Building Discipline and Leadership Through Esports at West Point
How can competitive gaming teach leadership and character in one of the world’s most disciplined environments?
We sat down with Victor L. Castro, Director of Army West Point Esports and Deputy Director of the West Point Simulation Center, to discuss how esports is reshaping leadership development for cadets. Victor shared his insights on the intersection of gaming and military culture, the unique challenges of integrating esports into a prestigious institution like West Point, and how the values of discipline and respect are being forged through competitive gaming.
Q: Victor, your role at West Point is truly unique. Could you share how your journey began and what led you to esports and gaming in a military context?
My primary role in the Department of Defense is in modeling and simulation. We use technology like Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3) to train soldiers and cadets. After 4:30 PM, when training hours end, the 100+ computers we use for simulations would sit idle. Seeing an opportunity, we installed a second operating system dedicated to esports.
That’s where it started—just utilizing idle resources to create opportunities. My military background as a two-time combat veteran specializing in infantry and artillery gave me a strong foundation in leadership, communication, and discipline, and these are values I wanted to instill in the cadets through esports.
Q: What was the moment that made you realize esports could be a valuable tool at West Point?
It actually came from the cadets themselves. Three students approached me one day, asking if they could use the computers for gaming. I told them, “Sure, but you’ll have to do the work—research the regulations, build a proposal, and align it with the academy’s mission.”
Their passion and effort impressed me, and they eventually presented their vision to the Director of Cadet Activities. They demonstrated how esports could support West Point’s pillars of character development, physical readiness, and leadership training. By January 2020, we were officially recognized as a club.
Q: West Point has such a structured and disciplined culture. How did you integrate that with the often casual nature of gaming and esports?
At first glance, gaming culture and West Point’s values might seem worlds apart, but the overlap lies in teamwork and discipline. The cadets bring their focus, mission-oriented mindset, and respect for structure into gaming.
For instance, our players excel at taking direction from coaches. When external coaches work with them, they’re amazed at how quickly the cadets execute strategies. It’s because they’re used to following orders and optimizing their time. This discipline, paired with their deep camaraderie and pride in representing the black and gold of Army West Point, makes them unique.
Q: What are the key outcomes you aim for with your esports program? Is it about winning or something more?
Winning is a byproduct of what we’re building. Our main focus is on leadership, communication, and team cohesion. Every cadet in the program is given a leadership role, from managing a game title to handling media or operations.
Esports becomes a training ground for learning how to lead people, not just manage tasks. Whether it’s handling disagreements after a loss or developing strategies in a game, these are opportunities for cadets to grow as leaders.
We also emphasize respect. For example, our code of conduct insists on sportsmanship—whether we win or lose. Cadets are expected to represent the values of West Point both in-game and in person.
Q: How does the Army West Point Esports program prepare cadets for success beyond gaming?
Esports isn’t just about competing—it’s a pathway for developing character. We’re building cadets who are strong leaders, disciplined individuals, and effective communicators. These skills translate directly into their future roles as officers in the military.
For example, one of our graduates recently joined the U.S. Army Esports team as a mid-laner after completing his master’s degree at Purdue. His journey highlights how we’re creating pathways from high school to collegiate esports to professional opportunities, all while fostering personal growth and leadership.
Q: Esports often lacks a structured pathway compared to traditional sports. How do you see this evolving, especially in collegiate esports?
I believe collegiate esports will eventually serve as the tier-two system feeding into professional leagues. At West Point, we’ve designed our program around long-term sustainability and character development, not just short-term wins.
Programs like ours prioritize academics and leadership over immediate results. Cadets who don’t meet academic or character standards are suspended, regardless of their gaming skill. This approach builds better individuals and creates a stronger foundation for the esports ecosystem.
Q: What’s next for the Army West Point Esports program?
We’re focused on telling the stories of our cadets and highlighting how esports ties into West Point’s mission. We want to showcase their hard work and how gaming is helping them grow into leaders who will serve their country.
Our goal is to keep building awareness, stabilizing the program, and ensuring that esports becomes an integral part of the learning experience at the academy. This is just the beginning.
Wrapping It Up
Victor Castro is redefining what esports can achieve by merging it with one of the world’s most prestigious institutions. At Army West Point Esports, the focus isn’t just on winning but on cultivating leadership, discipline, and character in the next generation of military leaders.
About Victor Castro
Victor Castro is the Director of Army West Point Esports and Deputy Director of the West Point Simulation Center. A two-time combat veteran with a background in infantry and artillery, Victor brings his expertise in leadership and technology to the forefront of collegiate esports. He is passionate about using competitive gaming as a tool for developing disciplined leaders and fostering respect and camaraderie within the military and esports communities.
