The Nation: THE CODE: A GOOD ANACHRONISM

As an exMarine, a Rhodes scholar, an Army officer in Viet Nam, a West Point history teacher, author of a best-selling antimilitary novel (The Lion-heads) and now president of a women's college, Josiah Bunting, 36, has a unique vantage point on the academy's current troubles. Last week TIME Correspondent Eileen Shields talked with Bunting at Briarcliff, north of New York City and only 20 miles from the Point. Excerpts:

The Army must show that it can police itself honestly and proudly. If I were in charge of West Point, I would throw out everyone who cheated. All those who had had certain knowledge of the cheating and did not come forward until now, I would throw them out too. I realize, however, their coming forward is an honorable decision.

In light of Watergate and its aftermath and My Lai and the coverup, it is critical for the Army to act and act now, quickly and courageously and in support of the old system. The honor code has to be applied to the full letter.

The code is an anachronism but a good anachronism. People used to say the Army is just like IBM, but it is not. The purpose is far, far different. This is quite true when the blast of war blows in our ears. The word of one officer to another has got to be utterly reliable. You can't afford to have any doubts about somebody's word in combat.

I would not change the part of the code that says a cadet will not lie, cheat or steal. As for the toleration clause, if a cadet directly knows of wrongdoing, he would still be required to report it. If he hears secondhand, he would not be required. My notion of the way an honor code should function is what happens at the University of Virginia. At initiation, students will be told, "All right, ladies and gentlemen, we don't lie, cheat or steal, and now we'll talk about your curriculum." At West Point, the whole thing is so uptight that it creates an atmosphere of repressiveness. It breeds people looking for violators.

West Point's role is to train students to serve as military officers in peacetime to prevent war—but to be ready to lead in time of war. I think there is an excellent chance there will be a war in five to twelve years.