Lecture Series at MWI: Discussion with Dr. Marybeth Ulrich on the Academy Oath Project
West Point Embraces the Academy Oath Project
On January 26, 2023, Dr. Marybeth Ulrich visited West Point to present on the Academy Oath Project, an initiative aimed at cultivating a program to institutionalize, educate, and train all cadets on the Oath of Commissioning and civil-military relations norms.
The Academy Oath Project is part of a broader cadet-faculty effort and is cosponsored by the William E. Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic. The project seeks to foster a deeper understanding of military service in a democracy and reinvigorate education on the oath of office in academic and military programs.
At West Point, the Academy Oath holds significant symbolic and practical importance. Cadets take an official oath upon entry, pledging to uphold the Constitution and faithfully discharge their duties as officers. This oath marks the transition from civilian life to military service and frames the rigorous academic, physical, and military training throughout their tenure.
The significance of the oath at West Point includes serving as a legal and moral commitment to serve the nation honorably and uphold military values, formalizing cadets’ acceptance into the military profession and the academy community, reinforcing the ethical framework that underpins leadership development, and acting as a rite of passage marking entry into the officer corps.
The Academy Oath Project emphasizes the importance of accountability, professionalism, and ethical leadership in the training of future military officers, embodying the core mission of West Point to "serve the nation" with integrity and honor.
[Image Credit: Sgt. James McCann]
[1] Academy Oath Project Website [3] West Point Honor Code and Values
- The Academy Oath Project at West Point, involving military, civil-military relations, and education-and-self-development, aims to institutionalize and train cadets on the Oath of Commissioning to foster a deeper understanding of military service in a democracy and reinvigorate education on the oath of office.
- Understanding war-and-conflicts and politics will be essential for the Academy Oath Project's success, as it seeks to create responsible, ethical leaders who uphold their oath to serve the nation with integrity and honor.
- General news and learning (about the Academy Oath Project) can provide insights into how West Point, alongside education and self-development, is working to cement the principles of accountability, professionalism, and leadership in its cadets, equipping them for their roles as future military leaders.
