[www.inewsguyana.com] – A female Guyana Defense Force officer cadet was presented a certificate of appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York on Thursday, April 30 at a small ceremony which was held at Base Camp Stephenson.
According to a media release from the United States (US) Embassy in Georgetown, officer candidate Britany Van Lange, received her appointment from U.S. Embassy Georgetown’s Senior Defense Official, LCDR Robert Novotny. Ms. Van Lange will join her older brother Errol, who is currently enrolled at West Point in the Class of 2016.
The ceremony was chaired by the army’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips. He spoke of the many benefits officers and enlisted ranks have gained from training in the United States over the years, but stressed that an appointment to West Point is “at the top of the list”.
The release added that the United States Military Academy serves to prepare students, known as the Corps of Cadets, for service in the United States Army. The mission of West Point is to educate, train and inspire the Corps so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character, committed to the values of Duty, Honor, and Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to their nation.
West Point provides a four-year education which focuses on the leadership development of the Corps of Cadets, all underwritten by adherence to a code of honor. Ethical and moral development is emphasized as is selfless service to one’s country.
Additionally, it stated that West Point is universally regarded as one of the finest universities in the United States; selection for admission is incredibly difficult, as each year only 1200 of over 13,000 applicants are offered appointments to join the incoming class, an acceptance rate of just 9%. West Point alumni include two Presidents of the United States, presidents of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and The Philippines, numerous famous generals, and seventy-five Medal of Honor recipients.
