In this episode, we dive into the transformative efforts of the Center for Enhanced Performance (CEP) at West Point with our distinguished guests, Colonel Darcy Schnack and Dr. Kat Longshore. Exploring the CEP’s mission, we focus on enhancing cadet performance through their key programs: performance psychology, academic excellence, and athletic academic support coordination. Discover how the CEP’s critical student success course integrates essential academic skills, like time management and organization, with mental skills such as goal setting and stress management to help cadets excel both at the Academy and in their future military careers.

Colonel Darcy Schnack, a distinguished graduate of USMAPS (1992) and the U.S. Military Academy (1996), brings a wealth of experience to her role as Director of the Center for Enhanced Performance. With advanced degrees in Sociology from Boston College and extensive service as an Army logistician, including two tours in Iraq, she has also taught Military Leadership at USMA. Currently, she is also the Head Officer Representative for the Army Volleyball team and enjoys family life with her husband, Troy (USMA ‘96), and their three children.

Dr. Kat Longshore joined the CEP in May 2020 as a Performance Enhancement Specialist and Lecturer, where she helps cadets and athletes reach peak performance. With over a decade of experience in mental performance coaching, Dr. Longshore has worked with National Teams, professional athletes, and collegiate programs. She also served as a visiting assistant professor at Lafayette College, teaching courses in sport psychology and related subjects.

In addition, we also delve into the extensive support CEP offers to cadets and faculty. Dr. Longshore highlights unique initiatives such as the mental training lab, which features innovative tools like virtual reality and tennis ball machines, and the popular egg chairs designed for deliberate recovery. We also explore the inviting atmosphere of the library’s mental skills lab, encouraging cadets to utilize these valuable resources. Tune in for an engaging and insightful conversation that sheds light on the CEP’s impactful approach to enhancing performance across all aspects of West Point life.

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“Overall, understanding that your well-being is a skill and something that you can affect, you know, what that is, I can take charge of. I can take charge of my own well-being. And I think we are a great entry into accessing wellness resources, that taking care of yourself and your own mental health and wellness is a really important thing to own. And so I think where CEP is going is helping to contribute to that effort in addition to development in the military, you know, academic and physical pillars.”

-Colonel Darcy Schnack

(01:07) Overview of the Center for Enhanced Performance

(02:39) The Academic Excellence Program

(04:55) Performance Psychology and Mental Skills

(15:54) Integration with Military Training

(23:17) Accessing CEP Resources

(29:33) The Future of CEP at West Point

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Connect with Dr. Kat Longshore

Connect with COL Darcy Schnack

Learn more about the Center for Enhanced Performance

Join us in this insightful episode with special host, COL Mike Kloepper, Class of 1997, as we welcome GEN(R) Stanley McChrystal, Class of 1976 and guest speaker for the Class of 2026 Affirmation Ceremony, who shares his transformative journey from a struggling cadet to a successful Army career.This conversation opens with the profound impact of mentorship, particularly through the influence of MAJ Dave Borato, a pivotal figure in the McChrystal’s development.

GEN(R) McChrystal is a visionary leader known for his unique perspective on organizational dynamics. As a retired four-star general and former commander of US and International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan, he now leads the McChrystal Group. This firm helps Fortune 500 companies balance hierarchical and decentralized team structures through network analysis and machine learning. As a best-selling author, McChrystal provides a battle-tested system for navigating risk in today’s fast-paced world, offering transformative advice to leaders and organizations alike.

The two delve into themes of commitment and leadership, exploring the significance of West Point's affirmation ceremony and the varied perspectives cadets have regarding their future military service. McChrystal offers personal anecdotes from his time in the 82nd Airborne Division, highlighting the critical role of early experiences and seasoned NCOs in shaping young officers. The discussion emphasizes the importance of organizational culture, integrity, and accountability, and how leaders can balance empathy with maintaining high standards.

The episode concludes with strategic leadership insights, focusing on the distinctions between empathy and sympathy, and the importance of effective communication. Drawing from his extensive military and civilian leadership experience, McChrsytal shares valuable lessons on resilience, adaptability, and teamwork. Don’t miss the special episode with GEN(R) Stan McChrystal and COL Mike Kloepper.

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Key Quote:

“Sometimes the best thing you can do for people is pressure test them, pressure test them as individuals, pressure test them as groups, you know, make better steel, through heat. And so I would say that the opportunity to do that shouldn't be Missed. And I know that sounds like an old grad saying we just got to make life harder for everybody.and I don't want to sound like that, but I do want to say that those things that I think did me the most good were not things I necessarily in the moment enjoyed.”

