Comments by "Colonel K" (@Paladin1873) on "Coastal Defenses and The Endicott Era" video.

  1. Some historians believe 1812 was the beginning of the modern concept of West Point, but its actual origin as a military training institute began in early 1802 when Congress established the United State Military Academy at West Point. The Academy graduated its first two cadets later that same year. By 1812 fewer than 100 officers had graduated, morale was low, and both admission and training standards were haphazard. The entire concept was on the verge of collapse. Congress reacted by creating a more formal system and increasing the size of the cadet corp to 250. In 1817 the new commandant, Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, introduced a code of conduct and an instructional system that remain standard in the Academy today. Thayer is generally considered to be the real creator of West Point as a true institute of higher learning for future Army officers.
    2