Corps "Hazing" Incident in Federal Court

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franknd

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Happened at Va Tech but conceivably applicable at any SMC. Seems to me that the Commonwealth's Attorney's analysis was spot-on and where the school administration ought to have ended up also. Maybe at worst an admonishment, but I'm having a real problem understanding a suspension.

Also curious how this came to the attention of school/Commonwealth Attorney authorities. Did one of the cadets make a complaint outside the COC??

BTW, this used to be routine -- and also not compulsory, as I declined when Sgt Airborne offered a hundred years ago -- at completion of Airborne School, although I don't know if it still is.

www.whsv.com

New lawsuit filed against Virginia Tech over hazing

Another former cadet has filed a lawsuit against Virginia Tech over being suspended in connection with a blood-pinning ceremony.
www.whsv.com www.whsv.com
 
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I suppose you haven't noticed how hard the military comes down on people for this very same thing ignoring the due process issues this merited far more than an admonishing. I can't judge whether rights were violated or not.
 
kinnem said:
I suppose you haven't noticed how hard the military comes down on people for this very same thing ignoring the due process issues this merited far more than an admonishing. I can't judge whether rights were violated or not.
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I'm sure you are right since I left active duty 30 years ago. I was not aware that voluntary "blood wings" were no more. That said, I find the Commonwealth Attorney's evaluation comprehensive and correct.
 
The other thing is that if this incident is far outside current military mores, then it seems to me that someone(s) up the chain in the Commandant's office should have answered for this also.
 
A thorough read of the WHSV indicates multiple students complained or at least raised concerns, both prior to and after the event. Bloodpinning has a sensational name that likely led to an over-reaction from the university itself, which the Corps of Cadets is subject to and not allowed to act independently. I am personally much more concerned, from a military perspective, that the questionable activities - apparently so clearly and carefully planned out - were omitted when seeking approval from the chain of command. The claim that this was unintentional directly contradicts the level of forethought and thoroughness demonstrated. Should the cadets get kicked out of VT? If they violated VT's hazing policy - whether it's a reasonable policy or not - then I suppose that's up to VT. Should they lose their commission? I suppose the army (or applicable branches) will decide if they are willing to overlook some 22 year old supposed future leaders who would go through such significant effort to circumvent chain of command in order to conduct activities several subordinates raised objections to.
 
Decades ago..."blood wings" were common at Ft. Benning when the Blackhats gave you your airborne wings. If I remember correctly, some time ago, a black hat "blood winged" a new airborne soldier, hitting the wings hard and driving the pins into the soldiers' collar bone. That resulted in a severe bone infection, trooper almost died, etc.

After all the legal dust settled, they were declared illegal.

I don't know if they're still done "privately." Silly custom if you ask me.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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