Sam Ruppert became interested in China after leaving his family farm in Pennsylvania to study at West Point, where he will graduate with dual majors in Chinese and Defence & Strategic Studies and commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. In addition to military leadership positions, including Cadet Basic Training First Sergeant, Sam had the opportunity to spend a semester at Peking University, serve as an interpreter for the People's Liberation Army Sandhurst Competition team, and research the First Sino-Japanese War in Chinese government archives. Sam plans to pursue an MA in War Studies at King's College London.