United States Military Academy at West Point

United States Military Academy at West Point at a glance

West Point is both an Army installation and the United States Military Academy. The academy develops the Corps of Cadets into commissioned Army officers through education, military training and character development. Garrison and civilian support organizations sustain that educational mission, so the installation includes a working military community beyond the cadet student body and its academic buildings.

The academy was established in 1802, but the site's military importance predates it. During the American Revolution, fortifications on the west bank of the Hudson River defended a strategically important river position. That history remains part of a continuously occupied Army post. The Hudson Valley setting and educational mission distinguish West Point from the Army's recruit training centers and from larger maneuver installations.

Also searched as: West Point, USMA.

Sources: United States Military Academy at West Point: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Mission and major activities

• Educates, trains and develops cadets for Army commissions.
• Provides garrison support for the academy community.

Sources: United States Military Academy at West Point: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Location and community

West Point occupies a historic position on the west bank of the Hudson River in New York's Hudson Valley.

Sources: United States Military Academy at West Point: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Mission and institutional context

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point educates cadets to become commissioned Army leaders. That institutional mission differs from the garrison's support for the installation and assigned families. The academy was established in 1802, while the site's military history reaches back to the American Revolution. A cadet's academy experience, a visitor's stay and a permanent staff assignment are separate planning situations. For a household move, use the gaining organization's guidance alongside installation housing and school information rather than assuming cadet arrangements apply.

Official sources: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: installation overview

Understanding the local community

West Point occupies a Hudson River setting in Orange County, New York, north of New York City. The official profile describes a self-contained military community overlooking the river. The education page connects on-post families to the neighboring Highland Falls–Fort Montgomery school system for high school. Planning question: will the residence be on the installation or in an off-post district, and how does the child's grade affect the pathway? The academy's name identifies the military destination, but the household's actual address determines important local arrangements.

Official sources: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: installation overview

Housing options and planning distinctions

West Point Family Homes handles privatized family housing assignments, operations and maintenance. The Army Housing Office provides oversight and coordination and assists with off-post referrals and housing concerns. The official page describes housing inprocessing before referral to the appropriate provider and allows an advance application. Planning question: are you confirming application completeness, an available home or an off-post property? These are separate steps. Ask the Army office about its support role and the housing partner about a specific offer. An academy staff assignment should not be confused with cadet accommodation, and submission of a family housing application should not be treated as a reservation.

Official sources: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: housing assistance

School systems and education transitions

DoDEA operates West Point Elementary and West Point Middle School, with the profile describing the on-post pathway through eighth grade. High school students residing at West Point attend James I. O'Neill High School in Highland Falls–Fort Montgomery Central School District. Off-post children attend the district serving their residence. Planning question: which receiving organization needs the student's records and existing support information? Ask about the high-school transition specifically rather than assuming an on-post home means DoDEA through graduation. The liaison can help distinguish that change of system from an off-post district transfer.

Official sources: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: education and schools

Published addresses and access

Use the destination label below to distinguish visitor access, a service office and postal mail. A published address does not authorize entry. Confirm current access, sponsorship, appointments and reporting instructions with the official office before travelling.

Before you arrive

Use these questions with your sponsor or gaining organization. They are a starting point for planning, including assignments, courses and training periods that differ from a routine permanent change of station.

1. Confirm the organization, duration and reporting instructions shown on your orders. Ask which office handles your arrival.
2. Clarify lodging and housing arrangements before booking. Ask about availability, required approvals and how to handle a late arrival.
3. Before choosing a home, compare the commute, lease terms, school needs and your household budget. Ask the housing office about the options that apply to your situation.
4. Coordinate household goods and personal travel with the appropriate transportation office. Keep orders, receipts and important family records together.
5. Make a short list of contacts for medical care, schools, childcare and family support, where applicable to your assignment.

Official PCS planning resources   Housing allowance information

Sources: United States Military Academy at West Point: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview

Resources for service members and families

Start with the official resources for United States Military Academy at West Point and ask which services your household can use. For a training site, rotational location or Reserve component assignment, confirm arrangements with your unit rather than assuming the services of a large residential installation are available.

From this mission to your next career

The mission at United States Military Academy at West Point suggests the following areas to consider when describing your experience. These are LockLeed career suggestions based on the public mission, not a list of vacancies or qualifications held by everyone assigned here.

Write down the equipment, systems, processes and teams you personally supported. Add a specific result you can discuss publicly, then match that evidence to the civilian role you want. Keep operational details and sensitive information out of your application.

Official transition resources   Explore SkillBridge programs

Official contacts and installation services

Use the named official resource for this installation or its support community. A directory link does not establish service eligibility, availability or a reporting location. Confirm arrangements with the office or your gaining organization.

Frequently asked questions

Sources and editorial notes

Installation facts above are drawn from the official sources below. Career suggestions and planning questions are LockLeed editorial guidance. Use official offices for current policies, eligibility and arrangements.

1. United States Military Academy at West Point: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overviewSupports: overview, mission, local context, planning note
2. MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: housing assistanceSupports: expanded guide and official services
3. MilitaryINSTALLATIONS: education and schoolsSupports: expanded guide and official services

Reviewed 2026-09-30. This independent guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Map points are approximate and are not routing or reporting instructions.