Seven members of the Class Of 2023 receive their diplomas during August Graduation, join Long Gray Line

Whether it was a physical injury or making up an academic class, it took a fraction longer to get to the finish line from the usually touted “47-month experience” for seven members of the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2023. They finally got to celebrate their moment as they received their diplomas and second lieutenant bars during the USMA Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony Aug. 3 at Crest Hall.

West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven W. Gilland was the commencement speaker for the event as Class of 2023 Cadets Miguel Aquino III, Vaughn Campbell, Armando Flores IV, William Foran, Owen Grile, Luke Hester and Madeleine Wilkes all received their diplomas. They all commissioned as officers and received their second lieutenant bars except for Campbell due to an injury that did not allow him to commission.

After the opening remarks and invocation, Gilland began his graduation address speaking to the parents, family and friends of the graduates.

“Our purpose is to develop leaders of character and it takes a village to do that, and you are a very important part of that village,” Gilland said to the supporters of the graduates. “These young men and women have met the challenges … and they made it with your love, your support, your encouragement and your motivation.”

Shortly after, Gilland recognized members of the USMA Class of 1973, the 50-year affiliate class, who attended the graduation ceremony and provided the second lieutenant bars to the newest West Point graduates.

“We appreciate you and your classmates for your inspiration and mentorship over the past four years,” Gilland directed toward the ‘73 graduates. “It did not go unnoticed, and we’re incredibly grateful for it as you grip hands with the Class of 2023.”

Gilland then focused his speech and military wisdom toward the men and woman of the hour – the newest West Point graduates.

“Today, as your cadet experience at West Point comes to an end, it is not the finish line … we somehow develop this mentality at the U.S. Military Academy that you just have to get through 47 months, or you have to get through your 49 months (or more) in this case, and you become a graduate and that is the finish line,” Gilland said. “I would challenge every one of you, it is not the finish line … in fact, it is where the return on the investment starts – it starts today, as you graduate.

“We as citizens of our nation have invested in these young men and women as graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, and we expect them to (do great things) …,” Gilland added. “The last four-plus years have prepared you for this moment. You’ve been educated, you’ve been trained and, yes, you’ve been inspired with innovation, knowledge and skills, confidence and, most importantly, the character to serve our nation and lead our nation’s Soldiers on the 21st century battlefield.”

Gilland gave his words of wisdom to the graduating cadets that before they put West Point in the rearview mirror, it was a good time to take “a moment to reflect on your time here and the opportunities and experiences you’ve had, the challenges you’ve overcome to become a leader of character.”

“Think about the hard work, possibly some blood, definitely some sweat and maybe a few tears as well … in your pursuit of excellence,” Gilland said. “Think about the friendships you’ve made, the relationships you’ve developed, the camaraderie with battle buddies and teammates, the TACs (tactical officers), instructors, coaches and old grads who have encouraged and supported you, and, of course, your family and friends who supported you and cheered you on.

“Take a moment to appreciate and thank all the people in your village who helped get you here and appreciate the opportunities that helped shape you these past four years,” Gilland added. “As you leave West Point, I ask you don’t box up those experiences and lock them in your trunk … as you begin this journey as a leader of character.”

Gilland told the graduates to remember three things to take with them as they begin their journey as officers – service, challenging themselves and taking responsibility.

“Service to your country and service to others … service is something bigger than yourself,” Gilland explained. “Service is the hallmark of all who wear the uniform of our nation. You all choose to come to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point because of your desire to pursue a life of service.

“(Then) challenging yourself … in other words, to be better,” Gilland added. “During your time here, you’ve challenged and inspired to do your best to pursue excellence and you have, but now it’s time to take it to the next level. Your work is not over, you’ll continue to be challenged and tested every single day – expect it … how you deal with that adversity, how you bounce back, how you get knocked down and then get back up again absolutely matters.

“Third … responsibility. As officers in the U.S. Army, your responsibility is to support and defend the Constitution of our United States. Your responsibility is to uphold and enforce standards, to lead by example and exemplify what right looks like, to hold yourselves and your teammates accountable as stewards of our profession,” Gilland concluded. “You’ve got the responsibility and obligation to our nation’s citizens … (and) expect to go out and lead our nation’s treasure, which is our Soldiers, and give them the very best leadership you possibly can.”

