Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1 - THE CADET HONOR CODE

101. The Code
102. Why Have an Honor Code?
103. Purpose and Goals of the Honor Code
104. Stewardship of the Code
105. Spirit of the Code
106.. The Three Rules of Thumb
107. Prohibitions of the Honor Code
108. Regulations and Honor

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THE CADET HONOR CODE

101. HONOR AND THE CODE. The Cadet Honor Code is: "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or
tolerate those who do." Honor, to cadets, is a word that denotes several things and connotes even
more. Around the Corps, we use it so frequently that one must understand the context of the situation to
understand what a cadet means by "honor." For instance, a cadet could say "that's honor," meaning those
actions trespass the Code, or a cadet could say "I've got honor after lunch," meaning (s)he is going to an
honor education class. We also combine "honor" with other words such as "code," "education," "hearing,"
and "violation." In addition, we add to all of this the word "honorable," which usually precedes living,
conduct and men/women.
The end result, fortunately, is not confusion. All of those terms are understood by conventional use within
the Corps. The problem remains, of course, to define "honor," given its varied application at West Point. So
we, the members of the Honor Committee, proffer the definition of honor as the quintessential human
virtue marked by a fundamental understanding of and commitment to integrity, dignity and social
responsibility, manifested in behaviors which conform to the standards of honesty, sincerity, respect and
corporate regulation.
The Cadet Honor Code promulgates the standards of integrity expected of all West Point Cadets and
graduates. It is the means through which we are able to apply the ethical ideal, honorable living, to our
lives. It guides our actions and serves as our public conscience. It is the life-blood of West Point and the
pride of her graduates. In sum, it is the single-thread through the tapestry of time which binds the Long
Gray Line together as men and women of character.
The Honor Code expresses four succinct prohibitions. On a behavioral level, the Code represents a simple
standard for all cadets. On a developmental level, the Code serves as a building block for holistic ethical
development across the spectrum of the Armys institutional values. West Point expects that all cadets will
strive to live far above the minimum standard of behavior and develop a commitment to ethical principles
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guiding moral actions.

West Points core mission is to develop leaders of character for our Army. A leader of character knows what
is right, and possesses the moral courage to act on that knowledge. The principles of truthfulness, fairness,
respect for others, and professional responsibility constitute the fundamental ideal known as the Spirit of
the Code. A leader of character will apply the Spirit of the Code when making decisions involving ethical
dilemmas.
102. WHY HAVE AN HONOR CODE? In professions such as the military where life is endangered by
virtue of the professions purpose, trust becomes sacred and integrity becomes a requisite quality for
each professional. An officer who is not trustworthy cannot be tolerated (s)he lacks a requisite quality .
In some professions the cost of dishonesty is measured in dollars. In the Army the cost of dishonesty is
measured in human lives. The ability of West Point to educate, train and inspire outstanding leaders of
character for our Army is predicated upon the functional requirement of honesty in its members. In
short, the United States Military Academy (USMA) expects its graduates and cadets to commit to a lifetime
of honorable living; successful defense of our nation relies upon that commitment.

Men may be inexact or even untruthful, in ordinary matters, and suffer as a consequence
only the disesteem of their associates, or even the inconveniences of unfavorable
litigation, but the inexact or untruthful soldier trifles with the lives of his fellowmen, and
the honor of his government; and it is, therefore, no matter of idle pride but rather of
stern disciplinary necessity that makes West Point require of her students a character of
trustworthiness which knows no evasions.

Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War, 1920

103. PURPOSE AND GOALS OF THE HONOR CODE.
a. Purpose. The Purpose of the Cadet Honor Code is to foster a commitment to honorable living as leaders
of character for the Army. The Honor Code's purpose is derived from the Mission statement of the United
States Military Academy: to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a
commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country; professional growth
throughout a career as an officer in the United States Army; and a lifetime of selfless service to the Nation.
b. Goals. Goals of the Cadet Honor Code are to:
(1) Enable cadets to learn and practice the essential leader responsibility of establishing a healthy ethical
climate within a unit.
(2) Assist cadets in developing an understanding of the importance of integrity as an essential aspect of
leadership.
(3) Instill in cadets a strong desire to maintain an honorable lifestyle manifested in the Spirit of the Code.
(4) Ensure cadets achieve the level of commitment to honorable conduct necessary in preparing them for
greater moral-ethical challenges throughout a lifetime of service to the nation.
Enforcement of the minimum standard of the Cadet Honor Code, coupled with education that exhorts
cadets to live above the Code, strengthens each cadet's commitment to the broader ideals consistent with
the Spirit of the Code. In this way, the Cadet Honor Code acts to achieve its most important end: ensuring
that West Point commissions honorable men and women who are leaders of character.

It might be helpful if we were to consider the purpose of the Code and the System. The
System (of which the Honor Committee is a part) is the means by which the Code is
enforced, administered, and passed on from class to class. In other words, the System is

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simply the mechanism by which the ideas and ideals of the Code are represented and put
across to the Corps of Cadets. The Honor Code is the institution that must be maintained.
Its ultimate purpose is to strengthen individual and group integrity to ensure that
officers have the necessary integrity which their vast responsibility in maintaining the
nations arsenal; and in time of war, dealing with human lives, require. It is a Code of
ethics for military men, acting as a set of plutonic, and perhaps in the purest sense,
unachievable ideals; while at the same time, if viewed in a more practical light, acting as
a guideline for the ethical behavior required of Army Officers.

The Honor Code is correct and it is right. In its beautiful simplicity it acts as a timeless
guide to graduates as well as non-graduates of the Academy. It has not in the past, nor
should it now be changed, so as to fit more easily with the social norms of the American
Society. Yet, we must be careful not to lose sight of the purpose of the Code in an
understandable quest to maintain in its exact present form the Honor System. Instead
we must be always willing and ready to change systems to preserve values. It is an
irresponsible and dangerous act for anyone to be so closely attached to a system that, by
refusing to correct or change its imperfections, the values which are represented by the
system are damaged.

William E. Anderson, Honor Committee Chairperson, USMA 76

104. STEWARDSHIP OF THE CODE. There has been debate over the concept of ownership of the Honor
Code. Many believed that the Code should belong solely to the cadets and that the Honor System should
be shielded from external influence, to include that of Military Academy officials. However, due to the fact
that cadets are indeed "active duty soldiers," statutory requirements necessitate the active involvement of
the Academy and Department of the Army staff.
Moreover, the Cadet Honor Code represents an American institution in and of itself. The Honor Code is
indeed a national treasure, the touchstone of ethical excellence for the Army and for the nation. Therefore,
although the Corps of Cadets is charged with the immediate stewardship of the Code, the Honor Code
"belongs" to all those who share a similar commitment to the values manifest in the Code. Perhaps
Lieutenant General Dave R. Palmer, the 53d Superintendent of the Military Academy, best described the
concept of "ownership."

Cadets today know that while they are clearly custodians of the Code, they are
joined by graduates and friends in veneration of it and share with the institution's
leadership a responsibility for administering the system, which includes educating
each incoming class. All of us here, whether in gray or green, are partners in this
critical element of the West Point experience. Upon graduating, cadets shed their
immediate responsibility as keepers of the Code, but acquire that lasting interest in
its health held by members of the Long Gray Line. In fact, their devotion to and
interest in the Honor Code will actually grow deeper with the fuller understanding
that comes from immersion in the world outside our walls. In this sense, then, each
of us who cherishes the ideals of West Point "owns" the Code.
105. SPIRIT OF THE CODE.
a. Minimum Standard. The Cadet Honor Code describes the minimum standard of ethical behavior that
all cadets have contracted to live by, not an abstract ideal to strive toward. Easy to understand and meet, it
is the expected baseline behavior of cadets.
b. Ideal Standard. If the Code is the minimum standard for members of the Corps, what is the ideal that
cadets should strive to reach? That ideal is the "Spirit of the Code," an affirmation of the way of life that

