Office of the Commandant/General Records: Conduct and Honor Records, 1918-2011: Finding Aid
Published in August 2019
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6922
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: RG 405.3.1 Entry 151e
- National Archives Identifier:
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Archives
- Title: Office of the Commandant/General Records: Conduct and Honor Records
- Dates: 1918-2011
- Size: 9.84 linear feet
- Container Summary: 13 manuscript boxes, 4 records center cartons, 2 half-manuscript box
- Creator: United States Naval Academy. Commandant
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: The Commandant's Honor and Conduct Records, comprising 9.63 linear feet of documentation, span from 1918 to 2011. The records consist of reports, logbooks, orders and notices, instructions, memoranda, and correspondence. The records document midshipmen separated from the Naval Academy for aptitude, conduct, and honor-related infractions. The logbooks record honor and conduct infractions committed by midshipmen as reported by other midshipmen, Naval Academy military personnel, and faculty and staff. Also included is substantial material, including reports, studies, and surveys, relating to the evolution of the Naval Academy's Honor Concept and System, as well as various material documenting the investigation of the 1992 Electrical Engineering Exam (EE-311) compromise.
History of the Naval Academy Honor System
From 1845 to the present, conduct and honor at the Naval Academy has been governed by midshipmen regulations. From 1951 to 1954 a more formal honor system, comprising a midshipmen administered organization was established. The present day honor organization consists of positions filled by commissioned naval officers, and midshipman honor staff positions from each regiment and company that oversee a formal Honor Development Program, investigate and process violation reports, advise implicated midshipmen, and chair counseling and honor boards.
Description of Contents
The Commandant's Honor and Conduct Records, comprising 9.63 linear feet of documentation, span from 1918 to 2011. The records consist of reports, logbooks, orders and notices, instructions, memoranda, and correspondence. The records document midshipmen separated from the Naval Academy for aptitude, conduct, and honor-related infractions. The logbooks record honor and conduct infractions committed by midshipmen as reported by other midshipmen, Naval Academy military personnel, and faculty and staff. Also included is substantial material, including reports, studies, and surveys, relating to the evolution of the Naval Academy's Honor Concept and System, as well as various material documenting the investigation of the 1992 Electrical Engineering Exam (EE-311) compromise.
Arrangement
The Office of the Commandant/General Records: Conduct and Honor Records are organized into the following six series:
- Series 1: SEPARATIONS, 1970-1976
- Subseries 1a: APTITUDE SEPARATIONS, 1970-1976
- Subseries 1b: CONDUCT SEPARATIONS, 1970-1976
- Subseries 1c: HONOR SEPARATIONS, 1970-1976
- Subseries 1d: HONOR PROBATIONS, 1970-1976
- Series 2: CONDUCT LOGS, 1918-1991
- Subseries 2a: CONDUCT REPORT LOGS, 1918-1963
- Subseries 2b: CONDUCT LOGS MAJOR OFFENSES, 1929-1932, 1939-1988
- Subseries 2c: CONDUCT LOGS 5000 SERIES, 1979-1989
- Subseries 2d: CONDUCT LOGS 6000 SERIES AND FOR UNSATISFACTORY CONDUCT, 1986-1989
- Subseries 2e: NAVAL ACADEMY SUMMER PROGRAM CONDUCT LOGS, 1983-1984, 1987-1988, 1990-1991
- Subseries 2f: 14TH COMPANY CONDUCT LOG, 1974-1991
- Series 3: DELIQUENCY LOGS, 1929-1931
- Series 4: CONDUCT RECORD NOTICES AND ORDERS, 1929-1961
- Series 5: RECORDS RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONOR SYSTEM, , 1968-1969, 1982-2011
- Subseries 5a: CORRESPONDENCE, MEMORANDA, INSTRUCTIONS AND REPORTS, 1968-1969, 1977, 1982, 1986-1990, 1993-1997, 2000-2011
- Subseries 5b: HONOR CASES STATISTICS, 1983-1999, 2009
- Series 6: RECORDS RELATING TO THE 1992 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CHEATING SCANDAL, 1992-1994
Access and Use
Access
Restricted - Partly. These records must be screened for personal privacy and law enforcement information under 5 U.S.C. 552(b) prior to public release. Per review, select records may be withheld or redacted in accordance with FOIA (b)(6) Personal Information, and FOIA (b)(7) Law Enforcement.
