The Link Plan Vision & Action

DELIVERING WORLD-CLASS GRADUATE SERVICES IN THE MOMENTS THAT MATTER

Purpose
WPAOG strengthens the lifelong connection between graduates and the Academy by delivering meaningful, graduate-centered experiences at every stage of the journey. From commissioning through retirement, WPAOG provides seamless support during life transitions, milestones, and visits to West Point. Through improved technology, refined communications, and feedback-driven enhancements, the Association ensures that every interaction—whether online or in person—reflects care, efficiency, and the shared spirit of the Long Gray Line.

Impact
WPAOG’s comprehensive services—ranging from reunions, society administration, and career support to memorial and family care—are designed to meet graduates where they are and when they need it most. By integrating platforms like Sallyport, expanding professional outreach, and creating volunteer pathways, the Association delivers a personalized, world-class experience. The result is a connected, empowered alumni community that feels valued and supported through every moment that matters.

EMPLOYING TAILORED AND INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

Purpose
Tailored and active communications are essential for building meaningful relationships and driving engagement within the graduate community. By delivering information relevant to each grad’s interests, career stage, and life circumstances, the Association ensures every graduate feels valued, connected, and supported. Interactive channels and personalized outreach foster a sense of connection, making it easier for alumni to access resources, participate in events, and contribute to the Long Gray Line. As we strengthen these bonds, we unlock new opportunities for service, leadership,
and innovation, amplifying the positive impact of the Long Gray Line on West Point and the world.

Impact
The value of these communications lies not only in their relevance but also in their ability to facilitate honest dialogue. When graduates are invited to share feedback, ask questions, and engage in open conversations, it creates a culture of transparency and mutual respect. This two-way communication allows the Association to better understand the evolving needs of its members and to adapt programs and services accordingly. Ultimately, trust is the foundation of all successful engagement. By consistently providing clear, honest, and responsive communications, the Association builds credibility and strengthens the bonds of trust among graduates.

YOUNG GRAD ENGAGEMENT

Purpose
Engaging young graduates is vital to sustaining the vitality, leadership, and continuity of the Long Gray Line. As early-career graduates step from cadet life into service, they bring fresh energy and perspectives that strengthen the West Point community. WPAOG’s young graduate strategy builds lifelong loyalty by meeting grads where they are—professionally, personally, and geographically—through initiatives that combine service, connection, and mentorship. National Volunteer Days and service-integrated roadshows foster purpose-driven engagement, while milestone reunions and promotion celebrations create meaningful touchpoints in the first two decades after commissioning. Together, these experiences form a continuum of belonging that reinforces West Point’s enduring values of Duty, Honor, and Country.

Impact
Innovative programs, such as Young Grad regional conferences, grad-owned venue partnerships, and parent engagement networks, extend the Academy’s reach beyond West Point, strengthening local and digital communities. Through low-cost, lifestyle-relevant events, storytelling campaigns, and data-driven outreach, WPAOG ensures every graduate and family can connect, contribute, and lead within a supportive alumni ecosystem. These efforts not only enhance participation and mentorship but also amplify West Point’s presence in communities nationwide. By investing early in engagement, WPAOG cultivates a generation of graduates who carry forward the Academy’s legacy with pride, purpose, and impact.

CELEBRATING SERVICE

Purpose
Celebrating service—both in and out of uniform—is at the heart of WPAOG’s mission. The Association recognizes and honors the diverse ways graduates contribute to their communities, the nation, and the world, whether through military service, civilian leadership, or a lifetime of volunteerism. WPAOG invests in programs that highlight exceptional service and will develop new initiatives designed to celebrate and support graduates in all fields and stages of life.

Impact
Celebrating service among graduates means fostering a culture where giving back is valued and supported. WPAOG provides opportunities for graduates to mentor, volunteer, and share expertise, strengthening the bonds of the Long Gray Line and amplifying the impact of West Point’s values beyond the Academy. Through tailored communications, professional engagement, and innovative platforms, the Association inspires graduates to remain active
contributors—serving others, leading with integrity, and embodying the spirit of Duty, Honor, and Country throughout their lives.

