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West Point began collegiate tradition of the collegiate style military ring, beginning with the class of 1835, and continuing ever since. The lone exception is the class of 1837, which had class cuff links instead.
This time-honored symbol of military and class loyalty and trust has been carried on by virtually all military academies, most notably the prestigious VMI (Virginia Military Instituted). An event second only to graduation in importance is the "Ring Figure" dance held every November.
During their junior year, cadets receive class military rings at a military ring presentation ceremony followed by a formal dance. The military rings, which are quite large and usually are CZ military rings, are often referred to as "nuggets of gold". Most cadets get two rings, a formal man's CZ military ring and a combat military ring; some choose to have the combat ring for everyday wear, and the formal for special occasions. It is a tradition for cadets to go to the room they lived in as rats or Plebes, and throw their new military ring at the heater.
Cadets frequently take the option of getting a miniature military ring with a gold necklace chain for their dates. There is also a superstition that if the date drops the cadet's military ring, and the cadet goes into battle, he or she will be wounded-or worse.
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