The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

The New Class of 2027 kickstarted their day by enduring trials and obstacles and adapting to West Point culture as the cadet cadre guided them through multiple stages that brought them closer to becoming new cadets during Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy. Photo by Jorge Garcia/ USMA PAO.

It was a life-defining step for many young men and women as parents hugged and waved their sons and daughters goodbye before the Class of 2027 endured the trials and obstacles of Reception Day on June 26 at the U.S. Military Academy.

More than 1,240 new cadets out of a pool of nearly 12,600 applicants were accepted to West Point, where they will face many physical and mental challenges throughout their 47-month experience to become leaders of character and join the Long Gray Line.

However, reaching that milestone comes with braving the culture shock of adapting to the West Point way of life and embracing a military lifestyle.

New cadet Trieste Perciavaloe said she always wanted to serve in the Army and immersing herself as a cadet was the best way to learn about Army culture.

Many new cadets stood in line with their parents to enter Eisenhower Hall Theatre and embrace them one last time before going through the hurdles of R-Day. However, Perciavaloe's parents were unable to accompany her, but she felt that her parents were with her in spirit.

"They're so excited for it. They're very supportive, but they don't know much about Army culture," Perciavaloe said. "Hi, mom. Hi, dad. Thanks for supporting me and I love you."

While she has not decided what her major will be, Perciavaloe said she is very interested in possibly pursuing a career in military intelligence.

"I haven't officially decided yet, but hopefully I can get into something either like political science or something very law based," Perciavaloe added. "I also have an interest in working in military intelligence."

For New Cadet Trey McGinnis Jr., receiving a degree in chemical engineering is one of his primary goals.

"I took Advanced Placement Chemistry in high school, and I really enjoyed it, and I just want to continue that," McGinnis said. "That's why I chose West Point. It's one of the top schools in the nation and the best military academy in the world. It's a beautiful campus, with great people here. There's nowhere else to go."

According to Trey McGinnis Sr., his son is also following a similar path to his grandfather, who served decades ago in the Army as an enlisted Soldier.

"It's amazing. He's going be successful. He always has been," McGinnis Sr. said. "I'm very proud of him. Just like his grandfather, who bears the same name, was an enlisted Soldier. We're really excited. He's going to do some great things and he'll be a blessing to the country."

Vonetta McGinnis expressed how proud she was that Trey left his comfort zone and took the first step in achieving his goals while working to join the Long Gray Line.

"I'm extremely proud of him," Vonetta said. "Having a connection to the Army is something that the family hasn't experienced in a long time, but I'm proud that he took that step and is doing something that's unfamiliar in coming to serve our country.

"It's surreal but I'm not surprised because that's just the kind of kid that he is," She added. "He's always excelled at things that he's done. I'm just so just proud of him."

Under torrential thunder  storms, the cadet cadre guided the new cadets through multiple stages of R-Day, such as getting fitted with their initial issue of military clothing, receiving haircuts, undergoing medical and physical evaluations, and learning the basics of military courtesies and disciplines that brings them closer to being accepted to the Corps of Cadets.

The cadet cadre also gained knowledge of what it takes to effectively guide Soldiers when they commission as second lieutenants next year.

"Guiding new cadets as they adjust to West Point culture is a full circle moment for me," said Class of 2024 Cadet Ludvig Emerick. "Cadet Basic Training, especially R-Day, is a very formative experience that I will never forget. I am very grateful for the opportunity to positively impact and be a part of something so memorable for these new cadets."

Emerick added how this experience improved his ability to lead on different levels and allowed him to see what it takes to professionally adhere to the West Point standard as a cadet leader.

"This experience allowed me to improve my leadership abilities in regard to training and instructing subordinates," Emerick said. "The direct leadership value that comes from this is being able to know, adhere to, and professionally enforce standards."

Emerick's biggest takeaway from the R-Day experience was the level of planning, coordination and effort it took from all entities at West Point.

"Many see the photos of new cadets and cadet cadre, but there are many people from the Corp of Cadets, faculty and staff that play an essential role in the execution of a successful R-Day," he said.

The Dean of the Academic Board, Brig. Gen. Shane Reeves, imparted words of wisdom to the new cadets as they spend the next six weeks battling Cadet Basic Training.

"Your time at the academy will be full of challenges," Reeves concluded. "Remember to lean on each other, pick yourself back up when you make mistakes, and don't take yourself too seriously."