Did you ever wonder when our Military Academies were founded? West Point.

By David McClelland

Here are the dates when each Academy was founded:
The United States Military Academy in West Point, New York - 1802. *
The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland - 1845.
The United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut - 1876.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York - 1942.
The United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado - 1954.

This is the second of a five-part series which will discuss each Academy.
* Let's next look at the first and oldest Academy, West Point.

George Washington considered West Point's location to be the most strategic location in America with its commanding position above the Hudson River, 50 miles north of New York City, and he established a military post there in 1787. West Point is the oldest, continuously occupied military post in the United States. President Thomas Jefferson signed legislation establishing West Point as a military academy in 1802. Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, a 1908 West Point graduate and "the father of the military academy," was West Point's superintendent from 1817-1833. He upgraded academic standards, instilled military discipline and emphasized honorable conduct. Some of West Point's distinguished graduates are Generals Grant, Eisenhower, MacArthur, Patten, Clark, Bradley, Haig, Arnold and Schwarzkoph. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin is also a graduate.

The mission of West Point is "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 United States Army."

The Army's first class of cadets graduated in 1806. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the US Army. Candidates for admission frequently receive a nomination from a member of Congress. Tuition, along with room and board, are all paid for by the Army in exchange for a commitment to serve as officers for at least 4 years. Recent classes have had about 1,300 cadets entering their first year and about 1,000 of those are expected to graduate four years later. West Point started several traditions and was the first American college to have class rings.

On October 7, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation permitting women to enter the United States service academies. In 1976, 119 women entered West Point with the Class of 1980.

West Point attracts more than three million visitors a year, including alumni. You would probably enjoy a visit to our oldest Academy to see and photograph national landmarks.