WEST POINT – Let the Beast Barracks begin.

Families of nearly 1,300 U.S. Military Academy candidates said goodbye for now to their children Monday as they began their journey on the road to becoming members of the Class of 2013 Corps of Cadets on the first day of their military life, R-Day, or Reception Day.

Over the next two months, candidates from each state of the union, and many from around the world, will endure countless hours of military training, known as Beast Barracks, at West Point to prepare them for the years ahead as first lieutenants in the Army.

From talking to some of the candidates, it seems a little bit of laughter is what helps them, and their families ease the stress of beginning military life.

Stefanie Mittuch, whose son Chris eagerly awaited R-Day activities joked about her military family while on line awaiting orientation.

“I’m proud of him for being in the military, but he just jumped ship. My husband is Air Force, I used to be Air Force, his uncle is Air Force, and both of his grandfathers were Air Force- and he goes Army. It’s okay.  He’s still serving his country.”

Chris chuckled at his mother’s comments. “(I’m) just eager to get it over with.  I’ve been preparing for a year and just want to do it.  I wanted to serve my country, and West Point was the best possible place to get me into the Army.”

The Lopez family from Mahopac said goodbye to their son Jason Charles, who said he is also ready for the challenge.

“I wanted to fly.  I applied to all of the academies, and I got into West Point.  On one hand, I’m close at home to my friends, and on the other hand I’m close at home to my mother.  I don’t know how I feel.  I don’t know if it’s feeling nothing, or confusion.  It’s hard to explain. 

His parents, Charles and Eleanor, said they were very proud of their son.  “It’s a goal he’s been working towards for a long time.  We’re glad that he is here and that he is doing something,” his father said.  Eleanor added, “I’m just very proud of all the men and women who are doing this today.”

The two, along with nearly 1,300 others from around the globe spent the day getting military-issued clothes, gear, and haircuts. They learned military etiquette, and were given their first taste of verbal discipline.

According to Director of Admissions Colonel Deborah McDonald, this year’s candidate pool has even more diversity than past years, with numbers increasing every year.  There are 190 women, and minority groups make up nearly 25 percent of the class.

There are 127 Hispanics, marking the highest number for that demographic in West Point’s History.