<p>^^^
NativeTexan,
Thoughtful and cogent comments. My mid proudly wears her "D" qual pin. It bears repeating that Command, Seamanship and Navigation Training Squadron (CSNTS) is valuable leadership and small craft training for midshipmen.</p>
<p>Bravo on the "D" qual! Glad that she wears her pin. Mine was looking forward to earning his. He was rated for an XO position next summer if the CSNTS was still happening. Agree that CSNTS is very valuable training for the midshipmen, mine learned a great deal on his this past summer.</p>
<p>USNA09mom,
For the benefit of us "lurkers"--what is a "D" qual pin?</p>
<p>Been busy lately... a bit out of the loop to say the least. I keep hearing about people stating that the supe "demands" better grades from the midshipmen. I think it was two years ago that the brigade had the highest GPA in Academy history... Will the constant demand for higher grades percipitate the type of grade inflation that we see at the top Ivies?... </p>
<p>All that being said though, as much as I *****ed about the new policy changes to friends of mine, maybe the time has come to sit back and see what these changes will bring, be it positive or negative. I realize that parents would rather not have their own children be the guinea pigs, nor as I would I when that day finally comes (hopefully not any time soon)...</p>
<p>And on the food situation, I realize the consternation of parents who expect their children to be taken care of, but other than the snafu that happened during reform, it seems there is enough food, can't confirm that though. Yeah, the food may suck, but King Hall food has sucked for a long time (although my old advisor, a class of '87 grad, claimed the food was exponentially better back then.)...</p>
<p>There are my two cents at the current moment. I can't say that in my current mindset I would make the same decisions in those shoes, but at the same time, I'm not a three star Admiral, I haven't had the same experience of being a combat leader (as much as I found it beneficial, I dont think scaminar and plebe summer count).</p>
<p>... As of three years ago, celestial nav was taught, however, I think I may have in the back of my mind that it was discontinued last year for the class of '09. Cannot confirm that by any means though.</p>
<p>The United States Navy
Sailing Qualification System</p>
<p>OFFSHORE SAILOR
QUALIFICATION LEVELS:
[For larger sailboats, generally > 30', with keels and live-aboard accommodations.]</p>
<p>Senior Crew (SC)
Minimum qualification to be considered crew-qualified on an offshore-capable, auxiliarypowered sailing vessel. Completion of the Senior Crew PQS required.
Watch Captain (WC) / Local Area Skipper (LAS)
Qualified to supervise operations aboard an offshore-capable, auxiliary-powered sailing
vessel offshore with a qualified Skipper (Cruising Skipper (D-CS), Senior Skipper (D-SS) or Master Skipper (E-MS)) aboard. Completion of the Watch Captain PQS required.
Cruising Skipper (D-CS)
Qualified to command an offshore-capable, auxiliary-powered sailing vessel in designated waters under geographic and visibility limits specified by local installation Commander. Completion of the Cruising Skipper PQS, written exam, check-ride and local knowledge required.
Senior Skipper (D-SS)
Qualified to command an offshore-capable, auxiliary-powered sailing vessel in offshore
waters, night and day. Demonstrated knowledge of Celestial Navigation, completion of the PQS for Senior Skipper, and written exam required.
Master Skipper (E-MS)
Qualified to command an offshore-capable, auxiliary-powered sailing vessel in open ocean under all conditions. Senior Skipper qualification a prerequisite, supplemented with significant offshore racing or sailing and a demonstrated ability to teach others to skipper.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usna.edu/SailingTeam/go.php?ID=1%5B/url%5D">http://www.usna.edu/SailingTeam/go.php?ID=1</a></p>
<p>USNA09mom:</p>
<p>Which one allows you to marry couples on the "Love Boat" ??? :)</p>
<p>"Love.... Exciting and New.....
Come on board..... We're expecting you......
