Frederick M. Franks Jr.

"The United States Military Academy was born of necessity. In its earliest days our Nation found itself reliant on Armed Forces to first establish and then maintain itself in the face of external military challenges. Lacking experience and expertise in that realm, we were often obliged to look abroad for examples and guidance. Fortunately, men of genius and dedication came forward such as Lafayette, von Steuben, and Kosciusko, yet America clearly needed her own school for professional officers. General George Washington had been advocating establishment of such an institution for many years, as had other senior officers of the Continental Army. Events in his presidency convinced Thomas Jefferson of the necessity, leading him on 16 March 1802 to sign a bill establishing the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Developing and commissioning leaders of character for the United States Army has been West Point's mission ever since, with the inspiration and the challenge of its Cadet Honor Code setting a high standard for those who would choose to earn the right to lead America's Soldiers."

"To effectively accomplish its full range of missions, our Army needs agile and adaptive leaders who are culturally astute, creative and morally grounded. Today, a leader's character is more important than ever. In the complex, multi-dimensional security environment of the 21st Century, our Army is asking leaders at all levels- platoon to the highest headquarters- to exercise judgement and solve difficult and complex issues, many with strategic consequences. It's a challenge that our Army and Soldiers and leaders are meeting. Today's graduates of West Point are meeting that challenge. No less than their predecessors in the Long Gray Line, they embrace the Spirit of the Cadet Honor Code and see its value living among those who are of like beliefs at West Point. They also see the necessity to continue to perform their duties with Honor after they are commissioned as Officers. Thus, their concept of Honor includes not lying, cheating, or stealing, and not tolerating those who do, but also embraces the broader concept of honorable duty in treating all with dignity and respect as well as living up to the expectations of the Soldier's Creed, Warrior Ethos, and the ideals of West Point as included in Duty, Honor, Country. This generation's broader and more inclusive concept of honorable duty is both commendable and inspiring. They understand the expectations of Honor among the seven Army values: "Live up to all the Army Values.""

"Developed and refined over two centuries, the Cadet Honor Code is a foundation for a lifelong commitment to doing what's right."