Why A MacArthur Society?

Our Mission

The MacArthur Society exists to preserve, defend, and advocate for West Point’s history, purpose, and founding principles of Duty, Honor, and Country. We are a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization — a strong national defense should never be a partisan issue — and we raise funds to grow a membership capable of serving as an effective voice for reform.

Why We Formed

West Point commissions roughly 1,000 officers a year — fewer than either ROTC (about 5,000, or 70% of the Army’s total) or OCS. Despite this smaller output, West Point graduates leave active duty after their five-year commitment at higher rates than officers from ROTC or OCS. We believe the core curriculum has drifted toward that of a liberal arts college, at the expense of training focused on leading soldiers and winning wars — and that this shift is a driver of the retention gap. The Academy’s leadership must return to first principles, as we graduates remain continually mindful that chief among these first principles is our life-long adherence to our Oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.

Our Priorities

- Merit-based admissions. Cadets should be admitted on demonstrated merit, not quotas, or so-called “goals.” Replace race, ethnicity, gender or any other identity based admissions criteria with improved standards. Using race, especially, as an admissions factor disadvantages other groups, reinforces stereotypes, and — in our view — conflicts with the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and the 5th Amendment’s Due Process Clause.
- Leadership over demographics. We hold that unit combat effectiveness is a function of leadership, not racial composition — and that no credible evidence shows otherwise.
- Never again allow a favorable treatment of any facet of Cultural Marxism. This stipulates the end to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) instruction or implementation as well as any use of Critical Race Theory (CRT), including encouraging cadets to apply it “…as one of many analytical lenses that can be employed to examine institutions.”
- Transparency. West Point’s leadership must comply fully and promptly with Federal FOIA obligations. Attempts to block access to information or circumvent Executive Orders have resulted in humiliating situations to include lawsuits, forcing West Point to tell the truth.
- A resolute Honor Code. The Code should be a firm standard, not an “aspirational” one.
- One standard for all cadets. We are concerned that athletes are held to different standards in admissions, training, and post-graduation service obligations than the rest of the Corps of Cadets.

Get Involved

Donations are tax-deductible and fund our advocacy work. Join our mailing list, support the mission, and learn more here at our MacArthurSociety.org website.

MacArthur Society Position Paper (pdf of above)

MacArthur Society Flyer (pdf)

PDF of flyer for emailing: MacArthur Society Flyer