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marks true leaders of character. The Spirit of the Code goes beyond the mere external adherence to rules.
Rather, it is an expression of integrity and virtue springing from deep within and manifested in the actions
of the honorable man or woman. Persons who accept the Spirit of the Code think of the Honor Code as a
set of broad and fundamental principles, not as a list of prohibitions. In deciding to take any action, they
ask if it is the right thing to do. It is the Spirit of the Code that gives rise to the specific tenets of the Honor
Code itself:
(1) The Spirit of the Code embraces truthfulness in all its aspects. The Honor Code prohibits lying.
(2) The Spirit of the Code calls for complete fairness in human relations. The Honor Code prohibits
cheating.
(3) The Spirit of the Code requires respect for other people and their property. The Honor Code prohibits
stealing.
(4) The Spirit of the Code demands a professional responsibility to uphold the ethical standards which are
the foundation of the profession of arms. The Honor Code prohibits toleration of violations.
A cadet is truthful, fair, respectful, and responsible. This Spirit shapes not only the West Point
environment, but sets the ethical standards for leadership in the Army itself. The growth of each cadet
progresses from adhering to a code which explicitly outlines unacceptable behavior to internalizing the
fundamental principles of integrity which foster honorable living.
106. THREE RULES OF THUMB. In keeping with the positive nature and purpose of the Cadet Honor
Code, the "Three Rules of Thumb" act as a guideline to honorable behavior. These rules aid cadets in
determining whether an action is honorable or not. An action that is dishonorable or unethical is not
necessarily an honor code violation; hence, the Honor System emphasizes striving for the higher standard
as opposed to adherence to the explicit prohibitions of the Honor Code.
When determining whether or not an action is honorable, use the "Three Rules of Thumb." The "Three
Rules of Thumb" are as follows:
a. Does this action attempt to deceive anyone or allow anyone to be deceived?
b. Does this action gain or allow the gain of privilege or advantage to which I or someone else would not
otherwise be entitled?
c. Would I be satisfied by the outcome if I were on the receiving end of this action?
107. PROHIBITIONS OF THE HONOR CODE. Although the Committee emphasizes the Spirit of the
Code, it must outline in specific detail what constitutes a violation of the Cadet Honor Code. In order for
cadets to have the ability to adhere to the Code, terms must be defined in detail. Accordingly, this section
clearly expresses the behavioral standards required by the Cadet Honor Code. If a cadet has violated the
Cadet Honor Code, (s)he has committed one of the following actions: lied, cheated, stolen, or tolerated the
lying, cheating, or stealing of another cadet.

As long as a man acts honorably, he should never have to worry about the Code.
Patrick Finnegan, Honor Committee Chairperson, USMA 71
The honor offenses of lying, cheating, and stealing involve acts accompanied by a specific intent to achieve
a particular wrongful purpose as defined for each offense. "Intent" does not refer to the intent to violate
the Honor Code as such. Cadets who have the intent to lie, cheat, or steal, and commit any act in
furtherance of that intent, may have violated the Honor Code.
The Honor Code is a minimum standard of ethical behavior for cadets and is to be embraced by each cadet
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at all times, both on and off duty. Therefore, the Code is not constrained by any geographical boundaries.
Cadets should abide by the Code both at and away from West Point.
What the Code does not prohibit may not constitute acceptable behavior. The Honor Code is a pragmatic
vehicle through which we guide our behavior toward the ideal honorable living. As such, it represents only
the minimum standard of ethical behavior by which each cadet is expected to abide. This standard is meant
to be exceeded because of a desire to "do what is right" always. Every cadet should embrace the Spirit of
the Code daily and make adhering to its ideals a matter of habit and lifestyle.
a. Lying. Cadets violate the Honor Code by lying if they deliberately deceive another person by stating an
untruth, or by any direct form of communication, to include the telling of a partial truth or the vague
or ambiguous use of information or language, with the intent to deceive or mislead.

