Cadet CDR Isabella Sullivan, San Antonio, TX leads West Point 2023 R-Day arrival for Class of...

You have 90 seconds to say Goodbye"

Then the Cadet Candidates were directed to walk through a side door, immediately receive loudly delivered directions, their lives never to be the same.

The day continued with changing to gym clothes and black shoes, picking up a prepackaged ruck sack, Army term for a large duffle bag filled wit equipment and their uniforms, and for the men a haircut.

Members of the Cadet upper classes instruct during the day with assistance of Army drill sergeants brought in for the training period. New cadets are taught how to stand, salute, march and turn. Throughout the day the cadets stand in formations and read to memorize a book of West Point facts. They each wear a water filled container with a straw and are directed to keep hydrated.

An unforgettable high stress moment of West Point R-Day tradition is to,

"Report to Cadet in the Red Sash"

This are senior cadet who wear a belt like red Sash a symbol of leadership who direct each new cadet,

"To Step Up To My Line, Not On My Line"

and deliver a short specific statement under demanding glare of upperclassman.

"New Cadet (Name) reports to Cadet in Red Saupperclassmen.

So begins the first day at West Point for another class of future Army officers and leaders.

Video by Ken Kraetzer for #CaMMVetsMedia

Covering Cadets, Midshipmen the Military and Veterans Proudly Since 2008.