As he wrapped up his speech, Gilland told them to reflect and appreciate what it means to be a USMA graduate, to take a look at the crests on the walls of Crest Hall of the classes who came before them, which “represents hundreds of men and women (per class) who once walked these hallowed grounds, who committed themselves to a lifetime of selfless service and continuing excellence, who raised their right hand as you will in a few moments, to take that oath to support and defend our Constitution.”

“Each one of these classes represented a long proud legacy of service and excellence as guided by our Army’s values and the ideas of Duty, Honor, Country – and you now have become a part of that legacy,” Gilland said. “Your gripping hands with generations of the past as represented by our Class of 1973 – as leaders of character who answered their nation’s call to service. And to those who inspired you, you will now in turn inspire future generations.

“Graduates, you are prepared to face the challenges that await you, you are prepared to live honorably, lead honorably and achieve excellence in all that you do,” Gilland concluded. “You have the complete trust and confidence from everyone here at West Point as well as our citizens of the United States, and we are extremely proud of each and every one of you.”

Overcoming challenges, achieving their goals, becoming members of the Long Gray Line

Earning your degree will come with various forms of emotions depending on the obstacles that someone faces and overcomes to achieve the goal of graduating an institution such as USMA. Such is the case in the journey of new graduate Vaughn Campbell, who participated in wrestling and combatives while at West Point.

Unfortunately for Campbell, shoulder and leg injuries set him back to the point that he was deemed not commissionable by the Army, however, earning that degree through the extra 14 months he endured to reach the summit was profoundly meaningful to him.

“It means the world to me,” Campbell said. “I had to take a very untraditional path. When you come to West Point, they say it’s a 47-month experience, but mine was much longer, 61 months to be exact. I separated both shoulders and I broke my leg. I had so many injuries and setbacks, but luckily through the support of my family and friends, and a lot of great people at West Point, it allowed me to keep persevering and to keep pushing forward. I wouldn’t be here without them, and, honestly, just to see it finally culminate – granted in an unconventional way – but still a very meaningful way, I couldn’t be happier.”

Campbell, who grew up in Princeton, West Virginia, and will now live in South Carolina, couldn’t raise his hand during the oath part of the ceremony because he can’t commission, but when it came time to thrusting his hat into the air at the end of the ceremony – the exuberance took over.

“It was a sense of euphoria. I was completely planning on graduating in May of this academic year, but I received a memorandum two days before that which said, ‘Due to medical reasons, you’re not commissionable,’ and it seemed like the field goal post was moved again – but here we are in August, but luckily I followed what I needed to do and I’m taking care of myself,” Campbell said. “My friends, family and mentors still kept on supporting me, even though that goal post moved again, but we got to the finish line – I’m so grateful for everyone.”

If Campbell had commissioned, he would have branched as an engineer officer with a branch detail of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). However, with a positive mindset and attitude, Campbell has not closed the door of hopefully one day serving in the military.

“Does it mean that I can never commission in the future? I don’t know,” Campbell said. “I was just talking to some of my mentors, and I feel a strong sense of duty, my father was in the Army before me, my grandfather before me, and this has always been a dream of mine.

“So you can best believe me that as long as I keep taking care of myself, I would like to revisit this,” he added. “But, right now, I’m going to live in the moment and not take this for granted, be grateful and just be happy that I graduated from West Point.”

Reflecting back on his West Point experience, the first word that comes to Campbell’s mind is resiliency. He didn’t grow up with much in rural West Virginia with a small support network, but the people in his life were always there for him to give him the ability to conquer his obstacles and become a West Point graduate.

“The one thing my father and mother always instilled in me is that while money is important and all the material things you’re going to want is important to you, the most important thing in your life is your character because that is something no one can take away from you, and the fact that West Point also instills that speaks volumes,” Campbell said. “All seven of us who graduated today, I think it reflects on our character and what we’ve had to go through. We’ve all had to go through a unique path, a challenging path, and I’m glad that we’re all going to be able to start this next chapter.”

Campbell’s next chapter is still to be determined, although currently he said he is fielding a few job offers from federal government agencies. As a terrorism studies minor at the academy, it allowed him to interact with some of these agencies.

