Cadet leader development is a system of purposefully planned and integrated educational experiences that guide curricular development and assessment of student outcomes. Drawn directly from the United States Military Academy (USMA) mission, the Cadet Leader Development System (CLDS) represents a transformational change in the culture of education at West Point, shifting from a focus on attrition (a difficult program that one must endure) to a standards-based system centered on progressive development toward desired outcomes. Philosophically, CLDS is influenced by the strategic environment into which our graduates are launched, the social environment from which our students are drawn, and higher educational accreditation standards and practices.