Copyright and Permission
Generally, materials produced by Federal agencies are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Any non-government publications held herein may still be subject to copyright. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Custodial History
RG 405 Records of the United States Naval Academy is the property of the National Archives and Records Administration. The materials are housed at the United States Naval Academy, William W. Jeffries Memorial Archives, an affiliated archive, as per a Memorandum of Agreement between the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Naval Academy.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
For other records originating from the office of the Commandant of Midshipmen see entries 147 through 183d. There are records documenting select incidents of hazing and other misconduct, as well logs and reports for delinquency, demerits, and other midshipman grades in records of the Superintendent, entries 85 through 99.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Office of the Commandant/General Records: Conduct and Honor Records, RG 405.3.1 Entry 151e
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Selected Bibliography
The following sources were consulted during preparation of the historical note:
Rau, Robert. The Concept of Honor at USNA: From Ethics Training in 1855 to the Brigade Honor Concept of 1996. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute Press, 1979.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Samuel Limneos in August 2019. Finding aid written by Samuel Limneos in August 2019.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Courts-martial and courts of inquiry
- Honor System United States Naval Academy
- Honor system (Higher education) -- History
- Naval education -- United States
- United States Naval Academy
- United States Naval Academy -- History -- 20th century
- United States Naval Academy. Commandant of Midshipmen
Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Logs (records)
- Memorandums
- Orders (military records)
- Proceedings (reports)
- Reports
Contents List
Subseries 1a: APTITUDE SEPARATIONS, 1970-1976 Box 1
Subseries DescriptionThe first subseries, 1a: APTITUDE SEPARATIONS, consists of reports for each academic year related to midshipmen separated from the Naval Academy for insufficient aptitude. At the beginning of each academic year folder(s) is an index containing the separated midshipman's name, class year, offense, and final action taken. Each report typically contains resignation in lieu of recommendation for discharge letters, endorsements, a statement of understanding from the Commandant of Midshipmen, a point paper discussing the specific reasons for separation, statements from military officers, letters from the performance officer, the Brigade Aptitude Board, midshipman defense counsel, and letters from the Superintendent to the parents of midshipmen, the Secretary of the Navy, and members of Congress. Occasionally, each file contains miscellaneous correspondence from battalion and company officers, chronological aptitude summaries, and midshipman performance office files.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically by date.
Subseries 1b: CONDUCT SEPARATIONS, 1970-1976 Boxes 2-5
Subseries DescriptionThe second subseries, 1b: CONDUCT SEPARATIONS, consists of reports for each academic year related to midshipmen separated from the Naval Academy for various conduct-related offenses. At the beginning of each academic year folder(s) is an index containing the separated midshipman's name, class year, offense, and final action taken. Each report typically contains investigation reports, a statement of understanding from the Commandant of Midshipmen, suspect's rights acknowledgement/statement forms, sworn and unsworn statements, statements from military officers, statements and correspondence from battalion and company officers, endorsements, counsel and guidance interview records, letters relating to temporary additional duties, conduct and aptitude evaluation reports, qualified resignation letters, and letters from the Superintendent to the parents of midshipmen, the Secretary of the Navy, and members of Congress. Also included are some personal and government papers related to the character of misconduct such as marriage licenses, civil and criminal court records, and Department of Defense Forms 553 Absentee Wanted by the Armed Forces forms.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically by date.
Subseries 1c: HONOR SEPARATIONS, 1970-1976 Boxes 6-10
Subseries DescriptionThe third subseries, 1c: HONOR SEPARATIONS, consists of reports for each academic year related to midshipmen separated from the Naval Academy for various offenses violating the Naval Academy Honor Concept. At the beginning of each academic year folder(s) is an index containing the separated midshipman's name, class year, offense, and final action taken. Each report typically contains point papers outlining the honor case chronology, investigation reports, a statement of understanding from the Commandant of Midshipmen, qualified resignation statements, memoranda from the Commandant to the Superintendent, endorsements, transcripts of honor board proceedings, sworn statements from company and battalion officers, midshipman personnel history and performance records, and letters from the Superintendent to the parents of midshipmen, the Secretary of the Navy, and members of Congress. Also included are some official documents related to or utilized as evidence of the character of honor violation such as At-Sea Training Journals, plagiarized academic papers, and sealed findings of honor committees.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically by date.
