Mission
As The Military College of South Carolina, The Citadel’s mission is to educate and develop principled leaders and citizen-soldiers, prepared to serve their state and nation, and to lead with integrity by instilling the core values of Honor, Duty, State, and Country in a disciplined and intellectually challenging environment.
Core Values
The Citadel develops principled leaders in a climate shaped by the core values of Honor, Duty, State, and Country. Upon graduation, students are well-equipped to embrace the opportunities and challenges presented by an increasingly globalized environment. Achieving this mission requires an integrated effort involving all members of The Citadel community.
Honor:
Honor begins with the Honor Code of The Citadel. A cadet “will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.” This is the rock upon which everything else stands. This commitment reaches beyond the gates of The Citadel and lasts a lifetime. Honor includes integrity: “doing the right thing when no one is watching.” Honorable people also show the moral courage to “do the right thing when everyone is watching.” The Honor Code is the foundation of our college.
Duty:
In the words of General Lee, “Duty is the sublimest word in the English language. You should do your duty in all things. You can never do more, you should never wish to do less.” Duty calls you to take on your responsibilities and carry them out. At The Citadel, your primary duty is to excel in your studies and to serve the Corps of Cadets and the campus community. You must accept the consequences of your actions. Once you hold yourself accountable, you must hold others accountable too. Duty is also a call to serve others before self, demonstrating respect for others, both those in authority and those you serve.
State and Country:
Duty to State honors The Citadel’s unique history and its ties to South Carolina. It also honors the role of states within the United States federal system.
Duty to Country demands unwavering loyalty to the United States of America. It means upholding the Constitution, honoring our founding principles, and serving the Nation. It calls for a lifetime of selfless service and a commitment to bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution. It means putting the United States, the Constitution, and the American People above personal interests.