Character

Taking responsibility for one’s actions is how a person’s character is defined. Character is what you do when no one is watching (anonymous). Daily I am reminded of what individuals in government, elected or appointed, have been foisting upon the citizens of our great nation. In the end they always point the accusatory finger saying it’s her fault or he bribed me. I read a great book some years ago entitled, The West Point Way of Leadership by Larry Donnithorne. Colonel Donnithorne recounted words from his orientation at West Point where the Commandant stated (paraphrased), “West Point does not take boys and girls to make men and women of them, it takes young men and women of character and makes them leaders of character.” The character of the individual coming into a service academy must be beyond reproach before she or he enters. How is it that so little character is demanded of our elected and appointed officials, such as the commander in chief (CINC), when those men and women who serve in our military, who report to the CINC, must be above reproach? Imagine what would happen to a tax cheater at West Point.