OVERARCHING GOAL:

Graduates anticipate and respond effectively to the uncertainties of a changing technological, social, political, and economic world

Rationale and Amplification

The contemporary world is increasingly characterized by technological, social, political, and economic change, resulting in challenges that are dynamic and complex. Army officers will be confronted with situations that may have multiple issues at stake, with no single or dominant focus. Indeed, uncertainty and change are constants of our world and of the military profession; officers must anticipate the implications of such conditions for the future of our national security. Army officers must also respond effectively to the complexity and uncertainty that characterize the variety of missions they encounter now and in the years to come. Within the context of this dynamic national security environment, future officers must be able to provide responsible intellectual leadership for the profession and the institution that is the United States Army. 

The intellectual development of cadets remains paramount to realizing the Military Academy’s mission. We cannot train cadets for every situation they will encounter as officers. Rather, we must educate them broadly so that they have the foundation for continued learning and development as professionals throughout a lifetime of service. Consequently, the Military Academy’s Cadet Leader Development System (CLDS) affords cadets a broad liberal education designed to develop versatile, creative, and critical thinkers who can craft effective and ethical responses to the challenges they will confront throughout their careers. The educational experience at the United States Military Academy is well suited to providing an intellectual foundation for the development of future strategic leaders.

What Graduates Can Do

Graduates can anticipate and respond effectively to the uncertainties of the changing world they encounter as Army officers. They can meet challenges, problems, opportunities, and military threats with confidence in their abilities to accomplish their assigned missions.

To Anticipate
Graduates are able to examine the social, political, economic, and technological environment to identify new ideas and trends and imagine possible outcomes. In order to prepare for future challenges, graduates are aware of the breadth, depth, and limits of their own understanding and abilities and capable of self-directed, independent learning.   They are able to communicate effectively new ideas and insights, develop conjectures about their situation, and apply these inferences appropriately. Graduates recognize and appreciate diverse perspectives on complex situations and employ interdisciplinary approaches to an understanding of the challenges they confront.

To Respond Effectively
Graduates are adaptive and respond effectively to challenges, either independently or as part of a group, through the application of reasoned judgment and integrity. Throughout this process, graduates formulate goals, generate solutions, communicate effectively, and lead soldiers and units to accomplish their missions. The development of critical thinking, a hallmark of an educated officer, is embedded in all features of the CLDS. Graduates are able to frame a question or problem from multiple perspectives, identify underlying assumptions, understand central concepts relevant to the situation, use evidence to make well-reasoned decisions, understand the consequences of their decisions and actions, and communicate their decisions clearly.
The overarching goal is supported by nine complementary goals: math and science, information technology, engineering technology, cultural perspective, historical perspective, understanding human behavior, communication, and continued intellectual development. Each goal statement is listed below with a set of corresponding outcomes.  The outcomes form the framework for goal standards and learning models, which faculty assess regularly.

Intellectual Domain Outcome Goals 

Graduates who:

1. Demonstrate scientific literacy and are capable of applying scientific, mathematical, and computational modes of thought to the solution of complex problems.
   
   
   • Understand the fundamental scientific principles that underlie military technology.
   • Understand the geophysical processes that govern the air-land-space environment.
   • Discern the scientific features or aspects of complex problems.
   • Construct mathematical models to facilitate the understanding and solution of problems.
   • Select and apply appropriate mathematical methods as well as algorithmic and other computational techniques in the course of solving problems.
   • Comprehend scientific literature appearing in the popular press
   
   
2. Apply mathematics, science, technology, and the engineering design process to devise technological problem solutions that are effective and adaptable.
   
   
   • In an environment of uncertainty and change, identify needs that can be fulfilled via engineered solutions.
   • Define a complex technological problem, accounting for its political, social, and economic dimensions.
   • Determine what information is required to solve a technological problem; acquire that information form appropriate sources; and, when available information is incomplete, formulate reasonable assumptions that facilitate the problem solution.
   • Apply the engineering design process and use appropriate technology to develop solutions that are both effective and adaptable.
   • Demonstrate creativity in the formulation of alternate solutions to a technological problem.
   • Apply mathematics, basic science, and engineering science to model and analyze a physical system or process; and apply the results of that analysis to the solution of a technological problem.
   • Work effectively as a member of a team to solve a technological problem.
   • Plan the implementation of an engineered solution.
   • Communicate an engineered solution to both technical and non-technical audiences.
   • As a member of a problem-solving team, assume responsibility for at least one aspect of the solution and effectively integrate that aspect into the team effort.
   • Assess the effectiveness of engineered solutions.
   • Demonstrate basic-level technical proficiency in an engineering discipline that is relevant to the needs of the Army
   • In response to a technological problem, learn new concepts in engineering and learn about new technologies without the aid of formal instruction.
   
   
3. Understand and apply Information Technology concepts to acquire, manage, communicate and defend information, solve problems, and adapt to technological change
   
   
   • Demonstrate understanding and proficiency in the underlying physical and mathematical concepts relevant to IT.
   • Demonstrate understanding and proficiency in the ways in which IT systems function.
   • Demonstrate understanding and proficiency in methods for successfully employing IT systems.
   • Demonstrate understanding and proficiency in the effective use of IT to solve problems and make decisions.
   • Demonstrate understanding and proficiency in the importance and implications of IT.
   
   
4. Draw from an appreciation of culture to understand in a global context human behavior, achievement, and ideas.
   
   
   • Analyze contemporary and historical events from different cultural perspectives.
   • Apply an understanding of culture wherever stationed or deployed around the world.
   • Understand diversity among people both home and abroad.
   • View the world from the perspective of someone in another culture.
   
   
5. Draw on an appreciation of history to understand in a global context human behavior, achievement, and ideas.
   
   
   • Possess knowledge of how individuals, organizations, cultures, and societies behaved and met challenges in the past.
   • Discern patterns of continuity and change in the past.
   • Understand the complexity and ambiguity of change over time. Evaluate complex evidence critically and establish appropriate links between cause and effect.
   • Incorporate historical insights into their professional decision- making.
   
   
6. Understand patterns of human behavior, particularly how individuals, organizations, and societies pursue social, political and economic goals.
   
   
   • Demonstrate Officership.
   • Understand and apply decision-making processes.
   • Understand contextual effects of human behavior.
   • Demonstrate leadership.
   
   
7. Listen, read, speak, and write effectively.
   
   
   • Listen actively, read critically, and form an independent understanding of the communications of others.
   • Speak and write clearly, using style, vocabulary, and organization appropriate to the audience.
   • Correctly employ standard conventions in written and oral communications.
   • Manage basic communicative tasks in a foreign language.
   
   
8. Think and act creatively.
   
   
   • Willingly and confidently, confront ambiguous situations.
   • Apply innovative ideas and thinking skills to solve problems.
   • Transfer what they know in one discipline to another, as well as to new or different problems.
   
   
9. Demonstrate the capability and desire to pursue progressive and continued intellectual development.
   
   
   • Demonstrate the ability to learn on own.
   • Seek advanced study in areas of professional or personal interest and pursue subjects in depth.