(a) Individual responsibility. Service members represent the Military Services by word, actions, and appearance. Their unique position in society requires them to uphold the dignity and high standards of the Military Services at all times and in all places. In order to be ready at all times for worldwide deployment, military units and their members must possess high standards of integrity, cohesion, and good order and discipline. As a result, military laws, rules, customs, and traditions include restrictions on personal behavior that are different from civilian life. Service members may be involuntarily separated before their enlistment or term of service ends for various reasons established by law and military regulations. These are some of the circumstances that may be grounds for involuntary separation from the Academy:

(1) Infractions. The individual establishes a pattern of disciplinary infractions, discreditable involvement with civil or military authorities, causes dissent, or disrupts or degrades the mission of his or her unit. That may also include conduct of any nature that would bring discredit on the Military Services in the view of the civilian community.

(2) Dependency. Any person for whom an individual has a legally recognized obligation to provide support including but not limited to spouse and natural, adoptive, or stepchildren.

(3) Physical fitness and body fat. The individual fails to meet the physical fitness or body fat standards.

(b) Hazing, harassment, or violence not tolerated. The practice of hazing is prohibited by law (10 U.S.C. 4352, 6964, and 9352). A cadet or midshipman dismissed from an academy for hazing may not be reappointed as a cadet or midshipman at an academy. The Military Services do not tolerate harassment or violence against any Service member for any reason. Cadets and midshipmen must treat all Service members, at all times, with dignity and respect. Failure to do so may result in the individual being disciplined or involuntarily separated before his or her term of service ends.