<p>
[quote]
The Naval Academy may ask the Department of Defense for more money to better feed midshipmen after being beset in September with complaints from students about both poor food quality and a brief shortage, officials said in a meeting yesterday.</p>
<p>Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler, the academy's superintendent, who this semester increased the number of meals that midshipmen must eat in the dining hall from six a week to 15, said more funding is a long-term key to solving the problem. The Pentagon allocates $6.95 per midshipman per day.</p>
<p>"We're pretty close to asking for [more money]," Fowler said in response to a question from a member of the academy's Board of Visitors, an oversight panel of civilians, lawmakers and retired military officials....
<p>The Academy didn't have a problem with having enough money to feed the Mids until the new administration increased the number of mandatory meals, thereby decreasing the amount of $$ available per meal. I understand why they increased the number of mandatory meals, but instead of asking for more money from an already strapped defense budget, perhaps the administration could see if there were other ways to increase squad interaction.</p>
<p>Seriously, our son is a Firstie and doesn't complain, but last night he did say that they had been at dinner the last couple of nights and there was no food. Literally. Condiments and some bread if you were able to get it. Why is this still an issue is beyond me. It is one thing to have "unintended consequences" but to let the situation stand seems to reek of sheer stubborness for the sake of stubborness. I just don't understand. I'm really glad our son is graduating, since the firsties are (and should be, not complaining about that) bearing the brunt of it. </p>
<p>Bright light at the end of the tunnel - Being issued a flight jacket in February! :)</p>
<p>I recall meals being spotty at the end of the semester all those many years ago. When we asked why, we were told that because we Mids typically did not attend meals as regularly as during the semester, they ramped down the number of meals they prepared to guard against waste. When too many showed up, it caused shortages. Not sure if this is the case, but it wouldn't surprise me.</p>
<p>We also got "MidRats" (boxed lunches) during finals in the late evenings. Plebes would take a laundry cart down to King Hall and load up the boxes and bring them back to the Company Area. Can any Mids out there tell us if that's still going on?</p>
<p>OK, I'm a little concerned about hungry kids...if so few eat during the week, where are they eating?? They can't leave the campus, can they? Kids eat constantly, so they have to be eating somewhere...this situation is very unacceptable.</p>
<p>
[quote]
"We're pretty close to asking for [more money]," Fowler said in response
[/quote]
</p>
<p>What does that mean? Pretty close?? Is that like pretty close to being pregnant? Either there is a real need that warrants some action or there isn't and the comment is unnecessary. I could understand something along the lines of "the matter is under review" ...but "pretty close"?? as in we are pretty close to running aground? </p>
<p>Dad&Grad, thank you for that link, though I have to say reading down through the comments and observations left me with more questions and concerns; </p>
<p>Members of the football team still have to buy their own food for lunch and dinner??? huh? </p>
<p>Female mids on on prenatal vitamins and iron supplements because they are anemic from no red meat?? </p>
<p>Eliminating the Midshipman prayer at noon meal?? </p>
<p>In the end, if you aren't going to pray when you are a nation at war, I'd like to know when it would ever be more appropriate?</p>
<p>How are these kids to do their best on finals with empty bellies? Is it that bad? Am envisioning an Oliver Twist type experience: Please sir, may I have some more?"</p>
<p>(start rant)I am getting a bit tired of reading the "lectures" from underclass parents on the parents' list. Of course underclass wouldn't be noticing this as much. That is as it should be. But I am really tired of people who have plebes and youngsters saying it isn't so bad, etc. I have noticed that the year groups for those who are saying there is no problem are characteristically 10 and 11. The firstie parents have been very quiet. d(end rant).</p>
<p>Oh well, most firsties are out of there today and tomorrow, so yippee! Hopefully the weather will cooperate this time and he will make it home on time! :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
It is one thing to have "unintended consequences" but to let the situation stand seems to reek of sheer stubborness for the sake of stubborness.
[/quote]
well put momof1.</p>
<p>I am not on the parents list serve as most information is just bad got discussed midway through Plebe year and unsubscribed in June too much feel good and party line for me! Anyway my youngster says it is terrible - misses his red meat.</p>
<p>mom3boys:
The Mids do not leave the yard to get food but the line at gate one and Zero is pretty long with the take out orders. There are few take out places that drivers have DOD stickers and deliver to the Midstore parking lot.</p>
<p>Parents and sponsors send a lot of food - power bars, cliff bars - instant whatever your Mid likes - raman noodles, oatmeal etc...</p>
<p>Some sponsor parents and parents who are near the yard will deliver a home cooked meal too. </p>
<p>The Mids find a way to beat the hunger, lack of food and poor quality!</p>
<p>rjrzoom57 too funny
[quote]
What does that mean? Pretty close?? Is that like pretty close to being pregnant? Either there is a real need that warrants some action or there isn't and the comment is unnecessary.
[/quote]
- the Admiral really does know who to spin things and give no real answers!</p>
<p>I can say that the food distributions has gotten much better from the beginning of the semester. Some meals are still questionable to the matters of "what is that [undistinguishable main course]?" There was miscommunication the other day between the food service with regards to the final exam/meal requirement schedule (food ran out)...however, all of that should of been taken care of by now.</p>
<p>One of the reasons my mid drove her car 3,000 miles from California to Annapolis last summer was so that she could stock up at Trader Joe's in Annapolis on the weekends with nutritious food and vitamins to supplement the junk food served to the brigade in King Hall. Need I say more?</p>
<p>momof1, 2/C know who really got the shaft! ;)</p>
<p>Holy cow. Or at least half of one in jerky! :) I fell really bad, though, since I didn't send one right before Thanksgiving (I thought he would be home) and then not in the last couple of weeks so he has totally exhausted his supply of good stuff. That's okay, he'll be ready for home cooking, even mine! :) </p>
<p>Yeah, usna09mom, the firsties and second class have really had some lessons in leadership. Hopefully those coming up will one day realize, when hearing of the food shortages, that they were so well taken care of they didn't even notice. :) </p>
<p>12 more hours until mine is homeward bound!</p>
<p>usna09mom: way more than $6.95 per day = 36weeks x 7 x 6.95 =$1751.40 Total (48.65 for the week) </p>
<p>LOL The family probably spent that on postage alone considering Grandma, Nana and I made sure there was at least 1 box per week. Aunt just sent 3 boxes to the three roommates and spent close to 50 in postage - too much
stuff for the flat rate box!</p>
<p>Friday 5pm can't wait! (drew a 7:55 final on the last day of finals - not fair for a youngster!)</p>
<p>I hope the firsties and second class are getting a lesson in how not to lead, should strengthen their knowledge in how to lead!</p>
<p>While we weren't aware of it during Plebe summer and probably couldn't use it if we were, we started sending our care packages through the Bancroft express office once the semester began. We use UPS ground or FedEx ground and it has been much cheaper and faster. Your Mid even gets an email to let them know it's arrived.</p>