Photos: Cadets train at West Point amid COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is not stopping summer training at West Point

Last updated: August 10, 2020 | 12:55

AP and compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Editor

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Cadets wear masks as they listen to instructions on firing mortars, at the US Military Academy in West Point, New York. Cadets had to wear masks this year for much of the training in a wooded area just beyond the main gates of the US Military Academy.

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Future US Army officers learned tactical and physical skills such as how to rappel, read maps, throw live hand grenades and navigate a water obstacle course.

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Cadets learn to fire a 105mm howitzer. Cadets went through field training as basic training was held for members of the Class of 2024, who arrived last month at the historic academy 80 kilometers up the Hudson River from New York City.

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Niara Pelton, of Houston, Texas, carries her M-4 Carbine during drills. The new cadets promptly began four weeks of intense training and will be accepted into the Corps of Cadets on August 15.

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Cadets hang above a lake as they navigate a water obstacle course. West Point has adapted to the lingering coronavirus outbreak, requiring the 1,220 new cadets to immediately take a COVID-19 test when they arrived last month.

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Madison Warne, of Valhalla, N.Y, listens to instructions at a mortar range

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Cadets wear masks as they sit under camouflage netting

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Cadets watch a hand grenade drill

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Farrell Thomas, of Lake Forest, Ill., splashes into a lake as he successfully completes a jump in a water obstacle course

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Cadets wear masks during training

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A cadet uses a field radio to call in live fire coordinates

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Jordan Hardy, of Las Vegas, carries his M-4 Carbine during drills

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