Military Program - Leadership in Action

Train Like a Soldier. Lead Like an Officer. Stand Out from Day One.

Military Program - Leadership in Action

Train Like a Soldier. Lead Like an Officer. Stand Out from Day One.

What It Takes to Lead

At West Point, leadership isn’t something you just learn—it’s something you live, every single day. The Military Program prepares you for a life of service by teaching you how to lead from the front, handle pressure, and guide others through real-world challenges. You’ll start developing these skills the moment you arrive and continue building them through hands-on military training, classroom instruction, and leadership roles that grow with you.

This is how West Point transforms motivated students into confident Army officers—and why no other college experience compares

Military Training That Starts on Day One

At West Point, summer isn’t time off—it’s time to grow. From your very first day, you’ll take part in intense, rewarding training that teaches you what it means to be a soldier and a leader.

  • Year 1: Cadet Basic Training (Beast) – Learn discipline, resilience, and basic soldiering skills.
  • Year 2: Cadet Field Training at Camp Buckner – Master small-unit tactics and push yourself physically and mentally.
  • Years 3 & 4: Take on leadership roles, attend elite Army schools like Air Assault or Airborne, or serve in real Army units around the world.

Summer training isn’t just about preparation—it’s about transformation.

Explore summer training
Leadership Is the Mission

At West Point, leadership is built in everything you do. Over your four years, you’ll take on increasing responsibility within the Corps of Cadets (USCC), where you’ll learn how to lead your peers through challenges, missions, and real decision-making.

Whether you’re running a training event, coaching a team, or mentoring younger cadets, you’ll gain the experience that sets future officers apart—and sets you up to lead soldiers the day you graduate.

Learn more about the U.S. Corps of Cadets
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Learning the Art and Science of War

Leadership in the Army requires sharp thinking and tactical know-how. That’s where the Military Science curriculum comes in. You’ll dive into real-world military scenarios, use advanced simulators, and study decision-making through courses like:

  • MS100: Intro to Warfighting – Build foundational skills in teamwork, tactics, and resilience.
  • MS200: Small Unit Operations – Learn how to lead at the squad and platoon level under pressure.
  • MS300: Platoon Operations – Strengthen your confidence and command decision-making in complex missions.
  • MX400: Officership – Explore what it really means to be an Army officer through guided discussions and leadership reflection.

These courses are taught by experienced Army leaders and blend tactical training with leadership development that lasts a lifetime.

View the military science curriculum

Cadets develop a solid footing built upon the foundational military competencies of soldierization, shooting, moving, communicating, and medicating. MS100 learning objectives better prepare cadets for follow-on MS courses and summer training events and instill attributes that allow cadets to become agile, adaptive, and flexible leaders

MS200 ensures each cadet achieves a fundamental understanding of small unit operations while encouraging problem-solving and critical thought processes in simulated tactical situations. Cadets develop and grow competence and confidence while planning, communicating, and executing squad and platoon-level operations. 

MS300 expands upon existing knowledge of basic infantry tactics and knowledge of TLPs acquired from CBT, CFT, and previous military science courses. The focus of MS300 is building strong, confident tactical decision-makers who understand Army doctrine and can apply creative thinking and common sense in solving tactical problems. MS300 will enhance each cadet’s tactical planning and decision-making skills by testing their decisiveness in time-constrained scenarios with limited information to prepare these future officers for the challenges of leading soldiers in complex environments. 

Enrolled during either the fall or spring semester, first class cadets participate in MX400, overseen by the Simon Center for Professional Military Ethic. This course complements the first three years of cadet education and training by engaging in discussion-based seminars focused on the Army’s professional leadership framework of character, competence, and commitment. 

Elite Military Experiences You Can’t Get Anywhere Else

At West Point, you’ll have access to military experiences most can only dream of. These opportunities aren’t just cool—they prepare you to lead in any environment.

  • Advanced Training Schools: HALO Parachuting, Airborne, SERE, Jungle School, and more.
  • World-Class Competitions: Like the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition, featuring teams from all over the world.
  • Specialized Teams: Paintball, Irregular Warfare Club, Combat Weapons, Obstacle Course Teams, and more.
  • Scholarship Opportunities: Work with the Modern War Institute on military research and leadership innovation.
  • Exchange Programs: Spend a semester at another service academy for a different leadership perspective.

At West Point, you don’t just study the Army—you become part of it.

Explore military enrichment opportunities
Commandant of Cadets

The Commandant of Cadets is the Director of the Military Program, also known as the Green Book, and the supported commander for military development of cadets. The purpose of the Military Program is to instill in cadets the foundational military competencies necessary to win in the US Army, while inspiring them to professional excellence and service to the nation.  

Learn more about the Commandant of Cadets Learn more about the Office of the Commandant
Department of Military Instruction

The Department of Military Instruction (DMI) is the proponent for the Military Program and serves as the point of contact for all inquiries regarding the Greenbook, Military Program, and Military Program Strategic Plan. Further, the DMI Director serves as the coordinating authority to ensure appropriate coverage of all Army-required commissioning tasks in the curriculum and to identify emerging research and findings from across USMA that affect military development and then add them into cadet military science classes and/or Cadet Summer Training. 

Learn more about DMI Download the Green Book
Brigade Tactical Department

A major component of the Brigade Tactical Department (BTD) is "TAC Teams" - the tactical officer and tactical non-commissioned officer pair that is assigned to each of the 36 cadet companies. TAC Teams serve as the primary leader developers/integrators of the academy's developmental programs.

Learn more about tactical officers Learn more about tactical non-commissioned officers