Guide to West Point, and the U.S. Military Academy

by Edward C. Boynton

"To join the army of the brave," etc.

Then the companies are formed, and taking their stacked arms march to the front on the Parade; the Commandant then, with Band and colors unfurled, marches the battalion to the general Parade, in front of the Superintendent's quarters, and the Encampment is no more.

The Academic Exercises of the Cadets are not devoid of interest even to those who are attracted to the spot by the glittering displays of military life; while to those interested in the progress of education, the peculiarities of the system pursued at West Point seldom fails to increase their belief, that the method here followed might be more generally introduced into the great American collegiate system.

The Corps of Cadets, in accordance with the usual custom, is divided into four classes, and the course of study extends through four years in duration. The classes are numbered inversely according to their entrance into the Academy, as the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Classes, corresponding to the Senior, Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman Classes in other institutions. Each class is divided into convenient sections of from twelve to fifteen Cadets, for instruction in its special branches of study, the first Cadet on each section roll being its squad-marcher, and being responsible for its punctual attendance and deportment. The recitation hours are sounded on a bugle, when the sections for the hour are formed at the Barracks, their rolls are called, and they are marched to the Recitation-rooms by their several squad-marchers. The instructor is there waiting their attendance, and after receiving the squad-marcher's report of the absentees, he sends three or more Cadets to the black-board, to discuss the propositions he announces to each; for which purpose they proceed to place their diagrams or analyses on the board. Another is called up on the floor and questioned on the lesson for the day, until one of those at the board is ready. The latter being called on, first enunciates the proposition to be discussed, then gives a condensed analysis of how it should be solved, and then gives the full discussion, delineation, or demonstration with reference to his diagram or analysis. Last of all, and reaching the termination of his subject, the instructor proceeds to question him on the parts slighted or omitted, and upon topics connected with the subject-matter under consideration. It will be seen that the recitation proceeds upon the supposition that the Cadet understands his lesson beforehand, and that the instructor's province is to make sure of the Cadet's thorough and accurate knowledge; to amplify his conceptions, and supply his deficiencies, rather than teach him the subject of the lesson. He also enforces that orderly and lucid exposition and arrangement of the matter, which carries the conviction that the Cadet not only knows his topic, but is able to communicate it to others. He requires accuracy of language, the observance of certain recitation forms, and proprieties in decorum, to a degree far higher than is usually demanded in other institutions. Three sides of the section-room are provided with wall slates or black-boards, and a tray for chalk, wipers, and pointers, extends across the bottom of each. Every Cadet writes his name over his work, and when called upon to recite, assumes the "position of a soldier," until he wishes to refer to his work, when he does so with his pointer. It is a matter of no small magnitude to secure a becoming personal deportment and style in recitation, and to suppress the unmeaning, nervous turnings, rockings, and fumblings, which too often deform the manners of undisciplined students.

The instructor marks each recitation according to his estimate of its quality as referred to a scale of valuation ranging from zero to three, the maximum for a perfect and satisfactory exhibition of knowledge. A weekly report of these daily marks is made to the Superintendent, and exhibited to the Cadets who crowd the hall leading to the Adjutant's office every Monday, to see the official estimate of their performances during the past week. The recitation marks are aggregated for the semi-annual examination in January, and for the annual examination in June, and are mainly decisive of the numerical standing of each Cadet in the different courses of study. Frequent and thorough reviews occur, in which each individual's success is critically observed and considered in making out the standing—a greater weight justly belonging to the final and permanent conquest of a course, than to the earlier recitations. The final examination on the subject also has a material weight.

By combining all these elements, a definite order of arrangement of the members of each class, in each branch of study, is obtained, and from these combined special standings, a general class rank, or order of arrangement according to each individual's merit, is deduced at the close of each annual examination. In determining the standing of the graduating class the special standing of each Cadet in all the branches of study for the four years, including proficiency in discipline, is considered, and possesses a relative weight in deciding the position of each member.

The Annual Examination in June is conducted in the presence of a "Board of Visitors," selected for the purpose by the Secretary of War, and the reports of these Boards, composed of intelligent men of all professions and all political parties, have, for more than forty years, borne favorable testimony to the thoroughness and efficiency of the system of instruction pursued at West Point. The assignment and promotion of the graduating class to corps and regiments in the army, is regulated by the recommendation of the Academic Board, based upon class standing. The highest members only are recommended for the Corps of Engineers, and as the recommendations are almost uniformly adhered to, each Cadet becomes the arbiter of his own destiny, so far as his capacity makes success practicable. He is thus stimulated to good conduct, and the diligent employment of all his mental faculties, by the hope of a choice in the assignments, and of securing after rank, by commission, over his comrades.

How to become a Cadet, is a question not unlikely to arise in the minds of some of the young readers of this volume. The martial aspirant should consider well, before taking any steps toward securing a Cadet appointment, that Cadet life is no mere holiday training—no refined dandyism, but a four years' devotion of mind, body, and heart to discipline and study; more severe, by far, than is required at any other educational institution in the land. But if possessed of an aptitude for mathematical study, of a vigorous realization of the attributes of manhood, and the courage to endure patiently present trials for future good, and finally, if possessed of an ardent desire for intellectual culture, with a view to after usefulness, nowhere can a youth become so well qualified by an educational course to be a man, as by becoming a Cadet at the National Military Academy. The method of procedure to secure an appointment is briefly as follows:

The District of Columbia, and each District of Country entitled to a Member of the House of Representatives in Congress, may secure through him one Cadet appointment. The Cadet so selected should remain four years, but in case he fails to do so, a vacancy arises which the Representative is called upon to fill with a new appointee. Of course, the same thing occurs when the Cadet graduates, and thus the number of Cadets is made equal to the number of Representatives and Delegates in Congress. In addition, every year the President of the United States appoints TEN Cadets, selected at his pleasure from any portion of the country. The appointments by Districts are really made by the Secretary of War, but only on the recommendation of the Member of Congress. An application made to the latter will show whether a vacancy exists—if so, the applicant must plead with him for it. The only other alternative is to secure the favor of being one of the TEN appointed by the President. The official qualifications are herewith appended: