WEST POINT, N.Y. — Mark Burnett and his wife flew from Hawaii Friday morning to watch their son in a sea of 1,200 new cadets take part in the 'March Back,' a 12-mile march that marks the end of six weeks of intense Cadet Basic Training.

"If we're traveling 5,000 miles, my kid is going to see me," said Burnett, the father of a new cadet. 

With Packers gear on, it's safe to say Caleb Burnett did see him. An Army man himself, Burnett says he's excited to be here. 

"It's awesome,” said Burnett. “We've had just a couple quick phone calls, so it's great to see him today, he looks fit and happy, and as they're finishing up their Cadet Basic Training, and it's just an honor for him to be there.”

"It really puts that demand on them, and it's also a good sign of them accomplishing something and them finishing up their summer training, so it's really exciting for them to get back there," said USMA West Point's First Captain Cadet David Bindon. 

Family and friends are on the sidelines for support — but that encouragement also comes from those marching with them, like the 50-year affiliates: West Point graduates matched with each class. The Class of 2022's affiliates are 1972 grads. 

"They're an inspiration for us, and mentors for all of us, which is really phenomenal. Something we like to learn from them is kind of what their hardships were, and what they grew from them here at West Point," said Bindon.   

Their CBT was a demanding challenge, but it pays off when they are officially accepted into the Corp of Cadets on Saturday.