"My hope is that the wounds carried by the men who navigated through those difficult days in the spring of 1976 can finally be healed."
--STEVE HUNT, USMA class of 1977
"May this valuable work contribute to further understanding, reconciliation, and peace to all who suffered during those painful times."
--FATHER THOMAS CURLEY, West Point Catholic Chaplain, 1972-1977
"One of the most misunderstood and darkest periods in the history of the United States Military Academy."
--COLONEL ARTHUR LINCOLN, US Army (Ret.), USMA class of 1966
Description
Alumni may think military schools do not change, that all graduates go through the same education and training. But there are distinct generational differences. Choosing the Harder Right is the untold compelling story of a very complicated event from the perspective of West Point Cadet Timothy Ringgold, who publicly challenged the institution he loved--not because he was one of the accused, but to render loyal aid to hundreds of his fellow West Point cadets.
Standing up to an establishment as powerful as the United States Military Academy at West Point--with its 174 years of tradition, alumni, enrolled Corps of Cadets, administration, faculty, and the US Army behind it--was not an easy undertaking. It was Tim Ringgold's way of "choosing the harder right instead of the easier wrong," and never being content "with a half-truth, when the whole can be won." (excerpt from the Cadet Prayer). The largest honor crisis of any service academy in history, the 1976 cheating scandal forced West Point to strengthen its Honor Code System and revamp its Academic and Leadership programs.
I'M AN ORIGINAL CATCHPHRASE
Pennsville, NJ - (June 23, 2021) - Choosing the Harder Right, written by author Destiny Jennifer Ringgold and available July 12, 2021, is the untold true story of West Point Cadet Timothy Ringgold publicly challenging the institution he loved. Not as one of the accused, but to render loyal aid to hundreds of his fellow West Point cadets. The largest honor crisis of any service academy in history, the 1976 cheating scandal forced West Point to strengthen its Honor Code System and revamp its Academic and Leadership programs.
Colonel Timothy Ringgold, US Army (Ret) commented, “Besides retelling a story lost to history, it was a final opportunity to say thanks to those brave and selfless people who put their values ahead of their careers.” Ringgold added, “In the end, it made West Point what it remains today, the preeminent leader development institution in the world. That conclusion was not foregone, and the entire institution was at risk at the time of the story. It had to be worked at and many sacrifices made by many people to get us there.”
For those involved in West Point’s 1976 cheating scandal, this book has the potential to help heal those affected. Steven Hunt, class of 1977 states, “My hope is that the wounds carried by the men who navigated through those difficult days in the spring of 1976 can finally be healed.”
Choosing the Harder Right, available July 12, 2021, is about standing up to an establishment as powerful as the United States Military Academy at West Point with its 174 years of tradition, alumni, enrolled Corps of Cadets, administration, faculty, and the US Army behind it. It was Tim Ringgold’s way of “choosing the harder right instead of the easier wrong,” and never being content “with a half-truth, when the whole can be won.” (excerpt from the Cadet Prayer)
For hard and soft cover pre-orders, interviews, media events and book review requests, visit:
http://www.choosingtheharderright.com, Choosing the Harder Right: West Point's 1976 Cheating Scandal | Facebook and to view the author's book video https://youtu.be/K4iwE4szos0.
For Immediate Release:
Author's Video
May 19, 1976
ABC Evening News with
Harry Reasoner
May 27, 1976
CBS Evening News with
Walter Cronkite
June 6, 1978
ABC Evening News with
Harry Reasoner
For Interviews, Media Inquiries and Reviews contact:
Whistle Communications
lisa@whistlecommunications.com
ABOUT Author
Destiny Jennifer Ringgold received a BA from Northern Arizona University after starting her college experience at Virginia Military Institute as part of the second class of women, which she expounded upon in her first book, The New Cadet: A Young Woman's Journey in a Man's World. This gave her the background to tell her father's unique story of his cadet years at his Alma mater, the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Contact Destiny:
choosingtheharderright@gmail.com
Photographs from our book LauNCH
Wednesday, July 14th at 1:00-3:00 pm
Army-Navy Club:
Washington Room
901 17th Street
Washington, DC 20006
