FEB 2021 – USAFA Honor System

USAFA Honor System

16-18 FEB 2021

The USAFA Honor System Design Sprint graphic with the Honor Code in the background, the event name, and the logos for the Academy and CyberWorx

Summary

USAFA’s Honor System is centered on the Honor Code and designed to be a developmental system for cadets to become leaders of character who live an honorable life. The cadets are the future leaders of the Air and Space Force and set an example the rest of the force will follow. Their integrity and ability to carry out high-impact military actions to preserve lives establishes and maintains the trust of the American people whom they serve. As such, it is vital cadets internalize living honorably early in their career to continue the tradition of excellence across the Air and Space Force.

Problem Statement:

How ought USAFA develop cadets to live honorably as leaders of character?

Since its adoption in 1955, the Honor Code has evolved to meet the needs of the Air Force and address the challenges each generation of new Airmen faces. In spring 2020, the Academy experienced a surge of honor violations involving 249 cadets. Infractions included group collaboration on tests, using search engines to find answers on quizzes, and more. While an Honor System review had already been in work with various studies and whitepapers, this large-scale collection of incidents among the cadets spurred the leadership of USAFA to identify innovative ideas to be implemented quickly. The Superintendent acted swiftly, directing a design sprint with guidance to review the entire Honor System with an open mind and with all ideas welcome. Lt Gen Clark’s intent was for rapid movement on problem refinement and solution generation that would focus on enabling the cadets to own and embrace the System.

Outcome

AF CyberWorx facilitated a design sprint with 36 participants and guests 16 to 18 February, 2021. The group focused on how the US Air Force Academy can develop cadets’ ability to live more honorably as leaders of character. At the end of the sprint, six teams of participants identified 31 ideas and briefed 8 of those to the Superintendent of USAFA Lieutenant General Richard Clark.

Next Steps

Next steps involve examining and prioritizing the ideas developed during the design sprint. A dedicated Implementation Team, with ample representation from HRC, will need to be chartered to package the ideas into a coherent framework and develop action steps to implement the solutions. AF CyberWorx is standing at the ready to continue providing assistance and help further refine potential solutions.

  • General Clark gives a virtual opening statement to the group.
  • A speaker gives his introduction to the Honor Code problem.
  • Two participants discuss the event during a break after opening statements.
  • Participants talk in their breakout group as they complete an event exercise.
  • A group photo of a six person breakout group
  • Two G.O.’s pose for a photo during a break in the event.
  • The Director of CyberWorx and the lead facilitator for the event pose with a cadet with their coins presented by the Cadet Wing at the end of the event.
  • The Cadet participants gather with event facilitator after outbrief to stakeholders to discuss next steps.
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