Superintendent's Notes
 The US Military Academy is committed to sustaining excellence through our Army values, in our three pillars—military development, academics, and athletics—and in our people. We are also committed to adaptation and change so that we remain relevant and mission focused. Adaptation and change are benchmarks of any first tier institution. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus noted this in 500 BC when he stated that “Nothing endures but change.” At USMA, change is a constant, with major efforts today in improving our infrastructure, and in advancing the developmental responsibilities of our cadets to prepare them to be leaders of character. Teaching our cadets to understand and manage change is an important goal here, essential to their future success in the volatile uncertain, complex and ambiguous contemporary operating environment.
Change in infrastructure at West Point is continuous. This fall we are focused on the second phase of construction at Bartlett Hall, scheduled for completion in 2014. The outcome will be world class laboratories and classrooms for Physics and Chemistry. Down Thayer Road we are taking down the abandoned Central Apartments to serve as the staging area for materials to be used in the construction of our new cadet barracks complex. Those new barracks are included in the President's current Defense Budget before the US Congress. They will provide modern space for our cadets, who currently live in nine overcrowded and aging cadet living spaces. Over the next decade we will renovate each of those barracks in turn and bring them up to Army standard. Finally, infrastructure change is coming to our West Point Cemetery with a new maintenance contract, construction of several new columbaria, and an expansion on the northeast zone for ground burial, all of which will lead to positive change.
Finally, we are always engaged in continuous leader development advancement and progression in the Corps of Cadets. Team leaders are learning how to take care of their plebes, squad leaders balance their academic responsibilities with military development of their squads, and the first class has taken on the responsibility for overall leadership of the corps of cadets on a day to day basis, working not only with their cadet subordinates but also with TAC officers and TAC NCOs. Leadership of sports team in NCAA, Club and intramural competitions, leadership of clubs and forum, and leadership of academic projects all contribute to this development of cadets. This continuous and progressive leadership change is prepares them as future officers to identify the need for positive change in their organizations, manage that change, and convey its meaning to their Soldiers. As cadets learn to handle the increasing responsibility and accountability that comes with leading and caring for others here, they are far better prepared for the duties they will all shortly take on in our Army.
Heraclitus had it about right. The only thing that remains constant here at West Point is change. From infrastructure to leader development, preparing our cadets for change through adaption, self awareness, critical thinking and creative problem solving is central to USMA, and represents our commitment to best prepare our cadets for their bright futures as commissioned officers.
Army Strong!
LTG David Huntoon, Jr.
| News and Events |
Dec. 7, 2011 – Atlantic Council interview with Lt. Gen. Huntoon
Oct. 6, 2011 – 2011 Thayer Award Presentation to Dr. Robert M. Gates
May 21, 2011 – Graduation Address by Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
May 20, 2011 – Banquet Speech by First Lady, Michelle Obama
Jan. 7, 2011 – West Point signs agreement with Afghan Army
Sept. 15, 2010 – CNBC: Meeting of the Minds leadership discussion
Aug. 27, 2010 – Podcast Interview: Part of The Atlantic Council's New Atlanticist Podcast Series
Aug. 13, 2010 – Fox & Friends interviews Lt. Gen. Huntoon
July 19, 2010 – Lt. Gen. Huntoon assumes command, U.S. Military Academy |
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