The junior version of 100th Night, 500th Night is a formal dinner and dance commemorating the number of days cows have before graduation.

What is 500th night at West Point?

During 500th Night, cadets don their dress uniforms and spend the evening socializing with officers and noncommissioned officers. Typically, 500th Night is celebrated through a formal dinner followed by a dance among cadets. However, due to COVID-19, the dance portion was cancelled.

What is affirmation day at West Point?

Affirmation Ceremony for Cows When a cadet attends class on the first day of their Cow year; from that point forward they assume an 8 year military service obligation. It is marked by a ceremony the day prior to classes starting.

What is Branch night at West Point?

But thanks to Branch Night, the ceremony during which firsties learn in which Army branch they will serve, members of the Class of 2021 are now staring the reality for which they have been preparing for four years straight in the face: In a few short months, they will be serving as second lieutenants in the Army, and,

What are sophomores at West Point called?

Cadets are not referred to as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Instead they are officially called fourth class, third class, second class, and first class cadets. Colloquially, freshmen are plebes, sophomores are yearlings or yuks, juniors are cows, and seniors are firsties.

Who is speaking at USMA graduation 2021?

Lloyd J. Austin III Lloyd J. Austin III will serve as the commencement speaker. This marks his first visit to West Point as Secretary of Defense and his first time as our graduation speaker. The U. S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federal, liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City.

What is a first year student at West Point called?

New Cadets Cadet Basic Training is a 6-week training course before a cadets first year. During this training, they are called “New Cadets.”

What is a yuk at West Point?

Your second year at West Point is special for many reasons: academics, military and physical training, but most of all because its the first time youll get to lead. As a Yuk, your rank is “Corporal” and youll be assigned 1-3 plebes to guide, mentor, train, and inspire.

How many West Point graduates have died?

The Union lost 364,511 soldiers killed with 281,881 wounded, while the Confederacy lost 258,000 soldiers killed with 137,000 wounded. Sixty West Point graduates died fighting for the Union and 45 graduates died for the Confederacy.

What percentage of West Point graduates stay in the military?

Only 7 percent of West Point graduates believe that most of the best officers stay in the military. Among the active-duty respondents (78), only 17 percent believe that most of the best officers are stay- ing in the military.

Who gave the commencement address at West Point 2021?

Lloyd J. Austin III Lloyd J. Austin III will serve as the commencement speaker. This marks his first visit to West Point as Secretary of Defense and his first time as our graduation speaker. The U. S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federal, liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City.

Who graduated last at West Point?

Mayeaux, along with Custer and over 200 West Point grads throughout history, was named the goat for graduating last in his class.

Who has the highest score at West Point?

Charles Mason Mason and Lee also still have the two highest graduation point scores in the history of West Point. The third highest score in the Academys history is held by Douglas MacArthur .Charles Mason (Iowa judge)Charles MasonBornOctober 24, 1804 Pompey, New YorkDiedFebruary 25, 1882 (aged 77) Burlington, IowaPolitical partyDemocratic8 more rows

How many West Point graduates died in Iraq?

Some 100 West Pointers have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since the attacks of 9/11, roughly 2 percent of all combat deaths in those campaigns.

Do West Point graduates go to war?

After Graduation at West Point Academy After four rigorous years at West Point Academy, graduates will commission as Officers in the United States Army. They will be required to serve for five years as active duty.