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West Point welcomes Class of 2029

Stars and Stripes • July 3, 2025

Cadets wearing Army T-shirts and shorts follow an upperclassman.

Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2029, Reception Day on June 30, 2025. (John Pellino/U.S. Military Academy)

The United States Military Academy at West Point welcomed the Class of 2029 this week at R-Day 2025, also known as “Reception Day.”

About 1,200 new cadets arrived on campus Monday.

A group of cadets.

Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2029, Reception Day on June 30, 2025. (John Pellino/U.S. Military Academy)

Cadets at a table sign in.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2029, Reception Day on June 30, 2025.

Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2029, Reception Day on June 30, 2025. (John Pellino/U.S. Military Academy)

Upperclassman watch as the cadets gear up.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

Two girls sit in the auditorium.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alan Brutus) (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

A group of cadets.

Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2029, Reception Day on June 30, 2025. (John Pellino/U.S. Military Academy)

A group of cadets.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

A family embraces.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

Cadets and their families in the auditorium.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

A group of cadets.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

A new cadet.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

A new cadet steps off a bus.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

Cadets stand in lines in front of a uniformed soldier.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

Cadets walk onto campus.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

A cadet with a backpack walks onto campus.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

A cadet with a shirt that says U.S. and a backpack walks on campus.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

A cadet and his mom get off a bus on campus.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

A family poses for a photo.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

People pose for photos.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 arrives at West Point, N.Y. for Reception Day, also known as R-Day, on June 30, 2025. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army )

A new cadet checks in.

Approximately 1,200 new cadets report to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Class of 2029, Reception Day on June 30, 2025. (John Pellino/U.S. Military Academy)

A cadet checks in.

The candidates make the transition from civilian to cadet as they endure 2025 Reception Day event June 30, 2025, at the U.S. Military Academy. (Jorge Garcia/U.S. Military Academy.)

Candidates reported early in the day to begin in-processing for their 47-month experience. Parents and family members were invited to explore certain areas of West Point, visit the Parent Welcome and Information area in Eisenhower Hall, check out Army equipment and vehicles, hear remarks from leadership and view the Oath Ceremony at the end of the day.

Cadets in formation on the lawn.

“I will maintain and defend the sovereignty of the United States paramount to any and all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty,” the USMA Class of 2029 pledged at the end of their Reception Day, June 30, 2025, during the Oath Ceremony on the Plain, West Point, N.Y. (John Pellino/U.S. Military Academy)

Cadets take the oath.

The Oath Ceremony for the USMA Class of 2029, West Point, N.Y., on Monday, Jun 30, 2025. (Christopher Hennen/U.S. Military Academy)

Cadets on the parade ground.

The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2029 conducts their first parade on West Point, N.Y., to conclude their Reception Day on June 30, 2025. During the parade, cadets also took the Oath of Allegiance led by the U.S. Corps of Cadets Commandant, Brig. Gen. R.J. Garcia. (Alan Brutus/U.S. Army)