During the Gulf War , alumnus General Schwarzkopf was the commander of Allied Forces , and the American senior generals in Iraq , Generals Petraeus , Odierno and Austin , and Afghanistan , retired General Stanley McChrystal and General David Rodriguez , are also alumni . Following the September 11 attacks , applications for admission to the academy increased dramatically , security on campus was increased , and the curriculum was revamped to include coursework on terrorism and military drills in civilian environments . One graduate was killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and ninety graduates have died during operations in Afghanistan , Iraq , and the ongoing Global War on Terror . The Class of 2005 has been referred to as The Class of 9/11 as the attacks occurred during their first year at the academy , and they graduated 911 students . In 2008 gender-neutral lyrics were incorporated into West Point 's " Alma Mater " and " The Corps " – replacing lines like " The men of the Corps " with " The ranks of the Corps . " In December 2009 , President Barack Obama delivered a major speech in Eisenhower Hall Theater outlining his policy for deploying 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan as well as setting a timetable for withdrawal . President Obama also provided the commencement address in 2014
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
United States Military Academy