Update on 2018 USNA Midshipman Drug Case

I think there is another set of victims, those who were so close but lost a spot to these mids
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When something happens to a current mid (he/she quits or gets into trouble), there is always the temptation to suggest that some unknown person who was not admitted would have done better. We don't know that. Could be but could also be that the person not admitted would actually have done worse. To suggest that those not admitted are somehow "better" than those admitted who don't cut it really isn't fair.

I pray that these kids can get the help they need to beat their drug problems.
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Often, those involved in selling/distributing drugs are not actually drug users. They run drugs as a business, but don't partake of the merchandise. Thus, their "problem" may not be one of drug use but rather a desire to make quick and easy money. They're just criminals, like bank robbers, but use illegal drugs as their vehicle to get rich quick. We don't know the facts in this case but should not automatically assume the sellers/distributors have issues with drug addiction.
 
Capt MJ said:
Throw in the probably required six-figure payback if they are 2/c or above at separation ... if they took the 5-figure USAA or NFCU career starter loan if 2/c or senior, and the interest rate in that jumps to the default rate after they are no longer mids in good standing...

I do have feelings of compassion for the families of all who are suffering consequences. This is not how you want to see your son/daughter’s name in Google searches.

For the one possibly going to a general court-martial, that could mean incarceration if found guilty. Ugh. Dreams shattered into a million bits.
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Curious: are parents obligated in this financial pay back, or is it the mids responsibility only? Maybe I already signed something in he gazillions of pieces of paper that I’ve been through. Also wonder if this is debt that can be discharged through bankruptcy [emoji848]
 
usna1985 said:
When something happens to a current mid (he/she quits or gets into trouble), there is always the temptation to suggest that some unknown person who was not admitted would have done better. We don't know that...
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I was going to post that very thing, just now.
It is a common misnomer that if a Midshipman quits or otherwise gets separated, that they "took away" that spot from another deserving soul (and wouldn't it have been better if that other guy/gal got in, instead?).
The truth is that the MIDN in question had an Offer of Appointment extended to them. It was theirs to do with as they pleased.
They could have turned it down. In that case, the "other deserving soul" would not have slid into that "open spot".
The "spot" wasn't "open" to begin with. The "spot" was reserved for that particular MIDN.

There is a wait list, that much is true. From what I have read, there is no automatic "bump the next one up on the list" thing that happens (even if someone rejects their offer of appointment before I-Day) however.

It is entirely up to the Admissions Board as to how they fill out the class. Part of that is extending enough Offers of Appointment to offset the ones that are turned down. Once the class arrives and is appointed on I-Day, that's the class that Admissions wants. That's the class that Admissions has determined to be the right mix to "make it through" USNA and add the right mix to the officer pool, four years from now.

There are a LOT of others who may very well be "deserving", but they weren't chosen.
It's awful if you're one of them, but c'est la vie.
 
justdoit19 said:
Curious: are parents obligated in this financial pay back, or is it the mids responsibility only? Maybe I already signed something in he gazillions of pieces of paper that I’ve been through. Also wonder if this is debt that can be discharged through bankruptcy [emoji848]
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Does not impact the parents, the debt goes to the former Mid. From my understanding this debt can not be discharged through bankruptcy.
 
Also, I suspect this is treated like other federally-funded student loans. Failure to timely repay can lead to repercussions, such as inability to get a security clearance and even worse, not being able to work with a company that deals with the federal government. Companies that do business with the federal government must provide assurances that all of their employees are eligible to do so (are not excluded or debarred). There are all sorts of reasons that you may be excluded (failure to pay child support, certain criminal convictions, etc.), but one of those is defaulting on federally-guaranteed student loans. This may not seem like a big deal, but most large companies deal with the federal government in some way (for example, provides goods or services) and this means they won't hire you, thus limiting your employment options.

I do believe that if you are separated from a SA for certain reasons (academic, not passing CFA), you do have the options of enlisting or getting your commission on your own through another source (i.e., OCS) and paying back your 5 years instead of repaying the amount as a loan. But I confess I don't know the details and I would imagine that these options don't apply to criminal convictions or separation for conduct issues.
 
Articulate in his writing. No doubt smart, as a prior enlisted nuke. They cherry-pick the nuke enlistees. So much potential invested in a wrong path.

