<p>All, MPCPTUMSA02 from Iraq here–going to be brief and to the point cause I’m short on time–it’s busy everyday. Let me address a couple of issues:
a- USMA and the Army are what you make of it–your reputation upon graduation from either will be based on what YOU did with what you learned from your institution of commissioning and how YOU are as a leader–the USMA stigma, though sometimes joked about, is not as prevelant as one may think. Leaders are leaders are leaders…be a good leader and you’ll be respected and lead your troops to victory, be a bad leader and they’ll associate everything about you with bad leadership, regardless of where you earned your butter bar.</p>
<p>b- Not going to discuss ROTC- I didn’t do it. Let me tell you, I led a platoon in combat, now I’m here again as a CPT and will most likely be back for time #3 as a company commander, and the lessons I learned at USMA were INVALUABLE to my ability to tackle the things I’ve had to up to this point. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.</p>
<p>Again–everything about USMA and the Army right now are what you make out of it. The Army needs good leaders, if your desire is for tough, challenging leadership opportunities, with patriotism at the depth of your heart and the willingness to face the danger that is out there for your Country and for that Soldier beside you…then come and join us! </p>
<p>There is nothing I’d rather do, and the foundation for success was poured at USMA, of that I have no doubt.</p>