22 The Study of Officership All First-Class Cadets take the Superintendent’s capstone course: MX400 “Officership.” This three-credit course integrates material from the Academic, Military, and Character programs, highlighting the complex demands that are placed on officers. MX400 builds upon what cadets have learned at West Point to help themprepare for the professional challenges they will face in the coming years. MX400 is organized around three major blocks of instruction and two historical case studies, with the course culminating in an exercise that challenges cadets to integrate all they have learned at West Point to address complex problems they realistically might face as lieutenants. The first block of instruction orients cadets on the challenges the Army Professional faces and on the Army’s future operating concept. The second instructional block invites cadets to refect upon their professional identity. The lessons examine what professions are and what Soldiers must know, do, and be in order to serve our nation honorably as professionals. The third instructional block takes a practical look at officers’ professional responsibility to provide moral leadership. MX400 is the culmination of West Point’s Character Program, symbolizing that the reason our nation invests somuch inWest Point to develop leaders of character is because leaders of exceptional character are essential to defending our nation and its Constitutional formof government. CADET LIFE The West Point Experience West Point is highly selective, enrolling only the most promising youngmen and women. They are bright, eager, and enthusiastic; and they demonstrate a high degree of extraordinary leadership potential. They are among the finest young people in America, and we are proud that they have chosen to come toWest Point. When cadets enter the Academy, they become active duty members of the U.S. Army and take the first steps toward joining The Long Gray Line, one of the proudest traditions in the Army and in the nation. At West Point, cadets will be developed as leaders of character to prepare to serve our Army and country for a lifetime. The demanding 47-monthWest Point experience transforms cadets into leaders. This experience includes academic, military, physical, and character development. A strong emphasis onmoral-ethical standards is woven into each developmental area. Parents are justifiably proud of the accomplishments of their cadets. Academic Program During the first two years, the Academic Program consists primarily of a core curriculum of English, History, Information Technology, Mathematics, Science, and Behavioral and Social Sciences. This broad base of knowledge forms the foundation for a higher-level curriculum, a minimum of three engineering courses, and specialization in an academic major. Our program offers a wide variety of academic support resources, such as Additional instruction (AI) through course instructors, tutoring services and group study sessions through cadet companies and the Center for Enhanced Performance, writing consultations through the Mounger Writing Center, performance and DEVELOPING LEADERS OF CHARACTER
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