"The Silence"

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bbqbaconburger

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I have recently stumbled upon a bit of West Point history and wondered if anyone knew any more details on the matter. Apparently, before the year 1973, a cadet caught breaking the honor code ("A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do") would be ostracised by all other cadets. The cadet would room alone, eat alone, and all other cadets would ignore the cadet. I understand that it was an unofficial policy (the cadets did it of their own accord). This was known as "The Silence".

Is this still practiced in any way today? Is there anything similar in its place? Any other comments or interesting tidbits?
 
bbqbaconburger said:
I have recently stumbled upon a bit of West Point history and wondered if anyone knew any more details on the matter. Apparently, before the year 1973, a cadet caught breaking the honor code ("A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do") would be ostracised by all other cadets. The cadet would room alone, eat alone, and all other cadets would ignore the cadet. I understand that it was an unofficial policy (the cadets did it of their own accord). This was known as "The Silence".

Is this still practiced in any way today? Is there anything similar in its place? Any other comments or interesting tidbits?
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No, it has not been done in many decades and there is nothing like it today. Even when it was done, it was very rare and done in response to the failure of the academy to expel a cadet found in violation of the honor code.

In a more embarrassing part of West Point history, a form of silencing was also used to intimidate black cadets, beginning in the 1870's and ending around the 1930's.
 
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