Cadets have not been able to leave the academy since their arrival back in July and August. In recent weeks, several companies have been placed in isolation for the designated 14-day quarantine period. Yet, the number of COVID-19 cases at West Point Military Academy continues to increase in recent weeks. COVID has been rapidly spreading throughout the academy grounds in recent weeks and the quarantine area has almost reached maximum capacity.

Mental health at the academy has been declining in recent weeks due to the lack of social interaction and their limitation to only be in the service academy.

This petition is calling on the Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy, to allow cadets to come home for the Thanksgiving holiday and finish the semester at home. West Point has the capability to do this, due to the spring semester finishing remotely. Cadets at West Point have been vigilant in following COVID guidelines at the academy. The safety of the cadets is West Point's number one priority, and they are putting cadets' physical and mental health at risk by forcing them to stay in isolation or quarantine. Let the cadets finish the semester remotely at home to ensure mental health/well-being.