The Love Boat...la la la la la la la la la......"</p>
<p>Sorry.</p>
<h2>"Standing before a screen that showed smoke rising from the Twin Towers after the Sept. 11 attacks, the new Naval Academy superintendent told the school's oversight panel yesterday that spending more time studying and in the fleet and less time on extracurricular activities will help prepare midshipmen to join the battle against terrorism." Baltimore Sun</h2>
<p>I wonder if the skipper read Thomas Friedman's op-ed today in the NYT:</p>
<p>^^^^ Good op-ed. Thanks for posting.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^^^^^^Yep, great head-in-the-sand-not-willing-to-face-reality article. Besides, what does our treatment of tourists have to do with being ready for the war which is facing us? Do you really think that the war on terriorism is over? Unfortunately, it isn't. Admiral Fowler's actions reflecting this opinion would be gross negligence.</p>
<p>Yea, as Friedman so "astutely" noted ...</p>
<p>
[quote]
We can’t afford to keep being this stupid! We have got to get our groove back.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>"It's back to the future, Marty!" Like the one we had on 9/10. Talk about head in the sand penmanship. Once more this dude reminds how cheap talk really can be.</p>
<p>Peskemom- thanks for posting that article.
Unfortunately it is the same one that has now been "presented over 20 times".... (the supes comment, not mine.) He read it ver batem. </p>
<p>I am sitting back and waiting now.
I am missing the mids at the games, but so it goes.
I wonder what it will do to recruitment down the line, or the ability to hold coaches, but there are bigger fish to fry. So be it.
I wonder if "700 requests for transcripts" is true. We will see soon enough.
I wonder where his leadership will take the academy.
I know that his leadership style is now being disected in the classrooms at the USNA.<br>
I give credit to the mids who gave up chanting "over-night, over'night" when Navy downed Airforce..... replaced, instead, with "Fire it up- Fire it up".... "We-Believe".... and even a resurection of "the goat is old and gnarly"......just goes to show that while spirits might be down a bit, there is still a lot of fight left in the Brigade! </p>
<p>I continue to pray for our brave men and women, and for their current leadership- I think they need all the prayers we can muster right now. Most of all, I pray reason will return to the banks of the severn.</p>
<p>
[quote]
"Standing before a screen that showed smoke rising from the Twin Towers after the Sept. 11 attacks, the new Naval Academy superintendent told the school's oversight panel yesterday that spending more time studying and in the fleet and less time on extracurricular activities will help prepare midshipmen to join the battle against terrorism."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>And while he got to stand in front of that screen, let us not forget that others were burying their family, friends and neighbors. </p>
<p>We don't need a reminder that we are at war.
I, for one, get reminded every time I see those families in church each Sunday, or at school each week. They were more than our "neighbors"... they were our friends, and 6 years has hardly made a dent in how much they are missed.</p>
<p>My mid knows well enough what is facing him.
He does not need "intrusive leadership" to remind him.
He gets reminded plenty.
If anything, getting his mind "off it" for an hour or two of his day would be a welcomed relief.
Hard to believe some "don't get" that.</p>
<p>We are a nation at war.
Our Mids will face it soon enough.
Until then, let them enjoy whatever peace they have.</p>
<p>It is a matter of balance- and so I continue to pray that their will be some tweeking of the course set to achieve it.
A good place to start would be some level of respect for the Brigade who, to a one, made a choice to take this path in the first place.....
