What Constitutes Excellence in Leadership?
On the field, in the classroom and in the dorm—virtually 24/7—Cadets are constantly urged to assume increasingly responsible leadership roles at a pace that reflects their own capabilities.
Just as in the real world, Cadets at the Academy learn that leadership responsibility is earned based on knowledge, skills, and abilities; it is not something automatically granted because of age, size, or physical strength. The Corps of Cadets is organized as a battalion, a typical military structure with promotions based on academic achievement, conduct, proven leadership abilities, dependability, sportsmanship, and adherence to the Academy’s values.
Cadets learn character and responsibility through leading others. Because they are in direct control of other Cadets, the Cadet leaders have a unique opportunity to be responsible. Their actions affect not only themselves but also other people in their close-knit community. They can be a positive, constructive influence on younger cadet's lives.
Many Cadets have had an older Cadet mentor them, helping them get through, and they look forward to doing the same for future Cadets. This power and responsibility gives Cadets the opportunity to flourish, developing into diligent leaders.
Along the way, they learn to be counselors, mediators, motivators, critics, and encouragers. The military structure is well suited for this, giving Cadets progressively more responsibility as they advance, gaining respect and earning rewards as they go.
The levels of leadership involve specific training that is provided during the academic day in the Leadership Education Training (LET) class. The LET program currently includes the U.S. Army’s JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) program, first-aid and CPR training, time management, team building, as well as leadership training used in the corporate world, and a character development program designed by the Academy administration.
Though less than 1 percent of Army and Navy graduates enter military service, 100 percent of our Cadets continue their personal journey after Army Navy prepared for future leadership roles, complimented by a strong sense of independence, responsibility, and moral and ethical values.
We’ve all heard that some leaders are born, while others are made. At the Academy, all leaders are made—from the young man who has the innate charisma to lead but may need support in making better decisions, to the deliberate and thoughtful young man who must also find his voice in leading others.
We work with each Cadet to instill in him the necessary characteristics to become an effective leader. Leadership is perhaps the most important element of the Warrior Experience.