[Lysandru]

In my first semester of my Firstie year, I was the academic sergeant for my cadet company. An African-American classmate (and a former roommate) admitted to us all that he was still at USMA because he was black. He was on track to graduate late.

In that semester, this young man failed:

(1) Another academic class.

(2) The fall P.T. test.

(3) Military development (how he did his job in the cadet chain-of-command).

(4) Military discipline (too many demerits).

At least he didn't violate the Honor Code. And they finally threw him out.

In the preceding spring semester, my company had had three court martials (theft plus a drug case) and an honor scandal that ensnared 3 plebe roommates. When the Superintendent decided to suspend rather than expel the three plebes (all white), the grumbling in the company was so vocal that the Superintendent came to explain himself to us over breakfast. We weren't mollified at all.

[Arones]

Sounds like my experience at USAF pilot training. If you were a minority, had the right plumbing, or were ‘connected’ you could stay and get your wings.