WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is ordering military leaders to put a renewed emphasis on moral behavior across the force following a series of ethical lapses that have included cheating scandals among the Navy and Air Force's nuclear missions.

Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said Hagel told the military and civilian leaders of the services in a meeting Wednesday that he wants the issue dealt with more urgently and wants updates on a regular basis.

He said Hagel believes this is a growing problem and wants service chiefs to dig in and find out how deep it goes and whether this is a systemic character breakdown.

Investigations are under way for alleged cheating among Air Force nuclear weapons troops and at a Navy nuclear ship propulsion school.

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