• General Stan McChrystal

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(00:25) Reflecting on Cadet Experiences

(03:16) Challenges and Turning Points

(06:25) Affirmation and Commitment

(11:38) Early Career Lessons

(17:20) Leadership and Culture

(22:17) Empathetic Leadership and Accountability

(25:52) Strategic Leadership Insights

(33:22) Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

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Learn more about General Stan McChrystal

Connect with Colonel Mike Kloepper

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Lee Anderson, Class of 1961, as we explore his remarkable journey from his childhood in Minneapolis to his influential career and philanthropic efforts. Anderson shares intimate details of his upbringing with his father's transformation from an orphaned Swedish immigrant to a successful plumber and his mother's time in an orphanage. Discover how his father and half brother led him to West Point, setting the stage for a life of leadership and service. Anderson reflects on his formative years at West Point, significant mentors and athletic achievements in basketball, and his deep appreciation for his classmates, which instilled in him resilience and teamwork.

Lee Anderson is the most philanthropic graduate in West Point history. As a cadet, he played basketball. He began his term of service in the Air Force and assigned to Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona. He served three years on active duty. Returning home to Minnesota, he became a salesman at APi Inc., a small insulation contracting division of Reuben L. Anderson-Cherne, now known as APi Group Inc. Through his tireless effort and vision, Anderson transformed APi from a small business with 13 employees into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise employing nearly 9,000 people. As a member of the Thomas Jefferson Society, Anderson and his wife Penny made a record-breaking $6-million gift to build the West Point Army rugby stadium, the Anderson Rugby Complex.

In this episode, we explore Anderson's transition from military to business success, where he transformed a family plumbing business into a major player in fire protection and construction. Learn about his innovative employee leadership strategies, including the implementation of an ESOP program, and the significant financial benefits created for his workforce. Anderson's commitment to philanthropy, inspired by his father, spans various causes, from veterans' affairs to wildlife conservation. His reflections on the profound influence of West Point and his ongoing dedication to giving back offers a heartfelt tribute to the enduring values instilled at the Academy, solidifying his legacy as a model of leadership and generosity.

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Key Quote:

“West Point is the greatest institution that I'm aware of that we have in this country. You think of the outstanding individuals in this country and a large number of them were West Point graduates. And I'm very, very proud.”

- Lee Anderson

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(00:29) Lee’s Path to West Point

(05:12) School Days and Influences

(10:51) Athletics and Extracurriculars

(17:55) Memorable Experiences and Mentors

(23:20) Experiences at Luke Air Force Base

(26:29) Building the Business Empire

(36:15) Philanthropy and Giving Back

(44:13) Reflections on Success and West Point

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Connect with Lee

Connect with Mike

Join us for an inspiring journey as we sit down with Tom Lough class of and Craig Gilbert class of ‘78, two Olympians, who share their remarkable paths to both athletic and military excellence!

Tom, discovered modern pentathlon at the academy, leading him to compete in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. His career includes service in Vietnam, Korea, and Germany, earning him a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Craig, transitioned from football and basketball to team handball while at West Point, and became a member of the 1984 Olympic Handball team. His Army service includes a deployment to Afghanistan.

We explore the unique bonds formed among West Point Olympians and their ongoing contributions to the academy and the nation. The two discuss the influence of West Point, the Olympic display in Arvin Gym, and their involvement with the US Olympians and Paralympians Association. These efforts help maintain a strong support network for current cadets, ensuring the legacy of excellence and service continues.

We also touch on the challenges West Point cadets and graduates face balancing military commitments with Olympic dreams, showcasing their remarkable resilience and dedication. Through personal anecdotes, including the story of Captain Sammy Sullivan, we highlight the support needed from the academy and donors and the inspiration these cadets provide to the West Point community. We wrap up with a celebration of team spirit, expressing our hopes for future victories, particularly against Navy, as we look forward to the Paris 2024 and LA 2028 Olympics.

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Key Quote:

“In a way, we can regard our West Point graduation as the achievement or the final step in a long, arduous journey and then we springboard into the future, but then the opening ceremony of the Olympics is just the beginning of a fabulous competitive experience. You see, that was still ahead of us, our challenge was still ahead of us.”

- Tom Lough

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(00:38) Journey to West Point

(03:12) Olympic Aspirations and Achievements

(07:03) Creating Support Systems and Finding Inspirations

(11:14) West Point's Legacy and Influence

(23:48) West Point Olympians and Their Contributions

(31:07) Challenges and Support for West Point Athletes

(42:31) The Role of Donors and Personal Achievements

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Learn more about Tom

Learn more about Craig

Join us as we sit down with the inspiring Sammy Sullivan, a West Point graduate and member of the USA Women’s Olympic Rugby 7’s team! She shares her unexpected journey to West Point to discover a passion for rugby, Sammy's story is one of determination and resilience. Listen in as she recounts the unique experience of applying to West Point alongside her twin brother, both of whom were accepted, and how the supportive environment of the rugby team, encouraged by her father, led her to excel in a sport she had never previously considered.