Sadly, it is missing.</p>
<p>navy 2010 - That about sums it up.</p>
<p>Great post navy2010 You are spot on!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I hope so. And the sooner the better. It will be a start in ridding the Brigade of all the upper classs who cannot get on board with the present administration and are not setting an example for the present plebe class. These people are obviously there for the wrong reason.</p>
<p>^^^ Includes some plebes too, There are those plebes who have indicated that this is not what they were presented in Admissions briefs etc. Heard this reasoning from 3 plebe parents who all three have plebes who will probably leave, one at end of semester and two others who will decide when their transfer admissions are known. The "Marketing" department better be getting all the new regs, EC offerings correct when they talk and present to potential applicants and appointees. </p>
<p>As for obviously there for the wrong reason, maybe so but false advertising does not help the situation especially for those who have no military background ... or is that the real reason you would like them to be gone so that all that is left are mids who come in "accustom to the Military" ie dependents or priors need only apply? Remember those who do not come with the background have to rely on what is presented at 1. NASS, 2. Admissions Briefs. 3. CVW: imagine all those that dragged over the last two years and were told by those current plebes, 3/C's and 2/C's what to expect each year and now have none of it be true. and 4. BGO contacts. </p>
<p>I know there are those who say good get rid of them... then just be prepared to drop the statement "the best and the brightest" because these are all good kids and very bright. As for the 600 waiting: they were not the best or the brightest if they did not make the cut. Some will on the second try if they desire it and congrats to them for becoming the best and brightest. </p>
<p>Also have heard at the AFA football game, a few of the upperclass Mids at out tailgate make statements about not wanting to go Subs if this is the type of leadership coming out of that community. One thing is for sure, the supe is teaching these Mids everything they need to know about how not to be a leader, I suppose that in it's self is a good thing.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>My point exactly. If the upper class was providing requisite leadership, these plebes would not be leaving.</p>
<p>I think, that by their actions, they are proving that they are not the best. Probably not too smart either.</p>
<p>^^^^ Who are you implying the upper class or the plebes. Obviously they (Whom ever you are implying) were the smartest and the brightest when admissions gave them their appointments.... so does the Dant and the Supe then need to do admissions too so they get exactly whom they want? Are the BGO's not "screening" well enough, too many political appointments? In your scenario who are the best and the brightest? - Would the alumni prefer only those with prior military experience be it dependents or priors?</p>
<p>From what I have heard they have no problem with the Brigade leadership, especially since they are not allowed to lead anymore, they have the problem with the Academy leadership not leading in what these very young people were expecting, lead to believe, you name it...</p>
<p>The youngsters are tired of being plebers2. They too feel somewhat betrayed by the Academy leadership - and not on the liberty thing either. More on the being micromanaged, same as 2/C's and 1/C's. How will that serve them in the Fleet. Getting there with no leadership or decision making experience? Having most "free time" now dictated what they can and cannot do? How do they learn if they are not allowed to take a chance with their decision making skills, and leadership, take a risk and even make a mistake?</p>
<p>Also did hear that it is 700 transcripts - not 700 Midshipmen.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I know there are those who say good get rid of them... then just be prepared to drop the statement "the best and the brightest" because these are all good kids and very bright.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I know a lot of very bright kids who are good kids who would make horrible military leaders.
Any mids who are bailing out because of mandatory meals and less liberty probably would not make the best Naval Officer.<br>
With 13,000 applications a year, they are easily replaced.</p>
<p>Let's remember a couple of things before we chastise people for leaving the Academies for whatever reasons:
1. Not everyone who enters the Academies graduate. My class started with 1360 during the Vietnam era and graduated with 935.
2. Not everyone stays in their selected service beyond their required commitment. Are they considered quitters?
3. Not everyone who graduates from the Academies does a great job in the fleet. There is not a 100% promotion rate to any rank.
4.. People are strongly influeced by first impressions. We learned not to have a sailor reporting to his new command met by a person on restriction as he comes aboard a ship.
5. People are strongly influenced by people in positions of responsibility.<br>
6. One size does not fit all. And, you cannot say they would not make good officers because the Academies were not what they expected. There are a lot of good officers that come from ROTC, OCS and the ranks.</p>
<p>If people decide to leave they should not be considered failures. They have the right to make a choice. Obviously, the experience was not what they expected.</p>
<p>"That maritime strategy, detailed in a document to be released this month, will call on sailors at every level to learn new languages, study foreign cultures and train for non traditional missions such as humanitarian relief, he said."</p>
<p>Hmmm.....is the strategy of reducing ECs such as MAG, and decrying "bull" majors REALLY in line with our new CJCS's vision?????</p>