Political Correctness at West Point: A Diversion from Military’s Core Values of Duty, Honor, Country
When Patriotism Faltered: The New Era at West Point
For veterans like myself, digesting current news, especially when it touches upon the military, has become a test of endurance. Our hearts sink as we see the very foundation of our nation—once safeguarded by our unified service—begin to falter.
My recent article for The Daily Wire delved into the alarming rise of “wokeness” within the U.S. armed forces, a trend I view as an erosion of our values and a distraction from our principal goal: the robust defense of our homeland.
The Surprising Shift at West Point
The shock ran deep among many of us veterans upon learning that the United States Military Academy at West Point had replaced its venerable motto, “Duty, Honor, Country”, with a politically tailored “Preserving Army Values.” Was this the same bastion of American military excellence we knew, or had it become a casualty of modern political currents? At first, I rejected the report as misinformation, but as The Daily Wire’s follow-up confirmed, the change was indeed real.
As the son of a Korean War hero and admirer of General Douglas MacArthur, I grew up steeped in the lore of military service and sacrifice. My father, wounded in combat and a witness to the grim reality of war, was moved to tears by MacArthur’s profound reverence for the code of “Duty, Honor, Country” during his farewell address to West Point. These words, spoken at the twilight of his career, were not mere rhetoric; they were a sacred commandment to all soldiers.
General MacArthur asserted that our service members are the fabric holding our national defense together. When duty calls, soldiers rally to the cry of ”Duty, Honor, Country”—a creed that reverberates through history and compels bravery against all odds.
A Legacy In Peril
The doctrine of “Duty, Honor, Country” has always been more than a slogan; it’s been a guiding light for service members. To see it stripped away, to witness the erosion of this long-standing pillar of American military tradition, feels like a betrayal of the highest order.
Facing enemy fire, countless soldiers have found strength in whispering those hallowed words. Can the notion of “Army Values” truly instill the same courage and resolve when our freedoms hang in the balance? It seems to resonate more as a hollow corporate mantra than a powerful wartime talisman.
Each West Point cadet should feel the weight and warmth of tradition with “Duty, Honor, Country”—a tradition that has suddenly been replaced by an empty phrase that lacks the historic valor and fervor of its predecessor.
Where Do We Stand?
The next time I find myself in the company of fellow veterans at a VA hospital, I can almost predict the unified outcry against the alteration of West Point’s storied mission statement. The Espionage and Sedition Acts once defended our nation against anti-patriotic acts. Could this be seen as a modern equivalent, deserving of equal scrutiny and censure?
While “Duty, Honor, Country” may no longer echo off the walls of West Point, their significance remains alive in the hearts of those who have served. Such words are far from forgotten, and their legacy will continue to inspire generations of Americans who hold fast to the ideals of service, sacrifice, and patriotism.
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Brian Schaeffer’s life has been shaped by his military service and his dedication to the principles of duty and country. As a former naval aviator and now a civilian, he continues to reflect on and advocate for the values that have made America resilient and its military respected around the world.
The opinions shared here are solely the author’s and not those of The Daily Wire.
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