November 9, 2009 |
2009-R-0356 (Revised) | |
MILITARY ACADEMY DISCHARGES | ||
By: Ryan O'Neil, Research Assistant | ||
You asked what types discharges U.S. military academies use when expelling a student, particularly when the student is guilty of cheating.
Any type of discharge can be used when expelling a student, according to Lieutenant Commander Camilla B. Bosanquet of the Coast Guard Academy. Students expelled for cheating usually receive honorable discharges. The types of discharges are listed in Attachment 1.
When deciding which sort of discharge to apply to an expelled student, Bosanquet stated, “Every cadet's case is evaluated individually. Nevertheless, we are guided by the Coast Guard Personnel Manual to determine the nature of the discharge.” The other academies proceed in a similar fashion.
In rare cases, a student might not be discharged, but instead “due to the circumstances of their case, are retained,” according to Bosanquet. “They are provided with an opportunity to undergo 'honor remediation,' and are placed on a probationary status.”
The four academies — the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York; the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut — all use an honor code (called an honor “concept” at the Coast Guard Academy). Students swear to uphold the honor code.
The code for the Military Academy and the Naval Academy is the same: “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
The Air Force Academy's code is similar: “We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does.”
The Coast Guard Academy's honor concept differs: “Who lives here, reveres honor, honors duty.”
According to their websites, all four academies have similar procedures for dealing with a student caught cheating. The student appears before a board made up of eight to 10 randomly selected students. The student and the officer representing the school present and question witnesses. A super-majority of the board of students must decide beyond a reasonable doubt that the student violated the honor code. A student found to be violation is usually expelled. Students may appeal decisions to the superintendent of the academy.
The other three academies have not returned requests for information. When we receive that information, we will update this report.
Attachment 1: Types of Military Discharges
Type |
Who can receive it |
Description |
Honorable |
Officers and enlisted personnel |
A service member must have received a good to excellent rating for his or her service. Service members who meet or exceed the required standards of duty performance and personal conduct, and who complete their tours of duty, normally receive honorable discharges. However, one need not complete his or her term of service to receive an honorable discharge, provided the reason for involuntary discharge is not due to misconduct. For instance, a person rendered physically or psychologically incapable of performing his or her assigned duties will normally have his or her service characterized as honorable, regardless of whether the condition or disability was incurred in the line of duty, provided he or she otherwise exceeded standards. |
General |
Officers and enlisted personnel |
For service members who leave the service under honorable conditions, but whose conduct and performance of duty was not so meritorious to receive an honorable discharge. Reasons for such characterization are generally preceded by some form of nonjudicial conduct. Some people think that a general discharge is as good as an honorable discharge, but this is not true. A general discharge may disqualify a veteran from participation in the GI Bill, service on veteran's commissions, and other programs where an honorable discharge is required. |
Other than Honorable |
Officers and enlisted |
The most severe form of an administrative discharge. This characterization represents a significant departure from the conduct expected by a service member. Significant departures include security violations and the use of violence. |
Bad Conduct |
Enlisted |
A punitive discharge that can be given to an enlisted service member only through a Court Martial. Virtually all veterans' benefits are forfeited by a bad conduct discharge |
Dishonorable |
Enlisted |
A punitive discharge that can be given to an enlisted service member only through a Court Martial. Virtually all veterans' benefits are forfeited by a bad conduct discharge |
Dismissal |
Officers |
If an officer is convicted by a General Court-Martial, his or her sentence can include a “dismissal.” This is considered to be the same as a dishonorable discharge. |
Source: U.S. Air Force website (http://www.eielson.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123117744)
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