West Point has eliminated the phrase, ‘Duty, Honor, Country’
from its mission statement. Is there anything more that needs to be said about where our
leadership is taking us?
The mission statement changes, the motto remains. Mission statements aren't inspiring, mottos are. Has anyone ever jumped on a parapet, and read the mission statement ?
"For God, Harry, England and Saint George"
The link in your post, doesn't work. https://www.westpoint.edu/news/community-news/message-the-61st-superintendent#:~:text=Our%20updated%20mission%20statement%20focuses,for%20a%20lifetime%20of%20service.
Maybe true, but I don't think things like that can be said enough. The reasons for its removal are likely political, and theres nothing worse than injecting politics into the military. Seems as though the DEI Commisars are probably still gaining ground. But regardless of your political leanings, it should be universally accepted that anything that doesn't make the military more effective at killing the enemy, and breaking their things, has no place in the services.
My first response was "this is an indefensible disgrace!" But the motto isn't changing. They are changing the mission statement (which nobody reads?) to "To build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets..." which at least sounds like their mission.
"Duty, Honor, Country is foundational to the United States Military Academy's culture and will always remain our motto."
Apparently the mission statement didn't even have "Duty Honor Country" until 1998, so this isn't a huge historical change.
Looks like someone else also pointed this out in a comment above.
I'm concerned more about the mindset that this demonstrates. Our military leaders are slowly but steadily eliminating the ideas, practices, and traditions that form the foundation of a successful military. Whether it's lowering recruiting standards, allowing drug users to enter the military, emphasizing gender and diversity over performance, replacing words in mission statements, or whatever, it's the constant chipping away at the bedrock foundation that concerns me.
While this change may not seem like that big of a deal, it's another small step along the path to a hollow, ineffective military. THAT'S what makes it a big deal for me.
Separate note: When I was at West Point, I heard a lot of "Duty, Honor, God, Country" too. But that was a long time ago. I never thought about that vs. "Duty, Honor, Country" until now.
Where did God go? A Godless society or institution is a society or institution without a moral compass. In the last decade or so, our military has certainly behaved like a military without a moral compass.
I would also point out that a study group worked a year and half to come up with this change. Is that really the best use of people's time with all the other problems the military faces?
The Points motto is "Duty, Honor, Country"
ReplyDeleteThe mission statement changes, the motto remains.
Mission statements aren't inspiring, mottos are.
Has anyone ever jumped on a parapet, and read the mission
statement ?
"For God, Harry, England and Saint George"
The link in your post, doesn't work.
https://www.westpoint.edu/news/community-news/message-the-61st-superintendent#:~:text=Our%20updated%20mission%20statement%20focuses,for%20a%20lifetime%20of%20service.
"Mission statements aren't inspiring, mottos are."
DeleteMaybe true, but I don't think things like that can be said enough. The reasons for its removal are likely political, and theres nothing worse than injecting politics into the military. Seems as though the DEI Commisars are probably still gaining ground. But regardless of your political leanings, it should be universally accepted that anything that doesn't make the military more effective at killing the enemy, and breaking their things, has no place in the services.
My first response was "this is an indefensible disgrace!" But the motto isn't changing. They are changing the mission statement (which nobody reads?) to "To build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets..." which at least sounds like their mission.
ReplyDelete"Duty, Honor, Country is foundational to the United States Military Academy's culture and will always remain our motto."
Apparently the mission statement didn't even have "Duty Honor Country" until 1998, so this isn't a huge historical change.
Looks like someone else also pointed this out in a comment above.
I'm concerned more about the mindset that this demonstrates. Our military leaders are slowly but steadily eliminating the ideas, practices, and traditions that form the foundation of a successful military. Whether it's lowering recruiting standards, allowing drug users to enter the military, emphasizing gender and diversity over performance, replacing words in mission statements, or whatever, it's the constant chipping away at the bedrock foundation that concerns me.
DeleteWhile this change may not seem like that big of a deal, it's another small step along the path to a hollow, ineffective military. THAT'S what makes it a big deal for me.
No argument there.
DeleteSeparate note: When I was at West Point, I heard a lot of "Duty, Honor, God, Country" too. But that was a long time ago. I never thought about that vs. "Duty, Honor, Country" until now.
Where did God go? A Godless society or institution is a society or institution without a moral compass. In the last decade or so, our military has certainly behaved like a military without a moral compass.
DeleteI would also point out that a study group worked a year and half to come up with this change. Is that really the best use of people's time with all the other problems the military faces?
ReplyDeleteMotto or mission statement, what difference does it make? This simply cannot be viewed as a positive.
ReplyDeleteWould love to get on one of those study groups...!!!
ReplyDelete