Superintendents of the United States Military Academy

The commanding officer of the United States Military Academy is its Superintendent. This position is roughly equivalent to the chancellor or president of an American civilian university. The officer appointed is by tradition a graduate of the United States Military Academy who is considered to best exemplify the creed of "Duty, Honor, Country".

Historically, the Superintendency was often a stepping stone to higher prominence within the Army. The list of Superintendents includes four Medal of Honor [ [http://www.cmohs.org/medal.htm Congressional Medal of Honor Society] ] recipients as well as several who later became Commanding Generals or Chiefs of Staff John McAllister Schofield, Hugh L. Scott, Douglas MacArthur, Maxwell Davenport Taylor, and William Westmoreland. However, in the modern era, the post is a terminal assignment in the Army; as a condition for detail to the position the officer is required by law to acknowledge that he will be retired at the end of his appointment. This formulation was meant to secure the independence of the Superintendent from undue command influence; however, this lame duck status also restricts his power and influence within the Army. There has been some discussion about reverting to the previous system or recalling a retired officer to fill the post.

The billet carries the rank of lieutenant general, and is not counted against the Army's statutory limit on the number of active-duty officers above the rank of major general. Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster originally retired from active duty as a full general, was recalled to assume the superintendency as a lieutenant general, and reverted to his four-star rank upon his second retirement.

uperintendents

ee also

*List of Superintendents of the United States Naval Academy
*Superintendents of the United States Air Force Academy

References