INSIDE WEST POINT: What it's really like for new Army cadets on their first day

We got an inside look at what it's like on the first day for new cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Over 1,200 cadet candidates arrived on campus on a sweltering July morning for "Reception Day." After an emotional farewell with their families, the new cadets took the first steps of a rigorous six-weeks-long basic training regimen. Following is a transcript of the video.

Narrator: On a scorching Monday in July, over 1,200 cadet candidates arrived at the US Military Academy for reception day. Also known as R-Day, it marks the beginning of their time at West Point.

Col. Deborah J. McDonald: All day long, the new cadets will do a transformation from their civilian status and at the end of the day, take their oath to serve our nation in the Army.

Graham Flanagan: Why did you decide to come to West Point?

Cadet Candidate: Both my brothers went here and it's a great school and I wanted to join the Army afterward so there's no better school to do that.

Cadet Candidate: All my uncles, they served in the Army and they're telling me that, all about this school and how great it is and all the leaders that came from it so I just wanted to follow in their footsteps.

{The Academy was established in 1802.}

McDonald: West Point is located about 50 miles north of New York City. It's in the Hudson Highlands. It's called West Point because it's located on the western point of the Hudson River where it bends. George Washington recognized this as a strategic point of interest because the British had to tack as they came through the Hudson River. It's the longest continuously garrisoned military installation in the United States.

Narrator: After a short orientation, the cadet candidates have 60 seconds to say goodbye to their families. For the next six weeks, contact with family members, if any, is extremely limited. Once they leave Eisenhower Hall, the cadet candidates are now called new cadets.

McDonald: In 2018 to be accepted at West Point, you must be a United States citizen in good physical condition, pass a medical exam to be able to be commissioned in the Army, and have a high academic achievement.

Narrator: Tuition at West Point is free, but the cadets commit to years of service after graduation.

McDonald: After their four years at West Point they've committed to five years active duty in the Army with three years in the reserve component.

Narrator: The new cadets are issued physical training, or PT uniforms, along with a bag that holds everything they're allowed to carry for the next six weeks. Their next stop, the barber shop. Only the male new cadets are required to cut their hair. The female new cadets get to keep their locks.

Gen. Mark A. Milley: Hi, how are you? Thinking about West Point?

Narrator: West Point started admitting women in 1976. Today more than 20% of the cadets are female.

McDonald: Over 24% of the class of 2022 are women. So we've seen a huge surge not only in the interest in women applicants, but also the retention of women cadets.

Narrator: The new cadets are assigned to companies where they learn the basics of taking orders and marching in formation.

McDonald: We have upperclassmen from the junior and senior classes that are here leading the new cadets. So, this is a leadership laboratory, not only for our new cadets but also for our upper class as they work on their leadership skills.

Narrator: Everything the new cadets learn on R-Day culminates in the Oath Ceremony. Family members gather for one last look at the class of 2022 before basic training begins.

McDonald: One of the most common traits that I see of West Point applicants is they want to be part of a team that's bigger than themselves.

Narrator: Those who complete the rigorous six weeks of basic training will be formally accepted into the corps of cadets.

Cadet candidate: It's gonna be a long six weeks, I can tell you that. I'll get through just take it day by day but I know it's gonna be long, it's gonna be hard, but I'm prepared for it.

Cadet candidate: I feel like it's gonna suck but in the end it's all worth it.

Cadet candidate: All of us know what to expect really, we just go in there you know, get yelled at a little bit, get on the bus, get yelled at some more.

Cadet candidate: I think it's gonna be fun you know, everybody always talks about it's gonna be a miserable time but I think if you embrace the suck, it's gonna be, it's gonna be okay, you're gonna get through it.