Subseries 1d: HONOR PROBATIONS, 1970-1976 Boxes 11-12
Subseries DescriptionThe fourth subseries, 1d: HONOR PROBATIONS, consists of reports for each academic year related to midshipmen placed on honor probation for various offenses violating the Naval Academy Honor Concept. At the beginning of each academic year folder(s) is an index containing the midshipman's name, class year, and offense. Each report typically contains letters and memoranda from the Commandant notifying midshipmen of their placement on honor probation, point papers outlining the chronology and disposition of honor violation investigations and honor board proceedings, copies of questions asked of accused midshipmen, charge sheets, correspondence and statements from professors, company and battalion officers, and military staff; letters and memoranda to the Superintendent, memoranda from the Staff Judge Advocate, midshipmen performance, personnel history, and performance records; and correspondence related to and the final findings and dispositions of honor board cases. Also included are some official documents related to or utilized as evidence of the character of honor violation such as copies of plagiarized academic papers, and academic course and other policies.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically by date.
Subseries 2a: CONDUCT REPORT LOGS, 1918-1963 Boxes 12-13
Subseries DescriptionThe first subseries, 2a: CONDUCT REPORT LOGS, consists of chronological reports maintained by the Commandant recording details of all instances of midshipman misconduct. Each folder contains reports for a specific class of misconduct. Each page of the reports documents the accused midshipman's name, class, class graduation year, date of the offense, a one-to-two sentence synopsis of the conduct offense committed, and a brief detail of the final action taken or punishment given. The first folder of the subseries contains an index listing the conduct offenses and their corresponding alpha-numeric codes. Scattered throughout the reports are orders, notices, letters, and memoranda from Naval Academy officials related to specific types of misconduct, and other subjects.
Subseries ArrangementArranged by Offense Code and thereunder chronologically by date of offense.
Subseries 2b: CONDUCT LOGS MAJOR OFFENSES, 1929-1932, 1939-1988 Boxes 13-14
Subseries DescriptionThe second subseries, 2b: CONDUCT LOGS MAJOR OFFENSES, consists of logbooks documenting incidents of misconduct classified as serious or major offenses. These types of offenses are referred to as "Class 'A' Offenses." Each logbook documents the date the offense was reported, the date the report was approved and returned by the Commandant, name of the offending midshipman, the midshipman's class year, battalion or company, the reporting officer, a description of the offense, and a record of the final action taken. Certain logbooks were maintained by the Officer of the Watch (OOW) and contain only the time, date, and code of the offense, the offending midshipman's name, class year, battalion and company, a description of the offense, the originator of the report, and the OOW's initials. One logbook is specifically for the 14th Company and lists a summary of the offense, date of offense, and offense delinquency code, name, alpha number, and class year of offending midshipman, report originator, company number, M.N.O number, the normal number of demerits levied, and number of demerits received. While all of the logbooks are arranged chronologically by date of offense report, some of the logbooks are divided into sections for class years, events and leave periods, and types of offenses. Scattered throughout some of the logbooks are investigative forms, memoranda, statements and correspondence regarding random Class 'A' Reports.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Subseries 2c: CONDUCT LOGS 5000 SERIES, 1979-1989 Boxes 14-15
Subseries DescriptionThe third subseries, 2c: CONDUCT LOGS 5000 SERIES, consists of logbooks documenting incidents of misconduct classified as 5000 series. Each entry contains the name of the offending midshipman, the date, the offense code number, a short transcript of questions and answers between the offending midshipman and the Commandant, the Conduct Officer, or other authority official, and a description of the punishment awarded.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Subseries 2d: COMMANDANT'S BRIEFINGS FOR 6000 SERIES AND FOR UNSATISFACTORY CONDUCT, 1986-1989 Box 15
Subseries DescriptionThe fourth subseries, 2d: COMMANDANT BRIEFINGS FOR 6000 SERIES AND FOR UNSATISFACTORY CONDUCT, consists of logbooks documenting incidents of misconduct classified as 6000 series and for unsatisfactory conduct. Each entry contains a summary of the offense and offense number, name of the offending midshipman, the midshipman's graduation year, and company. Additionally each entry contains data such as the midshipman's total and maximum number of demerits allowed, and a summary of the midshipman's conduct history. Information for each year includes incidents of misconduct, number of demerits awarded, outcome of conduct and honor boards, pleas, performance and conduct grades, and certain academic course grades.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Subseries 2e: NAVAL ACADEMY SUMMER PROGRAM CONDUCT LOGS, 1983-1984, 1987-1988, 1990-1991 Box 15
