Who Holds the Generals/Keepers Of West Point’s Honor Code Accountable (& Honorable)?
By John Hughes
July 10, 2023
West Point has a very famous Honor Code: “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” Its effectiveness and genius lies in its brutal simplicity. Over the past two hundred years, it has evolved and been clarified. In 1922, West Point Superintendent MG Douglas MacArthur formalized the process with the formation of the Cadet Honor Committee. Since then, it has been further ‘tweaked.’
It also offers the Three Rules of Thumb to aid cadets in their moral journey:
Does this action attempt to deceive anyone or allow anyone to be deceived?
Does this action gain or allow the gain of privilege or advantage to which I or someone else would not otherwise be entitled?
Would I be satisfied by the outcome if I were on the receiving end of this action?
Superficially, it seems straight forward. Similarly, its necessity is very apparent. Cadets (and Army officers) must be trustworthy to have an effective fighting force.
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