West Point.  While many schools have impressive graduates.  Few colleges can claim to have a greater impact on our nation than the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The leaders of character that West Point continues to produce will continue to write the history of our nation.  For July 4th, I provide you with just a glimpse into a few of the great leaders West Point produced and the culture of leadership that produced them.

Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy. – General Norman Schwarzkopf

A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. – General Douglas MacArthur

Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole can be won. – West Point Cadet Prayer

Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. – President Dwight D. Eisenhower

A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. – General George S. Patton

If you took the best battalion and the worst and you switched their commander and sergeant major, in 90 days the best would become the worst and the worst would become the best. – General Stanley McChrystal

A cadet will not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate those who do. – West Point Cadet Honor Code

The Three Rules of Thumb -Exceeding the Minimum Standards of the Honor Code

  1. Does this action attempt to deceive anyone or allow anyone to be deceived?
  2. Does this action gain or allow the gain of a privilege or advantage to which I or someone else would not otherwise be entitled?
  3. Would I be satisfied by the outcome if I were on the receiving end of this action?

The Bottom Line:

Perhaps the most famous quote from the most famous speech ever given at West Point sums up the culture of leadership. This culture enables West Point to provide leaders of character for our nation.  The quote comes from General Douglas MacArthur in his farewell speech to the Corp of Cadets:

“Duty, Honor, Country” — those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.

God Bless America and the men and women who continue to serve our nation today.