What West Point says about why the rugby team was temporarily disbanded

Here, in its entirety, is the statement
sent to me this morning.

The following captures the actions
taken by United States Military Academy (USMA) Leadership from point of
notification of a derogatory email chain generated on the Men's Cadet Rugby
Team through the adjudication of punishment under the Cadet Disciplinary Code:

In April 2013, United States Military
Academy (USMA) Leadership was made aware of an inappropriate email chain
internally circulated within the Cadet Rugby Team. USMA Leadership immediately
appointed an Investigating Officer (IO) with orders to investigate pursuant to
Army Regulation 15-6 an email chain, the culture of the Men's Cadet Rugby Team,
any actions or behaviors that would suggest a hostile team environment or
culture of disrespect towards women, or any other potentially inappropriate
conduct/culture.

The IO completed the investigation in
May 2013. Cadets on the team were found to have violated the Cadet Disciplinary
Code for Unsatisfactory Behavior, Error in Judgment, Failure to Perform a Duty,
and a violation of the General Article for actions which tend to reflect
discredit on the Corps of Cadets and the United States Army. Maximum allowable
punishment under the Cadet Disciplinary Code was administered. Further actions
taken included temporary disbandment of the Men's Cadet Rugby Team. The
investigation did not find any evidence of sexual assault and there was no
evidence or indication of inappropriate pictures of female cadets. All Cadets
were required to complete an intense respect rehabilitation program, involving
self-assessments, reflective journals, and role-model interviews, supervised by
a mentor. Having completed the prescribed punishment Class of 2013, Cadets
graduated.

An extensive legal review was
conducted and found no legal objection to the investigation. The intent of this
program was not only to punish the offenders, but to address the cultural
issues with their actions and the incompatibility of these actions to the Army
Values. 

I called Lt. Webster Wright, the
chief spokesman for West Point, with some follow-up questions. He said that the
brunt of punishment landed on the 14 members of the team who were about to
graduate. They all graduated and are now commissioned officers of the U.S.
Army. I asked why their commissionings weren't delayed by three months, which
has been done in the past, and he said that was considered but rejected. This
makes me wonder if the message sent was "boys will be boys," rather than, "We
turn boys into men, and insist that they be gentlemen."

The disbandment of the team is
of uncertain duration. The investigation into "the atmosphere of the team"
continues, and it is possible that the team won't be allowed to play next
season, Lt. Col. Wright said: "We'll have to see how they do in the remedial
training,"

I also hear through the
grapevine that West Point received a query about this situation from the White
House on Friday, and responded yesterday (Tuesday) morning.