Many of you will recall that LTG (Ret) Robert Caslen delivered the Keynote Address for the Veterans Council Memorial Day Ceremony in 2019.  Terry Treat (Maj, USA, Former), our Chapter's 2nd Vice-President, knows Gen Caslen through their service together on the West Point Commandant’s staff in the early 80’s.  Gen Caslen agreed to speak to us at a Chapter luncheon, but we were unable to work out a date before he moved from Florida to South Carolina.

When we were forced to cancel our spring luncheons, Terry asked Gen Caslen if he would do a virtual presentation for our members. He readily agreed and recorded the presentation you are about to watch just for us!  He tells stories from his career for about 40 minutes. We know you'll find his remarks both entertaining and inspiring.

You may access the presentation here.

A recap of Gen Caslen’s bio:

LTG (Ret) Robert Caslen, now the President of the University of South Carolina and living in Columbia, retired from active duty in 2018 as the 59th Superintendent of West Point. A 1975 graduate, he is one of only two general officers in history to hold the position of both commandant and superintendent at the US Military Academy.

During his 43 years of Army service, Gen Caslen held command and staff positions in the 101st Airborne, 25th Infantry, 10th Mountain, and 3rd Infantry Divisions. He was deployed for Operation Desert Storm, and in Honduras, Haiti, and Afghanistan, and served as the senior military commander in Iraq. Gen Caslen was posted in the Pentagon on 9/11.  Following the attack, he re-entered the building to help search for survivors and reverse the air conditioning system to vent smoke from the structure.

Gen Caslen’s awards and decorations are as numerous as you would expect.  The short list includes 3 Bronze Stars and 16 Distinguished, Superior, and Meritorious Service Medals.

As Superintendent, Gen Caslen made enduring enhancements to West Point’s programs and buildings. A significant innovation was the creation of the new Army Cyber Institute to develop skills and leaders for the new cyber fight.

Gen Caslen won the gratitude of West Point graduates everywhere when he led a sweeping reversal, as he promised, of Army’s football program, beating Navy in 2016 for the first time in 14 years, and beating both Air Force and Navy in 2017 to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the first time in 21 years!  Bob, who played center as a cadet, is too modest to accept the credit. He insists the players, coaches and cadets were responsible.