Plebe Honor Board

USMMA as well as the other Service Academies have Honor Boards in place. The honor board is composed of midshipmen and is tasked with review of alleged honor code violations and submitting recommendations to the Superintendent as to their findings regarding the same. Basically they (the Honor Board) are the body that provides the Judges, Juries and the Advocates who investigate charges and present their findings or advise those accused of honor code violations in preparing their explanations/defenses.

At least that's the way it was "back in the day", while I'm sure some of the specifics have changed/evolved and the terminology may have been amended I'd be very surprised if the general explanation/context I just described have been materially altered.

As far as what the Honor Code is and it's role/intent in the development of a midshipman while at the USMMA, this is what the current version of the Catalog says on page 31:

"The Honor Code

The Honor Code at the Academy belongs to the regiment. It is designed to benefit all midshipmen by creating an atmosphere which improves the quality of life and the educational experience at the Academy.

The Honor Code is so simple that it is contained in one sentence: “A Midshipman will not lie, cheat or steal.” This statement must be completely accepted and supported by every member of the regiment.

All midshipmen quickly learn that the honor code is designed to protect them in their daily living, to give greater value to their academic degrees, and to instill in them the principles of honesty and integrity which are so essential to a full and rewarding life."
 
Thanks Jasperdog! So if our P/C says he was "elected as a plebe honor board rep" that's a good thing?
 
are you sure your child did not say "Plebe Rep" i know last year there was no "plebe honor board rep".

With the way the honor board system works it does not make sense to have a "plebe honor board rep".

A "PLEBE REP" is a plebe who is the leads the plebe class in recoginition steps. there are usually three per company. i would not say it is a perfect thing often the head plebe rep is not very well liked among his or her class mates. It is a very time consuming job.
 
I think you are correct Toddman, he said plebe rep. I'm sure he will deal with the situation.

Thanks for the info, it's all still rather confusing. It's just nice to find out what the devil they are talking about in those short little bursts of conversation we have.
 
Now there is a thing called "honor plebe." That is a plebe from each company whom the DI's feel performed above and beyond during Indoc. Maybe that's what he got :)
 
why would they perform above and beyond when they are constantly told to not be noticed - not be first and not be last - so they can sorta stay out of additional trouble.
 
why would they perform above and beyond when they are constantly told to not be noticed - not be first and not be last - so they can sorta stay out of additional trouble.

Because some people don't get that memo :biggrin:

I'm an advocate for being "below the radar." All the honor plebe gets you is nominated for more "stuff" to load your already busy day down with and in reality nobody after about six months later remembers who the honor plebe was. I couldn't tell you who the heck were the honor plebes from my class and it sure didn't help them get a better job after graduation.

It's a nice honor for those who wanted to/did "shine" during Indoc, but it's not really going to get you anything special.
 
It's a nice honor for those who wanted to/did "shine" during Indoc, but it's not really going to get you anything special.

oh, au contraire. you get a nice shiny ribbon and a cookout. :biggrin: sure wasnt me though:wink:
 
oh, au contraire. you get a nice shiny ribbon and a cookout. :biggrin: sure wasnt me though:wink:

A ribbon that people quickly realize just means one more thing to have lined up properly and in good order on the uniform. Less is more when it comes to a uniform :) :smile:
 
A ribbon that people quickly realize just means one more thing to have lined up properly and in good order on the uniform. Less is more when it comes to a uniform :) :smile:

youre not gonna get any argument from me. mine live in my desk drawer :wink:
 
A ribbon that people quickly realize just means one more thing to have lined up properly and in good order on the uniform. Less is more when it comes to a uniform :) :smile:

That sounds SO like something our DD would say! She was only too happy to be blissfully average through Indoc! And only puts those ribbons on her uniform because she has to.:shake:
 
A ribbon that people quickly realize just means one more thing to have lined up properly and in good order on the uniform. Less is more when it comes to a uniform :) :smile:

Such a KP thing/philosophy that last year when the new liberty policy was put into place and part of it was designed to encourage academic excellence, that in order to qualify for the extra liberty that goes with earning a Gold or Silver Star for Academics - the policy stipulates you have to wear the star on your uniform.

Funny when you consider that in the majority of cases the only uniform insignia that most USMMA Midshipmen earn that means something and is the result of real effort for an extended period is in fact a Gold or Silver Star and most other uniform Ribbons are far less meaningful....

However, even in their (Academic Star) case - many of the midshipmen who've earned them don't wear them all the time.
 
"n the majority of cases the only uniform insignia that most USMMA Midshipmen earn that means something and is the result of real effort for an extended period is in fact a Gold or Silver Star and most other uniform Ribbons are far less meaningful...."
Hear, hear!!

"However, even in their (Academic Star) case - many of the midshipmen who've earned them don't wear them all the time."

This is one of the things I find most frustrating about the "Kings Point culture". (The only time my DS will wear his is when his grandmother is going to see him.) I bet the football players and wrestlers, etc. don't feel any hesitation about their achievements being recognized.
 
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