No big surprise here.

"WASHINGTON – More than 70 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating on a math exam, the worst academic scandal since the 1970s at the Army's premier training ground for officers."

Army Col. Mark Weathers, West Point's chief of staff, said in an interview Monday that he was "disappointed" in the cadets for cheating, but he did not consider the incident a serious breach of the code. It would not have occurred if the cadets had taken the exam on campus, he said.


https://www.usatoday.com/story...50-years/5856130002/

No surprise. The disappointment is that almost all of them are being retained, not expelled. So much for “shall not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those that do”

Once that would have resulted in automatic expulsion, but I suppose times change.

I was talking to my kids about this. Absolutely awful, but what do expect in a culture where it is considered “right” if you get away with it. This was all first year students, so 17-18 year olds for the most part. The best of the best, but they all decided they could get away with it and cheated. THe values of honor and integrity are thin, and we see that all around. Ashamed.

quote:

Originally posted by feersum dreadnaught:
The disappointment is that almost all of them are being retained, not expelled.

Yes, but they're on Double Secret Probation now.

And the lesson they've learned (in plebe year, for all but I believe one of them) is that if you cheat, you probably won't get caught, and if you do get caught, no big deal.

My Catholic high school had a tougher honor system than that.

I was going to pass on posting on this story, but this paragraph stopped me cold...

Army Col. Mark Weathers, West Point's chief of staff, said in an interview Monday that he was "disappointed" in the cadets for cheating, but he did not consider the incident a serious breach of the code. It would not have occurred if the cadets had taken the exam on campus, he said.

Huh?

Isn’t that the exact opposite of what the Military teaches about integrity?

You know, that whole “what you do when no one is watching” thing?

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
Once that would have resulted in automatic expulsion, but I suppose times change.

yes. wife is a USMA grad.

she is nostalgic of her experience there but admits it's not what it once was.

as you say -- times do - and have - changed

completely separate issue though -- i find it interesting how we tolerate / even encourage 'lying / cheating' as adults but create 'high virtue' environments for kids who are likely less able to control their behavioral impulses

it's an illusion at best -- i doubt the 'image' has ever lived up to the hype, human nature being what it is

books have been written about the psychology of lying, dishonesty, theft etc and the motivations for such behavior

my family has teachers and professors. have heard some interesting stories.

as always -- trust is fine but always monitor / verify and don't be surprised what you may uncover

------------------------------------------

The whole article:

"WASHINGTON – More than 70 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point were accused of cheating on a math exam, the worst academic scandal since the 1970s at the Army's premier training ground for officers.

Fifty-eight cadets admitted cheating on the exam, which was administered remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of them have been enrolled in a rehabilitation program and will be on probation for the remainder of their time at the academy. Others resigned, and some face hearings that could result in their expulsion.

The scandal strikes at the heart of the academy's reputation for rectitude, espoused by its own moral code, which is literally etched in stone:

“A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”

Tim Bakken, a law professor at West Point, called the scandal a national security issue. West Point cadets become senior leaders the nation depends on.

"There’s no excuse for cheating when the fundamental code for cadets is that they should not lie, cheat or steal," Bakken said. "Therefore when the military tries to downplay effects of cheating at the academy, we're really downplaying the effects on the military as a whole. We rely on the military to tell us honestly when we should fight wars, and when we can win them."

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said West Point's disciplinary system is effective.

“The Honor process is working as expected and cadets will be held accountable for breaking the code," McCarthy said in a statement.

“The honor system at West Point is strong and working as designed," Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams, the academy's superintendent, said in a statement. "We made a deliberate decision to uphold our academic standards during the pandemic. We are holding cadets to those standards.”

Army Col. Mark Weathers, West Point's chief of staff, said in an interview Monday that he was "disappointed" in the cadets for cheating, but he did not consider the incident a serious breach of the code. It would not have occurred if the cadets had taken the exam on campus, he said.

Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., who leads the personnel panel of the House Armed Services Committee, said she found the scandal deeply troubling and West Point must provide more transparency to determine the scope of cheating.

"Our West Point cadets are the cream of the crop and are expected to demonstrate unimpeachable character and integrity," Speier said. "They must be held to the same high standard during remote learning as in-person."

Instructors initially determined that 72 plebes, or first-year cadets, and one yearling, or second-year cadet, had cheated on a calculus final exam in May. Those cadets all made the same error on a portion of the exam.

Recently concluded investigations and preliminary hearings for the cadets resulted in two cases being dismissed for lack of evidence and four dropped because the cadets resigned. Of the remaining 67 cases, 55 cadets were found in violation of the honor code and enrolled in a program for rehabilitation Dec. 9. Three more cadets admitted cheating but were not eligible to enroll in what is called the Willful Admission Program.

Cadets in the program are matched with a mentor and write journals and essays on their experience. The process can take up to six months. Cadets in the program are essentially on academic probation.

The remaining cadets accused of cheating face administrative hearings in which a board of cadets will hear the case and decide whether a violation of the code occurred. Another board will recommend penalties, which could include expulsion. West Point's superintendent has the final say on punishment.

How it's different from the 1976 scandal
One of the biggest cheating scandals among the nation's taxpayer-funded military colleges occurred in 1976 when 153 cadets at West Point resigned or were expelled for cheating on an electrical engineering exam.

The current cheating incident is considerably less serious, said Jeffery Peterson, senior advisor, Character Integration Advisory Group which reports to the superintendent and a retired colonel.

"They're early in their developmental process," Peterson said. "And so on occasion, these incidents happen, but we have a system in place to deal with them when they do."

Less than half as many cadets were involved in the current cheating case, and all but one was a first-year student, Peterson said. The first-year students are relatively new to the expectations and programs designed to develop ethics and leadership at the academy. In 1976, the scandal involved third-year cadets. Of those caught cheating, 98 returned to West Point and graduated with the class of 1978, Peterson said.

Other military academies have been tainted by academic scandals: In 1992, 125 midshipmen at the Naval Academy were caught in a cheating scandal, and 19 cadets at the Air Force Academy were suspended for cheating on a test.

In 2020, the pandemic has overturned college life as distance learning and exams supplanted in-person learning. West Point isn't alone in discovering misconduct among students. The University of Missouri caught 150 students cheating in the spring and fall semesters, the Kansas City Star reported.

West Point switched to remote learning after spring break last year as the pandemic spread.

The honor code remains strong at West Point despite the pandemic, Weathers said.

"Cadets are being held accountable for breaking the code," he said. "While disappointing, the Honor System is working, and these 67 remaining cases will be held accountable for their actions."

quote:

The honor code remains strong at West Point despite the pandemic, Weathers said.

"Cadets are being held accountable for breaking the code," he said. "While disappointing, the Honor System is working, and these 67 remaining cases will be held accountable for their actions."

I am disappointed at this fiasco, but in all honesty can not say I am surprised.

Honor, ethics, trust, oaths have all become victims of the new morality.

Sad, but all to true. To the contrary, the "system" is NOT WORKING.

I am not surprised at all
But I have/had Company Commanders who were West Point Grads and they have all stated that it is a different institution.

What pisses me off is that these same chowders heads that got caught cheating will be the first to drop the hammer on an enlisted person for doing something stupid.

In a way I am glad that my military career is coming to an end. It is just not the same. I know that I am not willing to evolve but I hold very strictly to standards especially regarding morality, cheating etc..

(I sound like my dad)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mrapteam666,

“A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”

Every one of them should have been paraded in front of the gathered troops and stripped of their uniforms and marched to the gates where their shit was piled high.

Many years ago, we discovered just ONE person cheating in a written test.

He was hauled out of the classroom, taken to the Chief Instructor, and within the hour was gone - his bed-space and locker empty. His 'leaving the Army for personal reasons, with immediate effect' documentation was done for him in absentia, and we never saw him again.

