Honor Board

From USAFA Folklore

An Honor Board is a board consisting of cadets including several wing, group, or squadron level Honor representatives, and a sampling of cadets at large in the same class or senior to the accused (like a jury by one's peers). The Board is convened after an Honor Clarification has determined that sufficient evidence exists to investigate a particular cadet's alleged violation of the Honor Code. The Board is run like a trial, evidence and testimony are presented, and the Board votes on whether to find the accused (known as the respondent) in violation of the Honor Code. If found in violation, the Board will also recommend a sanction. Traditionally, the presumptive sanction has been disenrollment, however, in recent years, third and fourth class cadets are often placed on honor probation in an attempt to rehabilitate them.

The proceedings and outcome of the Board are confidential, as is the count of the official vote. In all cases, the cadet is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If a cadet is found not in violation, he is free to go without any blemishes on his record.

An Honor Board is an extraordinarily stressful experience for the respondent, and a very serious one for the members of the Board.