Should all cadets study Philosophy?

I earned a double major in history and philosophy as an undergraduate, so I'm biased SGM (Join to see). I firmly believe in the value of studying the humanities, especially within the technically oriented environment of the USAFA. The study of ethics supports leadership development, religious studies can promote an appreciation for diversity, and epistemology (the study of knowledge) can be very humbling to even the greatest intellectual. So, of course, my answer to your original question is yes, all service academy cadets should study philosophy.

I believe everyone should study philosophy. In grade school. We used to teach our young men (and later, women) things that would actually set them up to become contributing members of society. Philosophy is one of the many things that were cut out and deemed unneeded. I received a classical education, as I was homeschooled by my father, who was also a minister. I studied Theology, Latin, Ancient History, American History, math, the Sciences, and I had to read all the literary classics and poetry. People tend to look at me a bit askew, because if I'm not actively doing something, I have my face buried in a book, 9 times out of 10. My friends aren't really readers, but to each their own. They just couldn't get past me at work, though. I used to bounce at a bar, and on slow nights I would bring a book to read, while sitting by the door. There I am, all 6'6" 250lbs of me, sitting on a stool in a bar, reading Dostoevsky's The Idiot. Can't tell you how many conversations that started! Or Plato, Seneca, Cicero, or any of thousands of others. They just couldn't correlate the 2 pictures they were seeing. I have always enjoyed letting people underestimate my intelligence. It has saved my ass more times than I can count!

I do think every cadet should have a couple of philosophy classes. My philosophy classes taught me a lot about methods of thinking, looking at both sides of an issue, and effectively structuring an argument.