"We know full well the dangers": West Point cadets talk about their commitment and war with Iraq.

• Author: Smith, Patricia

For more than 200 years, the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point has trained future Army officers. There are about 4,000 students, known as cadets, at the college; 15 percent are women. Cadets are required to complete five years of active military service after they graduate. Including their four years of training at West Point, that's a nine-year commitment to the military.

Four cadets spoke with UPFRONT about the prospect of war with Iraq: Cadet Christopher Blackburn, 19, of Winchester, Kentucky; Cadet Jacob Sheehan, 18, of Eastford, Connecticut; Cadet Stephanie Hightower, 19, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; and Cadet Jeffrey Velazquez, 19, of McAllen, Texas.

Did Sept. 11 affect your decision to join the military?

Cadet Stephanie Hightower: Sept. 11 pretty much solidified my intention to join the military ... as I watched the television, I felt completely helpless. And I vowed to myself never again would I feel so powerless.

Cadet Christopher Blackburn: I can remember my mother calling me and telling me about it. I was mad more than anything. I believe that by being here, I'm actively pursuing an effort to repay those who brought harm upon our country.

Cadet Jacob Sheehan: I thought I'd apply to other colleges too, but after Sept. 11, it was like, "Oh, that's where I'm supposed to be."

How do you feel about the prospect of a war in Iraq?

Cadet Jeffrey Velazquez: One thing we forget is that our freedoms don't come easily. They've been paid for in the price of American blood. We've seen it in the past with Hitler. We could have nipped his war machine in the bud if we'd started earlier. With Saddam Hussein, we see that if we do not go in there and take him out while he's weak, we could potentially have very big problems in the future.

Hightower: I'm confident that the Bush administration will do the right thing. If it comes to war, I'm certainly confident in my leaders and the capability of our Army to handle it.

Blackburn: War is obviously inherently terrible, but history has taught us that it's also essential to maintain peace and relative stability in the world.

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