Army
Gallery‘We’re sending you to lead,’ Hegseth tells US Military Academy’s Class of 2026
Stars and Stripes
May 23, 2026
Newly commissioned U.S. Army 2nd lieutentants toss their covers at the conclusion of the U.S. Military Academy graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026, at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y., on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Eric Brann/Department of Defense)
Members of the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026 tossed their covers high on Saturday to close out 47 months at West Point and begin their Army careers.
During the ceremony at Michie Stadium on the campus in West Point, N.Y., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the featured speaker, told the 998 newly minted leaders that the stakes could not be higher.
“You’ve proven that you have what it takes to lead our nation’s top 1%, America’s most valued treasure, America’s sons and daughters,” he said. “We’re sending you to lead, we’re sending you to forge warriors, and we’re sending you, perhaps, to war — and you are ready. The world today is at a crossroads, just as it has been for the past 250 years of our great republic.”
U.S. Military Academy cadets bow their heads during the USMA graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026, at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y., on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Eric Brann/Department of Defense)
U.S. Military Academy Cadets listen to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s remarks during the USMA graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026, at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y., on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Eric Brann/Department of Defense)
A U.S. Military Academy cadet class president presents a class gift to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026, at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y., on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Eric Brann/Department of Defense)
The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026’s Graduation Day on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Michie Stadium, in West Point, N.Y. (U.S. Military Academy/Facebook)
The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026’s Graduation Day on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Michie Stadium, in West Point, N.Y. (U.S. Military Academy/Facebook)
The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026’s Graduation Day on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Michie Stadium, in West Point, N.Y. (U.S. Military Academy/Facebook)
The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026’s Graduation Day on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Michie Stadium, in West Point, N.Y. (Eric S. Bartelt/U.S. Military Academy)
The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026’s Graduation Day on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Michie Stadium, in West Point, N.Y. (Eric S. Bartelt/U.S. Military Academy)
The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026’s Graduation Day on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Michie Stadium, in West Point, N.Y. (Eric S. Bartelt/U.S. Military Academy)
The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026’s Graduation Day on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Michie Stadium, in West Point, N.Y. (U.S. Military Academy/Facebook)
The U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026’s Graduation Day on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Michie Stadium, in West Point, N.Y. (U.S. Military Academy/Facebook)
Hegseth mixed politics with encouragement, stressing unity, hard work and lethality, telling the new officers that they have his trust and the trust of the president.
The secretary asked the new officers to ensure that those they lead know the purpose of their mission and that they have each other’s backs.
“It greatly improves execution when you share with them the purpose and unlock their combined talent,” he said, adding, “Take care of your soldiers, take care of their families and each other. If you never leave a fallen comrade, you’ve done your job.”