Eye on the prize: Brandon Wenzel accepted to West Point
Bigfork's Brandon Wenzel, pictured outside VFW Post 4042, was recently accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Mackenzie Reiss/Bigfork Eagle
Bigfork's Brandon Wenzel, pictured outside VFW Post 4042, was recently accepted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Mackenzie Reiss/Bigfork Eagle
Each summer, 1,300 cadets enter the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. Of these, about 1,000 will graduate and, in lieu of paying tuition, will commit themselves to a minimum of eight years of service. Competition for a seat at the academy is grueling — just 12% of those who apply will set foot on the historic campus located on the bank of New York’s Hudson RIver. Among this year’s freshman class will be one of Bigfork’s own — 18-year-old Brandon Wenzel.
Wenzel is a high school track and football athlete whose laser focus on his ultimate goal of becoming an Army infantry officer helped him balance a rigorous academic load, multiple athletic commitments and extracurriculars. His leadership accomplishments include earning the coveted rank of Eagle Scout and serving as a U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Cadet Captain.
“I decided early on that I wanted to commit myself to a life of service,” Wenzel explained. “West Point produces high quality officers. It takes a certain person to want to pursue the kind of education and experience … to be that kind of officer. I never lost track of that.”
To secure his spot, Wenzel also needed to obtain at least one service or congressional nomination, which he did from both Senator Jon Tester and Senator Steve Daines.
“Brandon is a proven leader and a team player,” Daines said. “Brandon is an outstanding young Montanan who has been active in student council, National Honor Society, school sports and has earned the Eagle Scout designation. He will be a great addition to the United States Military Academy.”
Tester also offered words of congratulations to Wenzel on his acceptance into West Point.
“Camren [Ross, of Whitefish] and Brandon [Wenzel] have proven that they’re exceptional students and leaders,” Tester said, “and I wish them all the best on this exciting opportunity at West Point where I have no doubt they will keep making Montana proud.”
Wenzel said of his many extracurriculars, it was time spent on the football field that helped him grow the most.
“Being on a team, you’re spending so much time with each other, working with each other. One of the biggest things I learned is the people that you struggle with, that’s who you make the best connection with,” he said.
His high school years also taught him the importance of time management and dedication — two things that will likely help him weather the ups and downs of academy life.
After he graduates West Point as a U.S. Army infantry officer, Wenzel has his sights set on Ranger School, followed by the Special Forces Assessment and Selection — the first of the multiple training phases necessary to enter the U.S. Special Forces. He’ll prioritize statewide duty stations, instead of more glamorous postings abroad, so he can pursue these advanced training opportunities.
“I don’t really want to go into the Army to go into computers or vehicles,” Wenzel said. “If I’m going to go down the route of being an infantry officer, I want to go all the way with it.”