“Honestly, is it the Army? No, it is not. But it’s an opportunity to continue service and that’s what I’m all about,” Campbell said. “Like I said, my father, grandfather and I’ve had a cousin who served, and this has been my dream. I don’t feel like I’m the type of person who wants to just sit behind a desk and do a 9-to-5 job – I want to do something with a higher purpose.”

He credits his parents, William and Bonnie Campbell; his sisters, Summer, Bethany and Camela; his fiancée, Skyler; and his many mentors, including Lt. Col. Kevin Cutwright and Dr. Samuel Watson, and one of his best friends, Andrew Onyepunuka, for helping him though his journey at West Point from beginning to end, and reiterated some of his earlier words by saying “they mean the world to me.”

But for as exciting as it was to graduate Aug. 3, only four days later on Aug. 7, he married his fiancée.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Campbell said about marrying Skyler. “There are so many things I want to accomplish, but I understand that is not limited and the fact I get to spend the rest of my life with someone I love and go on that journey with, it’s … again, I keep coming back to the word euphoric, but it’s the greatest feeling right now. But has it been a hard journey, yes, but I know it’s not always going to be hard especially if you have the right people in your corner.”

New graduate and now 2nd Lt. Miguel Aquino III was enthusiastic to finally receive his diploma because of the people he represents with his success.

“So few of us graduate from the academy each year from Puerto Rico, maybe one or two, so it means a lot to represent my island and the people of Puerto Rico,” Aquino said. “Now being a member of the Long Gray Line, it was a hard experience, but it’s definitely taught me a lot. I’m excited to use all the lessons I’ve learned to go into the future.”

Aquino graduated late due to a concussion he sustained prior to graduation, and he wasn’t able to complete certain graduation requirements by May 27. However, the future Signal officer, who will branch detail Infantry, has major athletic goals awaiting him in the near future as the four-year Army West Point gymnast is an international athlete who competes on the Puerto Rican gymnastics national team.

Earlier this summer, Aquino competed in the Central American and Caribbean Games with an eye toward the next Olympic Games in 2024 in Paris.

“I was still able to continue my athletic dream of going to the Olympic Games starting with the Pan American championships in Brazil last year and I went to Colombia this past May to qualify for the Pan American Games, and then went to the Central American Games,” Aquino said. “I am a two-time Pan American finalist, and I will be heading to Chile for the Pan American Games this October to qualify for the Olympics.”

Aquino has applied to the Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) and if he represents Puerto Rico at the Olympics, he would be the first Soldier to represent a territory within the WCAP program.

Currently, Aquino will be going back to Puerto Rico to train for the Pan American Games in Chile.

“The next and biggest milestone for me is the Pan American Games to qualify for the Olympic Games and to solidify my spot in the WCAP program because, again, I would be the first athlete to represent a territory in this program – hopefully,” Aquino said. “It’s been hard being a trailblazer, but it has taught me a lot about myself and if you want to see change in the world, you got to be it yourself – be the change you wish to see.”

Once the Olympic Games experience passes, Aquino will then go to the Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) followed by Ranger School and Airborne School.

However, before the future plays out, the graduation and the commissioning ceremony was the first step toward the rest of his life and a moment he will always appreciate.

“It’s an amazing experience,” Aquino said. “Everything came full circle ever since R-Day when you raise your hand on The Plain, that first haircut and everything, coming full circle to raising your hand during the oath at the graduation ceremony and now getting ready to start a new beginning.”

After the ceremony, Aquino was presented an award from a Mexican Military Academy general for excellence in Spanish speaking as a Spanish academic major. He also received another award for achieving above a 3.0 grade point average within his major.

But the day would not be complete without Aquino reminiscing about the journey he took to get to this moment, and all the people who helped him create his own success and legacy.

“I could not have done as well here without my family and friends,” Aquino said. “All the friends and teammates that I’ve met here at the academy, we came through this together, and it is something that I’m going to cherish for the rest of my life.

“To all my family and friends who were unable to make it (to the graduation ceremony), and some who have went on to the next life and have passed away, I share this with them,” he concluded. “This is also for all the kids in Puerto Rico who are looking for dreams to continue in life and to better themselves, and to show them the opportunity that the U.S. Military Academy offers and the Army as a whole.”