How could an enlisted man trust a cheat?

No answer to that, but I'm reminded of an old adage that is as true for officer cadets as it was for doctors - 'What do you call the person who passed out bottom of the graduating class?'

'Sir.'

I doubt VMI would have retained them.

How would you like to serve in combat with one of those "officers"?

I was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany and we regularly got cadets during the summer. They were sent there for training and experience. Received a couple as platoon leaders, too.

The typical process was the new Lt. would call the NCOs together, introduce himself, and then "educate" us. Listen up guys, I have the book learning, do not have the application of that yet, and I need your help. If I do something wrong/stupid tell me about it! Just not in public!. And, you know what? It worked.

I think the real tragedy in this situation is that those cheaters were not summarily drummed out of the service! My grandson is a Green Beret on active duty and the thought that he would have to serve under one of those assholes does not thrill me. But this is not new.

Anyone else remember that fiasco involving women in the special operations field some years ago? Had to do with physical fitness as I remember.

The same "progressives" that would advocate giving liars and those who cheat a "second chance" during training are the exact same people that insist lowered standards are not only acceptable, but necessary to hire sufficient numbers of women and minorities in order to employ and promote peace officers that are "representative" of the community. When training is completed and such police officers are found to have lied in reports, withheld material evidence, or misled those investigating personnel complaints, the same "community organizers" blame the department for hiring and retaining "corrupt cops."

Be it law enforcement, the military, or any other public service profession, those who work there are reflective of the best or worst the community provides. Politicians set the standards for our military academies, just as they do for our police and fire fighting academies. If politicians are elected as "representatives" of the community, that community will get the kind of service it deserves. These people knew there was a "honor code", but they also knew that violations weren't handled as seriously as they had been in years past. Why wouldn't they cheat, when there's no real incentive for them to meet the previously established standard?

Im gonna remind everyone (not saying that this directly relates to any of you) that during "your days" of the military, ARI (alcohol related incidents) and sexual harrassment/assault was more prevalent.

Now days (in the Navy Enlisted community) its VERY close to a one and done. And while i agree these gentlemen SHOULD be given the option to enlist, everyone needs to think a second before throwing out those "aint what it used to be" comments.

It is NOT what is used to be, and there are just as many positives to take from that statment as negatives.

With regards to the lower standards of today in many aspects of life, i agree completely.

They should have been kicked out.

Having said that, I'd actually be more impressed if one of them resigned publicly, as the right thing to do, and lead by example. He/she would be rehabilitated in my mind, perhaps not to be commissioned but having the honor to resign would be a giant first step back toward credibility.

Skip their commissions and send them straight to Congress.

We see cheating, lying, stealing, etc., on a daily basis out of politicians, corporate executives, and famous individuals.

The days of honor and integrity have long since passed in this country. Why would any 18 year old not think that hey if it’s good for them it’s good for me.

I know that I was raised to respect my elders, treat people as you would like to be treated, that lying is not acceptable, that my word is my bond, that people that steal go to jail, if you don’t have something good to say - don’t say anything.

Heck, kids now are told to do whatever makes them happy or makes them feel good. It’s all about little Johnny and participation trophies. They are not told that if they practice and improve they can get more playing time. Heaven forbid that they might be scarred for life.

I truly feel sorry for what this country has become. However I know that Jesus Christ is coming again victorious over death, hell and the grave.

quote:

"Most of them have been enrolled in a rehabilitation program and will be on probation for the remainder of their time at the academy. Others resigned, and some face hearings that could result in their expulsion."

"The Honor process is working as expected and cadets will be held accountable for breaking the code," McCarthy said in a statement.

"The remaining cadets accused of cheating face administrative hearings in which a board of cadets will hear the case and decide whether a violation of the code occurred. Another board will recommend penalties, which could include expulsion. West Point's superintendent has the final say on punishment."

I think the "rehab" is nonsense. The resigned, good for them. The rest, having the trial before the hanging (expulsion) doesn't bother me.