The West Point Cheating Scandal Essay -- West Point Academy Cheating E

The West Point Cheating ScandalDescription In April of 1976 it was found that there was a possibility that over half of the junior class at West Point Academy had violated the West Point watch over codification by cheating on a case assignment. The honor code states A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. This was by cold the largest violation of the honor code in West Point history and presented some unusual challenges to the administration. As the year dragged on it was found that more than and more students possibly had cheated on the assignment and was also becoming a public relations nightmare in the press and internally to the Army branch of the coupled States military. The honor code at West Point was pointed and harsh in its dealings with violators and this case brought scrutiny, criticism as well as staunch bide for the code and how violations were dealt with. To follow the honor code would be to expel all students involved and this would be a heavy hit on the academy. At this meter West Point had been having trouble recruiting soldiers because of the public attitude toward the military following the Vietnam War The other possibility was to scrap the way the system was supposed to bear to keep the cadets in school and to reconstruct the honor code and the way it handled violations.Diagnosis The diagnosis of the problem stems from the fact that honor code was a loaded book of rules that all cadets were expected to adhere too. All parties guilty of violations were given the harshest punishment of expulsion. They were 100% aware of what was involved and consequences of actions if violated. The Army and the military in ordinary has always been a place of direct leaders and subordinates and takes in pride in the fact that it is a highly disciplined way of life. More so at the respective academies which were created to train and educate future leaders in the branches. The academies are based on trust of your superi ors as well as obedience to their commands. There is also the possibility of disappointing your colleagues and in turn losing their respect and camaraderie. This in itself is the one of the reasons some say that the honor code and system had been so successful throughout the years.A change in the code would go against everything that West Point had always stood for and then would hold future gr... ...e, however in support of changing the honor code system in terms of the expulsion penalty at all times as well as the security deposit portion of the penalty. I feel that there are many circumstances in which expulsion is extreme and unnecessary especially when it has to do with tolerance of an honor code violation.Fallout There is no answer that is going to satisfy all. If the code is changed those who lived and died by it are going to be upset. No case what happens the media is going to point to different answers. The best answer is one that displays that the army and the acad emy are strict yet fair and understand and employ honor at all times themselves. When issues like this arise it is a healthy chance to update a system that could be considered outdated and it is a good time to show that a system such as this can change with the times while still reflecting the pride and honor that is so bestowed upon it. kit and caboodle Citedhttp//www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1316/is_n11_v20/ai_6860628http//www.valuebasedmanagement.net/methods_french_raven_bases_social_power.htmlLuthans, F. (2005). Organizational Behavior. 10th edition. New York The McGraw Hill Companies.