Dr. Jin Xu’s Speech to the Corps of Cadets:

I know why you and your parents chose the New York Military Academy. It’s to set you up for success—here, in college, and in life. Developing good study habits. Earning good grades. Working hard. Making the right decisions. Being a well-rounded, happy, and healthy person. NYMA exists to help you achieve those goals.

But let’s face it: nearly every other school exists for the same reasons.

So what makes NYMA different? Over the years the Academy has embraced different mottos and marketing pitches: “Set Apart for Excellence,” “Making Good Kids Better,” and “Toujours Prêt”—“Always Prepared.”  The last of these, our motto since the beginning, is a keeper.

Even so, it begs the question: “Always Prepared” for what? Let me make the answer clear. NYMA’s goal is to make you always prepared to lead. Always prepared to step forward; always prepared to stand up; always prepared to stand out.

Before I say anything else, I want to share with you our ambition. It’s one that’s shared by our dean, our faculty, our tactical officers, and our staff.

The ambition is this: The New York Military Academy will gain fame as America’s premier secondary school for developing leaders. Better than the other military high schools. Better than the elite prep schools. In terms of developing leaders, our aim is to become the best.

The New York Military Academy has a strong foundation in educating leaders. Other schools have students. We have cadets. We have a chain of command. We have the Corps.

Every single one of you is a leader. If you’re the First Captain, you’re a leader. If you’re the First Sergeant, you’re a leader. If you’re a Platoon Leader or a Squad Leader—you’re a leader. Whether you’re a captain, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, or private—you’re a leader. If this is your first day and you’re setting the example for other new cadets, you are a leader.

Everyone here gets to follow. But everyone also gets to lead. All of us set the example. We hold each other accountable. We have the courage to correct each other when someone does something wrong. We’re ready to praise each other when someone does something right. We treat each other with respect. We hold ourselves to the highest standard. When necessary, we do what’s unpopular. We choose the harder right over the easier wrong—because that’s what the best leaders do.

Leaders of character, you are the pillars by which we move forward. During your time here at NYMA you will build your foundation through your academic achievements, character development, athletics, and cadet leadership. You will get smarter. You will get better. You will get stronger.

Superintendent Reeves has made NYMA stronger. She has brought us to the point where we’re ready to advance to the next level of excellence. We’re all sad that, due to recent health concerns, she needed to retire from her post as NYMA’s nineteenth superintendent.  Her love for the Academy remained unwavering and her dedication to you unyielding.

Her departure from the New York Military Academy may seem to bring a void, but I am here to assure you that this is not the case.

I am certain that you look at me as a stranger.  Who is this person sent to be NYMA’s Acting Superintendent?  Let me tell you.

My name is Dr. Jin Xu. I am among your greatest advocates. I am one of NYMA’s strongest champions.  I’m a businessman and an entrepreneur. I earned my Ph.D. from the University of Texas. Now I live just south of here in Westchester County. Committed to recognizing possibility where others do not, a friend of mine once asked me to go to a school in Cornwall-on-Hudson. It was this school. I was asked to see if NYMA had the potential to be great again.  I remember vividly my drive to the Academy, and upon my arrival I recognized immediately that there was something special here.

In 2016 I was the Chief Financial Officer and Acting Superintendent of the New York Military Academy.  I helped NYMA get back on its feet and after it was safely under the direction of a new Superintendent, I took a seat on the Board of Trustees as treasurer and secretary.  Since that first visit I have never lost sight of what NYMA can be.  I see it is heading in the right direction and I am here to build our program with the aid of your dedicated administration, faculty, and staff.  We are all committed to seeing NYMA grow, flourish, succeed, and excel.

That brings me back to you–those pillars.  What is a pillar?  Its definition is “a firm upright support for a superstructure.” You are the pillars that support and give strength to this Academy.  Sometimes pillars need to stand alone, as a monument.  Some of you in leadership may think you have had that role placed on your shoulders, carrying the legacy of the academy on your backs.  Pillars are integral to the support of society, philosophy, and direction.  The NYMA Cadet is the pillar that gives our school its foundation, strength, and focus. I am here to say that you are my number one priority. The Academy is only as strong as its Corps of Cadets.

Let’s all be leaders. Let’s all move NYMA forward. Let’s all commit ourselves to being the best.

Thank you.

Acting Superintendent Xu