Perched above the Hudson River, the United States Military Academy at West Point offers inspiring natural beauty, unique historical sites, and all the amenities of a first-class institution of higher education. The primary focus for those stationed at West Point is educating and training the more than 4,000 cadets attending the Academy and the West Point Prep School. Cadets are at the heart of a USMA assignment and the opportunity to mentor and sponsor the next generation of Army leaders is a highlight for families stationed at West Point.
West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States and history buffs will adore the installation’s links to the Revolutionary War. Trophy Point, a beautiful vantage point on the Hudson River, is both a historical site and a great venue for concerts and sightseeing. This combination of history and the beauty of the Hudson River is why West Point ranks second only to New York City as a New York state tourist destination.
Life at West Point centers around the Corps of Cadets (the students at West Point), but with that comes many amenities that are unique for an Army post. Autumn is dominated by Army football at Michie Stadium, continually ranked one of the best venues for college football in America, but the opportunity to watch Division I sporting events extends across the academic year. The West Point band hosts fantastic, and free, concerts on Trophy Point during the summer months, and Eisenhower Hall is a concert venue that attracts top artists and plays year-round. Some of the other unique amenities include a ski slope, horse stables, and a recreation area featuring a mountain top lake. New York City is also an easy day trip away and is accessible by train if schlepping to the city by car isn’t your cup of tea.
Many stationed at West Point choose to live on post and take advantage of the easy commute and access to USMA activities. Houses on post can be on the small side for junior enlisted soldiers, company grade officers, and field grade officers, but neighborhoods tend to be close knit and very social. Some bristle at the fishbowl-like experience of living so close to your neighbors, but most enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere and wealth of activities available on post.
There are more varied housing options in the surrounding towns of the Hudson Valley such as Monroe, Cornwall, or Cold Spring, but contending with a hilly drive in the winter months is the trade-off for freedom of choice and more space. There is an elementary and middle school on post, both run by the Department of Defense. High school-aged students attend James O’Neill High School in nearby Highland Falls.
A tour at West Point is a career highlight for many Army families, both for West Point graduates and non-graduates alike. Whether it’s watching the Black Knights parachute team deliver the game ball at a football game or having the chance to play cadet for a day during the rehearsal for Reception Day, living on West Point offers many experiences that you won’t find anywhere else in the Army.
