West Point: The first German

More than 80,000 cadets have studied at the United States Military Academy (USMA) West Point since 1802. Among them were famous Americans such as General George S. Patton Jr., President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Now, as the first German officer candidate, Fahnenjunker Jesse L. is completing his four-year study at West Point.

"Present Arms!" the command echoes across the parade ground. L.'s right hand grasps the barrel of the M14, raises the rifle and precisely diagonally in front of the body. His left arm snaps up, hand grasping the weapon on the wooden handguard. Precisely, the cadet now turns the weapon so that its magazine faces forward and it is vertically centered in front of his body.

Together with more than 1,200 comrades, Jesse L. is lined up on the "Plain," the huge parade ground of the USMA West Point. In front of Washington Hall, the brigade of cadets from the world-famous military academy has lined up. For the 20-year-old from Krefeld, today is one of the most important days in his life so far: during the Acceptance Day Parade for the Class of 2028, he will be officially admitted to the cadet corps of the faculty at the Hudson River, which consists of 4,400 women and men.

A childhood dream comes true

Starting his studies at West Point not only fulfills a childhood dream for Jesse L., but also makes history. As the first German officer candidate, he will not only complete an exchange semester at the USMA as part of the Foreign Academy Exchange Program (FAEP), but will complete his entire four-year study as a cadet.

"As a child, I once read about West Point, since then I have been dreaming of studying in the USA," explains the German Army Fahnenjunker, who began his service as a soldier in the 5th Company of Reconnaissance Battalion 13 in Bad Salzungen in July 2023. "Originally, I thought of an exchange semester. But when I learned during a training session in basic training about the opportunity to complete a four-year Bachelor of Science study at the USMA West Point as a cadet, the idea captivated me and I applied immediately," recalls L.

Challenging selection process

Parallel to his Specialized Basic Training (SGA) with the 2nd Company of Reconnaissance Battalion 7 in Ahlen and his Fahnenjunker course at the Army Reconnaissance School in Munster, the young man then went through the long and demanding selection process for West Point. All applicants had to pass various athletic tests, undergo medical examinations, write essays, compose a motivational letter, and achieve a very good score on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT).

The SAT is a standardized test used to assess the college readiness of Bachelor's degree applicants in the US. At the national level, the selection process was carried out by the International Training Affairs Department of the Army Command in Strausberg. This then introduced the three most suitable applicants to the USMA. "When I began my service at the Army Officer School in Dresden, the school commander informed me that the USMA West Point had selected me as a future cadet of the Class of 2028. My thought at that time was: It's unbelievable, now my childhood dream can come true." And he continues, "The next two weeks were hell, a lot of administrative matters had to be done in a very short time before my departure to the USA. I am very grateful for the active support I received from my Inspection Sergeant of the 11th Inspection of the OSH. I believe, without him, I wouldn't have been able to handle everything."

First international graduate came in 1889

"It is a long-standing tradition for cadets from allies and partners of the USA to study at West Point," explains Colonel Rance Lee on the grounds of the USMA. The 50-year-old former West Point graduate of the Class of 1997 is the Director of Admissions and responsible for the recruitment and selection of future West Point cadets. "Therefore, it is a big deal for us that for the first time, a German cadet will complete his entire study with us."

The first international West Point graduate was Antonio Barrios from Guatemala in 1889. Including the Class of 2024, 580 International Graduates have obtained their degree at West Point so far. Today, the USMA offers a total of 60 study places for international cadets who can study there as part of the Foreign Academy Exchange Program (FAEP). "With the Class of 2028, we are taking in 16 new cadets," Lee said.

Contact with other cultures

In addition to Germany, the 15 new cadets come from Cameroon, Ghana, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mongolia, Pakistan, Poland, the Philippines, Senegal, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, and Tunisia. "From the Pentagon, we receive between 80 and 120 international applicants annually, from which we then select the most promising ones," explains Lee. When asked about the benefits for West Point, he explains, "Having international students at West Point is a win-win situation for us. Our American students get early exposure to people from other cultural backgrounds. Later, during their service as officers in the US Army, the experiences they gain help them with cooperation with the armed forces of allied nations, for example in NATO. In return, the international cadets receive a high-quality education and first-class military training, including a deep insight into American culture and mindset."

First steps in the Beast Barracks

On July 1, 2024, L.'s training at West Point began with Reception Day. The next six weeks involved basic military training in the so-called Beast Barracks. The schedule included discipline, dress code, military etiquette, formal service, as well as infantry combat training, field survival, and marksmanship. The training culminated in the March Back, a twelve-mile march back to West Point. "During the Beast Barracks, we also chose the motto for our class. It is: 'No Calling To Great,' which means 'no challenge too big,'" the cadet recounted.

The young man's West Point dream will last a total of 47 months. During this time on the banks of the Hudson River, he will not only receive an excellent academic education but also be trained to become an outstanding military leader. The cadets' daily routine usually encompasses a several-hour lecture block in the morning after breakfast and in the afternoon after lunch for all 4,400 cadets, with two hours of time for physical activities before dinner. The cadets can choose from a variety of sports, including boxing, judo, handball, hockey, American football, swimming, fencing, and golf, among others.

Responsibilities after the first year

As a "Plebe" or "Fourth Class Cadet," as the cadets are called in the first year of study, L. currently has to learn to receive commands and execute them precisely, as well as overcome the associated challenges. In the second year of study, he will then take on responsibility as a "Yearling" or "Third Class Cadet" and train the new "Plebes" as a squad leader. In the third and fourth years of study, as a Cow or Firstie, his responsibility will grow further. Depending on his performance level, he can then be assigned as a group or squad leader, company commander, battalion commander, or perhaps even brigade commander in the Cadet Corps.

The Army wishes Cadet Jesse L. all the best for his Bachelor of Science studies in International Relations, and his journey at the United States Military Academy West Point!

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