English

Do you enjoy reading powerful stories, writing creatively, or thinking deeply about how words shape the world? The English major at the United States Military Academy at West Point helps you explore literature, language, and communication while building essential leadership skills. It focuses on developing the communication, critical thinking, and cultural awareness skills that are essential for Army officers and leaders in any field. 

You’ll read great works of literature, study storytelling, analyze language and rhetoric, and sharpen your ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively. From classic novels and war poetry to modern media and film, the English major explores how words shape ideas, influence people, and impact history. But more than that, it prepares you to understand others, lead with empathy, and communicate under pressure.

What is English?

"My time at Duke [studying literature] was an intellectual oasis after a long march. It allowed me time to broaden my perspective from the confines of military life and open it to another world, full of new ideas, viewpoints, issues and stories which helped me develop."

- GEN(Ret) Martin Dempsey, ‘74, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former faculty member in the Department of English and World Languages (DEWL)

The study of literature fosters essential leadership skills including critical thought, clear and persuasive communication, creativity, and ethical awareness. By engaging with the diversity that characterizes the human condition, English majors are ready to solve problems creatively and also to communicate their ideas and solutions clearly and persuasively - talents essential to a meaningful life of service.

Cadets who major in English refine skills of analysis and creativity and enrich their imaginative capacities by studying the literary and artistic expressions of primarily Anglo-American and, to a lesser extent, global cultures. Exposed to a range of literary genres and modes of cultural expression, English majors graduate with a broader and deeper understanding of the history of ideas and of the ways in which imaginative literature has influenced human behavior and shaped cultural norms. By exploring the full spectrum of human behaviors and circumstances and by laying the groundwork for the cultivation of emotional intelligence and sympathetic imagination, the study of literature equips graduates to engage the world's intellectual, moral, and emotional complexities with insight and the potential for empathy. English majors refine their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a variety of analytic and creative situations from the textual analysis of poetry and prose to the study of literary history to dramatic performance. 

The English major with Honors further challenges cadets to compose a lengthy academic research project in close consultation with a member of the doctoral faculty. With an English major, a cadet graduates from West Point with the capacity to analyze textual evidence, to account for cultural context and complexity, to communicate precisely, and to imagine creative solutions to difficult problems. 

Why Consider English at USMA?

• Master Communication - The Most Powerful Tool as a Leader
  Cadets learn to express ideas clearly, give compelling briefings, and write with precision - skills vital for officers in every branch.
• Understand the Human Dimension of War and Leadership
  Literature helps cadets explore themes like courage, loyalty, trauma, identity, and duty - giving them insight into the minds and hearts of those they lead.
• Sharpen Critical Thinking and Creativity
  English trains cadets to read between the lines, challenge assumptions, and see problems from different angles - valuable for decision-making and problem-solving.
• Stand Out Across the Army and Beyond
  Clear thinkers and strong communicators are always in demand - whether they are briefing senior officers, building coalitions, or working with civilians.
• Prepare for Diverse Career Paths
  This major opens doors in law, public affairs, intelligence, education, civil affairs, foreign service, and more - plus, it’s a top choice for cadets interested in graduate study.

At West Point, the English major trains cadets to lead not just with skill, but with understanding, clarity, and vision. In an Army that depends on effective communication and human connection, English majors bring something essential to the mission: the power of words, ideas, and empathy. They are prepared to negotiate the problems facing 21st-century leaders. The study of literature moves beyond simple awareness of other perspectives and equips students with the skills they need to engage with other cultures. The resulting understanding of humanity and culture is a vital contributor to success in the military profession.

What To Do With This Major?

As English majors, graduates will be well-prepared for:

• Any Army branch - especially Military Intelligence, Civil Affairs, Public Affairs, Aviation, or JAG
• Leadership roles that require clear communication, cultural awareness, and decision-making
• Careers or grad school in law, public policy, literature, media, or diplomacy

Interested Cadets

• Learn about the Department of English and World Languages (DEWL)
• Contact DEWL
• Learn more about majoring in the humanities: The (Forgotten) Utility of the Humanities