U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Ted Cruz: West Point’s Mission Must Include ‘Duty, Honor, Country’

Introduce MACARTHUR Act to restore official mission statement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), with U.S. Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas), introduced the Maintaining Academy Culture and Assuring Retention of Tradition, Honor, and Unity of the Republic (MACARTHUR) Act, after the United States Military Academy at West Point decided to remove the phrase “Duty, Honor, Country” from its mission statement. Sen. Cruz’s legislation would restore the phrase in the mission statement.

“Our nation’s preeminent service academies train, educate, and empower the next generation of servicemembers and leaders,” said Senator Britt. “The MACARTHUR Act recognizes and reaffirms West Point’s guiding principles of ‘Duty, Honor, Country’ to ensure its foundational values continue to shape the character of cadets for decades to come. As we work to return the Pentagon’s focus to the lethality of our Armed Forces, I’m proud to join Senator Cruz in protecting the venerated legacy and integrity of our country’s oldest service academy.”

“For centuries, the United States Army has set the global standard for military excellence because its leaders embrace a lifetime of selfless service and embody the values of ‘Duty, Honor, Country.’ West Point’s removal of these core values from its mission statement risks eroding the foundation of American military leadership. I am proud to introduce the MACARTHUR Act to restore these principles, reaffirm West Point’s mission, and emphasize the meritocracy that has shaped American military excellence for generations—ensuring our armed forces remain the most capable, disciplined, and formidable fighting force in the world,” said Senator Cruz.

West Point first began using the phrase “Duty, Honor, Country” in 1898. The significance of that phrase gained prominence during General Douglas MacArthur’s memorable 1962 speech to the Corps of Cadets, in which MacArthur celebrated “Duty, Honor, Country” as essential virtues for military officers. His speech transformed those three words from an informal motto to a revered creed that would shape West Point’s identity.

In 1998, West Point added “Duty, Honor, Country” to its official mission statement: 

To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country; professional growth throughout a career as an officer in the United States Army; and a lifetime of selfless service to the nation. 

In March 2024, West Point leadership revised that mission statement, removing “Duty, Honor, Country.”

To build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets to be commissioned leaders of character committed to the Army Values and ready for a lifetime of service to the Army and Nation.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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