Character Development at West Point: Insights from Dr. Peterson
In this episode, Dr. Jeff Peterson and Brig. Gen. Reeves discuss the crucial role of character development at West Point. They introduce an upcoming transformation of the Academic Program—the integration of 5 mandatory courses from throughout a cadet’s four years that focus on different components of character development. In particular, they explore the History of the Army course, drawing lessons from historical leaders, and emphasize the evolution of the Army as a trusted profession. The episode provides a comprehensive view of how West Point prepares cadets for the complexities of military service. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:21 The Importance of Character at West Point 03:33 The Role of the Honor Code in Character Development 05:16 The Evolution of the Honor Code and Character Expectations 09:06 The Intersection of Personal and Professional Life in Character Development 15:21 The Journey to Leading Character Efforts at West Point 18:09 Defining and Developing Character at West Point 25:47 Introduction to the Character Thread in the Academic Program 28:48 The Five Core Courses in the Character Thread 30:09 The Role of History in Character Development 34:07 The Importance of Character Integration in the Academic Program 39:47 The Challenges of Character Integration 47:21 The Role of Character in Navigating Complex Situations 49:42 Rapid Fire Questions and Concluding Remarks Loved this episode? Remember to rate, review, follow, and share this podcast with others. Learn more: Website: https://www.westpoint.edu/academics Interested in Teaching at West Point? Join us: https://bit.ly/TEACHWP Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Dean.USMA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usmadean X: https://www.twitter.com/deanusma Threads: https://www.threads.net/@dean.usma Credits: Recording: West Point Public Affairs-Visual Information Production: Growth Network Podcasts (https://growthnetworkpodcasts.com) Publisher: West Point Press (https://westpointpress.com) This episode does not imply Federal endorsement.