In a concerning development, the United States Military Academy at West Point has announced a significant change to its mission statement, a move that many fear signals the institution’s descent into woke ideology.
Lt. Gen. Steve Gilland, the academy’s superintendent, revealed on Monday that the iconic phrase “duty, honor, country” will be replaced by the more ambiguous term “Army values.”
The decision to alter the mission statement comes after an extensive 18-month review process involving West Point leaders and stakeholders.
According to Gilland, the change was deemed necessary to ensure that the academy continues to produce leaders capable of fighting and winning the nation’s wars. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George both approved the new mission statement.
.@WestPoint_USMA got rid of "Duty, Honor, Country" out of its mission statement this week and replaced it with the words "Army Values". What a disgrace! Listen to the speech by General Douglas MacArthur called "Duty, Honor, Country" given when he received West Point's Thayer… pic.twitter.com/ie9MqyA5qn
— Spence Rogers (@SpenceRogers) March 13, 2024
While Gilland maintains that Army values encompass the principles of duty, honor, and country, many conservatives view this change as a troubling departure from the academy’s long-standing traditions.
The phrase “duty, honor, country” has been a cornerstone of West Point’s culture, binding generations of cadets together across its storied history. As Gilland himself acknowledged, “These three hallowed words are the hallmark of the cadet experience.”
Critics argue that the shift towards the more nebulous concept of “Army values” may open the door for the infiltration of progressive ideologies that could undermine the institution’s primary focus on developing strong, principled leaders.
The removal of the specific virtues of duty, honor, and country from the mission statement may be seen as a capitulation to the growing influence of woke culture in American society.
It is worth noting that West Point’s mission statement has undergone nine revisions over the past century, with “duty, honor, country” first being added in 1998.
However, the timing of this latest change, amidst a climate of heightened political polarization and social unrest, has raised concerns among those who believe that the military should remain a bastion of traditional values and resist the encroachment of divisive ideologies.
#FBI Director Wray spoke to future U.S. Army Officers at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The Bureau and Army's shared commitment to service of protecting the American people is accomplished by maintaining focus on evolving threats. https://t.co/69B1OonzXa pic.twitter.com/aPFUxRzabY
— FBI Baltimore (@FBIBaltimore) March 6, 2024
As the nation grapples with the implications of this decision, it is crucial that West Point remains steadfast in its commitment to producing leaders of character who are prepared to serve their country with distinction.
While the language of the mission statement may have changed, the underlying principles that have guided the academy for over two centuries must endure.
The future of the United States military depends on the unwavering dedication of its leaders to the timeless values that have made this nation great.
