USMA Leaders Through History (Made Possible by the Generosity of the USMA Class of 1961)

The history of West Point has long captured the imagination of all who care deeply about this nation and its institutions. In this archive, we feature interviews with superintendents, commandants, department heads, and many others who chronicle the story of the United States Military Academy. As this site acquires the capability to present more varied materials, you will be able to enjoy many audio-only interviews conducted by BG Lance Betros, former head of the USMA history department and the author of "Carved From Granite: West Point Since 1902."

West Point and Beyond: Trial and Leadership in the Modern Age

Character and Intellect: Colonel Lance Betros and the Changing Culture of Leadership at USMA (Part 1)

Character and Intellect: Colonel Lance Betros and the Changing Culture of Leadership at USMA (Part 3)

Character and Intellect: Colonel Lance Betros and the Changing Culture of Leadership at USMA (Part 2)

Reflections of West Point's 58th Superintendent

Lasting Impact: A West Point Professor Builds Institutions

Continuing to Give Back: A Former Superintendent's Post-Army Career

The U.S. Army on the Cyber Battlefield

General Scaparrotti: Prepare to Be Your Best on the Worst of Days

"Pursue Excellence in Everything": West Point's First African-American First Captain

There Are No Challenges, Only Opportunities

USMA Chaplain: “May our religion be filled with gladness…”

Called to Serve, Volunteered to Deploy

Promoting Excellence in the Army, at West Point, and in the Business World

The West Point Admissions Officer on Building the Long Gray Line

Pioneering Diversity in the Army and at West Point

Seizing the Opportunity: Dynamic Army Leadership

“Monk to Military:” Deploying with the Navy, Marines, and Army

Not Just Another School: Values and Ethics At West Point

Controlling the Things I Could Control: Striving For Continual Improvement at West Point

Joe Anderson: Furthering the Ideals of West Point

From Desert Storm to the Tennis Courts of West Point: “You Make a Decision, You Don’t Realize Where It Takes You”

A Screaming Eagle on Vietnam, Family, and Leadership in the Face of Tragedy

A Team Effort: My Three Decades as An Army Spouse

Ensuring West Point Represents the Nation: An Admissions Officer Reaches Out

Upon The Friendly Fields of Strife: Army Football, Leadership, and Character Development

“Gladly Accepting Hard Missions”: In Vietnam, Panama, and Beyond

A 1980 Graduate On Her Spiritual Journey Through and Beyond West Point

Servant to the Community: An Aviator as the West Point Garrison Commander

“You Gotta Think About The Details”: The West Point Dean Reflects On His Operational Experience

Fighting and Surviving the Vietnam War

The Army As A “People Business”

Positive Change Over Time: Reflections From New Cadet To Major General

“Understand The Problem And Figure Out Your Strengths”: Winning In Baghdad

“When Fighting Starts, You’re Just Going To Have To Help People”: A Journey From Aviator to Chaplain

Creating Critical Thinking Experiences For Cadets: Reflections Of The Social Sciences Department Head

“Jump In And Mix It Up”: Being A Disruptive Change Manager

“Fighting The Wolves At The Door”: From Advisor In Vietnam To Department Head At West Point

“Do My Part For The Greater Good”: The Power Of Teamwork

“Think Deep Thoughts And Solve Tough Problems”: Recollections From A West Point “Mathlete”

“I Can Be Myself, And Be Black, And A Soldier”: Race And Identity At West Point In The 70s

Cultivating The Bond Between Soldiers Through Leadership, Character, And A Positive Command Climate

“Nothing Tougher Than An Army Wife”: Reflecting On Three Generations Of A West Point Family

“A Helluva Way To Earn A Living”: A Vietnam Veteran On Service, Business, And West Point

“Responsibility Beyond The Narrow Scope Assigned”: Reflections From The Head Of The Social Sciences Department

Temporal Leadership: Reflections on Service at the Highest Levels of Command

Strategic Inflection Points: Serving On The Border Of Freedom From The Cold War To NATO In The 21st Century

The 56th Superintendent On West Point As A National Treasure

“Be Ready To Adjust Your Assumptions”: Reflections On Adaptive Leadership From The 57th Superintendent

Two Generations Of West Point Graduates: A Son Reflects On His And His Father’s Service

“The Bedrock Of My Existence”: Reflections On West Point’s Role In Shaping A Career Of Service