Subseries DescriptionThe fifth subseries, 2e: NAVAL ACADEMY SUMMER PROGRAM CONDUCT LOGS, consists of logbooks documenting incidents of misconduct by fourth-classmen, or plebes, during the Naval Academy Summer Program, otherwise referred to as Plebe Summer. Each entry contains the plebe's name, grade, company and alpha number, the offense's delinquency code and level number, date, title, and file number; the punishment awarded, and initials of recording official. Some logbooks contain the name of the originator.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Subseries 2f: 14TH COMPANY CONDUCT LOG, 1974-1991 Box 15
Subseries DescriptionThe sixth subseries, 2f: 14th COMPANY CONDUCT LOG consists of one logbook documenting misconduct by midshipmen of the 14th Company. Each entry contains the midshipman's name, class year, company, and M.O. number, the date, delinquency code, and description of the offense committed, the originator name, and the punishment assigned.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Series 3: DELINQUENCY LOGS, 1929-1931 Box 16
Series DescriptionThe third series DELINQUENCY LOGS consists of two logbooks documenting instances of misconduct, and other minor infractions committed by midshipmen, as reported by other midshipmen, the midshipman officer of the watch, naval officers, and Academy faculty and staff. Each entry contains the hour the offense took place, the number, class, and name of the offender, a description of the report, the name of the individual making the report, and the name of the individual logging the report.
Series ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Series 4: CONDUCT RECORD NOTICES AND ORDERS, 1929-1961 Box 16
Series DescriptionThe fourth series CONDUCT RECORD NOTICES AND ORDERS consists of one logbook containing orders, memoranda, notices, letters, and example forms from the Superintendent and the Commandant of Midshipmen. The files generally relate to conduct and aptitude marks and grades, the preparation and submission of aptitude and conduct reports, conduct during summer training and cruises, and various other policies and regulations.
Series ArrangementThe series comprises a single volume.
Subseries 5a: CORRESPONDENCE, MEMORANDA, INSTRUCTIONS AND REPORTS, 1968-1969, 1977, 1982, 1986-1990, 1993-1997, 2000-2011 Boxes 16A-17
Subseries DescriptionThe first subseries, 5a: CORRESPONDENCE, MEMORANDA, INSTRUCTIONS AND REPORTS consist of various formal records routed through the Commandant of Midshipmen's Office relating to aspects of the Naval Academy Honor System. The records relate to disenrollment, the honor probation program, fulfillment of military service obligations, Academy curriculum and admission policies, and honor education programs; revisions to the honor concept proposed and voted on by midshipmen, along with Board of Visitors recommendations for honor concept revisions; findings and minutes of honor concept study and review groups, formal honor review committees for the Board of Visitors and the Secretary of the Navy, and informal review boards; the establishment of formal honor staff and midshipman positions; the legal status of, and counseling and separation of midshipmen; the perception of the honor system by various groups; the honor systems of the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), and other Service Academies; and various honor offenses including theft, fraud, lying, plagiarism, and other forms of cheating. Also included are print outs of email correspondence between the Brigade Honor Staff regarding the honor concept during the 2008-2009 academic year, and copies of Brigade Honor Staff reference material including investigation manuals, and honor guides for unit commanders and honor advisers.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Correspondence, Memoranda, Instructions, Reports - Development of the Honor System, 1993
Includes various letters from faculty, staff, military personnel, and other private citizens concerning the honor system. Also included is the December, 1993 Report of the Honor Review Committee to the Secretary of the Navy On Honor at the United States N
Subseries 5b: HONOR CASES STATISTICS, 1983-1999, 2009 Box 17
Subseries DescriptionThe second subseries, 5b: HONOR CASES STATISTICS consists of two folders containing various statistics of reported honor violation cases. The statistics are broken down by academic year, cases reported, cases found in violation, cases resulting in separation and resignations, and cases wherein the accused are retained. Other statistics report the number of lying, cheating, and stealing cases; the cumulative and semester quality point averages of accused midshipmen; honor cases are further categorized by race and gender. Also included are the results of surveys analyzing the honor concept broken down by specific demographics.
