Purpose, Mission, Principles
Your Association’s Purpose
Established in 1869, your Association was organized to promote social interaction among graduates and to cherish memoriesof days at West Point. Today, WPAOG’s mission is to serve West Point and the Long Gray Line, and our vision is to be the mosthighly connected alumni body in the world. For over 156 years, your Association has worked to support and improve theAcademy and to provide service and connection to its graduates. In recent years, we have improved professionally andgrown into an organization of the highest standards, greatest reach, and most significant impact.
The Long Gray Line’s beautiful alumni center, Herbert Hall, is located at West Point, where WPAOG is fortunate to have cooperative relationships withUSMA’s leadership, staff, and faculty, as well as local officials in the Hudson Valley and the Army West Point Athletic Association. A superb cohort of alumnivolunteers lead more than 80 active USMA Classes and more than 140 independent West Point Societies. This network of graduates is connected by shared experience and service and remains highly connected to their alma mater, and most importantly, to each other. WPAOG has the unique privilege of serving in a way that respects our traditions and history and pursues opportunity, initiative, and innovation as we look to the future.
Your Association’s Mission
Serving West Point
We serve West Point by strengthening the connection between the Academy and the broader West Point community. Our efforts are directly aligned and in support of the Academy’s mission to develop leaders of character prepared to serve the nation. Through trusted partnerships and a shared commitment to excellence, we unite alumni, donors, and stakeholders in support of the Academy’s academic, physical, military, and character programs. Together, we advance the Academy’s mission by providing the Margin of Excellence opportunities and infrastructure enhancements otherwise not provided. Our efforts help sustain and elevate the cadet experience to reinforce West Point’s role asthe nation’s preeminent leader development institution. Together, we drive progress, deepen engagement, andensure that the Academy continues to thrive for generations to come.
Serving The Long Gray Line
We serve the Long Gray Line by fostering lifelong connections, meaningful engagement, and memorable experiences that honor the shared journey of West Point graduates. From commissioning, a lifetime of military and civilian service, to retirement and every milestone in between, we focus on the Moments that Matter—ensuring graduates feel supported, celebrated, and deeply connected to one another and the Academy. With humancentered design at our core, we strengthen the bonds that define the Long Gray Line and empower its continued support to the nation. Through our graduate-focused approach, we will deliver relevant, personalized, and
impactful experiences. Through listening, feedback, interaction, and connections, we continually innovate and adapt to meet the needs of the Long Gray Line.
Your Association’s Guiding Principles
Trust is the foundation for all we do. We unite graduates, cadets, donors, and stakeholders in collaborative efforts that elevate the Academy’s mission, enrich the cadet experience, and revitalize surrounding communities.
1. Professional ExcellenceWe uphold the highest standards in all we do—delivering exceptional service, leadership, and outcomes that reflect the values of the LongGray Line and the mission of West Point. Excellence is not just a goal; it isour baseline.
2. Connection with PurposeWe foster enduring relationships among graduates, the Academy, and theAssociation—anchored in trust and shared experience—to strengthen theLong Gray Line and amplify its impact on the nation.
3. Graduate-Centered DesignWe design experiences, programs, and services around the real needsand life stages of our graduates. This human-centered approach ensuresrelevance, personalization, and impact at the Moments that Matter most
4. Commitment to Service and StewardshipWe are dedicated to serving West Point and its graduates with care andpurpose—stewarding resources, relationships, and traditions to empowerfuture generations and preserve the legacy of the Long Gray Line.
5. Partnership for AdvancementWe unite graduates, cadets, donors, and stakeholders in collaborative efforts that elevate the Academy’s mission, enrich the cadet experience, andrevitalize surrounding communities.
Graduate-Centered Design—Our Shared Journey
The culture of graduate-centered design, with our graduates always at the forefront, is fully embedded in the Association’s daily activities and experiences. Graduates recognize that WPAOG is a trusted, respected resource for relevant, personalized engagement. We are your link in the Moments that Matter: life transitions, visits to West Point, and other key times when the Long Gray Line and cadets engage with each other.
