The William E. Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic (SCPME) serves as the proponent for the Character Program which helps cadets understand what it means to be a commissioned leader of character who achieves the West Point Leader Development System's outcomes of living honorably and leading honorably. This includes the following enduring priorities:
"A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do."
The Cadet Honor Code is the foundation for developing leaders of character at West Point, guiding cadets’ behaviors every hour of every day from Reception Day through graduation.
The Honor Code is an ever-present condition designed to mold cadets into officers who are genuinely trustworthy and categorically trusted. All cadets are the primary stewards of the Code; however, everyone in the West Point community has a stewardship responsibility.
"Cadets will treat others and themselves with dignity and worth and expect the same from those around them."
The Cadet Character Education Program (CCEP) equips cadets with knowledge that helps them make sense of their life experiences in ways that lead to character growth. The subject matter of CCEP includes the Cadet Honor Code, Honor System, West Point values, Army values, and personal virtues essential to Army professionals.
The CCEP places specific emphasis on the Army value of Respect, especially as it relates to eliminating attitudes and behaviors that contribute to trust-shattering misconduct such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, and unjust discrimination.
"At West Point, cadets receive a world-class education and robust training to prepare them to serve as Army officers. I believe every cadet majors in character and leadership."
The culminating experience of the Character Program is the Superintendent’s capstone course, MX400: Officership.
With its emphasis on each officer’s duty to provide moral leadership, MX400 challenges cadets to strive to become commissioned leaders of character who are always “good example[s] of virtue, honor, patriotism, and subordination.”
In MX400, cadets look backward and forward: reflecting on their own character-development experiences as cadets while also studying the enduring and emerging ethical challenges of the profession they are about to enter. MX400 empowers cadets to understand and embrace their ongoing development as leaders of character and their emerging identities as Army officers.
During summer Leader Training Programs, cadet cadre for CBT, CST, and CLDT reflect on observations and lessons learned of previous details. They then have discussions to gain shared understanding and to affirm their commitment to living honorably and leading honorably in their detail.
During Cadet Basic Training, Plebes will:
The Character Program builds on Plebes' CBT experience during the academic yar through the following lessons and activities:
The Character Program builds on Yearlings' CFT experience during the academic year through the following lessons and activities:
The Character Program builds on Cows' CST experience during the academic year through the following lessons and activities:
The Character Program reaches its peak in the Firsties' academic year through the following lessons and activities:
Inspiration to Serve
TAC Teams lead their 3rd Class Cadets through the West Point Cemetery to hear from graveside speakers who provide personalized stories of recent West Point graduates who died during training or who were killed in action in support and defense of the Constitution. At designated reflection sites in the cemetery, TAC Teams then lead a discussion on the inherent risks and sacrifices of the profession of arms. This formative experience is designed to honor our fallen graduates, connect cadets to the Long Gray Line, and inspire 3rd Class Cadets’ decision to affirm and enter the profession.
Mission Command Conference
The Mission Command Conference, held each spring, supports MX400 and the greater Character Development Program. The conference presents first-class cadets with real-world challenges from NCO and junior officer perspectives to reinforce the importance of character and leading through mission command.
Class of 1970 National Conference on Ethics in America
Designed to created a forum for service academy cadets, midshipmen, college ROTC, and civilian students to discuss the ethical challenges of applying practical judgment across professional industries and lines of service. Featuring a combination of small group discussions, guest speakers, panels, group work, and social events, this event will develop participants' moral judgment to enable acts of moral courage within their professions.
The William E. Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic (SCPME) serves as the proponent for the Character Program which helps Cadets understand what it means to be a commissioned leader of character who achieves the West Point Leader Development System's outcomes of living honorably and leading honorably.
Colonel James Ross Yastrzemsky (“Yaz”) is a native of Baltimore, MD. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1997 as a NCAA Lacrosse Academic/Athletic All-American (Team Captain) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
COL Yastrzemsky has served in numerous command and leadership positions beginning with 1-3 Attack Helicopter Aviation Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, GA. He initially deployed to Ft. Hood, Texas to conduct the Apache Longbow Unit Fielding and Training Program (UFTP).
If you believe you would enjoy the challenge of educating, training, and inspiring 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, then please reach out to our personnel officer and initiate an application.
Listen to our podcast episode with Dr. Peterson on Character Development at West Point.