What New Army Cadets Go Through On Their First Day At West Point | Boot Camp | Business Insider

Over 1,200 cadet candidates arrive at the US Military. Academy for reception day, also known as R-Day. The new cadets are issued physical training, or PT uniforms. Tuitionat West Point is free, but the cadets commit to five years active duty. Over 24% of the class of 2022 are women. The cadets learn thebasics of taking orders. They also work on their leadership skills. Everything culminates in the Oath Ceremony, where they take their oath to serveour nation in the Army. (military fife and drum music) (military trumpet and drumMusic) -. (military march music) - [Narrator] - [Interviewer] Why did youdecide to come to West Point?. - Both my brothers wenthere and it's a great school and I wanted to join. the Army afterward so there's no better school to do that. - All my uncles,. they served in the army and they're telling me that, all about this school and. how great and all the leaders that came from it so I just wanted tofollow. in their footsteps. (drum flourishes) (inspiring military music) – [New Cadets]. I am soldier! - [ Narrator] – [Military drum music] – (patriotic music)– (military drum Music) – (hair clippers buzzing) –. (Military fife, drum music, and marching in formation) - We've seen a huge surgenot only in the interest in women applicants,. but alsothe retention of women cadets. - We have upperclassmen that are leading the junior and senior classes that are here leading the senior classes. - Your lunch, your boots or not! - So this is not only for our upper class as they work on leadership skills, but for our lower class as well. – [Officer] - New cadets, raise your right hand and repeat me right after me. - [New cadets] – New cadet, move, let's go! Up to the tape! - You'll move. along the wall, am I understood? - [ new cadet] Yes, Sergeant Pack. - You think you're. special? Look straight forward! - In 2018 to be accepted at West Point, you must. be a United States citizen in good physical condition,pass a medical exam to be able. to be commissioned in theArmy, and have a high academic achievement. - Hurry up. you guys, get there.. - Along with abag that holds. everything they're allowed to carryfor the next six weeks. Their next stop, the barber shop. Only the malenew Cadets are required to. cut their hair. The female cadetsget to keep their locks. - Maybe, my brother and. sister are here? Pretty exciting. – Maybe. - maybe. - your brother and sister areHere? - Your brother and siblings are here. – (laughing) – The cadet is assigned to companies where they learn thebasic training. - After their four years atWest Point they've committed to five. years activedutyin the Army with three years in the reserve component. – After their three years of service after graduation, they'll be called to active duty in the Air Force or Navy. - They'll be required to serve in the Iraq War. – They'll have to do two tours of duty in Iraq. – The Air Force is the longest continuously garrisoned military installationin the United States. – It's in the Hudson Highlands. - It's called West Pointbecause. it's located on the western point of theHudson River where it bends. George Washington recognizedthis. as a strategic point of interest becausethe British had to attack as they came through. the Hudson River. - The Air force is the largest Air Force base in the U.S. – it's the only one in the world. – There are more than 1,000 airmen and airmen on duty. – More than 2,000 sailors and Marines on duty every day. - There are 1,500 airmen, airwomen, marines, and other military personnel on duty at the base in New York and Washington, D.C. – and they’re based in the Washington, DC area. –. It’s the only air force base in America. –   1,400 military bases in the Middle East. –  The United States Air Force Base in Europe and the United Nations Air Force Station in Europe. – “We’ve got a long way to go” to reach the farthest reaches of the Earth. – – ‘West Point’ –