"Pursue Excellence in Everything": West Point's First African-American First Captain Vincent Brooks

The son of an Army general officer, Vincent Brooks followed his brother to West Point, and played basketball under coach Mike Krzyzewski. He gave up basketball after his first year to concentrate on his academic and military duties, and was eventually selected to serve as Cadet First Captain, the first African-American to achieve that distinction. Graduating in 1980, he was commissioned as an infantry officer. He held commands at every level of responsibility, and currently serves as Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), the Army service component of U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM). In this interview, he discusses his initial interest in West Point, his arrival at USMA, the introduction of women into the Corps of Cadets, the challenges he faced as an African-American, and his time as First Captain.

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