Mike Lyons
A Testament to Institutional Strength and Future Readiness
On Saturday, May 24, nearly 1,000 cadets will graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. They will raise their right hands, take the oath of office, and commission as second lieutenants in the United States Army. In doing so, they will join a lineage of service and sacrifice that stretches back over two centuries—but more importantly, they will mark the beginning of a chapter uniquely shaped by the times we live in and the demands of what lies ahead.
This is not a routine graduation. This is a moment that calls attention to the enduring strength of the institution and the character of those who choose to lead at its edge. The Class of 2025 is more than a milestone. It’s a signal. A signal that West Point continues to evolve—quietly, deliberately, and with purpose—to meet the future of warfare, leadership, and national service.
I’ve observed this class closely over the past four years. As a West Point graduate, a combat veteran, and someone who remains deeply engaged with the Academy, I’ve seen firsthand the strength, intelligence, and moral clarity this group brings to the profession of arms. Their class motto— “Together We Thrive”—is not just a slogan. It’s been lived out in how they’ve trained, struggled, and grown together through one of the most dynamic periods in recent memory.
Anchored in Constitutional Leadership
At a time when civil-military relations are under constant scrutiny, West Point has doubled down on its foundation: developing leaders who are loyal to the Constitution, not to any political party or ideology. Every member of this class has taken that oath—first as new cadets, and again as graduates—and it remains the bedrock of their training.
Through programs like the Oath Project, and coursework that bridges political science, law, and ethical reasoning, cadets learn the legal and moral weight of their commission. They are taught to lead with independence of thought, responsibility to civilian control, and fidelity to lawful authority. That kind of training matters more now than ever.
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