A report released Friday investigating sexually explicit emails exchanged by members of the U.S. Military Academy's men's rugby team nearly two years ago found that while the obscenity-laced messages did not constitute sexual harassment, they did violate the school's disciplinary code.
The 2013 report recommended "reviewing the chain of command" for the program, as well as further training for team members regarding hazing and sexual harassment awareness. No further punishment for those involved was discussed in the report, although Article 10 investigations under the disciplinary code were recommended. Many of the 2013 team members have since graduated, including 15 in the Class of 2013.
Names of all coaches, officials, cadets, other witnesses and those identified in the emails were redacted in the report. The emails were sent among team members at irregular intervals for about three years under the label "Highs and Lows." They told player-submitted stories of social activities — usually sexual in nature, and often exaggerated or fabricated, per witness statements — that praised some team members for their perceived conquests and berated others for perceived failures.
One passage, less explicit than many (dashes added): "P.S. [redacted] got his s--t ROCKED tonight. Learn from it, b----es. Although I can't say I support it ..."
Another: "[Redacted] girl was so big she broke the bed. Check for yourself when you get to the house."
And one repeated in various forms throughout the emails included in the report: "Remember. NO ONE SEES THIS OUTSIDE OF THE BROTHERS. (especially ourt [sic] girlfriends ...)."
Beyond "locker room talk"
The emails were "intended to be funny, build team camaraderie and meant only for the team," the report states, but adds that the team "has a culture that believes inappropriate language is justified by calling it 'locker room talk.'"
The emails were made up of more than just obscenities:
- Some included mentions or photos of female cadets. Witnesses said the images generally came from Facebook or similar online sources.
- One email included images of an unidentified rugby player being tied up by his teammates. The investigation found this was a "practical joke," that the cadet "was having fun" during the incident, and that it would constitute hazing only were it to become a tradition.
- One cadet used a government computer to send a link to a pornographic video as part of the e-mail chain, a violation of the disciplinary code.
Team officials became aware of the emails shortly before the Army-Navy rugby game April 13, 2013, and suspended two cadets who they believed authored the material, the investigation found. The day of the game, according to at least one witness, other cadets came forward to admit involvement and suggested "they should all face the same punishment." That suggestion was rejected.
The investigation also touched on complaints involving the behavior of former head coach Rich Pohlidal, saying "evidence suggests a hostile work environment" between the coach and his training staff, team captains and other personnel. Testimony from trainers and letters from parents discussing that environment were included in the report, which recommended further investigation. Pohlidal was not retained when the team returned from its hiatus.
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
