Superintendent's Annual Fund
“Ever since I graduated in June of 1975, I have found myself drawn back to West Point time and again. And whether it was as a TAC officer, Scout Team football coach, Commandant of Cadets, or the 59th Superintendent, I have always found myself inspired and impressed by the caliber of officers that our Academy develops. So, when I was asked to once again serve West Point by reaching out to you to support USMA, I did not hesitate.”
Attending West Point was a tremendous opportunity that benefited me intellectually, physically, militarily, and in character. I look back on my years as a cadet at the Academy with a combination of gratitude and a sense of accomplishment. The Academy prepared me to do what our country had asked of me. My West Point experience molded me into the leader of character I am today, simply because West Point’s motto, ‘Duty, Honor, Country,’ embodied into each of us the values the American people demand, whether we serve wearing the cloth of our nation, or serve in the corporate world or even within our communities.
I like to refer to today’s Corps of Cadets as the 9/11 generation. They have watched our nation at war their entire lives and yet they still chose to stand in the gap to protect America from the evil that is out there. Even before they came to West Point as new cadets, they had already internalized the ethic of duty and service to country. And contrary to the vast majority of their peers who have chosen a safer existence, they count themselves among the generations who have gone before them, to include many of you.
They truly believe in Duty, Honor, and Country. They also believe in the character that embodies these lifelong values. Because character is so important to effective leadership, during my first year as Superintendent, we implemented a fourth pillar of the West Point Leader Development Program — “Character,” also known as “honorable living.” It is essential to prepare ethical and agile leaders who embody trust in all they do. Building leaders of character is what West Point does, and it remains essential that we never fall short on this task.
Government appropriated funds provide for the minimum standards, but if we want our future leaders to experience academic, military, physical, and character programs that will make them the best leaders of the world’s armies, then we need to seek ways to fill this gap. This gap, by the way, is commonly referred to as the Margin of Excellence, and while serving as the Superintendent at West Point, I witnessed firsthand how necessary the Superintendent’s Annual Fund is to fully support the Margin of Excellence. Resourcing this Margin of Excellence truly sets West Point apart from other top-ranked universities and produces the product our nation needs today.
As we look across today’s Margin of Excellence needs, top funding priorities include cadet development through academic and military enrichment programs and centers, cadet internships and overseas experiences, athletic teams and clubs, co-curricular clubs, research, and capstone projects, as well as the Academy’s world class centers and academic programs. These invaluable experiences are shaping well-rounded cadets who bring critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, leadership, character, and real-life experience to our Army, our nation, and to our communities when graduates return from their federal service.
I cannot begin to emphasize how much the Academy relies on support from donors like each of us to develop our nation’s very best leaders. Supporting the Superintendent’s Annual Fund not only helps to maintain the excellence of West Point’s military, academic, character, and extra-curricular programs, but it is also critical in attracting the best and brightest students our nation has to offer.
Those of us who attended West Point all share the same values that were instilled in us during our time as cadets. We were molded into men and women of honor and integrity, and emerged with the necessary tools to be successful in life outside of West Point. Now, as friends and graduates, we all must do our part to help create an even brighter future for current and future cadets. With this in mind, I ask you to join me by continuing your support.
Thank you for considering a gift to the 2020 Superintendent’s Annual Fund. Together, we can ensure that West Point will have the necessary resources to continue graduating the very best leaders our nation needs.
BEAT NAVY!
LTG Robert L. Caslen Jr. USA, Retired
Class of 1975
59th Superintendent (2013-2018)