Citadel Hazing Covered Up, Cadets Claim

Two male Citadel cadets told CBS’ “60 Minutes” that they reported the hazing of former cadet Jeanie Mentavlos and were told to keep quiet.

But a college official disputed the account Thursday.

The unidentified cadets, who will appear on the program Sunday night, said they reported abuse, including Mentavlos’ shirt being set afire.

Mentavlos and Kim Messer were among four women who entered the military college last summer after it dropped its all-male admissions policy. They left after a semester, saying they had been hazed and harassed.

The male cadets, former members of Echo Company where the two women were assigned, said they told their tactical officer, an active-duty military officer, about the incidents.

“Your roommate needs to keep his mouth shut and you need to tell him to keep his mouth shut,” the cadet said he was told, according to portions of the interview released by CBS.

The cadet said he and his roommate were threatened with loss of the Marine Corps commissions they were scheduled to received upon graduation.

But Citadel spokesman Terry Leedom, who also appears on program, said neither cadet came forward until after the allegations had surfaced. He said the cadets, whom he declined to name, were disciplined for failure to report hazing.

CBS said the cadets’ names would be revealed Sunday.