Big Picture: There is a Way

Big Picture: There is a Way - National Archives and Records Administration - ARC Identifier 2569908 / Local Identifier 111-TV-806 - Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. U.S. Army Audiovisual Center. (ca. 1974 - 05/15/1984). This THE BIG PICTURE film provides an inside look at the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The school helped men, otherwise unable to qualify for entrance to the Military Academy at West Point, prepare themselves for admission to the Academy. The footage shows the typical experience of candidate cadets, from their arrival at the preparatory school, through the annual visit to West Point, and on to graduation. DVD copied by IASL Master Scanner Timothy Vollmer.

[@lyndamonchak4072]

My Grandniece became a West Point graduate and second lieutenant via this route!

[@jamesvelvet3612]

Enlisted in 1971 @ 17 years old. Basic at Fort Dix, NJ...C-6-4.. During my training Captain Rivera suggested that I consider this program. He even called my dad (which I appreciated) and told him I might be a good candidate. Do I regret not going? Honestly, yes I do.

[@akompsupport]

fascinating.

[@scaryterry0108]

Does anyone know the marching song in the beginning?

[@fredramm7527]

It seems I've seen this video (or one like it) back in 1972. I see many CIBs, Combat Patches, and rows of medals on the prepies of this flick...I think of those with The MOH. Question: how do you call these fellows: "Mister Dumb John?"

[@ronaldlavender1137]

Fred: That's a damn good question!
I suppose you just have to remember this is the USMA and not the USA. Personally, I would feel like a fool dressing down a cadet who can wear the MOH.
Would any WPs who were upperclassmen and had a MOH winner or silver star recipient care to comment?

[@ExiledAwesome]

I need to get into westpoint

[@SaltiDawg2008]

westpoint (sic) - wish you luck. lol

[@piccolo54trunks2]

did u get in

[@ronaldlavender9657]

These are active duty army. Wouldn't they already know how to salute and maintain their weapons?
How does a 22 yr old upperclassman at WP harass someone who can wear the MOH?

[@Bagmanovich]

No, because many never went to basic. They were put right into the Army Reserve on active duty. Personally, I harassed many underclassmen smarter and probably better than me. I did it well...and am now dear friends with them. We helped one another improve.

[@ronaldlavender1137]

​@@BagmanovichLook at 2:28 is that a green berry checking?

[@Bagmanovich]

@@ronaldlavender1137 Color of beret is hard to discern. Before ca. 1979, the Army lacked standard headgear and allowed units to wear what the commander (normally two star or higher) wanted. For example, tank units wore black berets. This might be a black one, not green.

[@n.h.specialcommitteeonvote2982]

West Point: The most overhyped school and leadership institution all in one.

[@jephrokimbo9050]

@ Thomas Houlahan yeah, i am aware of the 82nd Airborne Division. my first Company Commander started his career there and eventually became the Division Commander within a long distinguished career. a very professional officer who commanded Respect and is a very Honorable Gentleman. several of my colleagues and classmates served in the 82nd. currently have a 2nd and a 3rd Cousin from both sides of my family serving. "alex" is a rigger in one of the Support Battalions and "james" is a mortarman in one of the Infantry Battalions. the Division i initially served with no longer exists on Active Duty and I never served in the 82nd. as suspected, YOU did not respond appropriately just like a LIBTARD RUBE!

[@n.h.specialcommitteeonvote2982]

@@jephrokimbo9050 We elite unit guys can respond however we please. We've earned that right.

[@jephrokimbo9050]

@@n.h.specialcommitteeonvote2982 yep! arrogant, ignorant, effete snobs, combined with an over bearing self importance full of hubris and vanity. EXACTLY the same characteristics of the fascist nazis and all the other RUBES OF HISTORY. 'Old Pewt' warned us about these types of characters.

[@jephrokimbo9050]

@@n.h.specialcommitteeonvote2982 Hey "power ranger", i located a book written by a thomas houlahan regarding the persian gulf war. read it and found it typically UN-remarkable regarding American involvement in the middle east. unfortunately was in Graduate School at the time earning a Master's Degree in Engineering so never deployed during that time frame.

[@n.h.specialcommitteeonvote2982]

@@jephrokimbo9050 It's a how-to manual for destroying the army of a hostile power. That you don't get it doesn't surprise me.