For over two centuries, the United States Military Academy has been the premier school of the leadership of our nation’s military. The mission of our Military Academy is “to educate, train and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army.” Cadets are taught through a system established during the time of Superintendent Sylvanus Thayer (1817-1833). Thayer’s method emphasizes the values of honor and responsibility, mental and physical discipline, high academic standards, outstanding military bearing and appearance at all times. During their four years at West Point, each cadet learns to incorporate these guidelines into their lives, whether in the military or in civilian roles. In our Duty, Honor, Country project, we seek to record stories showing how these values guided them throughout their lives.
Pro Deo et Patria – Country – 2021
Of the three hallowed words that comprise our beloved motto, I would in this article like to write about “Country” and what that word means to me. I have always thought that I lived one of the most blessed childhoods that any kid could ever want. Though to me I was…
Honor: The Role of Honor – 2011
Once each year during the holidays, the Societies of all the Service Academies in the Greater Kansas City area sponsor a formal dinner in Kansas City to celebrate the cadets and midshipmen from Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. Cadets, midshipmen, dates, and families attend. Attendance is always good. I was fortunate…
Duty: Rwanda – 1994
McDonough, DUTY: RWANDA 1994 I had been granted the opportunity to command at brigade level late in my career, something I had aspired to for some time. But it would not be of a standing brigade already on the rolls. Instead, it would be a brigade I would have to…