p10  Chapter II

What is Meant by Entering
West Point

It is not an exaggeration to state that one‑third of the cadets, who graduate from West Point and afterward hold commissions in the Army, go to the Academy with few correct ideas as to the nature of the life they are entering upon and the character of the duties before them. Sons of army officers and others interested in the military profession are instructed in the West Point system from an early age to the time when they are old enough to commence the course of instruction previously selected for them by their parents. These are few when we count them on graduation day. Others receiving appointments a year or even years in advance, have sufficient opportunity, as a general thing, to make proper inquiries, and they do. But many, and mostly those who receive their appointments by competitive examinations, and those who join to fill the vacancies made  p11 at the preceding examinations, have but short notice, and often, of necessity, start out in ignorance. They have heard there is a West Point. Where it is, its object, its requirements, its hardships, and its advantages, they know not. For these, this chapter is intended. To enter and graduate at West Point is nothing less than determining one's entire course of future action. The change from a citizen to a soldier is a great one. None but those who undergo it can appreciate it. Once fairly started in this Institution, former habits are gradually abandoned and new ones are formed; former ideas of future happiness and desirable avocations give way to new ones; as time advances, everything points to the soldier's profession as one replete with honor, contentment, and all a manly nature could desire. It is the exceptional graduate who finds himself able to give up this profession and adopt a new one, no matter what may be his opportunities or how flattering the inducements offered him.

After passing through West Point, he is, indeed, fitted for any calling; but his taste for the military, developed by a four years' course of study and drilling, are sufficiently strong to hold him and, in many cases, at the sacrifice of reason. To enter West Point is to have an intention of becoming a soldier; to graduate there is to execute this intention. A young man, even in ignorance of what constitutes Army Life, if true to himself, does not go to West Point for the sole purpose of gaining the West Point education. The "Oath of Office" administered to him requires that he "serve in the Army of the U. S. for 8 years (4 years after graduation) unless sooner discharged by competent authority." Resignations are always accepted and a discharge always  p12 obtainable, except in time of war, or when the country needs the services of every officer or man; but it costs the Government $8,000 to graduate a cadet,⁠a and the people have a right to expect some service from him after they have educated him.

In canvassing this matter, many will object to the service, in consequence of having to leave their homes and go far from them; for young men, who leave their native towns or cities, without being sent, are "few and far between." In nearly all the country towns one can find eight or ten young lawyers, and as many physicians, young in the profession, while the older and wiser ones can barely exist on the scanty practice which they monopolize. But the discipline and course of training at West Point overcome these ideas, and the graduate is completely weaned from his home. It is strange, but true, that when he does return there, he soon grows tired of it and is impatient to leave again. So, this is only an apparent objection, which passes away before the time comes when it might be realized. The following rule, with few exceptions, is well established, viz.: "That those who enter West Point and are successful choose the profession of arms and adopt a new course of life the day they enter the Academy." It is, therefore, incumbent upon such to study and investigate the nature of the soldier's life thoroughly; to compare the result of their investigations with the career their surroundings promise; to make their choice, then manfully push on to the prospective goal.

History is replete with encouragement. Ambition can never wane. The pages of future history will continue to laud the brilliant soldier and his profession. General Winfield Scott said: "I give it as my fixed  p13 opinion that, but for our graduated cadets, the war between the United States and Mexico might, and probably would, have lasted some four or five years, with, in its first half, more defeats than victories falling to our share; whereas, in less than two campaigns, we conquered a great country and a peace, without the loss of a single battle or skirmish."

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Thayer's Note:

a In 2015, roughly $225,000; more or less the same expenditure per cadet as today.

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