Truthfulness is part of the honor of a soldierLet no one enter on military life as his
profession, who is not unfaltering in veracity.
Chaplain John Williams French, 1868
(1) Philosophy behind the Lying Clause. Lying is given special emphasis at West Point because of its impact
in the Profession of Arms. Truth telling is paramount for basic requirements of accountability, reporting, and
assessment. Trustworthiness is paramount for earning the confidence of ones subordinates and
safeguarding classified information. Officers who lie risk the lives of American soldiers and jeopardize the
defense of our nation. Lying is not ignored in other professions; it is normally considered to be socially
reprehensible. The importance of truthfulness to the military profession justifies giving lying special
condemnation by including it in the Cadet Honor Code.
(2) A Cadet's Word. A cadet's word is accepted without challenge until significant evidence exists to prove
otherwise. That a cadet's oral and written words are true, without qualification, is fundamental to the Honor
Code and Honor System and a great source of pride for cadets past and present.
(3) Accuracy of Reports. Whether oral or written, reports are official statements and must always be
complete and accurate. Cadets are individually responsible to ensure the correctness of a report both before
and after it is rendered. For example, cadets reporting at formation will report only "all present" or report
the names of cadets who are absent. Additionally, if a report is given and is later found to be incorrect, the
cadet rendering the false report must make the error known as soon as possible.
(4) Implications of the Signature. An individual's signature or initials affirm the veracity of the written
information in a document. In this way, when cadets affix their signature or initials to a document they
make an official statement that, to the best of their knowledge, the document is true and accurate; verified
by the signer. There will be many instances when cadets will be required to sign certificates and other
official documents in this way pursuant to their duties as guards, inspectors, or Cadets in Charge of
Quarters. Placing your initials or signing your name on a document, such as a drill roll, when you are
unsure that you have met the requirement for signing or initialing constitutes a possible violation.
Additionally, cadets are never authorized to sign another person's name. If necessary, a cadet may sign his
or her own name and write the word "for" to indicate a response for another person.
(5) The Departure Book. The departure book is the primary accountability tool for privileges, duties, and
medical care that involve missing regular "in person" accountability measures. Cadets do not have
formations to go on leave or to sick call. A cadet's signature in the company departure book
indicates that the cadet is both authorized to depart and intends to depart, or is in an official
duty status and will perform the official duty indicated. The "time out" and "time in" are, by definition, the
exact times the cadet is writing in the departure book; rather than the time the absence is authorized to
begin or end. If cadets sign out in the departure book and are not authorized that privilege for which they
are signing or they write an incorrect time, they are deceiving those who view the entry.
(6) Equivocation. To be equivocal is to use purposely vague, misleading, or ambiguous language.
Equivocating usually occurs when a person tells a literal truth which (s)he knows will mislead another

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person, when a person tells a "half-truth," or when a person attempts to skirt the act of telling an untruth
by making vague statements with the intent to mislead another person to believe an untruth. Equivocation
is dishonorable and constitutes lying.

Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong and never to be content
with a half-truth when the whole can be won.
Cadet Prayer
(7) Other Direct Forms of Communication. Direct communication that creates an impression or conveys a
message to someone else, in lieu of an oral or written statement, must be truthful. The Honor Code
violation of lying includes nonverbal actions that are substitutes for oral or written statements. Examples
include: nodding one's head, raising one's hand, or giving a "thumbs-up." All such nonverbal actions must
be truthful. Other examples of nonverbal communication include displaying another persons driver's license
or identification card as one's own, altering the birth date on ones drivers license and presenting that card
to another person, and wearing items such as wristbands or ink stamps which indicate a person is of legal
drinking age when (s)he is not.
Remember that verbal and nonverbal communications carry the same weight. Each is intended to
communicate an idea or thought to another person. Cadets should strive at all times to make their
communication clear and unambiguous.
b. Cheating. Cadets violate the Honor Code by cheating if they wrongfully act out of self-interest, do work
or obtain results with the intent to gain or to give an unfair advantage, or with the intent to deceive or
mislead. Actions that assist another cadet to do these things also constitute cheating. Cheating includes
such acts as: intentional plagiarism (presenting someone else's ideas, words, data, or work as one's own);
intentional misrepresentation (failing to document the assistance of another in the preparation of an
assignment with the intent to deceive, mislead, gain, or give an unfair advantage); citing sources that were
not actually consulted; and using unauthorized references (crib sheets, notes, texts) during an examination.
(1) Philosophy behind the Cheating Clause. The Honor Code prohibits cheating because it defeats the very
concept of scholarship it is the antithesis of learning. Cheating is always done out of self-interest the
antithesis of selfless service. Officers who cheat or allow cheating, on rifle marksmanship, for example,
lower the readiness and competence of their units. As with lying, they risk the lives of their soldiers and
endanger our nations security.
(2) Scholarship. The principles of good scholarship demand that each writer provide correct and complete
information regarding the sources of information and ideas. Through the process of documentation, writers
identify contributing sources used and acknowledge any assistance received. Although different academic
disciplines adopt different systems, all adhere to the basic principle that writers must document all sources
and assistance. The single most important axiom to follow when abiding by the standards of academic
integrity is: Anyone who reads a cadets work should be able to readily identify what work is
the cadets, and what work originated from another source.
(3) Documentation. Documentation for Written Work, published by the Office of the Dean, provides
explicit guidance for documentation standards and is the authoritative publication on documentation
procedures for cadets. Since documentation relates to cheating, we will cover some basic points.
(a) Proper Documentation. Proper documentation identifies the sources of borrowed ideas and quotations,
to include all assistance in the preparation of homework other than drill problems. These sources may
include, but are not limited to, books, periodicals, films, and discussions. Other cadets and instructors
whose conversation or assistance contributed to the content of the paper or project must also be identified
through documentation. This applies as well to interviews and group-study sessions. Cadets should keep
track of all sources used, to include other cadets, so that complete and accurate information will be at hand
when preparing notes and bibliographies. If in doubt about what should be documented, cadets should

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consult their instructors. If the instructor is not available, cadets should document the source in question.
(b) Failure in Documentation. Unintentional failures to properly document sources of assistance are not the
concern of the Honor Committee; professors normally reduce grades and/or request disciplinary action from
the Tactical Department in such cases. Any attempt to deceive or to gain unfair advantage, however, will
be subject to investigation by the Cadet Honor Committee. Cadets must know, understand, and adhere to
the requirements for proper documentation to avoid these serious consequences.
(c) Plan ahead. Cadets who get into trouble for improper documentation frequently run out of time to do
things correctly and attempt to cut corners. The key to avoiding this problem is to plan ahead and allow
sufficient time to document properly.
(4) Electronic Copying. Because of the increase in computer capabilities, cadets may have access to each
others files and to sources on the Internet . Documentation for Written Work does not prohibit
electronically copying the work of others, so long as the cadet properly documents it. This is particularly
useful when inserting long quotations.
Individuals are discouraged from copying thoughts, ideas, problem solutions and similar matter. However,
they may do so without violating the Honor Code as long as there was no attempt to deceive the professor
or anyone else that the work was her/his own, or there was no attempt to gain an unfair advantage by
copying the work. For example, a cadet could actually copy an entire assignment from another person,
document that the entire assignment is the work of another person, and turn it in for grade. The cadet may
not receive a passing grade on such an assignment, but the cadet has truthfully revealed the source of his
or her work.

(5) Testing Situations. On many occasions, a time limit is placed upon the completion of graded work. The
extent of mastery of course material is often measured best in the environment of a timed test. If a cadet
inadvertently takes more time than prescribed, he or she should bring this to the attention of the instructor
before the assignment is submitted. Specifically, cadets should immediately stop work and put down their
writing instruments upon the command "Cease Work"; intentional failure to do so can constitute cheating
since the cadet may have gained an unfair advantage.

