US military academy pillow fight leaves 30 injured

The annual pillow fight at the US Military Academy in West Point turned violent this year when cadets swung pillowcases packed with hard objects, injuring 30.

Freshmen cadets at the military academy hold a traditional pillow fight every year as a way to bring students together.

However, the tradition spiraled out of control this year.

Twenty-four cadets were diagnosed with concussions. Other injuries included a broken nose, a dislocated shoulder and a hairline fracture to the cheekbone of one of the cadets, Army officials said in a statement released Saturday.

“While these spirit events do occur, we never condone any activity that results in intentional harm to a teammate,” said Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., the superintendent of the academy.

The academy’s spokesman, Lt. Col. Christopher Kasker told The New York Times that the annual tradition is organized by cadets “to build camaraderie after a grueling summer of training to prepare them for plebe life.”

“Upperclassmen overseeing the fight required cadets to wear helmets, but video shows many did not. Some cadets swung pillowcases believed to be packed with their helmets,” he added.

Kasker said no participant has been punished and they have all returned to duty. “We are conducting appropriate investigations into the causes of the injuries and that the academy does not plan to end the annual tradition.”

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