Navy hit by submarine exam-cheating scandal

Hartford: When the Navy discovered an exam-cheating ring aboard one of its submarines, it swiftly fired the commanding officer and kicked off 10 per cent of the crew.

Navy officials describe the case aboard the USS Memphis as a rare lapse in integrity, but some former officers say the shortcuts exposed by the scandal are hardly unique to a single vessel.

The former submariners tell the Associated Press it is not uncommon for sailors to receive answer keys or other hints before training exams.

They say sailors know how to handle the nuclear technology, but commanders competing with one another to show proficiency have made tests so difficult — and so detached from the skills sailors actually need — that crew members sometimes bend the rules.

An investigation report obtained by the AP describes an atmosphere aboard the USS Memphis that tolerated and even encouraged cheating.

Sailors were emailed the answers before qualification exams, took tests outside the presence of proctors and openly asked officers for answer keys.

One sailor on the USS Memphis told investigators that test-takers were encouraged to "use their time wisely" during breaks — insinuating that they should look up answers to exam questions.