West Point students injured as annual PILLOW FIGHT turns nasty

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Pillow fight is an annual West Point tradition aimed at bonding students
Some cadets told of how injuries are both expected and praised
But things appear to have got out of hand this year as 30 were wounded
One reportedly broke their leg, while another was put in an ambulance
Recruits allegedly put helmets into their pillow cases to cause damage
West Point spokesman stood by tradition, but said injuries were regrettable
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT

Published: 01:00 EST, 5 September 2015 | Updated: 09:40 EST, 5 September 2015

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When signing up for the military, a pillow fight is perhaps not the first place you imagine yourself getting injured in the line of duty.

But that is exactly what happened to 30 cadets at West Point on August 20 as the traditional end-of-training brawl got out of hand.

One had to be taken away in an ambulance, another was left with a broken leg, and dozens suffered from dislocated shoulders and concussions, it has been reported.

Up to 30 cadets at the prestigious West Point military academy have been injured during an annual pillow fight after some people reportedly stuffed their pillow cases with helmets to cause more damage

According to sources, one student suffered a broken leg, while another was seen being taken away in an ambulance, and dozens more suffered concussions and dislocated shoulders

According to the New York Times, some cadets had stuffed helmets and body armor into their pillow cases in an attempt to inflict maximum damage on those taking part.

Images uploaded to social media after the fight show cadets with blood streaming from their noses and mouths, while others brandish blood-spattered pillow cases.

Video of the fight, which takes place in the central court yard of training barracks, shows cadets wearing helmets and body armor rushing in from all sides before laying into each other.

Glow sticks can be seen being thrown from the upper windows, while smoke bombs also seem to be let off among the brawling bodies.

What appear to be laundry carts loaded up with several cadets are also pushed out into the yard at speed and seem to hit several pillow fighters as they go.

In response to the injuries, Colonel Kasker, spokesman for the academy, said: 'West Point applauds the cadets’ desire to build esprit and regrets the injuries to our cadets.

Cadets have told how injuries such as bloody noses are not just expected during the fight, but are praised, though things seem to have gotten out of control this year

A West Point spokesman stood by the tradition, which is aimed at building camaraderie, though admitted that the injuries were 'regrettable'

'We are conducting appropriate investigations into the causes of the injuries.'

He added that there are currently no plans to discontinue the fight, and nobody is currently being punished for causing the injuries.

The pillow fight is traditionally held at the end of an intense seven-month period of training, during which cadets are not supposed to speak to one-another.

While not technically endorsed by the commanders at West Point, it was decided they would turn a blind eye to it as it is useful in helping to bond the soldiers.

There is evidence of the pillow fight existing as far back as 1897 at West Point, a prestigious training school that once taught Dwight D Eisenhower, Ulysses S Grant, and Douglas MacArthur.

The fight, which dates back to at least 1897, is organized by the first year students, and while not endorsed by West Point, commanders have decided to turn a blind eye to it

Cadets told The Times that injuries were not only common but expected, and often praised.

Until now West Point has not commented on the ritual, or the injuries sustained while taking part, so it is not known how this year's fight compares with others.

However, cadets did reveal that in 2012, a cadet put a lockbox in a pillowcase causing injuries, and in response, the 2013 fight was canceled.