West Point Gains Andrew Yim

ORADELL- One of River Dell’s finest student of the class of 2013 has accomplished many things throughout his life. Andrew Yim was recently accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. With such an incredible honor Yim was awarded with, he is ready for the commitment. Yim made the analogy that the feeling was like “winning first place in the New York Marathon.”

Yim explains that that you have to be qualified in multiple ways, such as: academically, physically and medically.

“The application process had both its similarities and differences with the Common Application that is used for many of the colleges seniors use today.” Yim shared.

 “The only big differences there is between this application is that there is a mandatory government issued medical exam which is pretty strict as well as a physical fitness test ranging from pushups and sit-ups to the mile run and basketball throws. After all of that is finished, I have another “application” I have to complete which is for the nomination process. In short, in order to be qualified as a cadet, you must be qualified academically, physically, and medically, as well as having a congressional nomination by either your district's congressman or senator. It's a long process but I'm glad everything ended up as I had hoped.”

Yim’s decision for the Military goes way back to his childhood. He has been continuously active and involved with scouting. Scouting has grown as a leader as well as many other positive qualities. Without help from a close family friend, Yim would not be in the position he is today.

“I started to have a connection and realization that this was something I was open to do for the rest of my life.”

Yim is thrilled to be a part of the academy, and knows it’s what fits him best. He has such a positive outlook, that he is not afraid or intimidated by the commitment. He will be attending West Point for four years, and will have five years of service after.

 “At first it's hard to truly grasp that the next nine years are basically planned out for me. Right after the academy, I would go straight into my five years of service giving me that nine year commitment but from the beginning of me being interested into West Point I knew this was a sacrifice that I was and still am 100% okay with the commitment.”

Yim only fears what he will experience as the next decade of his life begins shortly. I had the chance to ask Andrew that knowing what we know today for the reasons we went to Iraq will he be skeptical if our leaders get us into another conflict.

Andrew responded with “I hope our leaders today will not make mistakes on sending our troops into any harm and that they had learned from their mistakes, but we would never know what decisions the government thinks of making until it actually happens.”

The River Dell senior class of 2013 will graduate on June 27^th, Yim will report three days after graduation on July 1^st. He will then begin basic training.

Yim’s goals for the future are majoring in Economics and will try to go for forces in the Army such as Airborne Academy and Air Assault Academy. As he thinks about life after the academy, he wishes to be in either the Military Intelligence or Artillery division.