West Point's 4th of July Prayer for Leaders

Thirty-eight years ago this week, I entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. We were the Class of 1988.  In our first week, we had to learn the West Point Cadet Prayer.

Jump forward to today. The Class of 2026 has begun their journey as part of the “Long Gray Line” and the West Point Cadet Prayer is still an important guide for today's cadets.

In honor of Independence Day and the men and women who serve allowing us the freedom to speak and to pray as we see fit, I would like to share The West Point Cadet Prayer.

Before you read it, ask yourself: “What challenge does this prayer offer me?

Whether you are a person of faith or not, this challenge is open for you.

Duty – Honor – Country.

These three core values of West Point have stood the test of time for the last two centuries. The West Point Cadet Prayer is used by graduates as a reminder of these and other values which are meant to form the character of our nation’s future leaders.