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U.S. Military Academy History
June 30, 2006 | General
History of West Point
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Founded on March 16, 1802, the Academy is now celebrating its Bicentennial. But West Point’s role in America’s history dates back even earlier to the Revolutionary War, when both sides realized the strategic importance of the commanding plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River. Gen. George Washington considered West Point to be the most strategic position in America. He personally selected Thaddeus Kosciuszko, one of the heroes of Saratoga, to design the fortifications in 1778 after problems arose with French engineers originally placed in charge of the design. In 1779, General Washington transferred his headquarters to West Point. Continental soldiers built forts, batteries and defensive barriers. A 100-ton iron chain was extended across the Hudson to control river traffic. Today, several links from that chain are arranged at Trophy Point as a reminder of West Point’s original fortifications.
In 1802 President Thomas Jefferson signed the legislation establishing the U.S. Military Academy to create an institution devoted to the arts and sciences of warfare. This effectively eliminated America’s wartime reliance on foreign engineers and artillerists. West Point became the nation’s first engineering school and served as the model for engineering programs which were eventually established at other colleges.
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It is said at West Point that “much of the history we teach was made by people we taught.” The Academy has produced famous leaders throughout its illustrious past . . . Civil War Generals Grant, Sherman, Lee and Jackson, and Pershing, the senior American commander in World War I, to name but a few. In more recent conflictsMacArthur and Ridgway in Korea, Westmoreland and Abrams in Vietnam, and Schwarzkopf in Desert StormWest Pointers were in command. Academy graduates have also excelled in air and space exploration, and countless others went on from military service to be leaders in medicine, law, business, religion and sciences.
Since it’s founding nearly two centuries ago, the Military Academy fulfills the same mission as it always has . . . to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets. It accomplishes this mission by developing cadets in three essential areas: intellectual, physical and military. These developmental paths are balanced and fully integrated into the daily life of each young man and woman at the Academy.
Intellectual growth is fostered through an academic curriculum that provides a broad liberal education in the arts and sciences. The electives program builds upon the foundation of the core, allowing cadets to develop even greater competence in selected areas. In addition, the fields-of-study and majors nurture the development of creativity, critical thinking, and self-directed learning, essential characteristics of 21st Century officers. The four-year academic experience leads to a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army.
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Military development begins with the cadet’s first day at West Point. Most military training takes place during the summer, with new cadets undergoing Cadet Basic Training, or Beast Barracks, their first year, followed the second summer by Cadet Field Training. Cadets spend their third and fourth summers serving in active Army units around the world; attending specialty training such as airborne, air assault or northern warfare, or helping to train the first- and second-year cadets. The Cadet Leader Development System seeks to give the cadets increasing responsibility until they are ready to receive their commissions and assume their duties as leaders in today’s Army.
Moral and ethical values guide cadets throughout their four years at West Point. Commitment to the Academy’s “Bedrock Values,” based on integrity and respect for the dignity of others, begins on the first day. Integrity is reflected in the Cadet Honor Code which states: “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” Respect denotes that cadets treat others with the same respect and dignity they themselves would expect. At West Point, it is not enough to train leadersthey must be leaders of character.
Admission is keenly competitive and is open to young men and women from all states and territories and from every socioeconomic level. Prospective cadets must receive a nomination by a member of Congress or from the Department of the Army. The Academy seeks candidates who possess a record of success in academics, athletics and leadership indicative of a well-rounded individual.
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Today’s Military Academy is a vastly different institution from the small academy legislated into being by Congress in 1802. Originally just 1,800 acres, the Academy has grown to more than 16,000 acres. The first graduating class numbered just two men; today’s classes graduate more than 900 new officers annually, both men and women, who are prepared for leadership roles within the Army.
With the expansion of knowledge and the changing needs of the Army and the nation, life at West Point has changed to keep pace. Ever mindful of its rich heritage, the U.S. Military Academy is developing leaders for tomorrow, and its focus remains the national needs of the 21st century.
