HBHS Cadet Accepted to West Point

David Tang (Year 13) has been accepted to West Point, the United States Military Academy in New York, America. He is one of 15 international recruits, and the only recruit from the southern hemisphere to be accepted into this prestigious programme. He discussed his achievements on Friday:

What is West Point?

West Point is the oldest military academy in the United States. It is situated on West Point, on the banks of the Hudson River. It is a university; specifically and undergraduate college which educates officers of the United States Army.

Why does it appeal to you?

I get full scholarship there, and receive a high paying job directly afterwards. I will also be awarded full American citizenship after I graduate.

When you train, is it in a specialization?

The first year is a general year – they break you in. The second year would involve a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering for me, and I’ll be fixing army helicopters afterwards.

Have you confirmed your place in the programme?

Not yet. I have been accepted, but I haven’t decided whether or not to attend. This week I was interviewed at Devonport Naval Base by the Royal New Zealand Navy. There are significant cultural differences which I need to take into account before I decide which way I want to go. For example, in the first year at West Point, you are referred to as a ‘plebe’. Plebes are only allowed one weekend off a semester, and are observed all of the time. They are treated like the lowest form of life, as part of the process of being broken in. The control and surveillance aspects of the training are very, very restrictive in the first year. I need to decide if I want to be a part of that or not.

What is likely to sway you, one way of the other?

I was made the West Point offer in April, via the United States Embassy. I had a face-to-face interview in July and I was told that I’m the only one of the international recruits that doesn’t already have an established military background already. The other recruits are already officers in places like the Phillipines and South Korea. I was in America last year and was very impressed by what I saw. On that basis, American citizenship would be great. I see excitement and opportunity when I see the West Point offer, but the pull of the New Zealand offer is strong too. I have until April 2012 to weigh up all of the pros and cons of this decision.

What will you do in the meantime?

I will finish Level 3 NCEA to the best of my ability. Cadets gave me the opportunities I have in front of me, but I will need to finish up with them at the end of the year to pursue work. I am looking for a job overseas, and doing a little travel before I commit to one path in particular. There is a programme called JET (Japanese English Language Teaching) which pays very well for someone in my position. One of my mentors is working in this programme, and it looks very appealing to me at the moment.

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