By 2LT Nicole Sacchinelli ’23, USCC, Guest Author
The Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic (SCPME) implemented two new Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) opportunities this past summer: one domestic, one international. Both AIADs offered cadets the opportunity for experiential learning and reflection during their 10-day character experiences.
The domestic AIAD took place in Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and New York City and explored the importance of character and honor in the Army profession. Cadets researched various leaders of character from the American Revolution to the modern day and connected these leaders’ stories to their own West Point journey, discussing how the Army profession grew alongside the society that it serves. The cadets then compared West Point’s Honor System with the honor systems at the United States Naval Academy and Georgetown University. The AIAD included visits to Independence Hall, Valley Forge, the Museum of the United States Army, the United States Naval Academy, Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb Sentinels, Georgetown University, the U.S. Memorial Holocaust Museum, the National Archives, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Cadets were also able to visit the headquarters of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and connect with recent graduates, discussing how the lessons they learned at West Point aided their experiences as junior officers.
Cadet Leila Hurst ’25, reflecting on her experience, described the domestic AIAD as a “once-in- a-lifetime experience,” saying, “[It] provided me with more clarity on how important it is to live honorably and demonstrate excellence.”
The international AIAD took cadets to significant sites in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg (e.g., D-Day beaches, NATO Headquarters, and Bastogne) and provided them with a deeper understanding of the historical and contemporary significance of officership in the Army, enriching their appreciation of military leadership and the professional standards upheld within the Army. The AIAD also built upon the case study “Band of Brothers” in the USMA core course MX400: Officership, highlighting the profound impact of character and leadership in challenging environments.
Asked about the impact of the international AIAD on his development as a leader of character, Cadet John Devino ’25 stated, “At each stop, I thought about how, in a few short months, I will lead soldiers and need to have the proper moral judgment and willingness to be the best leader for them.”
Photo: After discussing MAJ (R) Dick Winters’ assault on 105 mm guns, the cadets participating in an international AIAD in Europe were driven to Utah Beach so they could visualize the importance of the Higgins Boat during the D-Day landings.
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