Quoting text from the 1956 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica -
"located at West Point, this institution was established by the U.S. government for the practical and theoretical training of young men for the military service. Its direction and supervision were vested by law-in the department of the army. Its cadets are given a comprehensive and general education of collegiate grade and sufficient military education and training to enable them to pursue their careers as officers of the regular army or the regular air force, in which they are commissioned as second lieutenants upon graduation".
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