America’s military service academies have long been at the centre of political and cultural debates. In a new article for TIME’s Made by History, Professor Ryan Shaw, Security & Defence PLuS Lead at Arizona State University (ASU), explores how these institutions have navigated ideological battles from the founding of West Point to today’s debates over curriculum, leadership, and officer training.
“For more than two centuries, the service academies have been both pawns and prizes in evolving cultural and political fights.”
As these debates continue, Shaw poses a critical question: How can service academies remain focused on their core mission of preparing military leaders while adapting to the shifting priorities of American society?
“The principal concern, voiced by both sides in every era, is that the service academies continue to produce leaders who can defend the nation in times of war. The challenge for the current leaders of all of the academies will be—as it was for their predecessors—to stay focused on that mission amid the political noise.”
Ryan Shaw is a retired Army officer and professor of practice in history and strategy at ASU. He previously taught U.S. history at West Point. Read the full article here: Political Debates Have Always Influenced the U.S. Service Academies