On December 17, thirty-five members of the Class of 2021 graduated and got their chance to toss their hats in celebration. Academic Dean, BG Shane Reeves ’96, presided over the graduation ceremony in Eisenhower Hall while the families and loved ones of the graduates watched excitedly from the auditorium seats. Also lending their support to the event were four members of the Class of 1971, the graduates’ 50-year affiliate class. The four Old Grads joined the Dean on stage as the graduates received their diplomas, congratulating each graduate with a set of Second Lieutenant bars. Read more.

A game-winning field goal from kicker Cole Talley ’24 was the difference in the Army Black Knights' 24-22 victory over Missouri in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Wednesday night at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Though Army (9-4) did not gain the lead until the fourth quarter, which saw 16 combined points scored, Talley's 41-yard boot helped the Cadets improve to 4-0 in the Armed Forces Bowl as the game clock expired. In addition to Talley's efforts, the team was also boosted to the win by linebacker Arik Smith, who was named the game MVP. The team captain finished the night with 12 tackles and a pair of sacks for 13 yards. Full story.

The Class of 1968 recently voted to make a gift of $242,000 to the new Character Development Lab, a Margin of Excellence program that falls under the Academy’s Character Integration and Advisory Group (CIAG). The purpose of establishing a character lab at USMA is to advance scientific insights that help cultivate a culture of character growth and, ultimately, produce leaders of character that live and lead honorably as they serve the nation. The Character Development Lab will conduct moral-action scenarios to facilitate assessment of character development interventions. With this gift, the Class of '68 proudly helps launch this initiative directly supporting the Academy's mission to develop leaders of character. Their gift will fund initial equipment expenses and endow equipment needs going forward. We thank the Class of 1968 for the Academy’s first gift to the Character Development Lab. Read more about the CIAG.

The WPAOG Career Services team is excited to reconnect in person with you at our fast-approaching Service Academy Career Conference (SACC), taking place February 24-25 in sunny Jacksonville, FL. As you hunt for your next job or transition to a new career path this year, you can count on the SACC to continue providing you with outstanding opportunities to meet with hiring managers and recruiters from our industry-leading employer connections. Learn more and register here.

GEN Stan McChrystal ’76 transformed American special operations, defeated Al Qaida in Iraq, and earned a reputation as one of America’s greatest living soldiers and leaders. McChrystal’s insight shines a light on a central truth about people. Human beings are not rational actors. We are rationalizing ones. We think that we have desires and then act on them. But in reality we take actions, then construct reasons (usually self-justifying ones) afterward. How then do leaders fight back against such pressures? How do we know when we’re succumbing to them? West Point’s cadet prayer can help. The prayer includes the sentence, “Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half-truth when the whole can be won.” Read more.

In 2022, mandatory distributions from a regular IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan will be reduced. This is the amount, subject to certain exceptions, that an owner must withdraw each year upon reaching 72. Previously, the age at which required minimum distributions began was 70½. For more information, visit our website.

On October 22, 2021, CDT Paolo Bou ’22 was sitting in a hotel room with her sister, getting acclimated to the 12,000-foot altitude of La Paz, Bolivia, preparing to represent her home of Puerto Rico on the tennis courts at the Billie Jean King Cup. This experience did not seem possible to Bou four years ago when she began the admission process into USMA. Bou’s relentless perseverance and drive helped her overcome the numerous obstacles in her path to becoming one of the most important pieces to the success of the Women’s Tennis Team at Army West Point over the past four years. Full story.

The Pat Tillman Foundation selects remarkable service members, veterans, and military spouses as they look to begin their next chapter as public and private sector leaders. Tillman Scholars have the opportunity to earn more than a military scholarship; they are part of a network of leaders making an impact. Applications to be a 2022 Tillman Scholar are being accepted throughout February. Learn more about the Pat Tillman Foundation's Tillman Scholars Program, including how to apply here.

Start the new year off right with a welcomed change to traditional mats. Our customized doormats are now available to include your class year and motto. Made of natural materials, including coconut fiber for strength and durability, our 18x30 inch mats are excellent dirt trappers—perfect for all that winter brings to the door. Available now through February, order yours today for an April delivery. Please note we must sell two per class to produce. Order one for you and one for a roommate!  Call us with questions or to place an order at 800.426.4725. Shop online at wpaoggiftshop.com and state your class year in the comment section at checkout.