On July 4, 1802, the United States Military Academy was founded with five instructors and ten cadets. Located in West Point, New York, it serves as an educational institution for training Army officers, commonly referred to as “West Point.”
In 1776, the United States had achieved victory in the American Revolutionary War but did not yet possess a strong military force. Particularly lacking were trained officers. This underscored the urgent need for a professional military educational institution to prepare for future defense needs. At that time, France’s military academies served as a valuable model.
West Point grew into one of the premier educational institutions with full national support in the United States. Its graduates are prominent leaders not only in the Army but also in politics, economics, and society. As a result, it is highly admired by aspiring students, leading to intense competition in admissions. Candidates are selected based on comprehensive evaluations of academic performance, physical abilities, and leadership qualities.
The educational program spans four years, balancing academic education with military training. Major fields of study include engineering, science, humanities, and social sciences. Cadets undergo rigorous academic education and military training concurrently. The curriculum is designed to embody West Point’s core values of Duty, Honor, and Country.
It also emphasizes cultivating intellectual ability, leadership, and combat skills through lectures, practical training, and military exercises. The goal is for graduates to possess all the qualities necessary to serve the nation as Army officers. After graduation, they are commissioned and obligated to serve in the Army for five years.
Many of the Army’s prominent officers have graduated from West Point. It has produced presidents such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant. Military leaders include Douglas MacArthur, who led the victory in the Pacific War during World War II, Omar Bradley, renowned for his service on the European front, and Colin Powell, the first African American Secretary of State. West Point also produced numerous generals, astronauts, and politicians.