Mission
The mission of West Point, The United States 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.”
You have been assigned to West Point for one purpose only––to develop leaders of character. The Corps of Cadets has approximately 4,400 men and women from all 56 states, territories and more than 30 foreign countries. You will play an important role in the cadets’ development through your participation in activities and events associated with the entire West Point community. These will go far beyond your assigned duties and will provide an enjoyable and rewarding experience for your entire family.
THE WEST POINT EXPERIENCE
The “West Point Experience” is designed to prepare cadets for leadership as commissioned officers on active duty in the United States Army. It is a 47-month process, which provides for the intellectual, military, physical, moral-ethical and social development of cadets and transforms them into leaders. The academy exists for no other purpose.
West Point is extremely selective, enrolling only the most promising young men and women. They are bright, eager and enthusiastic and they demonstrate a high degree of extraordinary leadership potential.
The Cadet Leader Development System, or CLDS, is the formal means of coordinating and integrating the programs, activities and resources necessary to develop cadets. The system provides for sequential and progressive development in three complementary programs––academic, military and physical. Each of these programs, in turn, is designed to foster moral-ethical and social development. Cadets learn to seek the truth and have the courage and commitment to do what is right. This is the hallmark of leaders of character. Throughout their four-year experience, cadets study and practice leadership. They develop intellectually, militarily, physically and ethically. This prepares them to fulfill their roles as officers in our Army.
When cadets enter the academy, they become active duty members of the U.S. Army and take the first steps toward joining the Long Gray Line, one of the proudest traditions in the Army and in the nation. At West Point, cadets develop as leaders of character prepared to serve the Army and the country for a lifetime.
THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM
The academy’s academic program includes a dynamic and integrated undergraduate curriculum that balances the physical sciences and engineering with the humanities and social sciences. The goal is for every graduate to be able to anticipate and respond effectively to the uncertainties of a changing technological, social, political and economic world. In addition, the academy seeks to instill in cadets creativity, moral awareness and a commitment to progressive and continued educational development.
During the first two years, the program of study consists of a core curriculum of science, English, mathematics, history, information technology and behavioral and social sciences. This broad base of knowledge forms the foundation for a higher level core curriculum, a minimum of three engineering courses and specialization in an academic major.
THE MILITARY PROGRAM
The military program provides a sequential and progressive curriculum of military training and education and leadership development activities, which instill in cadets the requisite attributes to be commissioned leaders of character. Cadets learn, then demonstrate proficiency in, individual warfighting and small-unit leadership skills, internalize the warrior ethos, and demonstrate the self-discipline, mature judgment and moral courage to think and communicate clearly, decide wisely and
act decisively.
When new cadets arrive on R-Day, they begin to experience the military environment present at the academy. They are required to conduct themselves according to military standards. The first phase of military training is given during the six-week program known as Cadet Basic Training. CBT, or Beast Barracks, is one of the most strenuous and intense periods of training that cadets encounter while at the academy.
During CBT, upper-class cadets, tactical officers and noncommissioned officers train, inspire and mentor new cadets in basic Soldier skills and prepare them for acceptance into the Corps of Cadets. In addition, the program is designed to inspire each new cadet to internalize the ideals of West Point and the Army. Along with instruction in military subjects, new cadets participate in drills, marches and overnight field training.
THE PHYSICAL PROGRAM
The Department of Physical Education creates a cadet-centered educational environment that provides a militarily relevant and scientifically-based physical development program, which instills a warrior ethos of physical and mental superiority. Cadets are engaged in activities that promote and enhance healthy lifestyles, physical fitness, movement behaviors and psychomotor performance from physical education courses, regular fitness testing and competitive sports. The physical program helps them develop physical skills, self-confidence, respect for fair play and a commitment to maintain individual and unit physical fitness. The physical program includes physical education instruction, fitness assessment and the competitive sports program.
MORAL-ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT
Moral-ethical development is central to the West Point Experience. It is integral to the academic program, imbedded in the military program and imbued throughout the physical program.
The academy focuses on developing leaders of character — men and women who revere honesty, pursue justice and demonstrate respect for others and their property.