Sammy is a graduate of Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, NC, Sammy first found rugby while attending Army West Point, one of the premier collegiate rugby programs. Sullivan was introduced to the game at Athletic Day, during basic training and thought she would give it a try, following in the footsteps of her father who also played. Rising through the rugby ranks, Sullivan was honored with the 2019 Prusmack Award, recognizing the top collegiate sevens athletes in the nation.

As part of the World Class Athlete Program, an initiative promoting active service members through sports careers, Sullivan followed graduation by entering the Women's Premier League, sparking an impressive start to her fifteens career that resulted in a roster invite to the 2022 Pacific Four Series with the USA Women's Eagles, debuting against Canada in June of that year.

Sullivan's skill set also caught the eye of the USA Women's Sevens, drawing her back to the sevens pitch and USA residency in the latter half of 2022. Sullivan would make her USA Sevens National Team debut during the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, before making her World Rugby Sevens Series debut in Dubai that December. Becoming one of only a few Eagle to debut in both disciplines in the same year.

In this episode, Sammy opens up about the rigorous training regimen of the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) and the balance between her intense athletic pursuits and military duties. She provides valuable insights into maintaining a healthy relationship with nutrition and finding time for personal hobbies. Additionally, Sammy shares her advice for young girls chasing their dreams, emphasizing the importance of taking leaps of faith and seeking support. With stories of resilience, inter-gender boxing classes, and the dream of returning to West Point with an Olympic gold medal, this conversation is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of a strong support system.

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Key Quote:

“The advice I would give to those girls is to take the leap of faith because a lot of my life experiences, applying to West Point, trying for a spot on the USA Rugby team and ultimately getting named to the Olympic team, switching over to rugby has all been leaps of faith. I would encourage them, one door closing is, is another door opening for you and to continue to take up space and go for what you want, and let those around you, know your goals because ultimately you can try to get somewhere on your own, but it's so much better and so much sweeter when you have the help of, of those around you pushing you and encouraging you.”

- Sammy Sullivan

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(00:42) Sammy's Journey to West Point

(03:26) Transition from Soccer to Rugby

(06:33) Life at West Point and Rugby Experience

(08:38) Post-Graduation and WCAP Journey

(17:58) Balancing Life and Training

(22:29) Challenges and Motivation

(31:54) Advice for Aspiring Athletes

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Learn more about Sammy

Support Team USA Women’s Rugby 7s team

Join us as we delve into the remarkable career of Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, beginning with his formative years in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and his decision to attend West Point. Eikenberry shares how a pivotal encounter with Major Tom Griffin, along with the unwavering support of his parents and a dedicated congressman, led him to the United States Military Academy. At West Point, he distinguished himself as a dedicated cadet, excelling in economics and Mandarin Chinese, which played a crucial role in shaping his understanding of international affairs.

Karl Eikenberry is the former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan and a retired Lieutenant General of the U.S. Army. He is a faculty member at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at Princeton University. Ambassador Eikenberry also serves on the board of Asia Society Northern California. Previously, he was the Director of the U.S.-Asia Security Initiative at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University and an affiliate with several of Stanford’s research centers. His military career spanned thirty-five years, during which he held various command and staff positions in the U.S., Hawaii, Korea, Italy, and Afghanistan.

Eikenberry’s early military career unfolded during a challenging time for the U.S. Army, transitioning from the Vietnam War era to a volunteer force. He discusses his leadership experiences on the Korean Peninsula and with the 1st Ranger Battalion, highlighting the lessons learned about maintaining high standards and effective leadership. The conversation then shifts to his extensive involvement with China, detailing his early visits and role as an assistant army attaché in Beijing, and emphasizing the evolving dynamics between the U.S. and China.

Finally, we discuss Eikenberry's tenure as the Commander of Combined Forces in Afghanistan and his subsequent appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan. He reflects on the complexities of leading coalition forces and the transition from military to diplomatic roles. The episode also covers his academic pursuits, contributions to national security through think tanks, and the invaluable role of networking and continuous learning. Eikenberry concludes by sharing his admiration for the young leaders at the U.S. Military Academy, expressing hope for the future through their dedication and enthusiasm.

