Millersburg Military Institute
Paddle Detention (PD) Procedures

The Punishment portion of MMI's Discipline Program consists of Standard Detention (SD) and Paddle Detention (PD). SD consists of a line lesson (writing lines) along with detention whereas in PD a Paddling is administered in addition to the detention and line lesson.

Any teacher or administrator has the authority to assign a cadet to PD for infractions committed in class or for other violations of rules. A PD slip containing the cadet's name, grade level, brief description of the infraction, and the initiating teacher's signature is completed in duplicate with the original going to the principal's office and the copy being given to the cadet to return to the initiating teacher when the punishment is finished.

PD sessions are held once a week on Friday afternoon at the end of classes in a classroom designated for the purpose. Two teachers are assigned to PD duty on a given Friday on a rotating schedule: one teacher supervises the line lesson and detention and the other administers the Paddlings. The number of cadets assigned PD on a given week is typically between 3 and 10.

At the appointed time on Friday afternoon, cadets report to the designated classroom with their PD slip(s) and a notebook for writing and are seated at desks in the front of the room. Standard attire for cadets in PD is daily uniform, dress uniform, or street clothes. Under the trousers, cadets attending PD sessions are required to wear a jock strap rather than regular underpants.

The teacher in charge of the detention and line lesson has the originals of the PD slips so he knows which cadets are due to report and calls the roll accordingly. He instructs the cadets to write 25 times in their notebook the following sentence: "I will be paddled for.......(the reason they were sent to PD)." Line lesson sentences are to be complete and legible; any errors will result in extra licks with the Paddle. There is to be absolute silence in the room while lines are being written. Violations of this rule likewise will earn extra licks.

The basic number of licks for an infraction is determined by the principal in advance of the PD session based on the nature and severity level of the infraction and the cadet's history of similar infractions; the principal writes it on the PD slip. The usual number is 3 to 9 licks. Repeat or serious infractions earn 10 or more licks as deemed appropriate to the individual case.

Cadets with multiple PD slips cycle through the process once for each PD slip. That is to say, they must write their 25 lines for the first infraction, receive their Paddling for that infraction, then go back and write the lines for the second infraction, receive the Paddling for that infraction, etc.

Detention and line lessons are given in a classroom and Paddlings are administered in an adjoining room with the door between the two rooms kept closed. When a cadet has completed his lines, he hands the paper to the teacher overseeing the detention and line lessons. The teacher checks it, marks all errors and indicates the number of additional licks to be administered as a result of the errors.

The cadet is then instructed to knock on the door of the adjoining room and wait for permission to enter to receive his Paddling. If a Paddling is in progress at the time, the cadet must wait until that Paddling has finished, allowing an additional minute or two for completion of the paperwork before knocking on the door. Knocking on the door during a Paddling will result in extra licks. Sometimes there is a queue of cadets waiting to knock on the door to receive their Paddlings.

When the cadet is given permission to enter the room, he hands his completed lines along with his copy of the PD slip to the teacher in charge of Paddlings. The Paddling Teacher then reads the infraction(s) and number of licks specified by the principal for the infraction. He then adds to that any extra licks for incomplete or illegible lines or other rule violations as described earlier and announces the number to the cadet.

As shown above, the MMI #1 regulation Paddle is made of hardwood, 5.25 inches wide, 23 inches long, and 5/8 inch thick and weighs approximately 1.5 pounds. This Paddle is used on boys in grades 8-12 who weigh 150 pounds or more. For boys weighing less or boys in lower grades, the MMI #2 regulation Paddle is used; it is hardwood, 4 inches wide, 18 inches long, 1/2 inch thick, and weighs 10 ounces. No Paddles used at MMI are allowed to have holes. Teachers may substitute their own Paddles if they are similar to the regulation MMI Paddles and approved by the principal.

The teacher then inspects the cadet's attire to make sure he is not wearing extra padding under his trousers. As indicated previously, each boy is to wear a jock strap under his trousers. Cadets who attempt to pad the seat of their trousers are required to remove the padding and given 5 extra licks. Having ascertained that no padding is present, the Paddling Teacher then orders the cadet to bend over the desk.

When the cadet is correctly positioned, the teacher again announces the number of licks to be administered. The cadet is ordered to count each lick aloud and say "Sir" after each count (e.g., One, Sir!, Two, Sir!, etc). The teacher then takes up the Paddle, positions himself to most effectively and accurately administer the licks, places the Paddle against the cadet's bottom to ascertain the optimal striking position and trajectory, and then starts applying the licks according to the teacher's own style and preferences.

Cadets may be given extra licks for moving out of position, reaching back with their hands, making mistakes in counting the licks, or any verbalizations other than counting or expressions of pain. Egregious offenses of these types will result in the Paddling being started over from lick number 1. Regardless of the count, the cadet must remain in position until the teacher tells him to get up; the Paddling is not over until the Paddling teacher says it is.

When the Paddling is over, the cadet is told to stand up and adjust his clothing. An entry is then made in the punishment book showing the cadet's name, the date, the infraction, and the final number of licks administered. Then the Paddling Teacher and cadet both sign both the original and copy of the PD slip in the spaces provided. The copy of the PD slip is returned to the cadet, and he is directed to give it back to the teacher who initially ordered the PD; this provides feedback to the initiating teacher to certify that the cadet has been punished as ordered.

The cadet is dismissed and directed to exit by the door to the hallway if he has no additional PD slips. If he has additional PD slips, he is directed to return to the detention and line lesson room to start the process for the next PD slip.

After the PD session, the original signed and executed PD slips are returned to the principal's office and are used in preparing the cadet's report card.

Cadets who fail to report to the PD session as assigned are followed up the next week. Those with an excused absence (or postponement) have their PD reassigned to the next Friday with 2 extra licks. Those who skip PD without an excused absence or postponement are subject to special punishment that in effect triples the penalty; they will be called from class the first school day following the Friday they failed to report and given a 10-lick Paddling at that time. They are also given a second PD slip for failure to report the previous Friday as ordered. The PDs for both skipping and the original infraction will be administered at the PD session the following Friday.