c. Stealing. Cadets violate the Honor Code by stealing if they wrongfully take, obtain, or withhold, by any
means, from the possession of the owner or any other person any money, personal property, article, or
service of value of any kind, with intent to permanently deprive or defraud another person of the use and
benefit of the property or to wrongfully appropriate it to either their own use or the use of any person.
(1) Philosophy behind the Stealing Clause. Due to the nature of the barracks environment, stealing must be
singled out for special emphasis. Nothing erodes trust and morale faster than a barracks thief. Since the
law seldom prosecutes individuals for petty theft, the Honor Code provides a means of prosecution and
special emphasis. As officers, West Point graduates will manage federal funds and will be responsible for
valuable military weapon systems and equipment. Cadets must understand well in advance of
commissioning that stealing, no matter what the monetary value is, will not be tolerated.
Two unalterable aspects of cadet life are the close living conditions in a barracks environment and the
general trust that each cadet places in his or her peers. This foundation of trust and friendliness within the
Corps, fostered by the Honor Code and System, provides the basis by which cadets can live in close
quarters without locks, other than privacy locks, on the doors and maintain their personal property without
fear of theft.
(2) Borrowing. A cadet will have the owner's permission prior to borrowing an item. Moreover, the item
must be "signed out" on the Property Accountability Card. When borrowing, one must always consider the
Third Rule of Thumb: "Would I be satisfied by the outcome if I were on the receiving end of this action?" If

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you can put yourself in the owner's shoes and feel good about the intended borrow, then it's probably
okay, BUT plan for the contingency of the owner requiring that item on short notice. You would and should
expect no less if you were the owner. Remember that the onus is on the borrower to make things easy for
the owner, not the other way around!
(3) Improper Borrowing. Improper borrowing occurs when a cadet takes another cadet's property with the
intention of returning it, but without prior verbal or written permission, or fails to return it in a manner
and condition satisfactory to the owner. Such abuses are not in keeping with the spirit of the Code. Abuses
of borrowing will normally be resolved in the cadet disciplinary system. In cases of a failure to return the
item, these abuses may be investigated as an allegation of stealing. Improper borrowing is a serious breach
of respect and consideration for others. Borrowing incurs with it a great deal of responsibility: ensuring that
the item is returned, that it is returned in the same condition in which it is borrowed, and that it is returned
in a timely manner.
(4) Theft of Services. Stealing does not require the possession of tangible objects. Obtaining a service
without permission or payment constitutes stealing. Shorting an arcade machine to get a free game,
tapping into TV cable, "stacking" hotel rooms, sneaking into movies, and using someone elses phone
without permission are examples of service theft.
(5) Theft of Intellectual Property. While copyright violations are not pursued under the Honor System in
most cases, such actions clearly subvert the Spirit of the Code. Legally, a person who purchases a CD may
copy it only for personal use. Similarly, copying software as a personal "backup" is acceptable. Letting
others download copyrighted software is a violation of copyright laws and against the ideals of the Honor
Code.
(6) The Library. The USMA Library is available for use by cadets, staff, and faculty. The wrongful removal of
material from the library, removal of pages from journals or solution books, or the deliberate misfiling of
references within the library, even if the intent is to return the material at some future date, are unethical
acts. Furthermore, to the extent that these acts deprive other students the opportunity to gain access to
needed material for research or study, these acts provide an unfair advantage and could constitute
cheating and/or stealing. This same policy should be exercised with reference materials located in the
various class rooms and departmental libraries. A cadet's best guide for such matters is the third rule of
thumb.
(7) Solution Books. The unauthorized removal of department reference materials, solution books, or
language tapes may constitute stealing under the Cadet Honor Code.
(8) Found Property. If a cadet finds property of another person, the cadet has a duty to attempt to identify
the owner. If a cadet wrongfully keeps the property rather than turning it in or identifying the owner, then
the cadet may be subject to an investigation for stealing.
d. Toleration. Cadets violate the Honor Code by tolerating if they fail to report an unresolved incident with
honor implications to a proper authority within a reasonable length of time. "Proper authority" will usually
be the company honor representative; however, unusual circumstances may arise when such an incident
should also be reported to the company commander, a professor, or the company tactical officer. A
"reasonable length of time" is the time it takes to approach the cadet suspected of the honor violation and
clarify whether the incident was a misunderstanding or actually a possible violation of the Honor Code. A
reasonable length of time is usually considered not to exceed 24 hours. Here, cadets should keep in mind
that speedy resolution of the issue is in the best interest of all concerned.

To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards out of men.

