Week 1: Honor Concept and the Commandant’s Standard

I.         Honor Concept of the Brigade – run and operated solely by mids; first put together by Ross Perot in 1951

 

II.       Honor Concept

Midshipmen are persons of integrity: they stand for that which is right.

They tell the truth and ensure that the full truth is known. They do not lie.

They embrace fairness in all actions. They ensure that work submitted as their own is their own, and that assistance received from any source is authorized and properly documented. They do not cheat.

They respect the property of others and ensure that others are able to benefit from the use of their own property. They do not steal.

 

III.     Honor Treatise (summarized)

We are united by the trust and confidence of the American people.

We must develop a selfless sense of duty and honor our loyalties w/o compromising the truth.

We set high standards and espouse leadership by example, inspiring followers.

Those with strongest moral foundation will best reflect the legacy of the Naval Academy.

 

Text Box: Investigation

IV.     Four Options Upon Witnessing an Honor Offense – witnesses MUST take one of these within 21 days; failure results in a minor conduct offense

1.   Approach and Discuss – if no violation occurred, take no further action

2.   Approach and Discuss – conduct formal counselling

3.   Approach and Discuss – report the offense to the Brigade Honor Chair

4.   Immediately report the offense to the Brigade Honor Chair

 

V.       Formal Counselling – private meeting with the offender and witness

  • Only four people learn of the offense: witness, violator, honor chairman, Ethics Advisor (files counselling sheet)
  • All counselling sheets expunged at graduation
  • May be also held by Brigade Honor Chair as a Batt Counselling Board (violator + Batt Honor Rep)
  • In order to be counselled, the violator must:

1.    Admit Guilt

2.    Show Remorse

3.    and have a plan of resolution (correct misconceptions, unfair actions, etc)

  • Counselling may be overturned if:

1.    The violator has multiple counseling sheets on file

2.    To ensure honor system equity

3.    The offense is too severe for counselling

 

VI.     Investigative Process

  • Brigade Honor Chair assesses formal accusations
    • If the case is 21+ days old or there is clearly no violation, the case is terminated
    • Otherwise, the case is given to the Deputy Honor Chairman of Investigations who assigns a Brigade Investigative Officer (BIO) who:
      • Gathers evidence in an unbiased manner
      • Submits a written report
      • Presents the case to board members – not a prosecutor
    • Accused is accompanied by a company honor rep (not a defense attorney)

 

VII.   Brigade Honor Boards

  • 11 Members – Presiding Officer + Recording Secretary + 9 Voting Members
  • Presiding Officer – Honor Chair, Vice Honor Chair, or Deputy Chair for Education
  • Recording Secretary – Honor Secretary, Honor Coordinator, Honor Academic Liason
  • Voting Members (9) – company honor reps and members at large
    • Not from the accused’s company
    • Not junior to the accused
    • Members at large cannot be Honor Committee Officers
  • A plea is made by the accused at the request of the Presiding Officer; either guilty or not guilty

 

  • Guilty Pleas
    • The board will accept (acceptance determined by a vote; simple majority) the plea only if the accused is:

1.       Knowing – knows they were wrong and their guilty plea is clear

2.       Intelligent – understands he is waiving the right to plead not guilty and understands the consequences

3.       Voluntary – given on own free will

 

  • Non Guilty Pleas – case heard then the board votes the accused to be either “in violation” (super majority needed; 6 of 9) or “not in violation”
  • All voting is done in secret by written ballot

 

VIII. Standard of Proof – voting must be done on a preponderance of evidence

  • Vote on whichever side has the majority (50%+) of the evidence
  • Likened to a scale – place guilt and innocent on separate sides; vote with whichever side the scale tips towards
  • Mids are presumed innocent until proven guilty

 

IX.     Finding Mids “In Violation”

  • Case is forwarded to the Commandant for review
  • Commandant issues a punishment (max is seperation) if he agrees with the “in violation” decision
    • If the Commandant recommends seperation, the Superintendent can (if he agrees with the ‘Dant) forward the mid to SecNav for seperation
  • Commandant can overturn a decision if:
    1. A procedural error was made
    2. Decision was grossly in error
    3. New evidence was uncovered

 

X.       The Commandant’s Standard – Key Points

  • Act honorably and instinctively
  • Lead from the front
  • Become leaders of culturally diverse team
  • Optimize the talents of your team to accomplish any mission
  • Treat all people with dignity and respect

·         Know:      Lead as Men and Women of Integrity

Embrace Your Heritage,

And In All Things,

Be the Best.

 

XI.     Other Knowledge To Know

  • Know the Brigade Honor Staff’s three stripers and up
    • Chairman: M/CDR Sullivan
    • Vice Chairman: M/LCDR Mooney
    • Vice Chairman, Education: M/LCDR McFall
    • Vice Chairman, Investigations: M/LCDR Coulon
    • Liason: M/LT Weber
    • Secretary: M/LT Bush
  • Graduate in review (have a general understanding and know the most important facts)
  • Daily Rates
  • Other plebe rates (not as likely, but it has happened)