Officers Overseeing Nuclear Arms Accused of Cheating on Tests

[Albany Rifles]

Gunny. Exactly.

You violated your oath assholes. The fuck out of my officer corps.

[S2]

Sad to say I likely witnessed cheating on our Nuclear Surety Cert Tests at III Corps Arty H.Q. In the room in which I and a couple other lieutenants from around the various brigades were taking the test was also a S-3 (Operations) O-4 from 3-18FA. I know the officer because he took special delight, seemingly, in tormenting my room-mate who was his Ammo platoon leader. His S-3 Ops NCO (E-7 SFC) was also seated beside him although not taking the exam. Why this was permitted I do not understand and his NCO's presence effectively sealed my lips, suggesting all was not as it appeared.

It's not as though nobody was aware that an S-3 NCO was in the room with his operations officer, right? Lights were on. Sign-In log. Secure room. So I shut my mouth...but there they were, talking quietly to one another throughout the test.

While it'd be death for me to fail I didn't have much of a career investment at that point nor would I deserve my ambitions. Failure would indicate I wasn't equal to the demands.

A career major in an S-3 capacity for a nuc-capable 155mm SP battalion. Devastating.

January 1981 and the Army, not the air force.

For what it's worth but I suspect more pervasive and enduring than implied by this story.

[Gun Grape]

I worked in the Nuc field from 1982-1991. From Battery assembly tech for both 155 and 8in projectiles all the way to NucOrd Platoon. Where we were the trainers/evaluators for various special ordinance users at Pac and Lant. Never did I see any cheating take place during any evaluation.

S-2 touches on something that was sort of glossed over

Lights were on. Sign-In log. Secure room.

Who allowed these officers to bring texting devices (Smartphones) into a secure location? Have the policies for what you are allowed to have on your body when having classified material present changed in the last 10 years? We are not talking about Bn daily intel briefs here. This is TTPs for ICBM launch. WTF?

Back in the day, we didn't even allow note taking material inside the room (pens, paper)

[Albany Rifles]

While my experience was different as an ADM security platoon leader I had to take many of the same exams.

Maybe because it was VII Corps in 1981-1982 we took it more seriously.

I don't know.

I am as the Army got out of the nuke business

That said these clowns need to go....and some colonels and generals as well. This widespread it's a command climate issue.

[Minskaya]

Hagel rings nuclear officers in bunkers
Sunday February 2, 2014

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has made the rare gesture of phoning Air Force nuclear officers in their underground launch bunkers to update them on efforts to correct problems in their service. Hagel placed the calls from aboard the military command aircraft that carried him home on Saturday from an international security conference in Germany. The Pentagon chief spoke to six Minuteman 3 missile launch control officers at centres operated by the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. Malmstrom is the focus of a widening investigation into alleged cheating by launch officers on proficiency tests. About half of the entire cadre of missile launch officers at Malmstrom have been removed from duty because of the accusations, and the probe is continuing.

The scandal has created great strain on the remaining launch officers, forcing them to do more 24-hour shifts in the launch centres than normal. A defence official who briefed reporters on Hagel's phone calls said the six officers to whom he spoke were generally positive in their outlook but also cited strains and stresses. The official was not authorised to discuss the private conversations by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Hagel told the officers about a meeting he conducted on Wednesday at the Pentagon with top Air Force and Navy officials to discuss problems within the Air Force nuclear missile force.

In addition to the alleged cheating, there also is a drug investigation involving a smaller number of launch officers, as well as troubling trends in other misbehaviour and lapses. Hagel also thanked the officers for taking on the extra shifts required while more than 90 of their colleagues are suspended in the cheating probe. He expressed confidence in their ability to execute the mission, the defence official said.

Source

[Doktor]

The Pentagon chief spoke to...

This is a bit relaxing. At least someone answered the calls.

How many times he rang to reach them is another question.

[JAD_333]

90 officers relieved. That lends credence to the story that cheating was practically a culture among launch officers. What of the people who were responsible for administering the tests? Seems to me this wouldn't have happened if the tests were administered properly. It almost as if some in charge 'wanted' the officers to cheat. Like Grape says, taking a cell phone into an exam room was unheard of in his day. Honor used to be all that was necessary to govern officers' behavior. When honor is lost, much more will be lost in due time.

[Minskaya]

What of the people who were responsible for administering the tests? Seems to me this wouldn't have happened if the tests were administered properly. It almost as if some in charge 'wanted' the officers to cheat.

On the face of it, it seems that somewhere along the line a "nod and a wink' culture developed in this field.

I have a friend who is an officer in the Illinois Air National Guard. His son is a reactor specialist on a nuclear sub. I'm told they are tested often and dare not fail an exam. Another nuclear-high-stress situation.

[DonBelt]

While my experience was different as an ADM security platoon leader I had to take many of the same exams.

Maybe because it was VII Corps in 1981-1982 we took it more seriously.

I don't know.

I am as the Army got out of the nuke business

That said these clowns need to go....and some colonels and generals as well. This widespread it's a command climate issue.

We also have a climate in the general population of winking at cheating on tests, lying on applications, plagiarism, exaggerating on insurance reports, cheating on taxes, etc, etc, from the top right to the bottom strata of society. You can't pull a clean cup of water from a dirty pond. We have to expect better from our fellow citizens, our kids and our politicians or we won't be finding the caliber of people we need for these types of responsibilities. Maybe we can import them?

[tbm3fan]

90 officers relieved. That lends credence to the story that cheating was practically a culture among launch officers. What of the people who were responsible for administering the tests? Seems to me this wouldn't have happened if the tests were administered properly. It almost as if some in charge 'wanted' the officers to cheat. Like Grape says, taking a cell phone into an exam room was unheard of in his day. Honor used to be all that was necessary to govern officers' behavior. When honor is lost, much more will be lost in due time.

So we have this along with Minot and the Taiwanese goof that Gates had to deal with. He wanted to make sure that the heads of those in command rolled and not just mid-level officers and NCO's. The Air Force didn't so he dismissed Secretary Wynne and General Moseley. Sounds like the lesson didn't sink in yet.

Gates also muses about the high level of discipline and accountability in LeMay's SAC.

[Albany Rifles]

Don,

There is some truth in your words.

However, as an officer, it is drilled into you from the very start as a cadet/midshipman/candidate that you are held to a higher standard.

Lying, cheating, stealing, prevarication is not to be tolerated.

I am not so stupid as to believe it does not happen. I do insist the punishment be severe.

For there is no greater crime in America than an officer who has betrayed his trust in my book.

[Doktor]

Don,

There is some truth in your words.

However, as an officer, it is drilled into you from the very start as a cadet/midshipman/candidate that you are held to a higher standard.

Lying, cheating, stealing, prevarication is not to be tolerated.

I am not so stupid as to believe it does not happen. I do insist the punishment be severe.

For there is no greater crime in America than an officer who has betrayed his trust in my book.

Commander in Chief included?

[Albany Rifles]

Commander in Chief included?

Commander-in-Chief is a politician...totally different animal.

[astralis]

geezus, now it's the squids' turn.

Navy probing alleged cheating on nuke reactor work - The Washington Post

[Doktor]

Commander-in-Chief is a politician...totally different animal.

Dang, sounded like a plan to get rid of them. Everywhere.