Mike in New York with James

Michael and James - two Strake Jesuit buddies take on Time Square and all the lights. Michael really enjoys these weekend passes and James took advantage of the three day Columbus Day weekend to fly up and spend some time with Michael. They both stayed with Michael's older brother, Terry Jr.

West Point Wins!

Like any college, the weekend highlight is the home football game. On Oct. 1, 2011 West Point held their homecoming game agaist Tuland University in Michie Stadium. The Black Knights won 45-6. As is tradition, all 4200 cadets attend home football games together. West Point is famous for its tail gate parites, but visitors most treasure seeing the cadet review drill on the plain. Game day is a family affair and the basketball team does its part by hosting a tent area in the "black knight alley" where they sign autographs for kids and assist with shooting skills.

Pictures of Michael

We spent the end of our summer trying to find any pictures of Michael during basic training. With basic training behind him, Michael is able to provide us pictures himself. I am not sure which was easier on us, finding them on the web sites or getting Michael to slow down and snap a few for us. After many requests for pictures in different uniforms, he provided these with a promise to send pictures more often. We will see ....

2nd Week of Classes

The second week of classes was full of unexpected excitement as the plebes not only dealt with the rigorous academics environment, but an earthquake and hurricane. The earthquake was hardly noticed and it appears the hurricane (now a tropical storm) will be the same. The cadets were placed under "code red" which means they must stay in their barracks and all activities are canceled. They are getting more comfortable in their new living space and after many request Michael sent a few pictures of his room. He even included his basketball locker.

Look at Michael's Room

Pictures of West Point

A-Day Pictures

Acceptance Day - Class of 2015

A very special event for West Point took place on August 13, 2011. The class of 2015 was accepted into the Corps of Cadets during a full brigade review; also known as the Acceptance Day Parade. The A-Day parade is rich in symbolism, as the soon to be plebes are in formation in front of the upperclassmen. They are given the order to join their new company and soon disappear into the mass of 4,000 cadets. Each complete company then parades pass the reviewing stand and head back to the barracks. Many feel the A-Day parade is second only to the graduation parade in which the first class graduating cadets march with their company for the last time.
The six weeks of beast barracks in now but a memory. No longer new cadets, they are now Plebes looking forward to the challenge of college academics. Go Army!

March Back Video

Take a few minutes and watch a video clip of the March Back. It made me cry. You will see Company H around 2:00 minutes into the video. Michael is on the left side and comes into view around 2 minutes and 11 seconds. Look for the tall guy on the left side.

Beast Is Over!

Congratulation to all the new cadets as they completed Cadet Basic Training with a 12-mile ruck march also known as the March Back. The West Point community lined the roads and welcomed the cadets back to post with cheers and well wishes. The cadets have a busy week getting ready for the academic year to start. They have moved to their new rooms and will soon have their computers and communication with the outside world.

Michael got his cell phone back on Monday night and reported the road march went well. He said the basketball coaches marched the 12 miles with the NCs to encourage everyone on.Michael and his roommate from CBT will remain roommate during the academic year. Michael was very excited about that. He got along well with his roommate.

The re-orgy week will keep the new cadets busy with setting up their new room for inspection, picking up class schedules, books and additional uniforms.

Being assigned to a new company brings the challenge of greeting all new upperclassmen and learning their ranks. In addition, they will drill every day in practice for the Acceptance Day ceremony scheduled for Saturday morning. They will take part in the traditional plebe pillow fight on Friday where all the soonto be plebes suit up in helmets and take to the court yard to do battle. The A-Day ceremony will mark the change in status from "new cadet" to "cadet" as they become officially a part of the "Long gray line."Terry and I would like to thank all of you who sent cards and letters during beast. It was your words of encouragement and prayers that help Michael get through it.

May God bless all the cadets in our service academies and all the men and women who serve our country with honor and pride! GO ARMY!

It's Almost Over

This is Michael's last week of Beast. Over the past five weeks he has become skilled in marksmanship, land navigation, live fire, rappeling and much more. Check out this video created by WPAOG.

One Week To Go!

The final week of basic is upon the new cadets and soon they will be accepted into the corp of cadets as plebes. Here are some recent pictures with Michael and his friends looking happier than earlier photos. Michael made his 3rd and final phone call of beast barracks to us on Saturday evening. Except for a slight cold, he is in good health and determined to make it through the week. He was in good spirits and looking forward to moving to his new academic company, especially since he learned his entire squad of 10 will stay together. He was looking forward to "live fire" on Monday and on Wednesday everyone heads out to Camp Buckner for the final days of field training ending with a 12 mile march back. He again thanked everyone for the cards and letters. We asked if he was getting too much mail and he replied "Oh no, we can never have too much mail. It's the highlight of our day."

