West Point’s new mission statement omits MacArthur’s ‘duty, honor, country’

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point has updated its mission statement with the removal of retired Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s famous “Duty, Honor, Country,” a decision that has caused ripples among those who disagree. called.

in Statement issued on MondayWest Point, Inc. Superintendent Steve Gilland said the word is “foundational” to the academy’s culture and that despite changes in philosophy, it “will always remain our motto.”

“It defined who we are as a West Point institution and as West Point alumni,” he wrote. “These three sacred words characterize the cadet experience and connect the long gray lines that span our great history.”

Gilland said the academy needs to “regularly evaluate itself” and has worked with academy leaders and external stakeholders over the past year and a half to revise its mission statement.

The new mission statement is to “build, educate, and train a corps of cadets and inspire them to become leaders of character who are true to Army values ​​and prepared for a lifetime of service to our military and our nation.” “is.

Gilland said the updated mission statement focuses on new language that indicates a “clear purpose” to follow the Army’s values.

People online are questioning the decision to omit “Duty, Honor and Country” from the new statement.

in Post to XRachel Campos-Duffy, a former Twitter and “Fox & Friends” co-host, said West Point is “totally globalist” and that the academy “creates a home for illegal mercenaries.” “They are intentionally tanking the recruitment of American youth for the sake of the company.”

Jeff Kuhner, host of the podcast The Kuhner Report, said: posted online West Point is “woke.” “We are witnessing the slow death of our country,” he claimed, saying: MacArthur is rolling over in his grave. ”

Gilland said in a statement that the academy didn’t add the word to its mission statement until 1998 and that the organization’s “mission has changed nine times over the past century.”

“Our absolute focus remains on developing leaders of character who are ready to lead Army Soldiers on increasingly dangerous battlefields,” Gilland said in a statement.