by MAJ James S. "Jimmy" Kleager

On 5 May 2007, the West Point Chapter of the NIA held its annual Send Off at Camp Buckner to congratulate the graduating Infantry Firstie’s (seniors). It was a balmy day as the teams arrived for the first event of the afternoon. In true Infantry fashion, the chapter held a competition consisting of a five-mile ruck march, a three-mile run, a 250-meter swim and as many pulls ups as possible. 

The teams launched on the ruck march. The first team cleared the transition area to start the run two minutes ahead of the second place team. The leading teams entered the 55-degree water one minute apart, and the lead team was overtaken during the swim. It came down to the pull ups where the first place team held onto to their victory.  

            After the teams dried off and recovered around a BBQ pit, the USMA Infantry Tactics Club walked out of the woods with camouflage on their face and a great Infantry smell. As everyone ate their fill, the West Point Chapter awarded Orders of Saint Maurice to SFC David Kirby and Mr. John Walsh (PL in WWII and member of the 35^th IN DIV Chapter). Next, the chapter presented CDT Paul Cheval the West Point Top Infantry Cadet award for his contributions to the Corps and his fellow Infantry Cadets. BG Robert Caslen, USMA Commandant, closed the ceremony with parting words to the Graduating Class. The evening ended with a bonfire on the beach while all watched the Tactics Club depart in four UH-60 Blackhawks on an Air Assault to conduct an attack on the MOUT site.

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This story was submitted by infantrynews on November 6, 2007 - 2:29pm.

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