Reflections on West Point’s Graduation Ceremony
This Saturday morning, I found myself watching the rain fall over the military academy as a new class of cadets took their steps across Mitchie Stadium towards the Long Gray Line. It was a scene that stirred up some old memories for me. I graduated from West Point back in 1973, and I turned on the broadcast in preparation for an interview later that day. By the end of the ceremony, something significant had unfolded. I heard the words of the graduation speaker—a voice that touched on themes of God, duty, sacrifice, and war.
The speaker, Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth, was someone I had some history with. After my tenure at the Department of Defense, I ended up at the Family Research Council where he later became the vice president for policy. Back in the summer of 2000, we had several interns, including Pete, a bright, personable Princeton student who played basketball. He was disciplined and didn’t shy away from openly displaying his Christian faith. My children took to him instantly.
Years later, I saw Pete emerge as a well-known television figure on FOX News. My own background included years as a military analyst there. But more than his screen presence, Pete had served honorably, spending time in Iraq and Afghanistan while advocating for veterans. That experience undoubtedly gave him the respect of the nearly 1,000 alumni gathered that morning.
In contrast to many commencement speeches these days, which often seem sanitized to avoid controversy, Hegseth offered something different. He provided those future officers with a gritty assessment of their calling, which is a rarity from Washington.
The essence of Hegseth’s speech revolved around Isaiah 6:8: “Who shall we send? Who will go for us?…Here I am! Send me.” This couldn’t be more relevant. Unlike the typical college graduates simply collecting diplomas, these cadets are on the brink of becoming leaders in the U.S. Army, many of whom could soon find themselves in tough situations.
Founded in 1802 by President Thomas Jefferson, West Point serves one core aim: to cultivate leaders of character capable of safeguarding our nation. Its graduates have participated in every significant military conflict, from the Civil War to recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The motto “Duty, Honor, Country” stands as a testament to values forged through sacrifice, not mere convenience.
My own graduation took place during another challenging period. Although the Vietnam War was winding down, unrest remained widespread, and Cold War issues loomed large. We were addressed by Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, and as my classmates enlisted, they faced one of the most tumultuous transitions in military history.
Today’s cadets are stepping into a world that is just as perilous, if not more so. With the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising tensions surrounding China and Iran, they also deal with modern complexities like artificial intelligence, cyber threats, and autonomous weaponry, all evolving faster than military frameworks can reasonably keep pace with. Hegseth’s message resonated in a way that military culture had needed for a long time.
For too long, military leaders and officials have somewhat avoided integrating God and biblical references into official events. Yet, combat inherently raises pressing moral questions about courage, sacrifice, and humanity—elements that cannot be dismissed as mere philosophical musings. Hegseth acknowledged this reality and addressed it head-on.
He also pointed out recent missteps within the Pentagon, attributing some to the influx of diversity and inclusion initiatives that often sidelined basic readiness and standards. He reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to meritocracy, reinforcing that “duty, honor, and country” remains the guiding principle of their role. The military’s fundamental task—to win wars—was a reminder that desperately needed reiteration in the current climate.
Combat presents challenges that ideology often glosses over. In the face of an enemy, the duty of an officer is to exhibit moral clarity: to act decisively even when information is lacking, to take ownership of decisions in unpredictable situations, and to hold steadfast through trials that can overwhelm those anchored only in self.
A particular aspect of Hegseth’s speech struck a chord with me. He reflected on his seven children, expressing pride for the day one might answer the call with a simple, “Send me.” As I listened, I felt the weight of continuity at West Point. Each graduate becomes part of a lineage that extends over two centuries, facing evolving technologies and threats, yet the core principle remains unchanged: a commitment to serve selflessly.
The moment resonated when the cadets sang a hymn after the ceremony. The words, first sung in 1910, still echoed faintly in my memory. The long gray line of graduates continues.
Yet, that continuity is at risk as the new officers enter the Army during a time of rapid technological change. The landscape of warfare is transforming with machine-assisted decisions and cyber capabilities that their predecessors could scarcely imagine. Whether one examines the implications of AI in warfare or the moral dilemmas it poses, it’s evident that technology cannot replace sound moral judgment. Character—and the moral compass it gifts leaders—must be shaped by the values and honesty that Hegseth articulated during the ceremony.
What America needs now are not just skilled officers but moral leaders who comprehend the grim realities of warfare and the responsibilities that come with command. Young men and women must be ready to answer the timeless call: “Lord, I am here. Send me.”
