What West Point says about why the rugby team was temporarily disbanded

Here, in its entirety, is the statement sent to me this morning.

The following captures the actions taken by United States Military Academy (USMA) Leadership from point of notification of a derogatory email chain generated on the Men’s Cadet Rugby Team through the adjudication of punishment under the Cadet Disciplinary Code:

In April 2013, United States Military Academy (USMA) Leadership was made aware of an inappropriate email chain internally circulated within the Cadet Rugby Team. USMA Leadership immediately appointed an Investigating Officer (IO) with orders to investigate pursuant to Army Regulation 15-6 an email chain, the culture of the Men’s Cadet Rugby Team, any actions or behaviors that would suggest a hostile team environment or culture of disrespect towards women, or any other potentially inappropriate conduct/culture.

The IO completed the investigation in May 2013. Cadets on the team were found to have violated the Cadet Disciplinary Code for Unsatisfactory Behavior, Error in Judgment, Failure to Perform a Duty, and a violation of the General Article for actions which tend to reflect discredit on the Corps of Cadets and the United States Army. Maximum allowable punishment under the Cadet Disciplinary Code was administered. Further actions taken included temporary disbandment of the Men’s Cadet Rugby Team. The investigation did not find any evidence of sexual assault and there was no evidence or indication of inappropriate pictures of female cadets. All Cadets were required to complete an intense respect rehabilitation program, involving self-assessments, reflective journals, and role-model interviews, supervised by a mentor. Having completed the prescribed punishment Class of 2013, Cadets graduated.

An extensive legal review was conducted and found no legal objection to the investigation. The intent of this program was not only to punish the offenders, but to address the cultural issues with their actions and the incompatibility of these actions to the Army Values. 

I called Lt. Webster Wright, the chief spokesman for West Point, with some follow-up questions. He said that the brunt of punishment landed on the 14 members of the team who were about to graduate. They all graduated and are now commissioned officers of the U.S. Army. I asked why their commissionings weren’t delayed by three months, which has been done in the past, and he said that was considered but rejected. This makes me wonder if the message sent was "boys will be boys," rather than, "We turn boys into men, and insist that they be gentlemen."

The disbandment of the team is of uncertain duration. The investigation into "the atmosphere of the team" continues, and it is possible that the team won’t be allowed to play next season, Lt. Col. Wright said: "We’ll have to see how they do in the remedial training,"

I also hear through the grapevine that West Point received a query about this situation from the White House on Friday, and responded yesterday (Tuesday) morning.