At certain adjudications I conducted as a BattO for too-cool-for-school mids, I’d send over to Admissions and get a copy of their personal statement. Those are reliably full of sentiments similar to the above. I would have the mid read it aloud, usually portions I highlighted, and ask him/her who they truly were, and who they wanted to be, how the behavior that brought them in front of me that day squared with what they had written in their application. Their reactions told me a lot about their character, and how I would treat their case.
Something tells me I would have gotten the slick response or the “You-can’t-hurt-me” body language from zw.
 
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Court martial scheduled for March in Naval Academy drug case

The midshipman charged with dealing drugs at the Naval Academy will face a court martial beginning with arraignment next week.

Midshipman second class Zachary Williams, who is on a leave of absence, will enter a plea Monday, the first step in the general court martial he faces for using, possessing and distributing drugs.

The academy earlier this year recommended charges against Williams spanning locales and drug varieties. He faces more than a dozen drug-related counts stemming from use, possession and distribution of cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine and mushrooms at the Naval Academy; in Dover, Delaware; and in New York City.
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"He faces dismissal from the academy and more than 130 years in military prison."

Ouch.
 
United States Disciplinary Barracks, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, is my bet.
 
@MidCakePa. Also curious to hear, from USNA grads or current mids: How is something like this addressed in the Brigade? Does the Supe/Dant make a big deal about it, as a warning to others? Do they try to move on with minimum acknowledgment? Is it discussed much within companies?[/QUOTE]

I understand that this is Not something Academy wants the MIDNs to discuss openly to prevent speculations and theory that can be distracting and embarrassing by actions caused by few bad men. Last Spring MIDNs were told not to discuss the incident in public. I think the verdict sends a powerful message to all serving. It appears the Academy wants to move on and focus on their mission.
 
I'll bet this kid gets 2-5 years and a Big Chicken Dinner.
 
The Superintendent has to be VERY careful on how he addresses this with the brigade while legal proceedings are ongoing (until the verdict is issued by the court martial). The convening authority (Superintendent in this case) or those senior to the convening authority in the chain of command are not allowed to unlawfully influence a court martial by judgement or punishment. Back in 2007 (I think it was 2007), Vice Admiral Rempt was rebuked by the military judge in the Lamar Owens case for sending out a Naval Academy wide email addressing the issue, but which insinuated Owens guilt.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the issue was addressed in some capacity, but much of it probably won’t due to concerns of unlawful command influence.
 
CrewDad said:
@MidCakePa. Also curious to hear, from USNA grads or current mids: How is something like this addressed in the Brigade? Does the Supe/Dant make a big deal about it, as a warning to others? Do they try to move on with minimum acknowledgment? Is it discussed much within companies?
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[/QUOTE]

I graduated in May, so I'm not privy to anything that's been told to the Brigade this semester, but last semester the Supe and the Dant made very few comments about the whole affair other than acknowledging that some had made poor decisions and would face the consequences of those decisions.

Between mids? It was discussed a lot, and there were many rumors, especially about how NCIS made their arrests. I think most of the involved were in 5th Battalion and in younger classes that mine, so I didn't really hear anything substantial.
 
Wow. Very tragic. Shared with my Plebe and he is floored.
 
With all due respect, it’s not “ tragic.” It is unfortunate that this individual decided to commit the crimes of which he was convicted. However, he did it and the punishment seems appropriate.

I suppose it’s sad for his family and friends but I hope the result is viewed favorably by mids. The military does not tolerate drug use/sales. Period.
 
Heartbreaking.

I never would have thought drugs were at the naval academy. Maybe I’m naive.

13 months seems too light.
 
Every year there are a few Mids who pop positive on a drug test. Drug dealing Mids... that is another story. Every few years there is some scandal of A Mid or two being involved in some type of scandal involving drugs. They are young and intelligent. They don’t think they will get caught. Money, the rush, or whatever reason... they do it. Just glad they are getting caught before they hit the fleet.
 
A1Janitor said:
I never would have thought drugs were at the naval academy. Maybe I’m naive.
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Not just drugs, but there have been Mids convicted of murder, rape, child-sex crimes, burglary, auto theft, and even smuggling 150 lbs of marijuana across the Tijuana border.

Drugs are not unique to USNA. Every military academy has had a drug scandal. West Point had an oxycodone/cocaine bust last year, Air Force had a well-publicized K2/spice issue a few years ago, and even Coast Guard (a military branch with a mission of keeping drugs OUT of the country) had a cadet accused of sniffing cocaine inside Leamy Hall.
 
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