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Army Corps Supports Branch Week at USMA West Point

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - New York District
Published Sept. 10, 2022
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New York District Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Matthew Pride with a Cadet during Branch Week at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

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A U.S. Army helicopter on the grounds of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, during Branch Week.

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Cadets visit the New York District display booth during Branch Week at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, participated in Branch Week at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York ─ an annual event providing Cadets an opportunity to become more familiar with the different branches of the U.S. Army and meet with experienced Soldiers and Army leaders to discuss potential career paths.

U.S. Army Branches

The District joined nearly 20 branches of the Army that had staffed display booths with informational materials and equipment demonstrating their services, missions and what prospective Soldiers can expect should they choose that path. A sampling of Army Branches participating included Infantry, Military Intelligence, Transportation Corps, Ordinance, Signal Corps, Medical Corps, Military Police and Quartermaster Corps ─ branches that help make the U.S. Army the strongest in the world.

New York District Commander Col. Matthew Luzzatto, a West Point graduate, commented: “Our District has a robust military construction mission at West Point providing modern living and learning environments for Cadets. We’re pleased to support Branch Week providing information about careers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ─ we hire scientists, engineers, biologists, construction and project managers, program and budget analysts, and professionals in many other disciplines.”

New York District Presence

New York’s booth was manned by District Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Matthew Pride, along with Maj. Kevin Park, Capt. Peter Neise and 1st Lt. Anne Schreiner from the District’s West Point Area Office. Throughout the week-long event, Cadets had an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Army Corps’ missions in civil works, military construction, environmental restoration, coastal-storm risk management, and many others.

Formal Learning

Activities also included more formal learning ─ Branch Engagement ─ a mandatory activity for 1st and 2nd Class Cadets visiting their top two Branches of interest in a classroom setting. There, Branch Proponents and Army Centers of Excellence speak directly with Cadets about their respective programs and Army leaders share their experiences and perspectives. 1st Class Cadets make their final Branch selections in late October.

Kicking off Branch Week was the Commandant’s Welcome for personnel to build rapport and teamwork (a commandant is an officer in charge of a military training establishment or academy.) Later in the week, West Point Commandant Brig. Gen. Mark C. Quander hosted a breakfast for distinguished visitors and senior leaders from each of the 18 Army Branches, formally welcoming representatives to West Point.

A separate activity was a briefing for the commandants and senior representatives from each Army Branch to provide an overview of the Cadet’ branching education glidepath and U.S. Military Academy branching process. The event concluded with a Branch Recognition Parade, Combined Arms Tailgate and football game against the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).