West Point

West Point, site of, and common name for, the U.S. Military Academy in southeast New York, an institute of higher education that trains officers for the regular army. Established by an Act of Congress in 1802, its training methods and traditions were set down by Col. Sylvanus Thayer, superintendent of the academy from 1817 to 1833. Candidates for entry (since 1976, of either sex) to the academy must be unmarried U.S. citizens age 17–22 and must meet minimum academic requirements. Cadets are enlisted in the regular army on entrance. Graduates are awarded a B.S. degree and a commission as second lieutenant.

See also: United States Military Academy.