Army
Army Class of 2026 arrives on campus at West Point
Stars and Stripes
June 29, 2022
Approximately 1,200 candidates of the Class of 2026 report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., for Reception Day on June 27, 2022. The new cadets receive detailed instruction from members of the cadet cadre, begin to learn from their New Cadet Handbook for Cadet Basic Training 2022 and receive a regulation Army haircut at the academy. (John Pellino/United States Military Academy)
Army’s Class of 2026 has arrived on campus.
More than 1,200 new cadets reported Monday to the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., to start their in-processing and begin their 47-month experience.
This year, West Point received about 12,600 applications from aspiring students, the academy said.
The breakdown of the new cadets: Roughly 38% of minority enrollment included 144 African Americans, 143 Hispanic Americans, 163 Asian Americans and 23 Native Americans. Also, 261 women, 11 combat veterans and 16 international students.
Approximately 1,200 candidates of the Class of 2026 report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., for Reception Day on June 27, 2022. The new cadets receive detailed instruction from members of the cadet cadre, begin to learn from their New Cadet Handbook for Cadet Basic Training 2022 and receive a regulation Army haircut at the academy. (Kyle Osterhoudt/United States Military Academy)
Approximately 1,200 candidates of the Class of 2026 report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., for Reception Day on June 27, 2022. (Jorge Garcia/United States Military Academy)
A new cadet hustles after taking an order from a cadet cadre member as a drill sergeant from the 198th Infantry Training Brigade looks on during Reception Day on June 27, 2022, at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. (Christopher Hennen/United States Military Academy)
Cadet Kai Youngren of the Class of 2023, the Cadet Basic Training commander, said in a West Point news release that part of meeting the challenge of shaping over 1,200 new cadets is learning everyone’s quirks to adequately guide them to success.
“Being responsible for over 1,200 people is an incredibly enormous responsibility,” Youngren said. “Learning to pay attention to the smallest details, to check on your cadets and remain positive each and every day in order to inspire the vast quantity of the regiment is something that’s going to be very, very useful for me when I take over a platoon of 40 people.”
As part of the process, the new cadets changed from their civilian clothing to Army Physical Training Uniforms. They received marching and saluting instructions, haircuts and medical services. They also entered oath rooms, where they signed the official paperwork, stood at attention, raised their right hand and took their oath, solidifying their presence at West Point.
Approximately 1,200 candidates of the Class of 2026 report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., for Reception Day on June 27, 2022. Part of the process: haircuts. (Michelle Eberhart/United States Military Academy)