All incoming freshmen, regardless of major or transfer status, should complete the following assessment before Matriculation Day - July 31, 2012.

Part I. Read the novel We Were Soldiers Once...And Young by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (RET) and Joseph L. Galloway

Part II. Write:  Leadership Writing Sample

Part I: Read the Novel

We Were Soldiers Once...And Young describes the "early phase of Vietnam and delivers, as few other books have done, the dry-mouth fear, the heat, the fatigue, and, yes, the camaraderie of men in combat" (Associated Press).Through the novel's characters and events, you are introduced to timeless leadership concepts and principles. During your career at The Citadel, you will encounter many leadership opportunities, both in the classroom and in the Corps of Cadets, which will help you explore and develop your own leadership skills. To purchase your own copy of We Were Soldiers Once...And Young by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (RET) and Joseph L. Galloway.  Click here.

As you read the novel, we encourage you to make notes in the margins of your book or in a spiral notebook and to pay careful attention to the leadership qualities of the characters. As you complete the Writing Assignment on the topic of leadership, you will want to refer to your notes and reflections.

Part II: Leadership Writing Sample

Be careful to precisely follow the directions below to ensure your assignment is submitted properly.

Step One: Once you have finished reading We Were Soldiers Once...And Young by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (RET) and Joseph L. Galloway, write two paragraphs following the prompt below. Be sure to include a header on your essay that includes your full name (first, middle, and last) and your CWID #.

Step Two: Submit your essay through the CitLearn Assignments page and save your essay on a flash drive or other portable storage device. Please bring your book and essay with you when you report to school on August 11th. You will refer to the book and to your notes as you study ethics and leadership at The Citadel.  Moreover in case there are errors in your submission, you will want to have a copy of your essay.

Essay Prompt:
In three paragraphs, explain what being an effective leader means to you. In this paragraph, be sure to include your definition of leadership, giving specific character traits that a leader should possess. Once you have determined your definition of an effective leader, analyze the leadership qualities of one of the characters in We Were Soldiers Once...And Young, giving specific examples from the book to explain how that character's traits and actions contributed to his leadership style. Be sure to discuss whether or not you believe this character to be an effective or ineffective leader.

There will be further instructions once you log into CitLearn to explain how to attach and submit your essay.