CHS grad completes basic training at West Point Military Academy
By Marlo Pronovost
Stillwater County News Reporter
Photo courtesy of the Solomon family
Columbus High School graduate Andre Solomon has completed cadet basic training at the West Point Military Academy in New York.
Solomon began basic training on June 27 -- shortly after graduating from CHS. The six-week program of Cadet Basic Training is considered “one of the most challenging events a cadet will encounter over the course” of the four years spent at the academy, according to West Point.
The initial military training program provides cadets with basic skills to instill discipline, pride, cohesion, confidence and a high sense of duty to prepare them for entry into the Corps of Cadets. First aid, mountaineering, hand grenades, rifle marksmanship and nuclear, biological and chemical training are all covered in the program, according to a press release from West Point regarding Solomon’s basic training completion.
Solomon is now one month into his classroom curriculum, which consist of courses such as Advanced Multivariable Calculus, boxing (which is mandatory) as well as a Russian class, which his mother says is his favorite.
“He is thinking about majoring in Russian which would give him opportunities, while at the academy, to visit the country and experience things there,” said Suzy Solomon, Andre’s mother.
Solomon plays trumpet in the Spirit Band, is involved in intramural football as well as the fly fishing and hunting clubs.
He also has pending applications to the Whitewater Kayaking Club and aviation club, which would allow him to earn his pilot’s license.
“I think the most challenging thing for Andre is trying to balance his academics with everything else going on,” said Suzy Solomon. “His weekends are usually spent catching up on homework.”
It will be Christmas before Solomon will be able to come home, but his parents are keeping in close touch via internet video conferencing.
“It makes it seem like he’s not too far away. We miss him very much but are extremely proud of him and his accomplishments,” said Suzy Solomon.
He plans to graduate from West Point in 2015 and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
The mission of the U.S. Military Academy is to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the United States Army.
For more than 200 years, West Point has produced scores of the nation’s leaders, including presidents, astronauts, pioneering engineers, renowned athletes, CEOs of major companies and founders of Universities.
Only 1,000 cadets were appointed to the class of 2015. Roughly 4,000 hopefuls sought to get into the historic military academy.
