An evaluation of the honor system of the Philippine Military Academy

Abstract

The profession of arms requires a high standard of values that is essential in the performance of their military duties. Foremost in these values is the concept of honor and integrity. In the Philippines, the formation of values starts at the training schools of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In the forefront is the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), a school for leaders that gives emphasis on character development. Integrity is one of the three core values of PMA (the two others are Courage and Loyalty) as emphasized in its motto and the main system that supports it is the Honor System. Through the years, changes were observed in the implementation of the system. There was an increase in honor cases during the late nineties. Moreover, the mishandling of honor cases resulted to a backlog of cases for two years. As a result, dishonor was identified in 2002 by then Superintendent General Rufo A. de Veyra as one of the three-headed menaces that afflict the Academy. The researcher intended to find out whether the Honor System has outlived its usefulness and if not, find out what measures can be done to further strengthen the system. This qualitative research is an evaluation of the Honor System of the Philippine Military Academy. Specifically, it sought answers to the following: 1. What is the profile of the Honor System of the following Academies? a. Philippine Military Academy b. United States Military Academy (Westpoint) c. United States Naval Academy (Annapolis) d. United States Air Force Academy (Maryland) 2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the PMA Honor System along the following areas? a. Goals b. Ownership of the Honor System c. Reporting d. Investigating e. Adjudicating 3. What are the opportunities and threats of the PMA Honor System along the following areas? a. Goals b. Ownership of the Honor System c. Reporting d. Investigating e. Adjudicating 4. What Action Plan can be recommended to improve the Honor System of the Academy? To answer the questions mentioned above, unstructured interviews, document analysis, and the use of SWOT analysis were conducted. 1. Profile of US Academies. The results of the study showed that the problems that the Academy is encountering have been experienced and are still being experienced by the three major academies of the United States of America. The major profile of the Academies are the following: 1.a Compared to the United Staes major Academies, the Philippine Military Academy gives more leeway to the cadets in the administration of the honor code. 1.b The United States Military Academy does not solely choose from the honor committee members in the adjudication of honor cases. 1.c Thu United States Naval Academy is the only Academy that does not have a "non-toleration" clause in its honor code. 1.d The United States Air Force Academy relies heavily in the case method to indoctrinate their honor system to the cadets. 2. SW analysis. In the conduct of the SW analysis, the following were the findings: 2.a An atmosphere of trust that is felt within the community will reinforce to instill honor to the future officers. However, there is a need to address the problem of having different interpretations of the honor system. 2.b Cadets are trained to be honorable through the honor system. They however lack the investigative and adjudication skills. 2.c. Cadets need little supervision during examinations. However, there is still a need to properly indoctrinate them about the honor code. 2.d Cadets under investigation can readily answer charges and the investigation process is sound. The cadets though still need more formal training in investigative work. 2.e The ownership of the code is reinforced because cadets not only do the reporting and investigation but they are also the ones who will render the verdict. Again, they need to be trained in legal matters. 3. OT analysis. In the conduct of the OT analysis, the following were the findings: 3.a Cadets are seen to be more idealistic and the Academy can exploit this to have a positive perception of the honor system. The lack of positive role models affects how cadets view the honor system. 3.b Cadets' ownership of the honor system with little intervention from the Academy Administration sometimes results to legal problems. 3.c Influences from relatives of the cadets who have little knowledge of the honor code might interfere in cadets reporting honor violations. 3.d The negative perception of cadets' capability to administer the honor system can be addressed by proper indoctrination. 3.e Other agencies in the government can help train the cadets in investigating and adjudicating honor cases. 4. Action Plan to Improve the Honor System. The following were the major findings to improve the Honor System: 4.a The sanction of dismissal for all honor violators needs to be examined. A remediation program should be allowed on a case-to-case basis. 4.b The unanimous vote tends to weaken the honor system because of new practices of some cadets. It should be changed to 2/3" vote. 4.c For the cadets to feel true ownership of the honor system, the physical presence of a JAG officer is not necessary during honor deliberations. 4.d The final sanction should rest with the Superintendent. The following are the conclusions of this study: 1. The Honor System is still relevant to the development of character of the cadets in the different Academies. 2. The inadequate indoctrination of the PMA honor system is the number one problem facing it. 3. The administration of the adjudication stage of the honor system is the number one problem facing it. 4. The Action Plan will help improve the administration of the Honor System. Based on the findings and conclusions, the following are the recommendations of this study: 1. An immediate implementation of the Action Plan to improve the Honor System be made. 2. The "pulse" of the Cadet Corps with regard to the Honor System should be continuously monitored and evaluated so that appropriate changes can be made to make it more effective and relevant to the development of character of the cadets.