Navy Crew Caught Cheating on Exams

The U.S. Navy recently fired the commanding officer of the USS Memphis and 10 percent of its crew after a cheating ring was discovered aboard the submarine. While Navy officials say cheating rarely occurs, former submariners told the Associated Press that it’s not uncommon for sailors to get hints or answer keys before taking written nuclear-qualification exams. One sailor told case investigators that commanders even encouraged their crew to “use their time wisely” during test breaks, creating an unethical atmosphere. Another former officer from the USS Hartford said cheating was “almost universal” on his submarine. Though written exams are one of many methods used to measure a crew’s training progress, a spokesman said the Navy would reassess the tests and consider enforcing mandatory proctors.