West Point Two Centuries and Beyond

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is one of America’s oldest and most revered institutions. Since its founding in 1802 it has prepared young men—and recently, young women—for careers as officers in the army and for a lifetime of service to the nation. The distinguished record of Academy graduates in war and peace has earned West Point a reputation as one of the world’s premier leader-development institutions.

West Point celebrated its bicentennial in 2002. In honor of the milestone, the USMA Department of History hosted a multi-disciplinary conference that provided an opportunity for serious study of the Academy and its place in American society. The topics included the Academy’s role in developing officer professionalism, its influence on the careers of distinguished graduates, institutional challenges and changes, the experiences of women and minorities at West Point, and the evolution of the academic curriculum. The twenty-four chapters in this volume examine these issues and reflect the rich scholarship of the bicentennial conference.

The Academy has undergone dramatic changes during its long history. As it begins its third century, however, continuity—not change— is what most characterizes West Point and the Corps of Cadets. By perpetuating the noble values of the profession of arms, the Academy continues to accomplish its vital mission of producing leaders of character for the nation. In this regard, the Corps of today still treads “where they of the Corps have trod.”

LANCE BETROS is an active-duty colonel in the U.S. Army. He is stationed at United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, as the Head of the Department of History. His editorial work on West Point: Two Centuries and Beyond has led to his current project, a book-length institutional history of the Military Academy. He can be reached for interview at lance.betros@usma.edu

“This is an excellent read . . . very well done and very thorough.” –On Point: The Journal of Army History

“. . . the diversity of these various chapters provides evidence that West Point as an institution has been traditionally ahead of the curve regarding social change. But this is not a sugar-coated volume. . . . there is no attempt in this volume to portray West Point as an institution void of warts. . . . West Point is an anthology that goes beyond descriptive narrative . . . it provides reference material on the United States Military Academy that exceeds the breadth and depth of any similar book. Scholars and the general public will find this book interesting if they are receptive to understanding the many issues which surround the governance of America’s oldest military academy.” –Military History of the West

“Anyone interested in the history of West Point should own this book. However, it also has much of interest for general military historians and military sociologists, as well as for anyone dealing with issues of leadership and military professionalism.” –Parameters, U.S. Army War College Quarterly

“A highly recommended and scholarly contribution to American Military History collections. . . .” –Midwest Book Review