P A R E N T S
Thanks for your great work -- nurturing, educating, disciplining, teaching morals.
Be especially proud of your handiwork.
As you know - They are a work in progress and always will be.
YOU still have a lot of responsibilities and nurturing to do!
West Point is Tough -- military discipline, academics, physical training
I guarantee you will have “CALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT”
You must PROVIDE THE RIGHT ENCOURGEMENT!! These are life-long decisions.
Your education begins when theirs does
CADET LIFE
ARMY LIFE
You must understand their training and the profession of arms
AT GRADUATION
When they become Officers you will be faced with:
- A spouse and young family
- Different units
- Frequent moves
- Deployments
You must: Continue your learning
- Foreign Affairs
- New units, new positions
- Understand what they are doing
YOUR MISSION:
- Be there for them
- Be at promotions/graduations
- Don’t be Afraid -- They are trained professionals
- Serve your communities = Spokesman for West Point/The Army -- Starting Now!
AGAIN, GREAT JOB !
- Welcome to the ARMY Family
- Be Proud, Stand Tall, Have Fun !
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C A N D I D A T E S
West Point Cadet
Tough to get into West Point and West Point is TOUGH!
From the minute you pass through the Sallyport mentally prepare yourself to be a professional soldier.
You will hear DUTY HONOR COUNTRY
SERVICE
SACRIFICE
MISSION
TRAINING
READINESS
These and other words are your professional code.
Your Duty
Academics, Leadership, Athletics
- Study
- Learn
- Practice
- Lead
- Follow
- Support Teamwork
DON'T EVER QUIT!!!! DEDICATION!!!
Officer
In May of 2006 your parents will watch you graduate and be commissioned.
They will pin on the gold bar of 2nd Lieutenant on your uniform And
YOU WILL BE AN OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY
A Professional with special responsibilities for your troopers and their families.
- You must train them
- Prepare them for combat
- Be with them -- same hardships
- Serve them
- Take care of them
THEY ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
- IN COMBAT OR PEACETIME -- SAME REQUIREMENTS
- YOU ARE THEIR LEADER
- THEY LOOK TO YOU
- YOU ARE THE TRAINED PROFESSIONAL
Personal Basis
You are always on duty -- In uniform or out, every day of the year!!
You are responsible for
Your personal, physical and mental readiness.
Your personal conduct and actions must always be above reproach.
(DWI, back checks, drugs)
Warfighting must always be your focus.
Training must be hard and challenging.
Readiness is what you think about.
Train others to take your place -- develop their leadership skills.
Teacher
Learn by doing and be the teacher/trainer.
Be tough but compassionate.
Learn to listen.
You are always learning/self taught/observing other leaders, both good and bad.
US Government Property
We citizens and taxpayers provide you with equipment, ammo, people, time.
TAKE CARE OF IT. DO NOT WASTE RESOURCES
Every single class in the Academy's 200 years has lost a graduate in war.
Your objective
Be ready!! Think!! Art of War
Detailed planning and violent execution with flexibility
Courage, bravery, your word is your bond.
50 years ago General Omar Bradley said,
"Trust is placed in the leadership of an American fighting unit by its men. To meet this trust an American leader must be well-trained, well-disciplined, and professionally competent."
Still true today, the Bicentennial of USMA.
Final Results of a Military Career
What you gain -- I guarantee these:
- Daily Challenges
- Self Satisfaction -- Every day
- Respect of the Nation
- Lots of Friends and Associates
- Lots of Fun
- Not Much Money
Retired
When you retire, you continue to serve:
- Your Army
- Your Community
- Your Nation
- Your Fellow USMA Graduates and Classmates -- The Long Gray Line.
A Lifetime of Service
