The goal of the West Point experience is to develop leaders of character who live honorably, lead honorably, and demonstrate excellence.
The goal of the West Point experience is to develop leaders of character who live honorably, lead honorably, and demonstrate excellence.
The United States Military Academy at West Point develops leaders of character through a 47-month process involving its academic, military, and physical programs. This West Point Leader Development System (WPLDS) synchronizes the different programs and ensures an emphasis on character development is integrated into each element.
The academy's focus on leadership development ensures its graduates thrive in complex environments and are prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation.
How West Point Develops Leaders of Character
Read the New DLCWPLDS provides the structure in which West Point accomplishes the Mission of developing commissioned leaders of character. West Point’s graduates are leaders of character who live honorably, lead honorably, and demonstrate excellence; these three components are referred to as the WPLDS outcomes. They require comprehensive and integrated development across the academic, military, and physical development experiences, grounded in a culture of character growth.
Integration occurs when faculty, staff, and coaches form, coordinate, or blend seemingly disparate developmental experiences into a unified and synergistic whole greater than the sum of the parts, thus achieving a greater developmental effect.
Live honorably:
Internalize the Cadet Honor Code, West Point Motto, and Army Values.
Demonstrate moral courage regardless of personal consequences.
Treat others with dignity and respect.
Act with humility and professional decorum in all environments through appearance, demeanor, behaviors, and words.
Lead honorably:
Accomplish the mission consistent with the Army Values.
Know, adhere to, and enforce standards.
Build cohesive and effective teams.
Demonstrate excellence:
Maximize academic, military, and physical performance.
Seek challenges and feedback; reflect and improve.
Communicate and interact effectively.
Anticipate and solve complex problems.
"To build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets to be commissioned leaders of character committed to the Army values and ready for a lifetime of service to the Army and nation."
Character Carved in Stone
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"West Point graduates may be gifted thinkers, excellent tacticians, and physically fit athletes, but only if they also demonstrate strong character, will they earn and maintain the trust of the American people and the soldiers they lead as while serving as stewards of the Army profession."
At the core of WPLDS are the challenging leadership development experiences that build each Cadet’s ability to provide purpose, direction, and motivation with care and precision.
WPLDS is enacted through an integrated core experience that is sequential and progressive in complexity and provides a common foundation for each Cadet
During the 4th Class Year, Cadet’s practice followship. Their development is grounded in the Army Leadership Attributes – Character, Presence, and Intellect.6 4th Class Cadets learn and understand the underpinnings of these Leadership Attributes (Army Values, Warrior Ethos, Military Bearing, Judgement, etc.). These attributes are reiterated throughout the entire Cadet experience.
3rd Class Cadets, in their first formal role as leaders, start to practice the Leadership Competencies – with an emphasis on Leading. Yearlings Lead by personal example while refining their communication and trust building skills.
2nd Class Cadets, in their formal role as Cadet Sergeants, refine their leadership competencies. While continuing to lead their subordinates, they take on a greater role in efforts to Develop their subordinates, creating a positive environment, and assuming stewardship of the Army profession.
1st Class Cadets, Cadet Officers, are the organizational leaders of the Corps. They establish a vision for their unit, from the Company to the Brigade level, and work to Achieve the results of that vision.
Developing leaders of character is a shared responsibility. All staff, faculty, and upper-class cadets act as role models and focus on integrating character development into every interaction. Each USMA department, directorate, and center is responsible for character development. The Simon Center for Professional Military Ethic (SCPME) provides specific expertise for character development.
At the United States Military Academy (USMA), all students are called cadets. The student body is referred to as the U.S. Corps of Cadets (USCC). The USCC simulates and operates much like an active-duty Army unit
The Cadet Honor Code serves as the cornerstone for shaping leaders of character at West Point, guiding cadets’ actions and decisions from Reception Day to graduation.