Following the Revolutionary War, our nation recognized the need to have Americans, with a strong sense of democratic values, trained in the technical arts of war and in engineering. As our nation grew and matured, the need to inspire and train young Americans to serve as Army officers has endured. West Point will always provide this nation the future leaders throughout the 21st century. West Point carries out its mission of developing future leaders through three integrated and complementary programs of academic, military, and physical development. Each of these programs is rooted in the principles of ethical-moral development.
Every cadet is a leader.
From selection based on demonstrated potential, through four years as a cadet, leadership development is a total process of preparing young people for their career roles as Army officers. Men and women who are 17 but not yet 23 years old on July 1 of the year admitted may attend the Academy. Cadets come from every state and territory of our country. The Corps of Cadets numbers approximately 4,000. You must meet certain basic requirements specified by public law.