As a little girl who always tattles.... I must speak up...
I know these are old posts but I have to say that every Sailor is mandated to follow the Sailor's Creed.
Let me remind you what it states:
--I have chosen to serve in the United States Navy. America depends on my performance for her survival, and I accept the challenge to set my standards high, placing my country's well-being above self-interest.
--I will be loyal to my country, its Constitution and laws, and to my shipmates.
--I will be honest in my personal and professional life and encourage my shipmates to do the same.
--I will, to the best of my ability, do the right thing for its own sake, and I am prepared to face pain or death in defense of my country.
--I will be a professional, wearing my uniform with pride and accepting responsibility for my actions.
--I will set excellence as my standard and always strive for ways to make me a better sailor and my crew a better crew.
So, the only possible ethical conflict with reporting the Sailor for cheating, is where the creed mandates loyalty to shipmates. However, loyalty to country, its Constitution and laws comes first... therefore, no ethical conflict. A Sailor's integrity is not intact if he/she witnesses something wrong and does nothing to correct it or stop it.
Would you really want someone next to you, to rely on, in the event of disaster or life/death situation, who was known to have cheated on an exam? Is that really the kind of person you want to trust your life with? People can change, thank goodness, so hopefully this Sailor will learn from the poor choice he made, and go on to live an honest, clean life... but he shouldn't be doing it as a Nuke... not after this incredible breech in integrity.