All Right Inspection

From USAFA Folklore

Since 1955, an officer or cadet in a leadership position could conduct an All Right Inspection. The All Right Inspection was normally unannounced, and was conducted by going around to all cadet rooms, usually in conjunction with the Taps bedcheck. At each room, the inspector would ask if the cadets in the room were "all right." The definition of whether the room was "all right" has varied over the Academy's history. In the early years, "all right" inspections generally dealt with missing items or property and the "all right" challenge insured that individual cadets had no knowledge of the missing item. At some point, "all right" was expanded to include whether cadets had any prohibited items, such as alcohol, drugs or firearms, in their room. From (when? at earliest 1962?) until mandatory chapel was eliminated in 1973, the CQ would also make All Right Inspections for chapel attendance.

The All Right Inspection has often been criticized by cadets as a prime example of using the Honor Code to enforce regulations. If a cadet had contraband in his room, and answered truthfully, he faced disciplinary action. If he lied, he faced an honor violation. Cadets thus often tried to find ways around the All Right Inspection. For instance, by hanging beer out the window, cadets could technically respond that they were "all right," as there were no prohibited items in the room, and would not be lying. The All Right Inspection has been replaced by the MWH inspection.