'People need to step up': One of one-thousand cadets graduating from West Point in a class who were pre-teens during September 11
Before the hats even hit the ground, new graduates face a world of conflict and uncertainty.
But the danger didn't diminish the sense of pride, accomplishment and optimism at West Point's graduation today.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen spoke to graduating cadets at the football stadium of the the U.S. Military Academy, on the scenic Hudson River about 55 miles north of New York City.
Ecstatic: Graduating cadet Dario Marcelli of East Hanover, New Jersey, celebrates during the graduation and commissioning ceremony at West Point May 21, 2011
Brotherhood: 1,031 graduating cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army
Tradition: Everyone's favourite graduation moment, when cadets toss their caps into the air
Mr Mullen encouraged graduates to 'build bridges' to a public that doesn't always understand the 'full weight' of military service after a decade of deadly conflicts.
Mr Mullen praised the 1,031 newly commissioned second lieutenants - many of whom will eventually deploy to Afghanistan or other conflict zones - for choosing a military career in a perilous period and assured them the American public appreciates their work too.
'But I fear they do not know us,' the Navy admiral added. 'I fear they do not comprehend the full weight of the burden we carry or the price we pay when we return from battle'.
Mr Mullen said the military represents less than 1 per cent of the population and can be a 'fairly insular' institution with its own language and culture.
He said the young officers no longer have the luxury of assuming their fellow citizens fully understand the sacrifices of military service, so they should reach out.
Wisdom: Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen told graduating cadets they should 'build bridges' with the general public, and feel proud of their service to their country
Preparation: Cadets gather before their graduation and commissioning ceremony begins
Salute: Admiral Mullen gives a thoughtful send off to the graduates, who must face an uncertain world
They need to work alongside civilians, stay in touch with their former troops, make sure families of fallen soldiers are cared for and be statesmen, he said.
'I guess we've been a little busy', said Mr Mullen, who is retiring at the end of September.
'But that doesn't excuse us from making the effort. That doesn't excuse us from our own constitutional responsibilities - as citizens and as soldiers - to promote the general welfare, in addition to providing for the common defence'.
Mr Mullen echoed some of the duty-related themes touched on Friday night by first lady Michelle Obama, who urged the graduating cadets at a banquet to keep in mind the families of the soldiers they will lead.
Mr Mullen noted that the gray-clad graduates before him were just 11 or 12 during the Sept. 11 attacks - 'getting your braces off' - and that the country has been at war for nearly half their lives.
'Yet, all of you made a choice, freely, to serve your country, to come here to West Point', he said.
Graduates interviewed in the elated moments after they tossed their caps into the air said the years of international turmoil while growing up actually strengthened their desire to serve.
Laura Chachula of Beavercreek, Ohio, said: 'I think if anything it made me want to do it more because I saw there was a need, and people need to step up'. 
Strong history: Many of America's most famous military leaders graduated from West Point, including Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee and George Armstrong Custer, whom Admiral Mullen references in his speech
Top brass: Joint Chiefs Chairman Mullen, left, and Superintendent Lt. Gen. David Huntoon, Jr., salute during the national anthem
Reflection: Cadets share a quiet moment before heading into the next stage of their careers
Graduate Jessica Coiffard of Lynchburg, Virginia said: 'I think it's something we've grown up with and it's part of our identity'.
Emmett Tischmak of Mandan, North Dakota, had already served in Iraq before attending West Point. But he said he and his friend Daniel Yu of Yorktown, Virginia, who had been deployed to Afghanistan, look forward to what's ahead.
'We understand how important it is, the job of taking care of soldiers,' Tischmak said.
Mr Mullen, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, also poked some fun at himself, noting that he had something in common with the famous West Point graduate George Custer: they both accumulated a good number of 'demerits' during their service academy days.
'I just hope our stories end differently', he said.
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