Air Force Academy Honor Investigation

January 24, 2026

An Air Force Academy Honor Investigation is defined and regulated by the Air Force Cadet Wing Honor Code Reference Handbook, available for download at the Air Force Academy's official website.

The Air Force Academy's Honor Code is as follows: "we will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." A lie is defined as "making an assertion with the intent to deceive or mislead. This deceitful assertion may be oral, written, or clearly communicated by a gesture or action." Stealing is "intentionally depriving someone else of property or service without permission, or attempting to do the same." Cheating is "committing an act with the intent to receive underserved credit or an unfair advantage. It also includes aiding or attempting to do the same." Tolerating is "the failure to promptly address a suspected violation of the Honor Code."

An Air Force Academy Honor Investigation begins when a Cadet, or someone else (initiator), has a suspicion that a violation may have occurred. Prior to an investigation being appointed, "clarification" must occur. There are two types of clarifications: formal and informal. During an informal clarification, a conversation is had with the Cadet suspected of violating the honor code. During this conversation, clarification should be sought about the suspected honor violation. The Cadet being questioned may invoke his/her right to remain silent or to consult with a lawyer, which is a wise decision. After the informal clarification meeting, the matter may be resolved - or, if suspicion remains, a formal clarification must be conducted.

During an Air Force Academy Honor Investigation, a formal clarification is typically conducted by the Squadron Honor Officer (SHO) and should be completed with 3 duty days from the informal clarification. The initiator, Cadet accused, and SHO should all be present. At this clarification, the initiator and Cadet accused both get to speak and present their version or what did, or did not, occur. Once again, the Cadet accused can remain silent and/or consult with a lawyer. At the conclusion of the formal clarification, the SHO will ask the Cadet accused and the initiator if he/she still suspects an honor violation. If the answer is yes, further action is required - at this point, the suspected honor violation becomes a case. Furthermore, even if the initiator and Cadet accused both agree an honor violation did not occur, the SHO can still push the investigation forward into a case.

The following guidelines exists for Cadets conducting clarifications during a USAFA Honor Investigation:

Remain neutral and impartial, only seeking the truth;
Choose a non-threatening environment to address the situation;
Ensure the respondent is at ease and comfortable;
Carefully explain your concerns about the suspected violation
Before questioning the respondent, participants in the clarifications should reveal information, which they already know about the suspected violation;
Allow the respondent to fully explain the events concerning their conduct;
Do not ask misleading questions, loaded questions, questions to which you already know the answers, or questions meant to entrap the Cadet accused; and,
Try not to misconstrue the respondent's explanation. Your interpretation of their words may not be the only possible interpretation

Once a suspected violation becomes a case, an investigative team (IT) is appointed for the next phase of an Air Force Academy Honor Investigation. The IT's sole purpose is to collect evidence and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support a reasonable belief that an Honor Code violation has occurred. The IT typically collects statements, exams, emails, text messages, photos, and other similar evidence.

The next step in an Air Force Academy Honor Investigation is the case review phase. During the phase, the case legal advisor (CLA) reviews all evidence and the proposed honor code violation. The CLA must agree that the formulated allegation is valid and that substantial evidence of a violation is present to warrant forwarding the case to the next phase. If the CLA makes these findings, the Cadet accused is served with an Honor Allegation Notification (HAN). The Cadet's response to the HAN determines whether the case is forwarded to the Cadet Sanctions Recommendation Panel (CSRP) or Wing Honor Board (WHB).

During an Air Force Academy Honor Investigation, if a Cadet admits to violating the honor code, a CSRP is convened at the earliest opportunity. During the CSRP, the panel members review the evidence, question the Cadet accused, and then deliberate. The CSRP will make one of the following recommendations:

Validation of Honor Code Violation
Finding of no violation
Forward case to WHB because the Cadet accused did not admit to act and/or intent, as required

If a validation of the Honor Cade is founded, the CSRP will make a sanctions recommendation.

If the Cadet does not admit to the violation, the next step in the Air Force Academy Honor Investigation process is the WHB. The purpose of the WHB is to review evidence and hear testimony from all relevant parties an determine whether or not there was a violation of the Honor Code. The WHB consists of 9 members, selected randomly, and subject to other requirements laid out in the Cadet Wing Honor Code Reference Handbook. Prior to a WHB, the Cadet accused must be provided with all copies of all statements, evidence, and names of all witnesses which will be presented at the WHB. At the WHB, the Cadet accused may president evidence or call witnesses as desired, subject to relevancy determinations made by the WHB chairman.

Cadet are not allowed to be formally represented by a lawyer during an Air Force Academy Honor Investigation. However, a lawyer can advise any Cadet going through the process and help him/her prepare a Defense. Any Cadet accused should expect his/her lawyer to advise on what to say (or not say) during clarification/the investigation, advise on whether to admit to the violation or not, review all the evidence presented against him/her, have a detailed discussion about it, help identify and prepare all evidence and witnesses, prepare a detailed trial plan for him/her including what to say during the WHB, and practice said trial plan with the Cadet accused. While ADCs are available to assist, they are typically inexperienced, overworked, and unable or unwilling to provide the level of attention necessary for a Cadet to present a good Defense. A civilian Military Lawyer can be retained, which allows a Cadet to be represented by a proven lawyer with good former client reviews.

A WHB can substantiate the allegation only if the evidence convinces the WHB beyond a reasonable doubt that the respondent has violated the Honor Code as alleged. If the allegation is unsubstantiated, the Cadet in question is exonerated. If the allegation is substantiated, a Wing Honor Board Sanctions Recommendation Panel (WHBSRP) will be convened and the Cadet accused faces serious consequences, including potential disenrollment.

This Article was written by Attorney Matthew Barry. Attorney Barry and his team are highly rated by former clients and has a proven track record of success. They have extensive experience with all types of Military Adverse Actions, including Air Force Academy Honor Investigations and other types of USAFA punishment.

Furthermore, The Law Office of Matthew Barry has an office in Colorado Spring manned by Attorney Gittleman. This allows in-person meetings with Cadets facing an Air Force Academy Honor Investigation and physical presence, as allowed by the regulations, during any hearing, including CSRPs, WHBs, or WHBSRPs.