After courts martial dropped, cadets fight expulsions

Two years after the Air Force Academy dropped criminal proceedings over what officials call a hazing incident on the school’s swim team, three cadets are still fighting to become officers.

The Gazette reports that the academy filed expulsion paperwork against Lars Knutson, Michael Hannigan and Garret Glaudini in March.

However, their attorneys are appealing to the Pentagon to let them stay in uniform and avoid paying more than $200,000 to refund the cost of their education.

The academy says it can’t discuss specifics because of privacy rules but says the cadets demonstrated a “concerted effort” to undermine order and discipline and a lack of moral courage.

The cadets’ lawyers say they were singled out for harsh treatment. They say a more significant hazing incident involving the lacrosse team resulted in slapped wrists.

AP Only 2019