WEST POINT, N.Y. (Michigan News Source) – For generations, West Point has shaped America’s military leaders. On Saturday, May 23, thirteen Michiganders joined the military academy’s “Long Gray Line.”
From thousands of applicants to 2nd lieutenants.
The 998 graduating cadets became 2nd lieutenants during the two hour ceremony. Getting into West Point is no easy task, and Saturday’s milestone represented years of perseverance before the students stepped up on the stage to receive their diplomas.
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West Point statistics report that 12,589 men and women applied to be a part of the Class of 2026 four years ago. The nomination process whittled that number down to 3,400. From there, 1,771 people qualified and 1,209 were eventually admitted.
High school academic achievement is only a part of the rigorous application process. Applicants must secure a nomination from a U.S. Congressman in their home district or U.S. Senator in their state, and complete an interview in front of a local representative committee.
The graduating class is now on their way to military assignments all over the world.
“Here am I. Send me.”
Saturday’s ceremony reflected on duty, honor, country, and future missions of the graduates. Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth, the commissioning ceremony’s guest speaker, centered his speech around the words in Isaiah 6:8, and Old Testament book, which details a conversation between God and the ancient prophet. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!'”
Hegseth said, “Four years ago, you raised your right hand, swore an oath to preserve and defend the Constitution, and in that moment, you said to your country, send me. And here you are. You survived beast barracks, you survived the early morning formations, the Saturday morning inspections, the academics, [and] the grueling physical demands. You’ve proven that you have what it to lead our nation’s top 1%…and now today, we are going to send you.”
“Unity is our strength.”
Hegseth didn’t mince words when it came to the policies of the Biden administration, calling out the “foolish and feckless leaders” who instituted the “DEI craze.”
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“I’m here to tell you the slow slide here at West Point and across the United States Army is over,” Hegseth said. “You, this group, represents the snapback.”
Hegseth also called attention to what he called the “single dumbest phrase in military history” when the army pushed the “diversity is our strength” motto. Hegseth pointed out that those phrases cannot be tolerated in military formations and assignments. “These ideas are what get people killed. Diversity is not our strength. Unity is our strength. The call is ‘send us’ — not ‘send he’, not ‘send she,’ not ‘send they/them.’ It’s ‘send us.'”
This we’ll defend.
In addition, Hegseth highlighted this year’s U.S. Army recruiting goals, which it achieved four months ahead of schedule with 61,500 new soldiers. According to The Pentagon, it marks the second consecutive record year. In 2025, the Army set a goal of 61,000 and exceeded it with 62,050.
