Spc. Tyler Faulkner, a Mastic Beach resident and New York National Guard soldier, accepted into West Point

Courtesy Photo | New York Army National Guard Spc. Tyler Faulkner, of Mastic Beach, has been accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point.  

MASTIC BEACH , NY, UNITED STATES

05.01.2012

Story by Eric Durr 

New York National Guard

MASTIC BEACH, N.Y. - The academic and military achievements of New York Army National Guardsman Spc. Tyler Faulkner, a Mastic Beach resident, have won him the distinction of being named one of 15 National Guard soldiers accepted into West Point's Class of 2016.

West Point reserves 85 slots annually for guardsmen and reservists.

Faulkner, age 19, a 2010 graduate of William Floyd High School, is a member of the 101st, Expeditionary Signal Battalion, headquartered in Peekskill.

He is the son of Jack Faulkner, who is married to Tina Faulkner, and Tami Modell, who is married to James Modell. All are Mastic Beach residents.

He has served in the Army National Guard since 2010.

He plans to major in either foreign affairs or civil engineering.

"Growing up in Mastic Beach on Long Island, in a predominantly middle class neighborhood, I didn't always hear about or meet individuals from West Point," Faulkner said.

However, last fall, all that changed when Brig. Gen Michael Swezey, commander of the New York Army National Guard's 53rd Troop Command and West Pointer himself, decided that New York National Guard soldiers should become cadets.

"This is a missed opportunity for us to build our bench for the future," Swezey said. "Our National Guard soldiers have the opportunity to make excellent cadets. As enlisted members they bring experiences that will be of value to them throughout their military career as future officers. Many of our young soldiers are combat veterans which gives them an immediate "leg up" as cadets."

So Swezey energized his staff to find good soldiers who would make great cadets.

That word got down to Sgt. 1st Class Mike Frye, Faulkner's platoon sergeant in the 101st Signal, who told the private that he was going to apply for West Point.

"Spc. Faulkner has displayed the ability to make things look easy and has proven to be a highly motivated soldier. He is flexible and has the makings of a problem solver. The army will be gaining a good officer," Frye said.

Once Faulkner was convinced that he could be a West Pointer, he wasted no time in arranging his school records, army physical fitness test score cards and medical records to begin the process.

Faulkner said he believes his hard work in high school, experience as a soldier in the 101st and desire to succeed has made him a well-rounded person and just the type of person the Academy wants in its ranks.

• Date Taken: 05.01.2012
• Date Posted: 05.01.2012 17:22
• Story ID: 87682
• Location: MASTIC BEACH , NY, US