In order to learn and train effectively, the United States Navy Academy has drafted a comprehensive organizational policy that is designed to ensure that all trainees become competent officers. The policy seeks to ensure that students have a safe, secure, friendly, and supportive learning environment that not only provides the necessary academy environment, but also provides an environment that creates an ambience which is student friendly. In order to arrive at this overriding objective, the academy has based its organizational policy on four key pillars. These include security, equality, responsibility, and accountability.
Before the policy was introduced in the academy, there had been several problems with regard to drug and substance abuse, sexual harassment and bullying. These were factors that tainted the good work that academy did with regard to providing competent and reliable officers. Rear Admiral Mike Miller was convinced that the academy should not let several incidents of deviant behavior overshadow the significant service that this institution serves within the country. Therefore, he introduced an organizational premised on three four main pillars.
Generally security of the students in the academy has never been at stake or an issue with regard to external interference. However, there were several cases of indiscipline individual who committed atrocities against their fellow students. This had to be stopped with immediate effect. The administration increased security staff members in order to cover the whole faculty. The policy also advocates for gender equality in all its operation. All students undergo the same curriculum and training. Trainers are strongly advised to enforce these measures. This makes sure that all students free safe and comfortable.
There have been several cases sexual harassment within in the academy. In order to stem this vice the management decided to incorporate within its organizational policy the Navy’s regulation on sexual harassment. Moreover, it has extremely stern sanctions to any party that is found to have engaged in this deviant behavior. This is with regards to the responsibility pillar. It urges all persons within the academy to behave responsibly.
Each person must be accountable for their actions. The accountability pillar clearly stipulates that choices have consequences. Therefore, individual who are reported for committing will face the full force of the law. Cases of harassment, sexually or otherwise, bullying and basic theft are handled swiftly and the culprits received the stipulated punishment under the policy. Moreover, the provisions of the United States constitution and the statute should be adhered. One of the legislation that is of immense significance in this sanctions stipulated under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1963.
These provisions are enforced and offenders handed over to the requisite authorities for prosecution. The academy has also set out several penalties to such students. Some of the students can end up being expelled from the academy altogether.
Creating a safe learning environment is a priority for the United States Navy Academy. This is why its administration went as far as drafting a comprehensive policy which eliminated all challenges that face student in the academy. Moreover, student with disabilities are also accommodated and afforded all the requisite help in order to consider the academy as a second home.
References
Hussey (III.), J. F. (2008). Naval Ethos: Constructing Character in the Naval Academy Debate. New York: ProQuest.
Schneller, R. J. (2008). Blue & Gold and Black: Racial Integration of the U.S. Naval Academy. Texas A&M University Press.
United States Navy Academy. (2013). Retrieved April 17, 2013, from www.usna.edu: http://www.usna.edu/homepage.php
NavCivGuide. (2011). A Handbook for Civilians in the United States Navy. Naval Institute Press.
U.S. Naval Academy. (2004). The Midshipman Culture and Educational Reform: The U.S. Naval Academy, 1946-76. New York: University of Delaware Press.
