Six A’s for Great Leadership: President Geraci’s Message to Cadets at Vespers

For the first Vespers of the spring 2026 semester on Sunday, 11 January, MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret), spoke with cadets about the standard he expects, inside and outside the classroom.

Vespers, a nondenominational Sunday evening service held in Memorial Chapel, is a time for cadets to reflect on the week behind them and mentally prepare for the week ahead. It’s a pause for self-reflection, growth, gratitude and prayer, supporting cadets' exploration of the spiritual dimension of their lives.

While emphasizing his expectation that cadets strive for A’s in academics and deportment, President Geraci challenged them to pursue six additional A’s that define strong character and leadership:

Attitude – choosing a positive mindset
Actions – understanding that behavior defines character
Appreciation – valuing what they have and those who support them
Achievement – using their God-given talents to reach their full potential
Adversity – having the courage to overcome challenges and never quit
Accountability – always expecting to be held responsible

President Geraci reminded cadets that great leaders consistently strive to earn A’s in all six of these areas—and that this is the standard he expects from every cadet at MMA.