Hank Keirsey’s father served in WWII as a Company Commander and fought at Sicily and continued to serve after. Hank grew up exposed to the military lifestyle, hearing about leadership, and inspiring soldiers. Hank entered West Point in the Summer of 1972 and graduated in 1976.

Hank’s experience at West Point was shaped by the actions of the upperclassmen in 1st Regiment and the Instructors and Tactical officers he interacted with. 1st Regiment was “Hazing Central” and many of the instructors and tactical officers he interacted with had served multiple tours in Vietnam.

Hank graduated inspired to lead, and serve as an Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Hank would graduate Ranger School, and served in multiple positions with the 82nd prior to Company command in Europe and serving on staff with the V Corps HQs.

Hank would get his Masters at Duke and teach at West Point as an Instructor in the History Department before returning to the 82nd for a second time. This time as a field grade officer.

Hank would deploy to Operation Desert Shield / Storm before training units at JRTC and being selected as the Director for the Department of Military Instruction at West Point.

Hank talks through his experience at DMI, what it was like to have two sons graduate (JD Class 2001 and Kent Class 2003), and what it was like watching them serve during the Global War On Terror (GWOT)

This is his story.