participation, West Point finished 27th of 363 colleges
nation-wide in the per capita classic (pounds of recy-
clables/person) and 7th of 231 schools in cardboard
only (cumulative pounds of cardboard/person).
At the conclusion of the RecycleMania competi-
tion, however, the cadet recycling program came to a
halt, and cadets reverted to throwing recyclables into
the trash. In subsequent discussions with cadets, this
failure was attributed to a lack of cadet leadership de-
voted to continuing the recycling program. Once the
cadets identified this weakness, plans were made to
address it. During the academic year, a new leadership
position devoted to environmental issues had been
created within the Corps of Cadets. This single posi-
tion, however, was the only one recognized within the
entire 4400 plus student body of the Corps of Cadets,
and this cadet leader did not have the personnel re-
sources to keep the recycling program running with-
out the intensity of a national competition. Without
strong cadet leadership, the recycling program would
ultimately fizzle as has happened in the past. Further
strengthening this assumption, the recycling competi-
tion by-company results clearly indicated that cadet
companies led by self-motivated strong cadet leaders
had substantially greater participation rates than ca-
det companies with disengaged student leaders.
Consequently, to address the need for increased,
engaged cadet leadership in Corps-wide energy and
environmental security issues, cadets proposed mul-
tiple new cadet leadership positions within the Corps
of Cadets. These positions would be implemented at
all levels within the Corps from Brigade staff down to
individual cadet companies. Cadets holding these po-
sitions would be responsible for a number of actions
including leading recycling and solid waste initiatives
within the Corps of Cadets, developing ways to moti-
sharon
(sharon)
#1