A female cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point is in a tough situation after reportedly being raped during her time as an enlisted soldier. This horrible event has made it difficult for her to pass a crucial physical test needed to graduate with her class. Instead of making an exception or delaying her graduation, West Point might send her back to the military as an enlisted soldier.
The cadet’s attorney, R. Davis Younts, penned a letter to West Point on May 21, just days before graduation. He appealed the “Academic Review Board’s recommendation to disenroll” his client and return her to enlisted duty because she couldn’t pass the Indoor Obstacle Course Test (IOCT). Younts explained that his client, referred to as “Cadet Doe,” wishes to remain anonymous and has been deeply affected by the assault.
According to Younts, the rape happened “during remedial physical training in a basement gym,” leaving her with a lasting psychological link between gym settings and the trauma. The IOCT, which heavily tests upper-body strength, has become a significant hurdle for her due to this association. Despite her efforts and progress, she struggles to pass.
Younts argues that sending the cadet back to enlisted service would overlook her achievements and potentially expose her to environments that could trigger her trauma. He highlighted the cadet’s diagnosis of a high-grade cervical lesion from HPV contracted during the assault. Despite medical and psychological challenges, Cadet Doe has worked hard to maintain her performance in all areas.
Cadet Doe wrote to the Academic Review Board on May 18, expressing her determination and progress in training for the IOCT. She shared her progress, stating that she can now complete obstacles that once seemed impossible. Her commitment to serving and leading in the Army remains strong.
She emphasized her belief that her difficulty with the IOCT does not reflect her ability to contribute meaningfully to the Army. Cadet Doe is focused on moving forward and hopes the board recognizes her resilience and leadership potential. She seeks to graduate with her class and continue her mission to improve soldiers’ lives.
Younts further stated in his appeal that, despite significant challenges, Cadet Doe’s resilience and excellence make her a standout candidate for commissioning as an Army officer. He requested her retention and graduation with the Class of 2025, urging rejection of the recommendation to return her to the enlisted environment. He also asked for a waiver of recoupment if disenrollment occurs.
Disenrollment would mean she isn’t commissioned after graduating, yet she could still receive her diploma. However, West Point administrators might decide to deny her both, demanding repayment for her education, estimated around $400,000. Younts explained that the board gave her until the last minute to pass the course.
Younts explained that his client delayed reporting the rape while trying to gain admission to West Point. She feared her goals would be derailed, as enrollment requires recommendations from her chain of command, which included the accused NCO. The case was dropped when she didn’t participate in the investigation while at the academy.
The assault is documented in her medical records, and the academy is aware of it. The cadet has not been informed whether West Point will follow the Academic Review Board’s recommendation, but she was instructed to return her class ring. Younts fears the academy plans to disenroll her and return her to an environment where she was assaulted.
The IOCT is a requirement specific to West Point, implemented in 2012, and not part of broader Army regulations. Younts questioned whether exceptions are made for other cadets, especially those injured during their final semester. He argued that injured cadets have graduated despite such setbacks.
Younts reached out to the superintendent of West Point, asking for intervention, but was met with a polite decline. The superintendent maintained that the IOCT is a graduation requirement. Younts suggested letting her graduate in the fall, which he sees as reasonable treatment.
He criticized the treatment of the cadet as cruel. West Point officials did not provide any comments to Just the News before the article’s publication.
Weird.