As I watched five of my fellow classmates pack up their belongings for the last time, I started thinking about my first day here at Norwich. When I arrived in August, President Schneider told my parents and I that I would soon start training in Norwich's "leadership laboratory." This was explained as a program where our nation's future leaders could learn to excel through their accomplishments and their inevitable failures. I once again see that this was nothing more than rhetoric.

These five cadets did make a mistake; they did violate an article in the rules and regulations. They were Night Riders, members of a secret society.

However, if anyone were to ask the administration what crime they committed, or if they had been turned over to the Northfield Police for violation of any Vermont State law, they would say, "no." All five of these cadets had near spotless records. Why, then, would they be expelled and not just punished? We have battalion commanders and company commanders who have all broken Vermont State law and been formally punished here at Norwich. Why are they still here and hold the highest rank in the Corps? Some "leadership laboratory."

In my four years at this once-great academy, I have never heard one bad thing said about the Night Riders. I did, however, hear about the good things they did. They have helped out dozens of their fellow students, cadet and civilian alike. Whether it was giving rides home from the airport, buying plane tickets for people who could not afford them, or just outright donating money for whatever the situation called for, they were always there. So where is the crime? At any other university they would be hailed as assets to the institution, but not here at Norwich. Why?!?

It is because our corrupt administration is afraid of any dissidents in their ranks. They like to hide behind words like honor and integrity, without really understanding what they mean. They try to pit cadets against cadets, and students against students in order to enact their hated policies, but they refuse to live up to these same standards they try to set.

To Chappy, Ray, Steve, Mark, and Tony, be glad that you are gone. This "fine" institution no longer has a place for you, or anyone like you. Thank you for your sacrifices here, and be proud of the people you helped. Best wishes, and good luck.

Stephen Hill

So, it seems every time we open to page three of the Guidon, we see more bad news about Colonel McKean. We hear all about his mediocrity at A&M and how he's taking the Corps away and how he's just making everyone's life a horrible one.

Well, I am not in the corps, but I deal with Col. McKean a lot, and I feel that those who do not know the man and are printing their slanted opinions should do a little research. Colonel McKean is well respected, both among his military comrades and in the private sector. He knows more about leadership than any 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th year cadet does here, and he's trying to make a difference.

He changed your PT schedule to earlier in the morning; well, as one of my Marine friends commented, "we always do PT in the morning." Basic training, advanced camps...PT in the mornings. If you're going into the military, get used to it!

Accountability, what a horrible thing. I remember the past commandant who was never here past 5 p.m., who did not care if secret societies ran around beating people, and I for one am glad that there is someone effective here now.

Again, I'm not in the corps, but I've been here long enough to know the difference between mediocrity and accountability, and that is the difference between last year and this year.

Paul Smith

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