President Abraham Lincoln

(1) Philosophy behind the Non-Toleration Clause. Cadets swear the Oath of Allegiance upon entering West

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Point that sets them apart from their civilian counterparts. Cadets accept all the privileges, and particularly
the responsibilities, associated with that oath. Perhaps the most difficult standard is the Honor Code's nontoleration clause. The non-toleration clause rightfully places stewardship of the Code in the
hands of cadets.
(2) Professional Responsibility. Moreover, the non-toleration clause codifies the concept of "policing the
ranks" within the profession. In any profession, it is the responsibility of its members to maintain the
standards that have been set. A cadet or officer is not limited to maintaining merely his/her personal
integrity. Professional responsibility includes maintaining the integrity of the profession. When another
member of the profession compromises his or her integrity, it is imperative that it be dealt with in order to
restore the integrity of the Army. America has not and will not tolerate "cover-ups" of ethical misconduct
within the Armed Forces, and she demands that her soldiers enforce ethical standards within their ranks.
Fostering a commitment to this responsibility is the primary function of the non-toleration clause.

108. REGULATIONS AND HONOR. The disciplinary and honor systems are distinct. Regulatory violations
may violate one of the seven Army Values; e.g., failure to perform a Duty or disrespect towards a superior.
Such infractions will be adjudicated, but not under the Honor System for obvious reasons. Another source of
confusion is that regulatory violations sometimes lead to Honor Code violations. If a cadet consumes
alcohol in the barracks and then lies about his/her actions, (s)he is likely to appear before a disciplinary
board for consuming alcohol in the barracks and appear before an Honor Investigative Hearing for lying
about his/her alcohol consumption. The two actions are entirely distinct and merit investigation under both
systems.

The Honor Code must not be exploited as a means of enforcing regulations.

The Borman Commission, 1976
(1) Questioning. Questioning to ascertain how well a cadet has performed a specific duty is a convenient
and frequently appropriate course of action. It should be considered a matter of professionalism, though, to
avoid asking cadets questions for which the answers are manifested in the circumstances. For example, it
would be inappropriate and unnecessary to ask an obviously drunken individual whether or not (s)he has
been drinking. Questions of this nature trivialize the Honor Code and should be avoided.
Individuals asking official questions incur the significant responsibility of ensuring their questions are proper.
In determining propriety, a questioner must have evidence indicating that a breach of regulations has
occurred and/or a reasonable cause to believe that the cadet being questioned was involved in the breach
or has knowledge of the involvement of others in the breach of regulations.

Under no circumstances should it [the honor code] ever be used at the expense of
the cadets in the detection of violations of regulations.

I can remember as my most unfortunate experience while I was myself a cadet, an

incident where some light bulbs had been thrown into the area. The culprits were
found by the lining up of the Corps and the querying of each individual as to
whether or not he was guilty of this particular misdemeanor. Any such procedure or
anything related to it would of course be instantly repudiated by any responsible
officer who had the good judgment to visualize its eventual effect on the honor
system.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1946

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(2) No Substitute. Questioning is not a substitute for other independent action to verify duty performance
or for making a judgment concerning standards. From a duty perspective, an important issue is whether
something was done properly and in accordance with the standards established by regulations or the chain
of command. The burden of proof is with the leader or inspector to determine whether proper standards
have been met. From this perspective, the leader should normally correct substandard performance
(unpolished or improperly shined shoes for example) rather than ask, "Did you shine your shoes?"
When dealt with professionally, questioning is productive, but it is too easily abused. It is important to be
continually aware of the kinds of questions one asks, particularly of subordinates. Is the issue that demands
clarification important enough that one can justify putting a subordinate in a situation that directly tests his
honor?
(3) "Doubting a Cadets Word". Although accepted at their word, there may be occasions when cadets are
questioned as to duty performance, behavior, conduct, or the accuracy or completeness of submitted work.
In any such case, cadets are required to answer directly and truthfully. The questioner may be trying to
clarify a particular point or issue. Generally classifying all such questioning as "doubting a cadet's integrity"
is unprofessional and should be avoided. Experience demonstrates that human communication is imperfect
at best, and actions are often misinterpreted. To desire clarification in such instances does not always
indicate doubt about one's personal integrity.

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