LEVERAGING A MODERN DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENCE

Purpose
The WPAOG digital experience is more than just a technological platform— it is the connective tissue that unites the Long Gray Line across generations, geographies, and interests. By meeting graduates, parents, and societies wherever they are and whenever they need support, the digital experience becomes a living bridge to the Academy and to each other.

• Strengthening Connections and Community. The digital platform is designed to reinforce existing relationships, rekindle past connections, and foster new ones. A seamless, intuitive interface ensures that every community member can easily engage, collaborate, and contribute, regardless of location or background. By evolving to meet graduates’ needs, the platform remains relevant and vital, supporting lifelong engagement and a sense of belonging.

• Driving Engagement and Value. A superior user experience increases alumni engagement with WPAOG services, events, and resources. When users can quickly find what they need and complete tasks efficiently, they are more likely to return, participate, and advocate for the organization. Enhanced connectivity across the alumni network unlocks new opportunities for mentorship, career advancement, and shared purpose.

• Ensuring Security and Trust. WPAOG’s information technology programs, systems, and policies are the backbone of a secure, reliable digital environment. Trust is built through professional design, robust security measures, and transparent communication. Users must feel confident that their data is protected and that the organization is committed to safeguarding their privacy.

Impact
Investing in a first-class user experience is not just about aesthetics or convenience—it is about empowering the WPAOG community to thrive. By making every interaction meaningful, efficient, and secure, the digital platform becomes a catalyst for lifelong engagement, shared achievement, and enduring connection.

TRANSFORMING THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT FOR GRADUATES…ON AND OFF WEST POINT

Purpose
Through a collaborative partnership among the Village of Highland Falls, West Point, Orange County, and the State of New York, WPAOG leads a unified effort to modernize infrastructure, strengthen defense partnerships, and advance public–private development. Within 10 years, Highland Falls will stand as a model of smart, resilient, and mission-aligned revitalization—driven by the Hudson Valley Program’s focused commitment to responsible, sustainable growth.

Impact
At West Point, the Association will create a must-visit destination at its alumni center. Enhancing the building that was made possible by graduates in 1993, Herbert Hall will become a portal for graduates and their families to see and feel the past, present, and future of the Long Gray Line. This destination will provide gathering space and room for quiet conversations; ample retail, food, and beverage; and the environment to connect with other graduates and their families. Herbert Alumni Center will be one of the very best in the nation for sharing time, experience, and engagement.

At the center of it all, the West Point Visitors Center will serve as the anchor— a dynamic regional hub connecting the U.S. Military Academy, the Innovation Hub, the Village’s historic Main Street, and a revitalized waterfront. Beneath its walkable downtown and scenic riverfront lies a completely modernized network of water, sewer, gas, and power systems built to support responsible mixed-use growth for generations. Through coordinated partnerships, the marina, transportation system, and hotel and conference center will link visitors, residents, and West Point professionals in a seamless, self-sustained ecosystem of commerce, learning, and community. Together, these projects will transform Highland Falls into a gateway where the character of a small Hudson Valley village meets the innovation and global reach of the U.S. Military Academy.

ACTIVATING THE CONVENING POWER FOR INNOVATION, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE

Purpose
In an era of renewed great-power competition, rapid advances in defense technology, and active global conflicts, there is a growing appetite across government, academia, and industry to convene on national security innovation. Leading institutions (e.g., Stanford’s Gordian Knot Center, MIT Lincoln Labs, DIU’s Defense Tech Connect) are drawing attention for their ability to bring together technologists, military leaders, and policy experts.

Impact
By leveraging its existing innovation infrastructure (i.e., West Point Werx) alongside its operational military expertise, academic leadership, and access to key Army and industry partners, West Point can establish itself as a premier convener on select defense topics aligned to the Academy’s distinctive strengths and national security priorities.

• Convene stakeholders on topics that are aligned to national security priorities: counter UAS, human-machine learning, resilient C2 in contested environments, advanced manufacturing, and leader development.
• Convert partnerships across convener of industry, DoD, and finance leaders into long-term symbiotic relationships that benefit cadets and faculty.