Professor James Arthur visited West Point Military Academy, New York between the 22nd and 25th March 2018. He was invited to participate as a Senior Fellow in the 6th Annual McDonald Conference for Leaders of Character. This conference brought together officer cadets and students from around the world, with Professor Arthur giving a keynote lecture on leadership and character, and facilitating a seminar group. The focus of the conference was on how society and institutions can leverage the powerful force that a character-based culture provides. The conference was addressed by the former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Bob McDonald, and the former White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough. Below is the official photograph of the conference participants.
The above photograph, taken in Iraq, is of U.S. Army Major Mark Bieger, now Colonel and West Point Chief of Staff, carrying a young Iraqi girl named Farah, whom he attempted to save during a suicide attack in 2005. Professor Arthur had the opportunity to speak at length with Col. Bieger about the role of character in the military. This photo, called ‘Little Girl’, is seen as depicting the ideal character of a virtuous soldier. It is used with kind permission from photographer Michael Yon.
Professor Arthur remained at the West Point Military Academy after the conference to have discussions with members of the Center for the Army Profession and Ethic, along with Jim Rahn, President of the Kern Family Foundation, and Dr. Karen Bohlin, Head of Montrose School.