Last week we learned of the death of New Cadet Jacob Bower during field training. Please pray for Jacob, his family, and all the service men and women who serve our country.

Week 5 Activities

Four weeks down and two to go. This week will be full of "Out Door Training & Team Building Drills." These are not pictures of Michael's squad, however; you will get a feel for what the NCs are doing.

Wed. July 20 at Catholic Chaplains Time

The new cadets are in good spirits and enjoy refreshments after the Chaplains service. Rumor has it the Catholic Chaplains time is one of the best on post, based on the treats served. Michael writes often and expresses his gratitude for all the cards and letters he has received from all of you.

This past Sunday was special as it marked the half-way point of Beast Barracks (Cadet Basic Training). We received a phone call from Michael and he sounds great. He was relieved to have his first day off in 3 weeks and the ability to call home. Maybe more importantly he was able to get on Facebook. He thinks the worst part is behind him and he is beginning to enjoy his fellow new cadets. He reports the food is great and he even likes the army MRE's (meals ready to eat).

The next 2 weeks will be out in the field repelling down mountains and marksmanship with guns and big army toys. Please pray for the new cadets and all our servicemen around the world. Go Army!

Michael's Squad Members

On July 15, 2011 all new cadets participated in the first Goeke Challenge with their squad. The competition is timed, but the actual goal is for new cadets to work well in a team. The Goeke Challenge is named after LT Christopher Goeke, who died July 13, 2010, in Kandahar City Afghanistan.

Goeke Challenge

Etiquette Meal

This is not a picture of Michael; however, every new cadet goes through an "etiquette meal". Here a new cadet properly passes and holds a platter to another fellow cadet during the dining etiquette class in the Black, Gray and Gold Room in the Mess Hall. New Cadets learn the American and Continental styles of eating, proper use of utensils, appropriate dinner conversation, mealtime manners, and courtesy at the table. This is part of the "Social Dimension" of leader development at West Point.

Six Mile Ruckmarch

Here are some pics of H Company following their six mile ruckmarch this morning. Michael and his Company are undergoing foot checks on the Apron. Blisters are one of the largest causes of missed training and so the cadre and assigned active duty medics pay particular attention to the feet of new cadets as they do these conditioning ruckmarches. Great job. Beat Navy!

First Phone Call - Wed. July 6 th

Michael called today with his first of 3 phone calls during beast barracks. His voice was strong and he sounded very mature. He is enjoying the letters and jokes and has received mail every day except one. He likes his roommate and says he is talkative. They keep them very busy. He loves the food and has not had a meal he did not like. As expected, he enjoys his time in the basketball gym and is doing very well. The weather has been great at night but the days can get close to the '90's. He is learning not to forget things... he may be learning the hard way. He commented on how hard the gas chamber was and the effect on his body. He survived! When asked if he likes West Point, he replied "ya, I'm getting the hang of it. I'm doing fine. He is looking forward to New York city after beast barracks.

More pictures of Michael

The new cadets marched into the amphitheater at Trophy Point on the 4th of July for a concert and fireworks.

The Gas Chamber Sunday, July 3rd

We received our second letter from New Cadet Michael today. In his first letter he said day one was hard but he was getting the hang of things. The second letter was written on his second day and he said the day went by faster, but he still has six weeks to go. By the time we received the letter week one was gone. Five more to go. He request letters with jokes and movie quotes so he can entertain his sargent and company. Thanks for your prayers for Michael and all the new cadets. Go Army!

Physical Training Test

Michael's company was not on camera, but this an example of the new cadet physical training test. Go Army, Beat Navy!

Swim Test

The swim test is a nice break from the heat. Michael is in the pool. He is 5th from the left.

Weekly Schedule

Week one is just about over. Here's a schedule of what Michael will be doing the next five weeks

Lunch Formation

Company H in formation before lunch on June 30th. Michael and his fellow new cadets are reading from the Plebe Book of Knowledge.

You will find Michael about 4:07 minutes into the video. Enjoy!

"R-Day" Michael Reports to West Point - June 27, 2011

Michael's first day at West Point. After reporting at 7:30 am, like the other 1,250 new cadets, he was issued uniforms and taught to march. Lots to learn in a 10 hour day.

First Hair Cut

The Black Knight basketball team enjoyed BarBQ at the coaches home the night before R-Day. As is tradition, the new cadets had thier heads shaved by the prep school players. Michael and Jalen sport their new cuts in the hotel room.