What is the West Point Cadet Honor Code?
The Cadet Honor Code provides the foundation for character development at West Point. The ideals affirmed in the Honor Code attract to West Point young men and women who aspire “to live above the common level of life.”
What happens if you violate the West Point honor code?
There is no guarantee of readmission. West Point considers every violation of the cadet honor code a serious breach of integrity. All cadets found guilty immediately received a course grade of “F”, lost cadet rank, and lost privileges.
Is honor still at stake at West Point?
Now, 240 years later, USA TODAY reported that 55 cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point “were found in violation of the honor code ” after cheating on a virtual calculus final exam. Though night and day examples, they show that honor has always been at stake at West Point.
When did the West Point honor system start?
But the West Point honor system is thoroughly modern. Perhaps as honor began to fade, the code was formalized in 1922 under Douglas MacArthur (with the current words crafted in 1947 ).
What is the honor code for USMA?
The USMA Honor Code states that “[a] Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.” All cadets are charged with knowing and adhering to the Honor Code from their first day at the Academy, but must learn to believe in and lead by the principle of honor during their time as cadets.
What is the military code of honor?
We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and to live honorably, (so help me God).
What are the four parts of the Cadet honor system?
The honor code states the following: A cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. 5. Violations of the Honor Code: There are four, and only four, possible violations of the honor code: lying, cheating, stealing, and toleration.
What oath do West Point cadets take?
The code adopted was based largely on West Point's Honor Code, but was modified slightly to its current wording: We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does. In 1984, the Cadet Wing voted to add an "Honor Oath", which was to be taken by all cadets.
Can you get expelled from West Point?
In using a controlled substance as a West Point cadet, however, they are likely to get disenrolled, the term for expulsion in a military college.
What happens if you quit West Point?
If a cadet leaves West Point before Affirmation they owe the military nothing, but if they choose to leave after Affirmation they must reimburse the Army for the value of all of the training and education they received as a cadet: an exorbitant sum.
What is the West Point cadet prayer?
Cadet Prayer. O God, our Father, Thou Searcher of Human hearts, help us to draw near to Thee in sincerity and truth. May our religion be filled with gladness and may our worship of Thee be natural.
What is West Point acceptance rate?
8.6% (2020)United States Military Academy / Acceptance rate
What is the cadet Corps honor code?
The Cadet Honor Code reads, “A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.” Cadets who violate this code will be held accountable.
What is West Point Beast?
Beast – Slang for Cadet Basic Training. Cadet Basic Training is a 6-week training course before a cadet's first year. During this training, they are called “New Cadets.”
What happens on R Day at West Point?
R-Day or Reception Day is the day the Cadet Candidates enter (report to) West Point. Candidates report early in the day (time assigned by the last digit of their social security number) to begin their in processing for their 47-month experience. Please review the reporting letter posted on the candidate portal.
Does the military oath expire?
There is no duration defined in the Oath itself. The term of service for each enlisted person is written on the DD Form 4 series, the contract which specifies the active-duty or reserve enlistment period.
How important is the Code of honor?
Purpose of Honor Codes Honor codes explain the practices that are not tolerated and encourages students to police themselves and their peers. Often honor codes address student behavior both outside and inside the classroom in an attempt to promote ethical behavior and urges responsible social behavior.
What is Article 5 of the Code of Conduct?
The fifth article of the Code of Conduct reads, “When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability.
What is the 7 Army values?
Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything you do.
What do soldiers say when they are captured?
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
What is the Cadet Honor Code?
The Cadet Honor Code states, “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” Abiding by the Honor Code develops Cadets’ character by focusing their attention on the ethical aspects of every situation. This attuned focus equips Cadets to recognize and then to “choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong” whenever faced with a difficult decision.
Why is the Honor Code important?
Most people are honest most of the time. The Honor Code helps Cadets develop into people who are honest all of the time.
When was the Cadet Honor Code established?
The Cadet Honor Code has been a part of West Point for centuries. It emerged in the 1800’s from grass-roots efforts by Cadets to establish and enforce a code of honesty in their ranks. It was formalized in the 1920’s with the creation of the Cadet Honor Committee.
Why is building trustworthy character important to West Point?
Building trustworthy character is essential to West Point’s mission because trusted leaders are much more effective, especially in the demanding, morally ambiguous environments of war. Learn the words of the Cadet Honor Code, the Three Rules to Live By, and other character-related Cadet knowledge if you are interested in improving your own ...
Why do cadets use the three rules to live by?
Cadets use the “Three Rules to Live By” to ensure that an action they are considering would not be dishonorable. The Three Rules ask:
Is it a violation of the Cadet Honor Code if you fail the three rules test?
An act that fails the “Three Rules” test is not necessarily a violation of the Cadet Honor Code. There is sometimes a gap between avoiding what is wrong and doing what is right. The spirit of the Honor Code fills that gap.
Can a cadet be separated from the academy?
Cadets who are found to have violated their Honor Code may be separated from the Academy, may have their graduation postponed for up to a year, or may be permitted to graduate on time with their classmates, depending on the circumstances of their action.
When were military honor codes written?
This is evident in the fact that military service academies’ honor codes are all modern, having been written during the mid-20th century, whereas informal unwritten codes had existed for generations (complete with cadet policing).
When did West Point abandon its honor rehabilitation process?
