Our July 9, 2026 Commander’s Call featured U.S. Representative Keith Self (USMA ’75), a former Army Special Forces officer with 25 years of military service, who discussed critical threats to American institutions and leadership.

Rep. Self talked about his legislative efforts to restore “Duty, Honor, Country” to West Point’s mission statement, protect military chaplains’ religious freedoms, and counter what he describes as “fifth-generation warfare”—ideological and informational attacks undermining American values through cultural Marxism and the “Red-Green Alliance” between China and radical Islamic movements.

The meeting combined frank policy discussions on veterans’ benefits, national security strategy, and academy leadership with passionate debate about preserving the foundational principles of service academies, featuring pointed questions from alumni about malicious compliance at West Point, First Amendment protections versus Sharia law, and the role of Congress in defending constitutional institutions.

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More details about the topics discussed at the Commanders Call:

Congressional priorities & legislation

• Rep. Keith Self discussed key bills and initiatives he supports: MacArthur Act (restore “Duty, Honor, Country” in academy mission), repeal of the 17th Amendment (messaging bill), and the Military Chaplains Act (as NDAA amendment).
• Military Chaplains Act: aims to codify chaplains’ roles, protect conscience rights and limit censorship; has service and DoD support and a realistic path via NDAA amendment.
• Veterans benefits funding constraints: House rules require committees to identify pay‑fors for new mandatory VA benefits; new VA programs typically must be offset by adjustments within veterans’ programs (not general taxpayer funding).
• PACT Act / COVID vax harms: Representative open to discussion but emphasized pay‑for constraints and tradeoffs among veterans’ benefits.
• Other legislative priorities: bills targeting CAIR/Muslim Brotherhood activities, Tehran Violence sanctions, bans on Sharia legal recognition, and related national‑security measures via a Sharia Free America Caucus (68 members across 25 states).

Service academies — mission, governance, and culture

• MacArthur Society focus: defend West Point’s historic virtues and leadership role; support for the MacArthur Act to restore the phrase “Duty, Honor, Country” to West Point’s official mission.
• Duty, Honor, Country Commission proposal: attendees (Bowden et al.) previously briefed DoD/Undersecretary; Rep. Self expressed interest and willingness to engage Congress if DoD does not act.
• Reconciliation Plaza and historical changes: concerns raised that modifications removed positive Confederate references and altered original intent; members report unilateral edits without class consent.
• Academy leadership and politicization concerns: attendees cited faculty/public‑affairs actions, superintendent tenure and departures, Board of Visitors effectiveness, and alleged politicization (DEI, curriculum changes). Calls for improved oversight of academy governance and Board of Visitors engagement.
• NIL / college athlete compensation: concern about cadet/midshipmen loss to NIL opportunities; SCORE Act noted but uncertain remedy; protection for minors urged.

National security threats, societal defense & domestic ideology

• Framing of contemporary threats: Rep. Self and members characterized threats as multi‑domain—kinetic and non‑kinetic/fifth‑generation/unrestricted warfare (information, cultural, legal). China’s “unrestricted warfare” and Red‑Green alignment referenced.
• Sharia/Islamic influence described as ideological and legal threat: caucus and attendees argued Sharia functions as a political/legal system, not merely religion; proposals include designations, bans on Sharia legal recognition, sanctions, and criminalizing support of Sharia as seditious conduct.
• Legal/constitutional boundary: speakers emphasized distinguishing free‑exercise religious rights from conduct that violates U.S. law; enforcement and prosecution of criminal conduct urged.
• Broader cultural defense: identified three pillars attackers seek to weaken — history, family, faith — and stressed civic education, virtue promotion, and winning ideas before politics.

About the Guest Speaker:

Congressman Keith Self is currently serving his second term in Congress as the Representative of the 3rd District of Texas. He was born in a military hospital during his father’s service in the United States Army and was raised in Texas. After graduation from High School in Amarillo, he accepted an appointment to The United States Military Academy at West Point, where he began a 25-year career of service to our country.

Keith’s Army tours included Airborne Infantry Platoon Leader, Airborne Infantry Company Commander, Special Forces Detachment Commander and Special Forces Company Commander. His service took him to Europe, the Middle East, and the Pentagon, where he worked on the most sensitive military programs. He deployed to Grenada, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraqi Freedom. During his career, Keith received the Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, and Joint Staff Badge. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Upon retiring from the Army, Keith was elected County Judge in Collin County, TX, in 2006. He served three consecutive terms before retiring in 2018. Keith and his wife Tracy have been happily married since his graduation from West Point. They reside in McKinney, TX and are active members in their church and local community.