Monday was Reception Day, or “R Day,” for the Class of 2025 cadet candidates at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

After goodbyes with parents, the group began the process of transforming from a civilian into a member of the United States military.

What You Need To Know

  • Forty-one percent of West Point's Class of 2025 cadets come from minority backgrounds

  • Approximately 25% of the cadets are female

  • Almost 85% of the incoming cadets are vaccinated against COVID-19; those unvaccinated were offered shots on 'R Day'

"Being excited and being nervous is the same thing, it's just how you choose to interpret it so I'm trying to be excited, as much as I can," said Harrison Wepener, a West Point cadet candidate.

Wepener is from Missouri and says he's ready to serve his country.

"Nothing is going to make me a better leader than the military," said Wepener. "Nothing's gonna make me a better leader in life, for my country, and that’s what I wanted was to be the best leader I can be."

Forty-one percent of the Class of 2025 comes from diverse backgrounds, and a quarter of them are women. More than 1,200 new cadets are coming from each of the 50 states and 16 foreign countries.

After boarding buses, they headed into campus to begin their transformation.

Part of the day is learning what it's like to become a cadet, including the marches and discipline that will be required of them over the next four years.

Candidates get fitted for uniforms and pick up their gear for the first time. It’s a fast-paced process.

Reagan Killebrew is from Memphis, Tenn., and for her, this is a dream come true.

"Definitely, [a] desire to serve and do something greater than myself, and it's just an incredible opportunity," said Killebrew.

The COVID-19 pandemic is still a force to be reckoned with. Incoming cadets are encouraged to get vaccinated, and so far, this class has an 84% vaccination rate.

After medical and physical evaluations, the day goes from blur to buzz.

For Shea Briere of San Diego, service is a family thing.

"Everyone in the family has served, so I figured if I was gonna serve, I was gonna do it the right way," Briere said.

It may just be a haircut, but it’s a symbolic gesture for these cadets: a change from who they were to who they’ll become.

"Give it my all, give it the best I can, have a good time, serve my country," said Briere.