Critics up in arms after video shows West Point cadet using phone during a march

First the good news.

A West Point cadet caught using her smartphone while marching to graduation ceremonies on Saturday didn’t miss a step.

Now the bad news.

A West Point cadet was caught using her smartphone while marching to graduation ceremonies on Saturday.

The unidentified cadet can be seen in a video posted to West Point’s Facebook page. She is one of hundreds of cadets marching into Michie Stadium for the 218th U.S. Military Academy graduation and commissioning ceremony.

More than 950 future Army leaders received their degrees and commissions as second lieutenants, according to Army Times.

The video of the cadet march has been watched more than 553,000 times on Facebook, where more than 800 comments have been posted.

“Embarrassment!!!!” commented one man, echoing an overwhelming sentiment about the cadet’s behavior.

It’s not clear whether the cadet was simply looking down at her phone or texting. But that apparently doesn’t matter to the many critics sounding off. A sampling of comments left on Facebook:

“As a veteran, I want to know why are the cadets allowed to use cell phones while in formation? I am embarrassed for them and the new military standards. obviously the uniform does not mean much to them.”

“There was more discipline in formation from my High School ROTC unit. God help us if this will our military leaders.”

“Out of step, heads down, arms swinging in circles, and texting while marching. I’m ashamed to be associated as an Army Veteran right now. Is this the future of Army leadership?”

“Congrats but obviously a few of the graduating cadets need to realize the gratitude and reverence of the uniform and that you serve a greater cause!! Texting on a cell phone?? Unless that was about a credible threat to the U S security PUT IT DOWN!”

The phone-using cadet had defenders, too.

“Is this ACTUALLY a formation?” one man wondered on Facebook. “I have marched in these things many times and this looks like it is the ‘walk’ to the place where we will form up. We kind of do it in formation style ... but it’s not the official formation quite yet. There are far too many things wrong here for it to be a real formation. Nobody is calling cadence, nobody is in step, people carrying things, and obviously the female on her phone.”

And one woman wrote that “we still should remember that they are just college graduates just like any other college graduate and in today’s climate the cell phone is like a extension of their persona. Pretty soon their lives will be on the line and I’m sure their phones will not be available to them. Congratulations to the class of 2016 Godspeed and may you stay safe and thank you for your service!”

Army Times pointed out a less-controversial moment from Saturday — video of new West Point grad Austin McCasin proposing to his girlfriend.

“Details are scarce,” noted the military publication, “but going by the applause, it appears the mission was, in fact, accomplished.”

This story was originally published May 23, 2016 at 3:39 PM with the headline "Critics up in arms after video shows West Point cadet using phone during a march."