US Military Academy COA

The United States Military Academy at West Point (also known as USMA, West Point, or Army) is a four-year coeducational federal service academy (United States Service academies) located at West Point (West Point, New York), New York. Established in 1802, USMA is the oldest of the United Statess five service academies (United States Service academies). The military garrison at West Point was occupied in 1778 and played a key role in the Revolutionary War (American Revolution). The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, convert50mikm0sp=us north of New York City. The entire central campus is a national landmark (National Historic Landmark) and home to scores of historic sites, buildings, and monuments. The majority of the campuss neogothic (Gothic Revival architecture) buildings are constructed from gray and black granite. The campus is a popular tourist destination complete with a large visitor center and the oldest museum in the United States Army.

Candidates for admission must both apply directly to the academy and receive a nomination, usually from a congressman (United States House of Representatives). Students are officers-in-training and are referred to as cadets. Tuition for cadets is fully funded by the Army in exchange for an active duty service obligation upon graduation. Approximately 1,300 cadets enter the Academy each spring with about 1,000 cadets graduating. Graduates are commissioned (commissioned officer) as second lieutenants (Second lieutenant#United States). The academic program grants a bachelor of science degree with a curriculum that grades cadets performance upon a broad academic program, military leadership performance, and mandatory participation in competitive athletics. Cadets are required to adhere to the Cadet Honor Code, which states that "a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do".

Because of the academys age and unique mission, its traditions influenced other institutions. It was the first American college to have class rings, and its technical curriculum was a model for later engineering schools. West Points student body has a unique rank structure and lexicon. All cadets reside on campus and dine together en masse on weekdays for breakfast and lunch. The academy fields fifteen mens and nine womens National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports teams while every student competes in at least one sport, either at intramural or intercollegiate level, each semester. Its football (college football) team was a national power in the early and mid 20th century, winning three national championships. Its alumni and students are collectively referred to as "The Long Gray Line" and its ranks include two Presidents of the United States (President of the United States), numerous famous generals (General (United States)), and seventy-four Medal of Honor recipients.