Military Science and Leadership

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Annex H

THE CADET CREED

I am an Army Cadet. Soon I will take an oath and become an Army Officer committed to DEFENDING the values, which make this Nation great. HONOR is my touchstone. I understand MISSION first and PEOPLE always.I am the PAST - the spirit of those WARRIORS who made the final sacrifice.I am the PRESENT - the scholar and apprentice solder, enhancing my skills in the science of warfare and the art of leadership.But above all, I am the FUTURE - the future WARRIOR LEADER of the United States Army. May God give me the compassion and judgment to lead and the gallantry in battle to WIN.I WILL do my DUTY.

Explanation of the Cadet Creed. The Cadet Creed, in a few carefully selected words, explains what is expected of an Army cadet. The Cadet Creed is a key element in the traditions of Cadet Command.

• "DEFENDING the values which make this Nation great." Cadets, upon being commissioned, take an oath to defend, with their lives when necessary, the Constitution of the United States of America. This document, created more than two centuries ago after our Nation's valiant struggle for independence, is the keystone of our way of life, of the world's most wondrous democracy. Our nation derives its strength from the consent of the governed. The basic tenets of our Constitution are that all people have certain natural inalienable rights, are born equal, and must be treated equally before the law. These are powerful words, but words that have meaning only as long as we as Americans are willing to defend our value system as embodied in our Constitution. Each Army Cadet is honor bound to do this, both as a cadet and later as a commissioned officer.
• "HONOR is my touchstone." Honor is used in two ways when referring to Army cadets. Serving the people of the United States as a commissioned officer is an honor afforded only a small fraction of our young men and women. More importantly, "with honor" describes how an Army cadet will serve upon being commissioned. Honor is the bedrock upon which the Army officer builds a successful career. Honor encompasses integrity and dedication. Honor is the thread which holds together the fabric of our Army as it discharges its critical mission of being the strategic force that maintains the integrity of our Nation and peace in our world. Serving with honor begins in the cadet years and builds throughout a career.
• "MISSION first and PEOPLE always." The Army cadet who lives by these five words will always get the job done, which is the essence of being an Army officer. A commissioned officer has a sacred obligation to take care of the men and women entrusted to the unit - to guide, train, teach and counsel. The leader who cares for people will always command the respect and dedicated service of those commanded, assuring mission accomplishment.
• "I am the PAST." The legacy of the Army cadet dates to the colonial Army that won our independence. It has been enriched by each generation that served in time of peace to safeguard our security, and in time of war to secure victory through supreme sacrifice. The tradition of the Army cadet is to live up to the magnificent example set by their former comrades-in arms, in our land and overseas, as the guardians of liberty.
• "I am the PRESENT." Army cadets are talented people who are molded into superior leaders through a commitment to excellence by the officers and noncommissioned officers who make up Cadet Command. The skills of the Army cadet are enhanced in the classroom, at field training exercises, at Advanced and Basic Camp, and through Ranger Challenge. The Army cadet dedicated to excellence will become an officer who is both a war winner and a respected leader.
• "I am the FUTURE." Army cadets are indeed the Army's future officer leadership. Into the hands of Army cadets across the Nation will be placed the responsibility of leading the outstanding young Americans who fill the enlisted ranks of our Army. Our Army cadets will be challenged to maintain and strengthen our Army. Being an officer-leader will be both a challenge and an opportunity. Each Army cadet must live up to his or her full potential to become a warrior leader with the "RIGHT STUFF" to be a war winner.
• "I WILL do my DUTY." Doing one's duty encompasses all the traits inherent in being an Army cadet and an Army officer. In the words of one of America's most respected Army commanders, General Robert E. Lee, "Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less."

Army ROTC Mission :"To commission the future officer leadership of the United States Army."Inherent in this mission are the following objectives:

• Intellectual: To supplement the traditional education of the university with subjects of value to the student in civilian or military pursuits, to teach each cadet to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to motivate cadets to become leaders throughout their lives.
• Moral: To develop in each cadet a high sense of duty and the attributes of character inherent in leadership which emphasize integrity, discipline and motivation to succeed in the profession of arms.
• Physical: To develop in each cadet the stamina and fitness essential to a physically demanding career as an Army Officer.
• Military: To provide cadets with the broad-based military education required as a prerequisite for commissioning.

THE FOSTER FLAG

Cadet Command's colors are the crisp black and gold of America's senior military service, attesting to the command's critical mission: To commission the future officer leadership of the United States Army. Mrs. Maria Foster, wife of SGM Calvin Foster of the U.S. Army Fourth Region, U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Command, hand-stitched the first colors of the command. SGM Foster presented the flag to MG Robert E. Wagner, the first Commanding General of Cadet Command, on 2 May 1985, at Continental Park, Fort Monroe, during ceremonies marking the organization of the new command. From 2 May 1986 to 16 December 1987, the Foster Flag proudly flew at numerous Cadet Command ceremonies. It symbolizes the dedication of Cadet Command to promoting "Leadership Excellence" and commissioning the future officer leadership of the United States Army. The Foster Flag now stands in a place of honor in the foyer of Cadet Command Headquarters at Fort Monroe.

PATCH AND CREST

Cadet Command's shoulder patch was authorized 8 April 1986. Its crest was authorized on 22 August 1986. The symbolism of both insignia is identical. The shield symbolizes the Army mission of national defense and is divided into quarters representing the four traditional military science courses comprising Senior ROTC curriculum. The sword signifies courage, gallantry and self-sacrifice intrinsic to the profession of arms. The lamp denotes the pursuit of knowledge, higher learning, and the partnership of the Army ROTC with American colleges and universities. The Greek helmet is symbolic of the ancient civilization concept of the warrior scholar. The motto "LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE" expresses the ultimate responsibility of Army ROTC in the discharge of its moral responsibility to the nation.

Figure 1. Reserve Officers' Training Corps Shoulder Sleeve Insignia.

CADET PARK

Cadet Park at Headquarters Cadet Command was dedicated 28 April 1987 as part of the first anniversary observance of the Command. Cadet Park was dedicated in the year of the Bicentennial of the American Constitution, the document our cadets swear to defend and preserve upon being commissioned. Cadet Part at Headquarters, Cadet Command and those at each region, are also our symbolic link to the university community. Our parks commemorate the men and women who have earned Army commissions through Cadet Command and are serving their Nation proudly as officer-leaders. This commissioning process is made possible by the administration and faculties of colleges and universities throughout our country who have opened their campuses to Cadet Command and are our active partners in "Commissioning the Future Officer Leadership of the United States Army."

CANNONADE

An integral part of Cadet Command's reviews and ceremonies is the firing of a three-volley cannonade saluting the pillars of our service to our Nation - DUTY, HONOR, and COUNTRY.

DUTY - Obedience and disciplined performance. Despite difficulty or danger, duty requires self-responsibility and selfless devotion.

HONOR - Encompassing integrity and dedication. Honor is the thread that holds together the fabric of our Army.

COUNTRY - For which men and women have given their lives. Our country shines as the light of freedom and dignity to the world.