View of group cadets from the chest down wearing fatigues and boots on grass

West Point cadets during a staff ride at Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, Md.

Zach Anderson

The Academies

Cadets. Midshipmen. Rats. Plebes. The long gray line. Whatever you call them, those who study at America’s service academies are part of a great tradition and legacy. From West Point to the U.S. Air Force Academy, learn more about the history and impact of these federal institutions for the undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers.

William Hereford
Warrior Legacy
The American Battlefield Trust’s Warrior Legacy project showcases the deep connections that today’s veterans and active duty military retain to their historic forebearers