From Cougar to Cadet: Tyler Lee, Cale Hellums head to West Point upon graduation

Jaime Rowe

Cale Hellums waves the Cougar flag after winning the Patriotic Show game 48-35.

Lucas Botello, Sports Editor
November 29, 2021

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The United States Military Academy of West Point is the oldest occupied military post in America. West Point’s role in our nation’s history dates back to the Revolutionary War. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s mission is “to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army.”

Upon graduation every cadet of the senior class becomes a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army.

Some of the academic majors West Point offers are American Politics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, and many more. The school has had many famous graduates such as Joe DePinto (CEO of 7-Eleven), Anthony Noto (CFO of Twitter), John G. Hayes (Former President, Coca-Cola Bottling Co.), and Dwight D. Eisenhower (Former President).

Along with all these famous graduates, Tyler Lee (Offensive lineman) and Cale Hellums (Quarterback) will be attending West Point upon graduation after both received football scholarship offers.

Tyler has been a starter for varsity for three years and Cale for two years. Tyler is the back to back will breaker champion, and Cale has 17 passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns in his senior year.

“I received offers from 12 other schools but accepted West Point’s because of the opportunity it gave me to have a great career, and the chance to become a better leader than I am right now,” Tyler said.

Physical training at the academies is very unique in the sense that there is a structure to it but there is also no structure. Cadets are expected to be physically active, however there are many options at the school to become better at what you are lacking in.

“I’ll be preparing for cadet life after football season with more cardio and reaching out to graduates about tips when I attend West Point,” Tyler said. “The service commitment wasn’t a problem with me, in the grand scheme of things eight years isn’t too bad.”

Because everything at West Point is paid for there is an eight year service commitment after you graduate to pay back what you owe to the Army. Tyler is undecided on his major and his job after graduation.

“I chose over the other schools he was given offers to, including the United States Naval Academy. He chose West Point over other schools because of the style of football they play, getting a degree from West Point is superior to almost any other college, and the opportunities he will have when he graduates,” Cale said. “I’m looking forward to being a Cadet 24/7.”