American Family News (“AFN”) reports that the United States Military Academy (“West Point”) located in West Point, New York, plans to removed the words “Duty, Honor, Country” from the academy’s mission statement and replace the motto with “Army Values.”
West Point is the oldest of the five United States service academies and educates cadets for commissioning into the United States Army.
The phrase “Duty, Honor and Country” was added to the West Point crest in 1890 and became part of the academy’s mission statement in 1998; however, West Point’s Superintendent, Lt. General Steven Wesley Gilland, has informed cadets that the current motto will be replaced with the phrase “Army Values.”
AFN states that under the Biden administration, ‘woke’ policies have found their way into the military through Navy drag performances, paid leave and travel for abortion-related expenses, DEI and more.
Critics say these policies are the reason all branches have had recruitment challenges.
The AFN report may be read HERE.
As a USAF veteran, this writer finds the new motto “Army Values” to be SIGNIFICANTLY less clear and specific than its current motto. Its modern “sound” – whether intentional or not – brings to mind the current push for liberal-minded policy and human resource approaches to leadership and goals.
In a war-fighting organization, one must be willing to put one’s life on the line for the country as a matter of duty and honor, with the inherent focus on the protection of the country and its citizens. A generalized motto such as “Army Values” would suggest that the organization’s focus is whatever the current leadership says it is, a moving target (if you will), potentially ignoring the history of West Point and the willing sacrifices made by its cadets on behalf of the United States.
Is this concern over the top? Maybe. But, in today’s climate of what is often referred to as ‘wokeism,’ a healthy skepticism toward guidance or policy which focuses inwardly instead of outwardly for the good of the entire nation is probably justified.
Those who serve understand that the military mission is far greater than self:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
A Time for Everything
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—[a] time to be born and a time to die; [a] time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; [a] time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; [a] time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones; [a] time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; [a] time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; [a] time to keep silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; [a] time for war and a time for peace [emphasis mine].”
John 15:13 (NLT)
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!