Oceanside's Jake Christel completes 'The Beast', heads to West Point

Oceanside graduate Jake Christel spent this summer doing a lot of marching, repelling down a mountain, learning to throw hand grenades, and breathing in nonlethal tear gas. All a part of his six weeks of basic training after being accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Jake graduated from Oceanside High School this past June and reported to West Point three days later to start his six weeks of West Point basic training, which has been nicknamed “The Beast”. Jake’s big brother Ryan was the first in his family to go to West Point in 2020, majoring in Computer Science. This year the two will be at the school together for one year. Jake said his brother played a large part in his interest in attending West Point and when his brother got offered and accepted an appointment he was hooked.

“My brother opened up my eyes to West Point, I didn’t know what it was until he was interested in going,” he said.

“It’s an awesome place and I came here because I wanted to be a better person and to be a leader too, so this is definitely the perfect place for that.”

Jake is an Eagle Scout through Troop 230 in Oceanside and was an active participant in many community service projects during his time with the troop and through OHS, where he was a founder and tutor for the Scholar Athletes Serving Others club. Jake was also a member of the National Honor Society, and the National Math Honor Society, and co-Captain of the soccer team. He is hoping to try out for the West Point soccer team this year.

Although he has not decided on his major, Jake would like to branch into Medicine and is extremely passionate about becoming a physician’s Assistant and helping wounded soldiers.

“I want to branch into something medical if I can,” said Jake. “This is the year to decide so I just got to work hard during the academic year.”

Jake’s mother Leanne said he always had a desire to help people. When her oldest son Ryan went off to West Point, she was supportive but admitted that the thought of him being in the military was also frightening. Now with Jake at West Point, she said she has similar feelings.

“I think it was a little more frightening with Jake only because of what he wants to do,” she said.

“Jake wants to be more on the front line with the medical track, which is a little more frightening for me, but I’m proud of both.”

Jake started his application in February 2022 and worked hard to achieve the grades necessary to be accepted. He had to earn a Congressional Nomination, which he received from Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, and pass a rigorous physical assessment and a medical examination. He was thrilled to receive his offer of acceptance early in December of 2022.

The coolest part for Jake, aside from learning how to toss a hand grenade, was learning how to be a valuable squad member and ultimately a valuable member of something much bigger than just himself.

“Most of us connected right away because we were going through something together,” Jake said about his fellow cadets.

“It’s a great place to build connections. It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be and the challenge I wanted. It’s going to be a grind to balance all my classes. I’m going to go to the gym as much as I can too and try to see what I can do with what time I have.”

Jake was able to reunite with Leanne and his dad Joe on Aug. 12th on Acceptance Day. After a few tears, the two were able to share an embrace and express how proud they were of their son before he starts his academic year.

“He loves to challenge himself,” said Leanne.

“We’re very excited for him to start his academic year and he’s thinking about some different sports that he wants to try. It’s very exciting for him and we think he’s going to do well. It seems like he’s fitting right in and acclimating very well. We think he is where he should be. This was built for him.”