“Never Drop Out Of A Run”: A Principle To Live By

“Nurturing Fruit On The Tree”: Leaders Develop Leaders Throughout A Career

“No Fun Without Music, No Music Without Fun”: Twenty Years As Director Of The West Point Glee Club

“A Baptism Of Fire”: Fighting In Three Wars Abroad And Ushering In Constructive Disruption At Home

“An Endless Source Of Opportunities”: A West Point First Captain And Rhodes Scholar Reflects

A Leader for the World's Future: A Rhodes Scholar Reflects on his West Point Experience

“Creating Positive Change”: A Cadet Regimental Commander On Leadership, Discipline, And Striving For Excellence

A Record That Speaks For Itself: Excellence Across All Pillars Of The Academy Experience

“West Point Is My Home Town”: A Systems Engineer Analyzes His Career

Recollections Of Interviewing President Eisenhower In 1964

Doing “Lawrence Of Arabia” Stuff: A Non-Traditional Career Leads To The USMA Department Of Foreign Languages

“Make Sure To Check All Parts Of Your Operation”: Leadership Lessons From A West Point Commandant

“Let The West Pointer Do It”: Leadership In The Military, Diplomatic Corps, And Academia

“Be Kind And No Surprises”: Applying The Department Of Social Sciences Ethic In The Army And Business

“Be Competent, Take Care Of Your Soldiers, And Get Buy In”: An Engineer And Olmsted Scholar On Service In Vietnam And In Foreign Relations

Finding The Center Of Gravity: Leadership And Modernization In The Army

“To Be A Good Citizen You Ought To Do Your Part”: An Air National Guard General Serves His Community

“Loyalty Goes Up And Down”: Leading American Soldiers In Service Around The World

Modernizing West Point’s Academic Administration: An Artillery Officer Returns To The Dean’s Staff

“Language Is A Window Into The Psyche Of A Community”: Adventures In The Marines, The Army, And The USMA Dean’s Office

“I Never Walked Away From A Challenge”: Behind The Scenes In The First Class Of Women At West Point

“Changing The Answer To Yes”: Commanding Engineers In Combat And Taking Care Of Families On Post

“The Workload Is Huge But The Blessings Are Bountiful”: From Infantryman To Priest, A Career Of Service

“86,400 Seconds in a Day”: Getting The Most Out Of Every Opportunity

“Family Everywhere”: Women’s Basketball, The Jewish Chapel, And The Army

Getting Your Headspace And Timing Right: Seizing Opportunities At West Point And In The Army

A Trifecta Of Academia, Defense Department, And Industry Careers That Enhanced Our National Security

“Serve With Integrity”: Barney Forsythe Reflects On His And His Father’s Service To The Nation

“I’m A Soldier First”: An Army Surgeon And Astronaut

“It Really Wasn’t Like The Boy Scouts”: Attending West Point And Expanding Computer Usage At The Academy

“Saying ‘Yes’ To Someone Else’s Good Idea”: A Career Leading Army Musicians

“There’s Inspiration Everywhere”: A Journey From Member To Leader Of The Band

“Forks In The Road”: Seizing Opportunities And Cultivating Positive Leadership

West Point As The Foundation Of A “Considerable Life”: Over Four Decades As An Army Officer And Teacher

A USMA Commandant And SOCOM Commander Reflects On Leadership, Responsibility, And Taking Care Of Soldiers

“Soldiers Are A Reflection Of Their Leaders”: Facilitating Success At West Point And In The Army

From Procurement, To Pilot, To Physician: A Three Decade Army Career Unconstrained By Convention

Commissioning Into The Coast Artillery: The Rich And Varied Career Of A 1939 Graduate Of West Point

Sprinting For The Gold: Two Olympics And Two Tours In Vietnam

“I Love West Point And Everything It Stands For”: From The Army Air Corps To The Air Force And Beyond

“Angels Along The Way”: Mentorship, Teamwork, And Growth Along Life’s Journey

A Story Of Love And Faith: A Relationship Forged At West Point

“An Army Grinder”: Putting In The Reps As A West Point Athlete And Doctor

Improving the Welfare Of Society: A West Point Distinguished Graduate On His Legacy Of Service, Business, And Philanthropy

“Everybody Is Looking For Leadership”: Insights From Grenada And Panama To the Global War On Terror

“Are You Ready To Go To War Today?”: Service As An Engineer And As A Professor USMA