The recent move by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to eliminate the words “Duty, Honor, Country” from its mission statement, typically revered as the cornerstone of the academy’s values, has sparked significant concern among many Americans. This development marks yet another instance of so-called “woke” policies infiltrating a bastion of American military tradition, raising questions about the direction in which the nation’s military leadership is headed.
West Point’s decision, which effectively erases a storied motto from its mission statement, has prompted Judicial Watch, a staunchly pro-liberty Washington-based legal watchdog, to file a lawsuit against the Pentagon. The lawsuit seeks transparency and answers regarding the rationale behind this abrupt change, especially after West Point refused to provide any information on the matter following a request. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton succinctly voiced the frustration of many by highlighting the deeply ingrained “woke virus” that seems to be driving such changes within military institutions. Fitton rightly points out that the unlawful withholding of information only deepens the suspicion surrounding this disquieting alteration of the academy’s revered mission.
The original mission statement of West Point read, “To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army.” This statement not only defined the aspirations of West Point but also encapsulated the very essence of what it means to serve in the United States Army with integrity and honor.
However, under the direction of Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland, the mission now reads, “To build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets to be commissioned leaders of character committed to the Army Values and ready for a lifetime of service to the Army and Nation.” The omission of “Duty, Honor, Country” from this statement represents a significant shift in focus, much to the dismay of those who uphold these traditional values. Gilland claims that the change, developed over a year and a half, aims to better reflect West Point’s role, asserting that the institution still honors these values despite their exclusion from the mission statement.
This move has incited a considerable backlash, particularly among conservatives and military veterans who view it as yet another instance of political correctness overrunning time-honored military traditions. Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and military veteran, has been vocally critical of such changes. His recent book, “The War On Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” addresses this very issue and has become a New York Times bestseller, illustrating the widespread concern over these developments.
Judicial Watch’s involvement is part of its broader effort to expose and challenge what it sees as the infiltration of “woke” policies in military academies. The lawsuit against the Department of Defense underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability from our institutions, especially those charged with training the next generation of military leaders. This change at West Point is more than just a matter of semantics; it reflects a broader ideological shift with potential ramifications for the core values and operational integrity of the U.S. military.
As these changes continue to unfold, it is imperative that the American public remains vigilant and actively engaged in holding our institutions accountable. The integrity of our military and the preservation of its honorable traditions depend on it. The controversy surrounding West Point’s mission statement is a clarion call for a renewed commitment to the values that have long defined and guided our service members – “Duty, Honor, Country.”
