The US Navy is reportedly investigating accusations of “pervasive cheating” among the members of the Navy’s nuclear corps.

After the cheating ring was discovered aboard the Groton-based submarine Memphis last November, the Navy fired the commanding officer and kicked off 10 percent of the crew. Navy officials said it reflected a rare lapse in integrity, but several former submarine officers told the AP for a story in August that it is not uncommon for sailors to receive answer keys or other hints before training exams.

The issue of competence has never been in question.  In fact, some have said the tests are written in such a way as to be nearly impossible to do well on — apparently because those in the field know their craft so well.  Thus, competition comes down to who gets a 99% and who gets 100%, not who passes and who fails.

Several former submariners interviewed by the AP said there is no doubt the crews know how to handle the technology, but vessel commanders competing for the highest proficiency ratings have made the exams so difficult that they have little to do with the skills sailors actually need. As a consequence, they say, crew members sometimes bend the rules to pass.

A culture of “perfection” in competitive environments in the military is neither new nor limited to Navy submarines.  Air Force pilot training and Marine basic officer training have had similar scandals in the past.  Choosing to do the right thing can be challenging in these environments if, indeed, “everyone is doing it.”

Of course, that doesn’t eliminate the need to do what’s right.