“Just Tough, Rugged Dudes”: Twin Army Football Players

Liam and Kalib Fortner grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, with an older brother and a younger sister. Their father works in construction and their mother is an English teacher and photographer. The twins feel like they “really came to life” in high school. COVID-19 hit during their junior year, but their coach let them have a key to the high school gym and they enjoyed working out (and playing video games) while they were on lockdown. Kalib wanted to attend the Air Force Academy, but the brothers were offered a virtual tour of West Point by Coach Wright. Their grandpa “explained the magnitude of the opportunity” to attend West Point, and the brothers were sold. Together, they attended the United States Military Academy Prep School (USMAPS) with Kalib in A Company, and Liam in B Company. They appreciated their prep experience, but felt that academics could have been harder to better prepare them for the academic intensity they found at the Academy. They enjoyed playing football at USMAPs, and are excited to return there as Athletic Interns for a semester following graduation. They looked at their prep experience as a train-up for Plebe year. On R-Day, they reported early and remember the rain and the large amount of “stuff” they had to carry. They have done well academically, both choosing to major in Civil Engineering, although Liam started as a Systems Engineering major. Describing the academic rigor of the Academy, Kalib recalls turning in problem sets late in the night before a football game. They enjoyed Cadet Field Training and Cadet Troop Leader Training, where they both served at Ft. Drum, New York. They did well physically at the Academy, but both Liam and Kalib felt that Mil-Move (gymnastics) was a challenge, with Kalib adding that swimming was a struggle too. They both liked their companies. Liam was in A-3, and Kalib remarked about the good TAC Officer and TAC NCO in G-1. Liam found time to participate in ASEM (American Society for Engineering Management) and even brought Kalib to a few meetings. They both found the culture of West Point to be great and highlight the importance of the Honor Code and Trust as part of the West Point identity where Cadets “strive for greatness.” They describe the football team’s culture as “gritty and tough,” and note the love and trust they have for the other players, stating, “We’re just tough, rugged dudes.” Both Liam and Kalib branched Infantry, and Kalib will serve at Ft. Campbell while Liam is going to Ft. Hood. They feel that attending West Point was hard but rewarding. Kalib remembers wanting to quit but decided to “quit the next day,” and that day never came. Liam cherishes the relationships forged at West Point, and Kalib remarks that “this place builds you for the rest of your life.”