Dan Christman applied to West Point because of the quality of the leaders it had produced and the respect he had for veterans he knew in his local community.

Dan arrived to West Point in the Summer of 1961 and experienced the sophomoric behavior of some of the upper classmen and West Point’s development through attrition model, but also had access to some of the most influential leaders of his era. MacArthur, John F. Kennedy, and Eisenhower.

Dan graduated from West Point in the Summer of 1965 and would go on to serve in South Korea, Vietnam, Europe, and the Middle East and gained a deep appreciation for the impact that overseas experiences play in developing leaders.

Dan also served in key positions from Company Command in Vietnam, to Instructing at West Point, to serving in the US Army Corps of Engineers, serving as the Commanding General for Fort Leonardwood and the Engineer School Commandant, and multiple positions in support of the National Security Council and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Dan talks through his experience in becoming the 55th Superintendent for West Point (1996 - 2001) and his vision for adding to the legacy of the Academy and its role in developing leaders of character.

Dan closes with comments about his thoughts on 9/11 and experiences with the Class of 2001.

This is his story.