WEST POINT, N.Y. — Cadet Cayden N. Cork, once celebrated in his Florida hometown for his academic excellence and family legacy of service, is now facing a General Court-Martial (GCM) at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
According to official Army court records, Cork is charged with Article 127 (Extortion), three specifications of Article 133 (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer), and four specifications of Article 134 (General Article) under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
A docket entry lists an Article 39(a) arraignment scheduled for November 13, 2025, at 0900 hours, inside the West Point courtroom. Records indicate Cork has entered a plea of not guilty and has chosen an officer panel as his forum for trial. The proceedings fall under the jurisdiction of the 1st Judicial Circuit, with the U.S. Military Academy serving as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority (GCMCA).
Just two years ago, Cork was featured in a local Florida news article highlighting his nomination to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. At the time, Congressman Scott Franklin issued the nomination, supported by letters of recommendation from Retired Brig. Gen. Tim Sullivan, Sen. Marco Rubio, former Rep. Anthony Sabatini, and Republican Board representative Bill Siegenthaler.
The article noted Cork’s family’s history of public service — his father serving as a Lieutenant with the Lake County Fire Department and his mother as an APRN in women’s healthcare. Cork expressed that his motivation to attend West Point stemmed from a desire to serve his country and uphold the values of leadership, discipline, and integrity.
While specific details of the alleged offenses have not yet been released, the listed charges suggest serious accusations.
- Article 127 (Extortion) involves wrongfully threatening another person to obtain something of value or advantage.
- Article 133 (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer) is a broad charge covering behavior that dishonors the individual or the military profession; Cork faces three counts.
- Article 134 (General Article) acts as a catch-all for conduct that brings discredit upon the armed forces or violates federal law; Cork faces four counts.
Together, these eight specifications represent a wide-ranging case of alleged misconduct — one that could result in dismissal from the academy and significant punitive measures if found guilty.
The Article 39(a) hearing scheduled for November 13 marks the first formal step in the court-martial process. It functions as an arraignment where charges are read, and pleas are entered — typically followed by discovery, pretrial motions, and eventual trial proceedings.
If convicted, Cork could face dismissal from the service, forfeiture of pay and allowances, and confinement depending on the severity of the findings.
The Army has not publicly commented on the specifics of the case or the nature of the alleged misconduct. As of now, Cork remains presumed innocent under military law.
The U.S. v. CDT Cork, Cayden N. case will continue at the U.S. Military Academy courtroom at West Point, with further proceedings pending following the November 13 arraignment.
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