cadets no longer considered a chapel at USMA "their chapel" if they did not regularly worship there. There was still an identity - "that is our chapel" - but not so much "my chapel" if they did not worship there regularly.

In the mid-70's there was also a trend to delay marriage until one got a bit more settled in career. The average age for marriage has risen significantly since the mid 1970's.

Today cadets can sign up for an hour in the chapel for their wedding. Graduation day has only a few weddings at either the Cadet or Catholic Chapels. Most cadets can get the day they want, although that is not guaranteed. They can sign up for a wedding slot any time after January 1 in the year before the wedding.

Ch. Dick Camp, '73-'96

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED.....

14. CAMP BUCKNER.

Camp Buckner, located at Lake Popolopen, is the site of summer training for the new Third Class. While the training is hard and heavy, cadets still find time for recreational pranks, a few of which are at the link below .
MORE ON CAMP BUCKNER

15. SIZING CADETS BY COMPANIES

Up until the admission of the Class of 1961 in 1957, the 24 Cadet Companies were sized by height; i.e., the tallest cadets were in Companies A-1 and M-2 which, when the Corps was lined up for a Brigade Parade or Review on the Plain, Company A-1 was on the right flank and Company M-2 was on the left flank. Hence the term "Flankers" for the tallest cadets. Companies M-1 and A-2 were in the middle of the formation and were made up of the smallest cadets in the Corps, hence the term "Runts" for the shortest members of the Corps. However, when lined up on the Plain in massed Cadet Battalion formation, the Corps appeared as all being of the same height to someone observing it from the other side of the Plain. This change was quite a shock to the Cadets, no matter what company they were in. Flankers shocked to see 'shorter' people amid their ranks, Runts shocked to see'taller' people in their ranks, and those non-flankers and non-runts shocked to see both taller and shorter folks in their ranks.

If this tradition were still in place today, probably not many women cadets would be in the Flanker companies.

In addition to being sized, all cadets remained in the same company for their four years. Today however, at the end of their yearling year, the yearlings are 'scrambled' and assigned to new companies for their Cow and Senior years.

TO SEE THE EFFECT OF SIZING...

16. ATHLETICS.

GOAT/ENGINEER FOOTBALL GAME
Each year the lowest five percent, academically, (the Goats), would play the highest five percent academically,(the Engineers), in a Thanksgiving morning football game. Tradition states:"that as go the Goats, so goes Army against Navy."

**Note:Used to be that most of the top guys in classes chose the Engineer branch of service, hence the nickname Engineers.

FEMALE CADETS FLAG FOOTBALL GAME.
A new tradition appears to have begun in November 1998. Female Middies challenged female Cadets to a Flag Football Game prior to the annual game. The game's groundwork was laid in November when U.S. Naval Academy Commandant of Midshipmen Rear Adm. Gary Roughead contacted U.S. Corps of Cadets Commandant Brig. Gen. John Abizaid.Roughead's challenge was very similar to the first Army-Navy football game, noting that in 1890 Navy challenged the Corps of Cadets. Records show the first game was held on or near the vicinity of Daly Field, with Navy blanking Army 24-0. "The Army win avenges the first Army-Navy game ever played," Abizaid said. "I think this is going to be the beginning of a great rivalry." LTG Christman, current Supe said " I know you will agree with me, this is a great start to another wonderful Army-Navy tradition." The female Army team won this initial meeting 13-12.Can we now start to say " that as go the Girls, so goes Army against Navy"???

CADET SPIRIT.
In addition to the week-long spirit week before the Army - Navy football game, more moderate rallies used to be held in the Cadet Mess Hall the night before home games or the night before the team left for an away game. Usually the Cadet Rabble Rousers (Cheer Leading Squad) led these and the team captain or other players would speak a few words. Cheers would be said and a song or two would be sung and all would return to their rooms for study time. However, in October 1963 before the away game with Penn State,the Rabble Rouser Squad felt more was needed. Click on the link below to see the report from the Head Rabble Rouser on what came to be known as the October 1963 Mess Hall Rally/Riot followed by a report from the then Cadet First Captain and comments from the OC (Officer-in-Charge; Commissioned Officer-of-the Day from the Tactical Department) on duty that night.
RABBLE ROUSERS REMEMBERED
ARMY-NAVY SPIRIT WEEK
JOE COLLEGE NIGHT

FOOTBALL GAMES TO REMEMBER
Due to World War II travel restrictions, the 1942 and 1943 games were played at West Point and Annapolis but neither the Corps of Cadets nor the Brigade of Midshipmen were permitted to attend the away game. However, in 1944, secret arrangements were made to hold the game in Baltimore, MD rather than at Annapolis. What follows are extracts of the book, "WEST POINT REVISITED, Reminiscences of the Class of 1946 50 Years Later" authored by John C. McWhorter, MG, U. S. Army Retired, Class of 1946.
TRAVEL WITH US TO THE GAME

17. JIM "MOOSE" MOZDEN '64

Jim Mozden died in 1973 of cancer. As a result of his actions under fire in Viet Nam, Jim was decorated twice for heroism. A military honor guard was to perform final full military honors at his funeral. To the grief of his family, especially his mother, a major blizzard, denied Capt. Mozden his military honors.

This story is but another example of the bonding within a class and now with a parents club to see that he received the honors due him, and which his mother fought so hard to attain.

THE JIM MOZDEN STORY

18. UNCLASSIFIED

Traditions in this topic really do not fit into any of the above 17 topics but we believe they are interesting and some are still valid today.
UNCLASSIFIED TRADITIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS

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_{All work on these pages copyright 12/98 Dian Welle and Dick Breakiron}