GDF Officer Cadet appointed to United States Military Academy

May 02, 2015 News

Cadet Officer Britany Van Lange, of the Guyana Defence Force, was recently presented with a certificate of appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. Officer Candidate Van Lange received her appointment from U.S. Embassy Georgetown’s Senior Defense Official, LCDR Robert Novotny.

GDF and US Embassy officials at the appointment ceremony.

Ms. Van Lange will join her older brother Errol, who is currently enrolled at West Point in the Class of 2016.
The ceremony which took place at Base Camp Stephenson, was presided over by the Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips. He remarked that he and many of his officers and enlisted ranks have benefitted from training in the United States over the years, but an appointment to West Point is “at the top of the list”.
This academy which was established in 1808 with an average of over 4500 cadets to date, serves to prepare students for service in the United States Army. This four-year co-educational federal service grants a Bachelor of Science degree with a curriculum that grades cadets’ performances upon a broad academic programme.
The mission of West Point is to educate, train and inspire the Corps so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character, committed to the values of Duty, Honour and Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to their nation.
Ethical and moral development is emphasized as is selfless service to one’s country. The academic programme grants a Bachelor of Science degree with a curriculum that grades cadets’ performance upon a broad academic programme, military leadership performance, and mandatory participation in competitive athletics. Cadets are required to adhere to the Cadet Honor Code, which states that “a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.”
As West Point is universally regarded as one of the finest universities in the United States, selection for admission is incredibly difficult. Each year only 1200 of over 13,000 applicants are offered appointments to join the incoming class, an acceptance rate of just nine per cent.
West Point alumni include two Presidents of the United States, Presidents of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and The Philippines, numerous famous generals, and seventy-five Medal of Honor recipients.