By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
When many of his fellow high school graduates couldn’t wait to shed the routine of school and experiment with new-found freedoms, Bradley Krupp went the other route – immersing himself in the regimented demands of West Point military academy.
When his fellow graduates slept through their morning college classes, Krupp was up every morning at 6:50 a.m., in formation – already shaved and in his uniform – whether cold, hot, rain or shine.
“Then you wake up and you do it again,” Krupp said.
Krupp, a 2015 graduate of Bowling Green High School, and the son of Dave and Denise Krupp, is the commander of his company at West Point. He is scheduled to graduate from West Point in May with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
Krupp chose West Point, not because of a long family military history, but rather in an effort to find a life-long purpose.
“I thought maybe it would be a good way to find a little bit more purpose and do something worthwhile,” he said recently on his drive back to West Point after a visit back home to Bowling Green. “It was as much a realization that it was always what I was looking for.”
West Point chose Krupp because of his ACT score, his leadership skills that already showed in high school, and his physical fitness.
“They are fairly specific in what they want,” Krupp said. “You can be smart, but you may not be a leader. They want to make sure you show up fit, smart and ready to perform.”
It was a perfect match.
“I like it. I like schedules. I like knowing what I am doing most days,” with workouts at the same time, classes at the same time, meals at the same time and in the same place with assigned seats.
Though it’s a mindless process to put on his uniform each day, Krupp does occasionally miss the freedom of choice.
“I do miss normal people clothes,” he said. “But any complaint I have is minor.”
Self-disciplined Krupp doesn’t mind routine – even though it means a strict schedule of studying, workouts, weekend trainings, and limited breaks from West Point.
“You don’t own your down time the way you do at other schools,” Krupp said.”You have some freedom, but it’s very limited.”
Krupp recalled a conversation with a former classmate, who said he only attends his college classes once a week.
Skipping classes isn’t an option for cadets, unless they are willing to accept the consequences. Skipping a one-hour class results in five hours of punishment, that consists of putting on full parade uniform and marching back and forth.
“People are watching you as you march back and forth,” Krupp said. “If you had no other motivation, that would do it for you.”
Despite the extreme demands of the training, most of the cadets complete the four years at West Point, he said. Krupp’s class started out with about 1,300 students and has more than 1,000 nearly four years later.
“They do a very good job of retaining people. They are there to make you successful leaders,” he said.
Krupp was fortunate in that he grew up developing the characteristics needed to succeed at West Point. He studied hard, ran cross country, swam competitively, and was involved in high school activities.
“I was a straight shooter. I never drank in high school. I studied hard,” he said. “I was lucky that I had the friends that I had.”
And he has supportive parents, who have continued to encourage him at West Point.
“My parents are supportive of everything I do,” he said.
When Krupp graduates in May, he will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. With his degree in engineering, he will be able to work on base construction or work with the Army Corps of Engineers.
He hopes to be able to lead a construction platoon.
“I think that’s where I can be most helpful.”
“I do owe the Army five years minimum after graduation,” he said.
After that – Krupp is keeping an open mind.
“The majority who plan on fleeing the Army as soon as they can, stay and end up loving it, and vice versa,” he said.
