US Naval Academy Dismisses Midshipman for Using Racial Slur

The Naval Academy has dismissed a midshipman from New York for using a racial slur when speaking online with other midshipmen.

Midshipman 4th Class Ted Colter was expelled from the school Feb. 26 for unsatisfactory conduct after using a racial slur for African-Americans three times in talking with members of his company, according to his attorney and a memo provided to The Capital.

Colter plans to appeal his dismissal, his attorney said, arguing the language is common to a "generation of street-tough teenagers" from Colter's home in Queens.

The incident is the only one in recent memory in which a midshipman was separated -- the official term for being expelled -- for using a racial slur, said Cmdr. David McKinney, an academy spokesman.

"We have high standards for dignity and respect here at the Naval Academy and Midshipman Colter did not live up to those high standards," McKinney said.

Jeff McFadden, Colter's lawyer and a Naval Academy graduate, is challenging the decision, saying the academy missed an opportunity to teach leadership by mediating the situation and the slur was not used in a discriminatory manner.

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