Honor Code at Annapolis

I am a former midshipman and it is clear to me that in all of the letters to The Times that I have read (Jan. 11) concerning former Midshipman Brigade Commander Richard Petrino and Oliver North, none of the people actually understood the honor code of the U.S. Naval Academy.

The honor code states, “A midshipman will not lie, cheat, or steal.” This concept differs from the West Point honor code whereby the last line of their code, “ . . . nor tolerate any cadet that does,” is dropped in order to give “misdirected midshipmen” a chance to learn from their mistakes and develop honor.

As a midshipman (brigade commander or not), Petrino had three options if he witnessed a possible honor offense: counsel the violator, counsel the violator and turn him in, or just turn him in.

I wonder if we have all the facts about the after-hours incident in Bancroft Hall. Upper-class midshipmen are allowed to stay up all night if they wish so long as they are in their own company area and that is at best an insignificant point.

The more serious charge is that when Midshipman Oliver North intended, at that time, to change his medical records. It is not a violation of the honor code to want to change your medical records or even to talk about doing so. Doing it is another matter entirely. We don’t know if he actually changed them or not. We do not have all the facts, nor are we charged with the task of finding him guilty or innocent of something that may or may not have happened then.

Lt. Col. North is now being nailed to a cross by the press. I find it difficult to believe that a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps can do all of the things he is accused of alone. I believe that he did not act alone, but had approval or even orders from a higher ranking person in his chain of command.

I am not trying to judge anyone. I think we should think independently and not be led around by the nose.

DENISE WIGGINS

Fullerton