Back to Class of 92 Page

To all CGA Alumni and the Coast Guard Community:

Nearly a year ago, The Academy informed you of sexual misconduct allegations involving a First Class Cadet.  Over the past 10 months, the case progressed leading to a court-martial in early June of this year, the first for an Academy cadet in the history of CGA.  The court-martial concluded in late June with the cadet being convicted on five charges (extortion, sodomy, indecent assault, attempted failure to obey a lawful order and unauthorized absence).  The court-martial members adjudged six months confinement, forfeiture of all pay/allowances and dismissal from the service.  I informed all of you of these results in early July but indicated there were still several legal and administrative procedures that remained.   I now want to take this opportunity to once again reach out to you to inform you that the Academy’s role in the legal case has now been completed.

Today (Nov. 9), the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, Rear Admiral James C. Van Sice, formally approved the findings and sentence adjudged in the general court-martial of First Class Cadet Webster M. Smith.

Under the rules for Courts-Martial, the officer convening a general court martial must “take action” on the sentence adjudged by the court but only after the transcript of the trial is authenticated by the military judge, the Staff Judge Advocate submits a written recommendation, and the service member has had an opportunity to respond to that recommendation.  The service member may also submit any clemency request or material for consideration by the convening authority.

Convening Authority action essentially concludes the Coast Guard Academy’s involvement in the court-martial.  Because the approved sentence included dismissal from the service, the case is automatically appealed to the Coast Guard Court of Criminal appeals.  Cadet Smith is entitled to continued representation by appointed counsel as well as privately retained counsel if desired throughout the entire appellate process.

I recognize that this case has evoked many opinions and sentiments among all involved as well as the casual observer over this past 10 months.  Many of you have expressed your views in various venues including emails and letters to CGA and the Alumni Bulletin.  All have been thought provoking and I’m sure motivated by your deep concern and dedication to the Academy, the Coast Guard, and the cause of justice.  While this case has been a difficult ordeal for the Academy, it has also shown our resolve and commitment to our system of military justice, accountability and most important, our true embodiment of the Coast Guard’s core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to duty.  We will never waiver from our commitment to these precious values and will ensure that they are always present in all we do at the Academy.

As many of you are also aware, a Task Force chartered by the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard is currently assessing the overall organizational climate and character development programs at the Coast Guard Academy to determine the extent to which both promote academic excellence, reinforce our core values and prepare junior officers for our service. We are working very closely with this team and are committed to helping them in any way possible in accomplishing their goal. The Task Force will report its findings and recommendations in the coming months and the Academy and our service will be better served by that effort. Meanwhile, our cadets continue to excel this fall in their academic, military leadership and athletic endeavors.  Just this past week, we inducted 59 new 3rd class cadets into our Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society (which requires a 3.5 GPA during one of their 4th class semesters); a record number of inductees for the Academy and our fall sports season has been one of the best in decades.  And in late October, the Corps of Cadets conducted a Review in honor of all of our Coast Guard War Veterans which was attended by several hundred honorees who were truly touched by the admiration and inspiration our cadets displayed for their service.  Yes, we still have much work ahead, but we all remain committed to producing leaders of character who will graduate, excel in mission execution, and lead by example. 

After nearly five months here now, I continue to remain extremely honored and privileged to be at this institution.  I am constantly amazed at the unbelievable accomplishments of our cadets under the leadership of devoted faculty, staff and coaches; they truly are the future of our service and they clearly understand their role in continuing the remarkable traditions of the “long blue line”.  As we support their growth and development, we owe it to them to remain strong and to never waiver from our service commitments.  I thank you for your commitment as well, and for all the support you have, and continue to provide, the Academy.  Semper Paratus!

v/r,

D. R. May, CAPT, USCG
Assistant Superintendent
U.S. Coast Guard Academy