Key Quote:

“With your time in the academy, if you use this well then what you're doing is you're developing a network of resources of analysts, of people that are the professors, those that have gone back and forth from the world of policy to the academy itself. And these are a group of people that if you try to keep the networks alive, it's really going to be a good investment for you professionally. Too many times that I look back in my life where I was in a very difficult situation, a very difficult problem where I'm reaching out on the phone or by email or texting to a particular professor that I knew several years ago, but I've stayed in touch with. And they're able to come and give me some best advice here.”

-Ambassador Karl Eikenberry

Episode Timestamps:

00:27 Ambassador Eikenberry’s Journey to West Point

03:29 Life as a Cadet

08:37 Formative Military Experiences

13:56 US-China Relations

18:04 Command in Afghanistan

22:12 Transition to Diplomacy

31:15 Academic Contributions and Networking

Learn more about Ambassador Eikenberry

In this episode, COL (R) Mark Bieger ’91, President and CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates, and Izzy Wolf, Alumni Services Manager discuss the impact of the 2024 Founders Day events and why they are critical for strengthening the Grip of the Long Gray Line.

COL (R) Mark Bieger ’91 graduated from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. After commissioning as an Infantry officer, he served for over 28 years in the U.S. Army, holding leadership positions at the platoon, company, battalion, and brigade levels. Mark deployed twice to Iraq and was awarded the Silver Star for valorous actions. Now, as the President & CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates, he is dedicated to connecting and serving the alumni community.

Izzy Wolf has been with the West Point alumni network for over five years, working as the Alumni Services Manager. She plays a crucial role in supporting the West Point society groups and special interest groups, helping to strengthen the connections among graduates and their shared commitment to the Academy's values.

During the episode, Mark delves into the rich history of the West Point Association of Graduates, which dates back to its inception in 1825 by Robert Anderson and its formal establishment in 1869. He discusses the mission of the AOG to serve West Point and its alumni, striving to become the most connected alumni body globally. Izzy shares insights into her role, highlighting how she supports various societies and interest groups, fostering a strong and engaged alumni community.

The episode also shines a spotlight on the vibrant Founders Day celebrations held across the country and even in Thailand. These events celebrate new cadets, support older graduates and surviving spouses, and showcase the unique touches each society brings to their gatherings. Mark and Izzy emphasize the importance of these events in connecting graduates and preserving the legacy of West Point and its alumni. Tune in to learn more about the dynamic West Point alumni community and the exciting plans for the upcoming Founders Day celebrations!

Key Quote:

“It goes back again to, our presence, the association's presence at those events are really tied directly again to our mission and vision. We're there to serve. We're there to communicate the incredible programs and services and activities inside of alumni support. Here in our organization that are ideally for the benefit of all of our graduates, but we're here to serve and we're here to connect. So, our presence at those locations, one, we, consider ourselves guests of the society, um, and, very special visitors, but, again, we're there to, serve and connect.”

- COL (R) Mark Bieger ’91

(00:34) The Mission, Vision, and Impact of WPAOG

(07:50) The Global Reach of Founders Day Events

(19:00) Engaging with Your Local AOG

(23:40) Lasting Impacts of Founders Day

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Connect with Mark Beiger

Connect with Izzy

Join us for a truly captivating conversation with the remarkable Alma Cooper, who not only wears the sash as Miss Michigan 2024 but also serves as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. Alma's journey is one of dedication and legacy, beginning with her mother's nudge towards the Summer Leader Experience at West Point, and culminating in her unwavering commitment to military service, inspired by her father's footsteps.

Alma recalls the transformational 47-month experience that shaped her into the leader she is today, from the emotional R-day to her exceptional academic pursuits as the sole female mathematical science major at West Point. Her passion for data and her honors thesis addressing the Army's height and weight standards showcase a leader not just in uniform, but also in intellect.

Through setbacks and triumphs, Alma shares her story of securing the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship and her acceptance into Stanford's prestigious statistics program, all while maintaining the poise to claim the title of Miss Michigan USA. Her tale is a testament to the power of hard work, authenticity, and the influence of mentorship. This discussion offers a profound look into how resilience and determination can coalesce to shape a life filled with achievement across multiple domains, including pageantry, academics, and service.

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Key Quote:

“I knew that I have a bigger purpose to serve. I have an incredible opportunity, which is to serve this country and to be a leader for so many people and to learn and grow as much as I can. And I think that wearing that [West Point] ring and to share that moment with, you know, the West Point women that were in that crowd, it meant so much and it still means so much.”

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(1:09) Alma’s West Point Experience and Leadership Lessons

(10:37) From West Point to Miss Michigan

(23:55) Embracing the Long Gray Line and Alma’s Future

Connect with Alma

Check out Miss USA 2024