West Point R-Day for Class of 2029 Talk with Leadership Cadets Sr. Will Cooper, Sr. Lia Stokes

West Point R-Day 2025 for Class of 2029:
Talk with Cadet Leaders, Senior Will Cooper'26 from Westport CT, the Cadet Regimental Leader and Senior Lia Stokes'86 from Raleigh NC, the Regimental Command Sergeant Major.

Release from West Point:

More than 1,230 U.S. citizens and 14 international students, will report to the U.S. Military Academy on June 30 for Reception Day to join West Point’s Class of 2029. The incoming class was selected from a highly qualified national pool of over 13,700 applicants. 


“As we celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday, the Class of 2029 stands as a living tribute to the enduring call to serve,” said Director of Admissions Col. Rance Lee. “These cadets reflect the talent and commitment of young Americans answering that call. Their decision to pursue the rigorous West Point experience reaffirms our nation’s investment in future leaders of character—ready to strengthen the force and defend our values in an increasingly complex world.”

“This patriotic group of young men and women left the comfort and safety of civilian life to devote themselves to becoming guardians of Duty, Honor, Country and our United States Constitution,” Lee continued.

The Class of 2029 includes cadets from every state in the nation, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Marianas, and 14 international cadets entering the class under the sponsorship of their respective countries. The countries represented include Armenia, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Poland, Senegal, Thailand, The Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Zambia. Upon graduation, these cadets will return to their respective countries as officers in their armed forces. 

During Reception Day, the new cadets begin the process of becoming West Point cadets and future U.S. Army officers. They undergo administrative processing, are fitted with their initial issue of military clothing, receive haircuts, medical and physical evaluations, and begin their first lessons in marching, military courtesy, and discipline. As their first day ends, the Class of 2029 will stand before their parents and friends on the Plain to take the Oath of Allegiance from the U.S. Military Academy’s Commandant of Cadets, Brig. Gen. R.J. Garcia. 

New cadets will complete six weeks of Cadet Basic Training, learning the basic skills of the soldier. They will participate in rigorous physical training, small-unit tactical training, individual military skills and warrior tasks while learning to respond quickly and accurately to their commanders under mental and physical stress.

At the end of this initial training period, new cadets will be formally accepted into the Corps of Cadets. The Acceptance Day Parade for the Class of 2029 is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. 

Video by Ken Kraetzer for CaMMVetsMedia.
Covering Cadets, Midshipmen, the Military and Veterans Proudly Since 2008.

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