Military academy at west point is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious of the federal service academies.
West point military academy new york. Corps of engineers with a class of 5 officers and 10 cadets on march 16 1802. 1 thayer road west point ny. It is the oldest of the five american service academies due to the academy s age and its unique purpose of producing army. The united states military academy usma also known as west point army army west point the academy or simply the point is a four year federal service academy in west point new york it was originally established as a fort that sits on strategic high ground overlooking the hudson river with a scenic view 50 miles 80 km north of new york city.
Military academy at west point established by an act of congress in 1802 the u s. The united states military academy west point new york is an institution of great historical military and national importance that trains young men and woman to become outstanding leaders academically and physically to be prepared to better serve their country. A model for all cadets the commandant is an academy graduate of. On january 27 1778 brigadier general samuel holden parsons and his.
In your gps type in. The commandant of cadets is the ranking officer in charge of the corps of cadets at the united states military academy at west point new york the commandant is head of the department of tactics and under the superintendent is responsible for the administration discipline and military training of cadets at the academy. Shown is the. Just 45 minutes north of new york city west point sits high on a hill overlooking the hudson river.
Located on the hudson river in new york west point was identified by general george washington as the most important strategic position in america during the american revolution until january 1778 west point was not occupied by the military. West point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the united states. The united states military academy west point new york is an institution of great historical military and national importance that trains young men and woman to become outstanding leaders. It was originally founded as a school for the u s.
The united states military academy usma is a federal service academy located at west point new york that educates and commissions officers for the united states army the academy was formally founded in 1802 and graduated its first class in october of the same year. United states military academy byname west point academy institution of higher education for the training of commissioned officers for the united states army. This address takes you to the thayer gate. Military academy at west point s mission is to educate train and inspire the corps of cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of duty honor country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the united states army.
Thomas jefferson selected the location at the mouth of the hudson river to protect what was then the capitol of the nation in new york.