Subseries ArrangementArranged chronologically.
Series 6: RECORDS RELATING TO THE 1992 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CHEATING SCANDAL, 1992-1994 Boxes 17-18
Series DescriptionThe sixth series RECORDS RELATING TO THE 1992 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CHEATING SCANDAL, consists of correspondence, notices, and memoranda issued by the Commandant of Midshipmen, Superintendent, and the Secretary of the Navy; Midshipman Honor Board proceedings, interview transcripts and findings; Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) investigation interview transcripts, documents, and reports; Navy Inspector General (NIG) investigation records and reports; and notices, orders and memoranda promulgated by the Commandant and Superintendent to implicated midshipmen. Also included are letters addressed to the Commandant and Superintendent written by congressional and other sponsors, friends, and family members in-support of implicated midshipmen; letters from concerned private citizens regarding the Naval Academy honor concept and system; and a collection of newspaper clippings and web article print-outs concerning the scandal and investigation.
Chronology of the 1992 EE-311 Examination Cheating Scandal
In December 1992, a copy of the Electrical Engineering 311 final examination was available in Bancroft Hall. During the preceding years authorized study material (closely resembling actual examination questions) had been provided by faculty to students. This resulted in an assumption by midshipmen that from time-to-time excellent "gouge" (answers, or method of accomplishment) was authorized and available before important tests. Following the administration of the EE-311 final exam to second-class midshipmen on December 14, 1992, several midshipmen reported to their professors that the exam may have been compromised. The Superintendent directed the Commandant to conduct a preliminary investigation which ended inconclusively. Upon the admission of one midshipman that an actual copy of the exam was available the night prior to the test, the Superintendent directed the NCIS to open a criminal investigation. In February, 1993, the NCIS investigation concluded that as many as 34 midshipmen were potentially involved in the exam compromise and subsequent cheating. Of the 34, 28 midshipmen were charged with honor violations, and 24 were submitted to Brigade Honor Boards. Eleven were found in violation and forwarded to the Commandant, 7 cases were forwarded to the Superintendent, and 6 were recommended to the Secretary of the Navy for dismissal.
In May, 1994 more information was received by the outgoing Honor Chair implicating more midshipmen. At this time, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) directed the Navy Inspector General (NIG) to conduct an investigation. In mid-January, 1994 the NIG reported that as many as 134 midshipmen might be involved in the E-311 examination compromise. Due to the number of cases to be investigated and adjudicated, the CNO and Superintendent established a flag officer review panel, referred to as the "Edney Panel" to conduct a preliminary review of each case, and a special Honor Review Board, referred to as the "Allen Board," was established to hear each case. The Edney Panel reviewed 134 cases, ultimately sending 20 to the Commandant for sanction short of separation, sending 110 to the Allen Board for hearings, referring one case for UCMJ procedures, and exonerating three midshipmen. The Commandant sanctioned and assigned remediation for 17 midshipmen, and referred 2 who professed innocence to the Allen Board. The Allen Board exonerated 35 midshipmen (including the 2 referred by the Commandant), referred 42 to the Superintendent for sanction and remediation, and referred 29 to the Secretary of the Navy with a recommendation of separation. The Secretary of the Navy and CNO returned 5 to the Superintendent for sanction and remediation and separated 24 midshipmen.
As a result of the compromise, the Naval Academy conducted a thorough review of the honor concept, resulting in a new honor concept instruction promulgated in March, 1994. Additionally, a new billet was established, the Character Development Officer.
Series ArrangementArranged by document type.