Cadets are guided by the values of the academy’s enduring motto — “Duty, Honor, Country.” These words provide the foundation for the Army’s Professional Military Ethic. The Cadet Honor
Code — “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do”— sets the minimum standard for honorable conduct. However, the academy seeks to inspire adherence to the spirit of the code, not just the “letter of the law.”
THE PREP SCHOOL
Currently located at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, also known as West Point Prep or simply the Prep School, was formally established in 1946. The history of “prepping” Soldiers for West Point, however, goes back to 1916 when Congress enacted legislation authorizing appointments for Soldiers to attend West Point.
Today the school exists as an avenue of opportunity for a select group of Soldiers and civilian aspirants to attend West Point. The Prep School continues to provide focused academic, military and physical instruction in a moral-ethical military environment to prepare and motivate candidates for success here.
USMA Prep is primarily an academic institution where Soldiers and students from diverse backgrounds are rigorously trained in preparation for the challenges of West Point. It is also a military school with a career focus that develops the foundations of the professional and physical attributes needed for growth as an officer in the U.S. Army.
Currently, Fort Monmouth is in the midst of preparing to close, as directed by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). Therefore, USMAPS is scheduled to relocate to West Point in the summer of 2011.
CONTRACTING OFFICE
The Directorate of Contracting (DOC) is the installation contracting office for the USMA, West Point Garrison and supported tenants. The DOC is part of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command.
The DOC purchases equipment, consumable supplies, utilities, construction and base operation type services for West Point. These include both appropriated (taxpayer money) and non-appropriated (monies generated by business activities, e.g. Army football) funded acquisitions. These are acquired through competitive solicitation and awarding of various types of contracts and include purchase orders, Government Credit Card purchases and placing orders against contracts awarded by General Services Administration and various agencies in the Department of Defense.
For more information about contracting services, call 938-3417.
West Point Mint Facility
Located near the U.S. Military Academy in New York state, the United States Mint at West Point manufactures the entire family of American Eagle proof and uncirculated coins in gold, silver and platinum. The gold and platinum coins are manufactured in denominations of one-ounce, half-ounce, quarter-ounce and tenth-ounce. Silver bullion coins are manufactured in one-ounce denomination.
Historical Background:
Erected in 1937 as the West Point Bullion Depository, this was originally a storage facility for silver bullion and was nicknamed “The Fort Knox of Silver.” From 1973 to 1986, West Point produced cents, and in 1980 began striking gold medallions. Shortly afterward, approximately 20 billion dollars worth of gold was stored in its vaults, making it second only to Fort Knox for gold storage. Today, it is also the major producer of gold coins.
The red-letter date for West Point was March 31, 1988, when it gained official status as a United States Mint. Today, it is still a storage facility, but also manufactures, packages and ships gold and silver commemorative coins and American Eagle Bullion coins in proof and uncirculated condition. Its Platinum Eagles have been very popular since their first issuance in 1997. In 2000, it struck the first ever Gold and Platinum Bi-Metallic Coin.
Because of its extremely high security, the West Point facility does not offer public tours.
ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES
The West Point Association of Graduates is the alumni association of the U.S. Military Academy. Its mission is to serve West Point and its graduates. The WPAOG was founded in 1869 to reunite graduates who found themselves on opposing sides during the American Civil War. Today, it continues to strengthen the bonds of the “Long Gray Line” through assistance to graduates. A non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, its philanthropic pursuits maintain a margin of excellence for cadets attending the academy.
The WPAOG offices are located in Herbert Hall on Mills Road, just south of Lusk Reservoir. In addition to housing the WPAOG staff operations, there is a Gift Store (open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.). West Point staff and faculty receive a 10% discount. The Great Hall is available for rental to all West Point graduates, staff and faculty for promotions, awards, retirements and other functions. For more information, visit www.westpointaog.org, call 446-1500 or stop by.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
The Red Cross offers volunteer opportunities throughout the community including the three annual Blood Drives held each year. The organization also offers Health, Safety and Disaster Services and is the leading nationwide provider of education and training programs that help people everyday prevent, prepare and respond to emergencies. The “Together We Prepare” Initiative helps everyone get the necessary skills and information needed to respond better to Disaster and Emergency situations. For more information on how you or your organization can be better prepared during an emergency or disaster situation, call the Service Center at 938-4100.
