About Bill Taylor Expertise I can answer questions about admissions to West Point; about the history of West Point; about how to travel to West Point, where to eat, where to stay, etc.; and about West Point`s alumni organization, the West Point Association of Graduates.
Experience I am a 1970 Graduate of West Point. I served six years on active duty and another 8 years in the active reserve. I have been actively involved as a Field Admissions Representative for over 15 years and have participated on my Congressman's Academy Selection Panel for over 20 years. I am actively involved in West Point Alumni affairs, serving in roles both with the West Point Association of Graduates and the local alumni chapter in Annapolis, MD. I also have two sons who graduated from West Point in 1995 and 2001. Both are veterans of the Iraq war and continue to serve on Active Duty in the Army.
Question I am a cavalry reenactor in Texas. I am trying to counter the, "Uniformed cowboy" image that comes from the movies. I saw an academic program description from the pre-civil war period a while back and have not been able to find it again. From what I remember, John Wayne would have had to be fluent in French, pre-calculus math and would have had a class in, "Social Decorum."
Thank you
David Shane
Answer It's good to hear from you, David. Thanks for your interest in West Point.
While I personally don't have any curriculum information from the mid-18th century, your characterization of studying a foreign language, math and developing social skills sounds on target to me.
If you want to dig further into details, you might contact Suzanne Christoff, the Associate Director for Special Collections and Archives (845-938-3259) at the Military Academy Library. She or her staff should be able to provide some samples of curriculum during the 1850s.
