Randy Wintermantel, Class of ’09, got up at 5 AM and arrived at the pool at 5:30 AM with two dozen fellow West Point Triathlon team members for an hour workout.

Coach Tony DeBoom, Class of ’91, lays out the next set for the team.

The military purpose of the Academy is always part of the lives of cadets. Next door to the pool, a squad of cadets does a physical fitness training workout wearing gas masks.

While the triathlon team pushes through a hard workout in Speedos, other cadets maintain Army water survival standards with a 6:00 AM full uniform dunking.

Cadet Ashley Morgan, Class of 2010, the top women’s triathlete, lines up for morning formation at 6:55 AM.

One of the daily miracles of cadet life is the breakfast and lunch. Four thousand cadets march into mess hall simultaneously, chow down, then leave for class within 25 minutes.

Like many hungry varsity athletes, Cadet Randy Wintermantel snags serious quantities of mess hall product to tide her through a typical 14-hour, 5,500 calorie day.

Triathlon team captain Nick Vandam checks in for messages on West Point’s well-wired Internet setup in his barracks quarters. On a typical day, Vandam checks in with Coach DeBoom and relays adjusted workout schedules to team members.

Cadets march double time to classes, but must salute any passing officers and often offer a “Beat Navy!” greeting.

Vandam focuses on a key lecture in his Environmental Sciences major. This day the lecturer examines why the United States failed to sign the Kyoto protocol.

In between classes, Vandam stops by a typically rah-rah Never Accept Defeat sign which has a darker subtext for stressed out cadets: It advertises a suicide prevention center.

Mid morning, Cadets Vandam and Brian Lagasse stop for coffee. Many cadets consider coffee and Red Bull as the mother’s milk of West Point’s long days and short sleep.

Cadet Ryan Peacock, a triathlon team member, has a study console with all the digital tools available. His roommate has posters of Pre, Ali, the Beatles, Batman and Obama above a neatly made bed.

At noon, the entire cadet corps arrives for lunch like an invasion of well disciplined, mannerly locusts.

After lunch, Cadet Vandam takes advantage of West Point’s world famous sports psychology adviser Dr. Nate Zinsser to create a positive mental focus in competition.

n mid afternoon, cadets train on the trampoline in Arvin Gym to pass one of the West Point physical requirements.

In between classes and a scheduled triathlon team workout on indoor trainers, one triathlon team cadet squeezes in a run. All cadets are required to wear the reflective orange band on any personal runs.

Cadet Andrew Stock tunes up his Specialized bike before starting an afternoon indoor bike workout at the Triathlon club storage room.

Multitasking magician, Cadet Ashley Morgan studies a book while she finishes a spirited 90-minute indoor training ride. She copes with plantar fasciitis with long sessions on the trainer and hours of pool swimming.

West Point men’s triathlon team stalwart Cadet Rob Sherry, Class of 2010, checks his watch to make sure he squeezes every second in each 24 hours.