The United States Military Academy was founded in 1802 at West Point, New York.
This is the oldest regularly garrisoned military post in the United States, having been garrisoned since 20 January 1778.

The components of gunpowder are charcoal, saltpeter (potassium nitrate), and sulfur;
which are black, gray, and gold in color. This is the significance of the Cadet Colors, worn since 1813.

Fourth Class Cadets are Privates and wear no insignia of rank, but are "Recognized" after spring break
and are eligible to wear the gold Army Officers' U.S. lapel insignia in place of rank.
Third Class Cadets are Corporals;
Second Class Cadets are Sergeants and Bn & Rgt Command Sergeants Major;
and First Class Cadets are officers and the Bde Command Sergeant Major.

If upper class members were to be disciplined by the stripping of rank and revert to Privates,
they would retain the Cadet Service Stripes denoting their years at the Academy.

Cadet Sleeve Insignia Today

US Silver Dollar obverse	US Postage Stamp	US Silver Dollar reverse

Grateful acknowledgment for the assistance of

CPT Jonathan P. Darr, USACE (Ret)
USMA, Class of 1996

and

Kevin J. Connolly
Attorney & Counselor at Law