Over 200 years later, on April 16, 2021, U.S. Military Academy at West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams said much the same of the modern Army’s future officers, “The tenets of honorable living remain immutable, and the outcomes of our leader development system remain the same, to graduate Army officers that live honorably, lead honorably, and demonstrate excellence.” That same day, West Point formally abandoned its five-year-old honor rehabilitation Willful Admission Process and moved closer to an 18th century standard.
How many West Point cadets were involved in the cheating scandal?
These declarations occurred as West Point announced the sentences of those 61 of 73 remaining cadets implicated in a Spring 2020 cheating scandal, the academy’s most egregious offense in nearly 50 years.
What is the West Point toleration clause?
Most controversial of all is West Point’s famed “ toleration clause ,” which demands that cadets will not “ tolerate'' (and therefore report) those that “lie, cheat, or steal.”. To be guilty, one doesn’t need to actually commit an infraction. The idea of “ratting” as a vice is nothing new, especially in certain groups, think “honor among thieves.”.
Why did Greene worry about the conduct of his own army?
Nathanael Greene worried about the conduct of his own army, as an ethical failing could undermine “the honor of our cause, the dignity of Government and the safety of the people.” As it has been since the Revolution, our country’s officers and citizen-soldiers’ conduct and honor is not simply their own — it reflects the United States and all of its citizens.
What does honor mean in the Revolutionary Era?
For the American founders of the Revolutionary Era, it became synonymous with an ethical understanding centered around service to the nation.
Is West Point moving to leniency?
But now in reversing course, West Point is moving closer to its founding principles and “the highest standards.”. The goal of the Willful Admission Process and “discretion” was never simply leniency. The intentions were to encourage more cadets to confess or report other’s honor violations.
How many cheating allegations were there at West Point?
After returning to West Point in August 2020, members of the cadet honor committee conducted certification training and began investigating the 73 cheating allegations. Cadets suspected of cheating were granted due process and fair consideration throughout the investigations, hearings, and adjudications. The process is overseen by Army officers and civilian personnel from the academy’s Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic. The honor process is led by first-class [senior] cadets from the cadet honor committee who are appointed annually. The final adjudication process began in January as soon as the first cases were prepared for review. The superintendent personally adjudicated each case based on its individual merits, circumstances, and the recommendation of the cadet chain of command, honor committee, brigade tactical department, and commandant.
When is the cadet honors program going to be reviewed?
The cadet honor system has been under review since early fall and the superintendent directed a formal, comprehensive review of the program on Oct. 1, 2020. Two immediate focus areas of the honor program review were the academy’s representation policy and the willful admission process.
What does it mean to end the Corps of Cadets?
Ending the program means that separation will be a potential punishment for any honor violation. The academy remains committed to its mission, to educate, train, and inspire the U.S. Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of duty, honor, and country.
What is the West Point Honor Code?
The modern West Point Honor Code is fairly straightforward: A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do. That’s it.
Why does West Point need to change its honor code?
West Point needs to modify its honor code to better reflect its ethical foundation and its future.
How long will West Point honor code last?
A return to the Founders' ethical view of honor, the one Jefferson held in 1802, will help guide future officers and ensure the West Point Honor Code for 218 more years.
What was the West Point scandal?
The 1976 West Point cheating scandal resulted in new ethical focuses and recommendations on regulation. Various reports and individuals throughout the 20th century recognized the need for a standard of ethical behavior.
When was the honor code created?
Perhaps as honor began to fade, the code was formalized in 1922 under Douglas MacArthur (with the current words crafted in 1947 ). Reinterpreted from ancient roots, Washington, Jefferson and the rest of the Founders understood honor as above martial glory or personal reputation.
Who was the first superintendent of West Point?
West Point’s first superintendent, Col. Jonathan Williams, focused on molding the “character of cadets as honorable.”. In 1816, Superintendent Alden Partridge instructed the cadets that in matters of honor, “the approbation of your conscience” was more important. Now, however, honor is no longer intrinsically understood as it once was.
Is the language of honor misunderstood?
Mitt Romney claiming last year that " American honor has already been tarnished " by the White House administration's policies and Thomas Friedman's New York Times column referring to " Trump's Code of Dishonor ." But it is often misunderstood or misused. A fuller understanding of the ideal is more important than ever, especially for the military.
What is the West Point Honor Code?
The West Point honor code, the essential character-building element of the Academy’s rigorous four-year program, is clear and straightforward: A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. It is a code that has existed for decades, held sacrosanct by not only cadets but also the cadre that leads them, and the officer corps in which they will eventually serve.
What was the academy's original statement in response to the academies?
The academy’s original statement in response expressed its “disappointment,” a comment often rendered to misbehaving children by a parent. A subsequent letter from the superintendent promised to deal with the matter thoroughly and pledged devotion to a strong honor system.
How many cadets were accused of cheating on the math exam?
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.
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Does West Point need the Army?
To maintain high standards, West Point will need the backing of the Army and its political leadership, as well as the support of the American public, who expect the best of those it pays to put through the four demanding years at the academy. It is the latter whose sons and daughters will be led by its graduates and their peers in the officer corps.
Does West Point still recruit?
West Point still recruits young men and women of talent and character to lead American soldiers in defense of the country. But it now has become a mantra at the academy to point out that society today does not imbue the high standards of integrity for those recruited.
