On June 30 th, two recent Jupiter High Graduates began their 47 month experience at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Patrick O'Shaughnessy and Marshall Hine both received coveted appointments to West Point and have started Cadet Basic Training (otherwise known as "Beast Barracks"). The Beast lasts 6 ½ weeks during the summer and covers all areas of military basic training from marksmanship to chemical warfare. The training is conducted by West Point Upperclassmen as well as regular army NCO's and Officers.

The demanding schedule begins at 0530 each morning and lights out are at 2200. Each day is packed with physical training, classroom work, testing, military training, and athletic endurance tests. At the end of basic training the "New Cadets" spend an entire week in the field near West Point and then have a 12 mile hike back to the campus in full battle gear.

Of the 1292 new cadets that started on June 30 th, over 40 are expected to drop out of the Academy prior to the start of classes on August 18 th. The application, nomination and appointment/acceptance process to attend the USMA is daunting. Only those applicants with the highest leadership, academic, athletic, ethical, and social skills make the final cut. This year over 30,000 students opened application files. Of those, 10,131 completed the applications, 3,479 received nominations from their Senators or Congressmen, and 1,851 were found to be qualified to attend. Both Patrick and Marshall were thrilled to be among the 1292 that were chosen to receive appointments the USMA.

Patrick's mother Kristen of Jupiter and Marshall's parents Harrison and Cheryl of Tequesta attended the Reception Day activities. About 40 cadets and their families entered Eisenhower Hall at a time. After a short presentation the families were told to say their goodbyes to their new cadets. Then a terse announcement was made demanding that cadets needed to report to the front of the auditorium in 90 seconds. So began a backbreaking day of fitting, getting their "military haircuts", learning to follow barked commands, finding the barracks, and filling up a huge bag with everything from underwear to boots that the new cadet would need in the first year.

Meanwhile the parents, family and guest enjoyed a beautiful day at the stunning West Point Campus that has operated since 1802. Guided tours, demonstrations, gatherings, and food kept the parents and guests busy all day. The USMA Class of 1962 functions as the hosts for the cadets and their families for the duration of their time at West Point. There were many representatives from the 1962 class in attendance offering their help and advice to the parents during "R" Day.

At exactly 1740 hrs the new cadets, resplendent in their new gray uniforms marched to "Trophy Point" where the West Point Superintendent, Lt. General Franklin Hagenbeck administered the Oath to the class of 2012. After the ceremony the cadets marched directly back to their barracks with no contact with their family and friends. So began "Beast Barracks" for Patrick and Marshall.