Superintendent's Notes
 “Every cadet an athlete, every athlete challenged” is the charter given to the United States Corps of Cadets by former Superintendent Douglas MacArthur. Spring afternoons are filled with the movement of cadets racing off to practice intercollegiate sports, club sports, or intramurals, all with great energy, focus, and many with truly remarkable talent. In our mission statement we speak of the need to inspire our cadets. Our coaches and physical fitness instructors do a large part of that inspiration in forming teams, developing individual skills, and building ethical leaders through the Department of Physical Education, our Office of Intercollegiate Athletics, and in the personal example of all officers and NCOs who must model the fitness standards of our Army. In turn we are often inspired by the athletic performance of our cadets.
Let me give you three recent examples. I attended the Army-Navy outdoor track meet at Shea Stadium. Both the men and women’s teams displayed exceptional skill, and there were a number of particularly inspiring contests. The outcome of the meet came down to the very last event of the men’s competition in the 4x400 relay. Both Army and Navy runners raced like the stiff wind, staying stride for stride with each other around the track. With a large crowd gathered on the final leg cheering loudly, the last pair crossed the line with less than a half second separation. The alma maters were played, and the competition was over. Both Academies sent a message about their equal commitment to teamwork, discipline, and fitness, and by their competitive and sportsmanlike performances. All track athletes demonstrated the promise of serving as commissioned officers--as leaders of character--for our Nation. On a recent Sunday--the only day when many of our cadets could have slept in or taken quiet time--several hundred cadets gathered in their physical fitness gear in front of Washington Hall to honor the fallen of our military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. After saluting the colors while the National Anthem was played, they began to run a half-marathon along the mountain road to Cornwall and back. At each mile marker on the route there was a large photograph of a recent graduate who had been lost in those two campaigns; a strong message about honoring the selfless service and sacrifice of all in our armed forces in the past ten years. Finally, we just conducted the annual Sandhurst Competition, a military stakes event and a very demanding athletic challenge which culminates after months of hard training with an intense two days of marksmanship, land navigation, and a series of tough obstacles and military skills at Camp Buckner. This year the competition included fifty five nine-man squads. Teams came from each of the cadet companies, USMAPS, eight ROTC detachments, USNA, USAFA, and seven countries including a team from the People’s Republic of China for the first time in history. This tough and grueling competition placed equal emphasis on physical strength and endurance, military skills, and critical thinking. Our cadets all did very well, and reaffirmed their collective focus on teamwork and leadership.
General MacArthur described the Soldier athletes of his day as “the most dependable, hardy, and courageous officers” and the “readiest to accept and enforce discipline.” That focus on leader development through tough physical competition and sportsmanship remains central here at U.S.M.A. We are committed to inspiring the Corps of cadets through our leadership and example. In turn we are inspired by their response every day.
Army Strong!
LTG David Huntoon
| News and Events |
Jan. 23, 2012- LTG Huntoon Interview with American Forces Network-Korea
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 – Class of 2011 Graduation Ceremony
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
May 19, 2011 – GEN Martin Dempsey, Chief of Staff of the Army, addresses the Class of 2011
May 2, 2011 – West Point Reaction to President's May 1 Announcement - Click for video
Feb. 26, 2011 – GEN (R) Richard A. Cody's 100th Night Banquet Speech to Class of 2011
Jan. 7, 2011 – West Point signs agreement with Afghan Army
Dec. 11, 2010 – Army Sports Network: LTG Huntoon on Army Sports Network during 2010 Army-Navy Game
Sept. 15, 2010 – CNBC Special: Meeting of the Minds
Aug. 27, 2010 – Podcast Interview: Part of the Atlantic Council's New Atlanticist Podcast Series
Aug. 13, 2010 – Fox & Friends
Aug. 12, 2010 – Pointer View interview, see page 3
July 19, 2010 – Change of Command Remarks |
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