West Point grads learn life lessons

If there was one thing 2004 Clovis High alumnus Jeff Epps took away from four years at the country’s military academy it would be learning to accept failure.

It wasn’t until the former Wildcat quarterback and linebacker went to the United States Military Academy at West Point that he made his first F grade.

“They just throw so much at you that you’re always going to have a failure,” he said. “You learn to accept that you’re not perfect.”

Epps, 23, graduated in May from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in mechanical engineering and the rank of lieutenant in the United States Army.

Josh Person, a 2003 Clovis High alumnus also graduated from West Point in May.

Epps’ father, Tony, said he is very proud of his son who graduated in the top half of his class.

“It’s pretty exciting, knowing the hard work it took,” he said.

Wanting to fly

Epps said his fascination with flying — particularly helicopters — brought him to apply at the country’s military academy at West Point.

He said he was interested in learning to fly planes and jets as a child, but his passion for flying helicopters started during his junior year when he and his classmates went on a trip to Boise State University where a medevac helicopter pilot spoke to the class about his job.

“As soon as he spoke, I knew I wanted to be a rescue pilot,” he said.

He was cleaning pools the summer before his senior year when one of his clients, Ernest “Doc” Stewart, a Navy veteran and Cannon Air Force Base supporter, suggested the Army if he wanted to fly helicopters, instead of the Air Force, which Epps was planning to join. After asking him about his grades and extracurricular activities, Stewart also suggested Epps apply to West Point instead of going through a recruiter.

Tony said Stewart, who died in 2006, helped get his son’s appointments rolling. He said one of Stewart’s sons graduated from West Point.

“Doc Stewart was a big help,” he said.

First day

The fist day at West Point was shocking, said Epps. Parents and the candidates were gathered into an auditorium where they had 60 seconds to say good bye. Tony said West Point officials counted down as he and his wife said good bye to their only son.

“They don’t tell you that’s going to happen,” said Epps.

The candidates were taken into another room where they were given a taste of military treatment.

“The second (the door closes) you are getting yelled at,” he said.

The candidate’s heads were shaved, they put on military-issued clothes, and were given a cadet knowledge book which they had to memorize.

“It was kind of a flash,” he said. “They turn you from a civilian into a semi-soldier in a half a day.”

In the auditorium, parents were briefed on what their sons and daughters will go through at West Point.

Tony said a West Point official asked how many parents had children who made a 4.0 grade point average in high school. Tony, along with a large number of parents, raised his hand.

“They said, ‘It’s not going to happen here,’” he said.

That evening, the parents were given one more time to see their children.

“The last time you see them as kids, in the evening they look like soldiers,” Tony said. “It’s pretty neat to see how they can turn them around in a seven-hour period of time.”

The Beast

Cadets go through a two-month period of intense physical and mental training, referred to as “The Beast.”

The physical training was so rigorous that Epps, who had played high school football at 220 pounds, dropped to 170 pounds from 205 pounds in the first two weeks.

Epps said aside from physical training, West Point candidates are taught military decorum.

“They’re teaching you both the West Point and Army way of life,” he said.

At the end of the two months, candidates who pass are accepted as West Point cadets.

Challenges

Freshman, or plebes, at West Point pull menial duties, Epps said. Plebes are tasked to serve meals, deliver laundry and the newspaper and were put on latrine duty. On top of that was all the memorization they had to do, he said. Plebes were required to read at least three New York Times articles, which they either had to recite verbatim or use in a conversation. They are also required to memorize menus for the week and important dates such as the graduation date for seniors.

“Freshman year is pretty much a suck fest,” Epps said.

Failure at any of the tasks would result in punishment designed to waste the freshmen’s time.

“Time is so precious, there’s so many things you have to do,” he said.

But the duties taught the freshmen time management, he said, a useful skill later on in their academic career. Epps said the memorization drills taught him how to think on his feet.

Learning to fail

But the biggest challenge wasn’t physical, said Epps, who started working out at a young age. The challenge was accepting failure and moving on after.

“You could put your heart into something and everyday still fail at one thing,” he said. “You just keep on trying. You learn to overcome that hiccup.”

Epps said he got his first F grade in an English class after writing five drafts in two weeks.

“I’ve never made anything that poor in my life,” he said. “As a high school student I always made straight A’s easily, or put a little more effort into something.”

Aside from academics, cadets are required to take up sports. Epps played intramural football. He also played in the drum line because he wanted to attend football games.

Future plans

Epps said he will spend two years in flight school in Fort Rucker, Ala. starting in August. After flight school, Epps said he will serve another five years in the Army.

He said he hasn’t decided if he will stay in the army after that. He said he still plans to become a medevac or a rescue helicopter pilot but nothing is set in stone.

“I just want to fly,” he said.

Applying to West Point:

The application process starts with a nomination from congress which includes the vice president, members of the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Each member has 10 nomination slots, according to Epps, who received a nomination from Sen. Pete Domenici, R–N.M.

Candidates should have above average SAT and ACT test scores, take a medical exam and the Candidate Fitness Assessment test.

Candidates must also have a clean criminal record.

“The big mistakes as a child will affect you,” Epps said.

The military academy’s Web site recommends candidates starting a file with the academy during the spring of their junior year.

For more information visit the academy’s admissions Web site: http://admissions.usma.edu.

Terms:

Plebe - Freshmen

Yuck - Sophomore

Cow - Junior

Firstie - Senior