WPAOG Parent Handbook 2022-23

WestPointAOG.org | 800.BE A.GRAD 21 day is not particularly demanding. However, living up to that standard every day—for four consecutive years, in all situations and despite all temptations and personal consequences—can be uncomfortable or difficult at times. The Honor Code pushes cadets to perceive the ethical aspects of situations and then “to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong” whenever faced with that choice. Over their years at West Point, cadets’ daily adherence to the Honor Code—on decisions both big and small— forges within themselves strong habits of trustworthy character. The fourth tenet of the Code—a cadet will not tolerate any cadet who has lied, cheated, or stolen—builds upon the first three and is essential tomaintainingWest Point’s culture of honor and integrity. Unenforced standards quickly decline, generate cynicism, and eventually cease to exist. The “non-toleration clause” challenges cadets to accept their collective responsibility as heirs and stewards of the Cadet Honor Code. It also prepares them for their years of service as Army professionals, during which they will be responsible for policing their own ranks in order tomaintain trust with Soldiers, Families, and the American people they serve. This fourth tenet is different than the others, as it requires cadets to expand their sense of personal integrity to include professional responsibility. Despite its demands, living under the Cadet Honor Code is supremely rewarding for cadets, whose lives are enhanced inmany ways. Their words are accepted as absolute truth unless positive evidence indicates otherwise. They enjoy a trustworthy environment at West Point, an honorable reputation and the esteemof others wherever they go, and the sublime satisfaction of living to a high standard for something greater than themselves. Over time, cadets come to appreciate that their adherence to the Honor Code is preparing them to lead successfully in the Army, where building and maintaining trust with seniors, peers, and subordinates is absolutely essential. The Cadet Character Education Program (CCEP) The Cadet Character Education Program, colloquially referred to as the CCEP, provides intermittent “doses” of ungraded educational experiences during which cadets can focus solely on their character development. CCEP lessons are held during the Commandant’s Hour immediately after lunch on five to ten days per semester, and these lessons are typically led by other cadets or volunteers from the staff and faculty. The purpose of the Cadet Character Education Program is to provide cadets instruction and experiences that support their development intomen and women of integrity whose personal character is aligned with the Army’s professional values. The CCEP curriculumhas three lines of effort: The Cadet Honor Code and Honor System; Personal Character; and the Army’s Professional Military Ethic. In the CCEP, Cadets learn that trustworthy character requires excellence inmultiple domains of virtues—moral, civic, martial, intellectual, and performance—and that the exercise of virtues leads to fourishing lives and thriving organizations. All CCEP lessons are designed to help cadets develop greater “character literacy” so they can refect more deeply on their own character growth and coach others to do the same.

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