The Red Book is the West Point catalog containing academic curriculum and course descriptions. The name "Red Book" is derived from the red covers with which the printed catalog booklets were once bound. 

For the most up-to-date information, view the USMA Academic Program as described in the Red Book.

The purpose of USMA’s Academic Program is to establish the intellectual foundation for service as a highly educated commissioned officer and to develop in cadets the knowledge and skills necessary for service and continued growth as an officer in the U.S. Army. 

In coordination with the Military, Physical, and Character Programs, the Academic Program develops in cadets a professional self-concept as an officer, nurturing each cadet’s competence, character, and confidence to act decisively on matters of concern to the nation. 

The content and process of cadet education and development within the Academic Program enables cadets to understand the interrelated roles of a commissioned officer - soldier, servant of the nation, and leader of character - and to incorporate these roles into their own emerging professional identities. 

For the most up-to-date information, view the USMA Academic Program as described in the Red Book.

Educating Future Officers and USMA's strategy are supported by the academy's faculty model. This faculty model blends recent operational experience in the Army with disciplinary expertise and the best pedagogical approaches, all grounded in the values and mission of USMA, and sustained by faculty development tailored to each individual faculty member.

The faculty’s development of cadets is not limited to the classroom. West Point's faculty, who have been recognized as the most accessible to students in higher education, spend immeasurable hours with cadets out of the traditional academic environment. Whether through additional instruction, formal or informal mentorship programs, or supervising extracurricular activities, faculty constantly engage cadets. 

This frequent faculty contact provides cadets invaluable mentorship on personal and professional conduct while simultaneously modeling selflessness. The faculty are exemplars of how to both think and act like a professional. 

The academy's faculty model also enables West Point to provide intellectual capital to the Army and the Nation through the contributions of faculty, staff, cadets, and centers. USMA strives to be the intellectual engine of the Army’s innovation ecosystem. 

The annual intellectual theme serves to unify the West Point community through a shared academic focus. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, encourages rigorous discourse, and promotes research centered on a common subject, strengthening the Academy’s collective intellectual engagement.

MADN  

June 17, 2025

MEMORANDUM FOR All Personnel Assigned to the Dean’s Directorate 

SUBJECT: DEAN’S POLICY AND OPERATING MEMORANDUM 01-20 DEAN’S OPEN DOOR POLICY 

1. REFERENCES. 

• USMA Commander’s Open Door Policy, 27 June 2022.
• Army Regulation 600-20, (Army Command Policy), 24 July 2020. 

2. PURPOSE. To establish the Dean’s Open Door Policy. 

3. POLICY. 

• I am committed to addressing the concerns of all members of my command that are unable to be resolved through other channels. Although I am a strong advocate for using the chain of command to address the issues within the Dean’s Directorate, I am available to discuss any issue that requires my personal attention.
• Cadets, staff, faculty, and family members of my directorate may schedule an appointment through the Dean’s Executive Officer at x2000. 

4. EXPIRATION. This policy remains in effect until superseded or rescinded. 

5. PROPONENT. The proponent for this memorandum is Dean Operations.

Digitally signed by Shane R. Reeves
BG, U.S. Army
Dean of the Academic Board