West Point ‘Pillow Fight’ Leaves 30 Injured

In one of the more ridiculous news stories I have heard in a very long time West Point Military Academy has officially banned pillow fights. These ‘pillow fights’ have been an annual tradition dating back to 2001 but this year the event went from good-natured fun to outright violence. It has been reported by multiple sources that 30 cadets suffered injury, 24 or whom received concussions. The injury roundup includes a fractured cheek bone, multiple dislocated shoulders, multiple broken nose, several people required stitches and one cadet was left completely unconscious.

The pillow fights were originally organized to lighten the mood around campus, take students minds of the rigors of military training and class work. The pillow fights were said to be a good way for cadets to build comradery while letting out some stress. But as a result of the reckless behavior military officials have banned the event for good. After the event in August University leaders ordered an investigation and as a result 1 student will be facing discipline and multiple others are under further investigation. In an official release University leaders stated in part:

“The investigations found ineffective communication between cadet leadership and senior military personnel that might have prevented this from occurring in the first place. I’m troubled by the failure to mitigate and lead, and by the conduct of those whose actions contributed to this incident. I am taking appropriate action based on these findings to include administrative actions against senior military members and cadets alike to send a clear message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated at our nation’s premiere military academy”

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