Trump has to remember who his speech for the west point opening is really

All of my classmates were excited that the day we had expected for a long time had finally arrived. Each of us was a bit of afraid of what the future could bring. We also knew that it was the last time that we would all be together. So if I was able to tell Trump or his speech writer, what suggestions could I do?

The president could consider that he will speak with two additional audiences in addition to the class of 2025. The first audience includes other cadets that exist the Corps of Cadets. About half of the corps present will end their first or second year as cadets, but at that moment they have not formally committed themselves to military service.

After the summer training, the aspiring juniors will return to the academy in autumn and take the oath of confirmation on the eve of their first day. This ceremony confirms the commitment of every cadet to do its last two years at the academy and for a future service as an officer of active service. Hopefully you will inspire Trump's statements to stay at the academy and to take on a service obligation for the nation.

The second audience consists of the families of the graduates. You will proudly burst the performance of your children. At the same time, they know that their children will soon be used in places around the world and will be at risk in many cases in the future. Your victims should be recognized and honored.

The President will probably tell the class of 2025 that he ended at a difficult moment. He could even remind them that they are the real successors of the minuteemes who were on the Greens in Lexington and Concord 250 years ago.

But how then is today's world in turmoil. Recently, Pope Leo XIV said in his first Sunday message that the world was “fighting the Third World War. His words are sober. Many present could fear that these graduates are able to not have their predecessors who graduated in spring 1941 or received their diplomas at the time when I was a cadet and then sent their diplomas in Vietnam.

In addition, the world is experiencing a revolution in the behavior of warfare. Modern struggle requires the integration of drones, asymmetrical warfare, cyber, artificial intelligence, space, etc. in connection with the traditional domains of land, air and sea.

The battlefields in Ukraine as well as in the most recent conflicts in the Middle East and in South Asia have led large -scale military operations at a high pace. The victory in the future is determined by military leaders who not only master their craft, but also learn, adapt and are innovative during their entire career. That is what the nation awaits and needs.

Finally I hope that Trump reminds the graduates that they join this Weapons. It is a job because it includes an abstract knowledge of the knowledge that is essential when the nation will survive. These graduates join the ranks of the 1% of our population that protect the country from foreign threats. They are more inspired by the inner rewards of their service than the extrinsic, and he should tell them that they should be proud of it.

As a professional, your military service must be based on values. Ethics, character and integrity are essential. General Norman Schwarzkopf returned to the academy shortly after the Gulf War in 1991. At that moment he told the Corps of Cadets: “To be a leader of the 21st century, you have to have two things: competence and character.” They are the guards that Plato described in “The Republic”, And West Point's motto of the “duty, honor, country” have to stay with them as long as they carry the uniform.

The president could even remind them that according to his comments, they will not swear an oath for him or a future president, but the constitution of the United States. Their service is the American people and must therefore remain apolitical. They are entrusted with the nation's greatest treasure – its sons and daughters – and the command load will be difficult.

I wish Trump the best of luck with his comments, but admittedly I don't remember anything that Westmoreland said at my West Point graduation. I hope the President can inspire the class from 2025 for at least a few moments of reflection, but I doubt that many will remember what he had to say for a long time.

It is unlikely that Trump or anyone around him will ever read. Even if he did it, I doubt that he would find my recommendations for any use. I hope, however, he realizes that the start on Saturday for graduates, others cadets and their families are. It's not about him.