<p>
</p>
<p>Too many unnecessary violations of poetic license for it to be anyone familiar with the Academy.</p>
<p>^^^^whomever wrote it, I think it was very clever indeed! </p>
<p>No need to leak anything to the press.... have no doubt they have CC bookmarked as a "favorite".....</p>
<p>
<p>Understand your duty to "support the Supe".... .but I would challenge you that your duty as a BGO, and more as an Alumn, is to support the NAVAL ACADEMY. It is bigger than the Supe and the Dant.</p>
<p>And while you are of the belief "there are mids out there that will be embarrased" when all is said and done, I am of the belief there is an administration that will be called to task for the outcomes of the decisions they have made.
I am finally going to make the statements that I have been accused of making, but never have. I have been a part of the Navy and USNA for 45 years. I will turn USNAMom's attempt at discreditment around. How long have you parents been around? I know the Academy and I know the Navy. I know the dedicated professionals that are a part of the Navy. I know the well meaning but sometimes rumor fed Brigade. Never in my wildest imagination could I imagine Naval professionals allowing the food situation to grow to where the rumors were stating that it was. Apparently I was correct. As the Supt stated, change is uncomfortable. The mids were looking for an excuse not to eat three meals a day. They exaggerated.</p>
<p>Every few years, the pendulum swings the other way. Rempt should have reversed the swing, but pushied it further than it had ever been the other way. The last crackdown was 10 yrs ago this fall. Very similiar but probably a little more intense than this one. Mids griped and grumbled but went along with it. There was no CC forum. It was before mms and helicopter parents. There were no published poems. It all stayed in house and the Academy was better for it. </p>
<p>For the midshipmen and parents who view Uncle Rodney as the epitemy of leadership, he is only an example of one extreme. There are many more. I have been exposed to all of them and there is good and bad in all. You haven't. </p>
<p>The Supt has CNO's full endorsement. The CNO told Supt to clean the place up. The Supt practiced good leadership by not criticizing his predecessor. There WAS a problem. </p>
<p>I do not know the extent of the mutiny. I do know that it is sad that one of my mids is contemplating leaving because his upperclassmen are telling him he should quit, that the new changes make it not worth staying. This is sad.</p>
<p>This is a minor bump, a bump for the good, a bump by a professional administration. I support it. I cannot support those who, with no grasp of the big picture, of the overall picture, see it as some horrible misadministration.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Quit making stuff up.</p>
<p>USNA69, your post #123 was one of your better ones, I would have gone a little easier on the “I’m smart and you’re stupid and uninformed theme” in addressing the parents and alum that post here, but all and all I was glad to see you at least temporarily relented on the in your face “the brigade is awful” tone of many of your past posts. I don’t think there is a parent or alum here that hasn’t figured out the pendulum has swung the other way or that in some ways it was both necessary and perhaps overdue. </p>
<p>The fact remains the current plebe class was no where near Annapolis last year when headlines were made of the sort we’d just as soon not see. I think it is also safe to say the overwhelming majority of upper-classmen has conducted themselves in a manner that reflects positively on both them and the Academy; they are guilty of no crime, and they along with the current plebe class should be treated with respect. </p>
<p>I hope you will recognize by choosing to be the “Superintendent’s voice” on this site your comments, observations and assessments, particularly about the Brigade are linked by default to him. In other words since we don’t have the Supt posting here and you have chosen to fill in, how you act is going to inevitably impact the interpretation of many when it comes to the changes under way at the Academy. In that regard by assailing the Brigade to the extent that you have, particularly to the parents of those men and women you have undermined much of the support that might have been available to you had you taken a different tack. </p>
<p>Much of the past 9 pages of this thread were taken up not in a discussion about the Superintendent and his goals and objectives for the Academy and Midshipmen, but more about you and your observations and criticisms of the Brigade. Through your linkage to the Superintendent as well as the changes underway you’ve gone a long way to poisoning the well. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your advocacy for change as well as the reasons in support of that change; the manner in which you have chosen to articulate on behalf of those changes leaves much to be desired. </p>
<p>In the end it matters, how you or for that matter the Superintendent conducts himself matters as much as being right about the policy and changes you are pursuing. If you are perceived as an angry old man with a nasty agenda or a stealth Superintendent that can’t be bothered to engage Mids at any time, you just made your job of implementing what you may believe to be important changes a whole lot harder; unnecessarily. The observations that people make about you may or may not be accurate or even fair, but perceptions go a long way towards creating the reality we all wish to see. If you or the Superintendent fails to consider the impact of your actions you will greatly diminish the chances for your success.</p>
<p>Interesting . . . do you think, is it possible, that 69 really is the Supt.? He is just posing as another character in the CC world?</p>
<p>rjrzoom57 - You took the words out of my mouth, but articulated it so much better than I could. </p>
<p>69- Your attitude poisons your posts and lessens your arguements and logic. In a perfect world your statements would be taken at face value, but the reality is that "how" you say something effects what other "hear." You have a valuable point-of-view and I can't help but feel that your input would be more effective if you toned down your acidic comments towards those who see things differently than you. </p>
<p>Just my thoughts.....</p>
<p>no, I don't think that is the case at all nor did I mean to suggest that by my comments</p>
<p>
[quote]
Interesting . . . do you think, is it possible, that 69 really is the Supt.? He is just posing as another character in the CC world?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>:eek:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Quit making stuff up.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>no need. Told you, our seats are in the endzone this year right next to the brigade. Next time look a bit closer past the plebes in the first 5 rows.....</p>
<p>There are a bunch of us on here who want to talk about admissions issues for candidates - after all, that's really what this board is for.</p>
<p>I can only speak for myself, but inflammatory comments don't really further that mission.<br>
Now, does anyone have a question about admissions so we can get things back to an even keel?</p>
<p>agree with your comments-</p>
<p>discussion is a good thing- a call to keeping it "respectful" I can agree with!</p>
<p>IMO, I think this is exactly what potential candidates need to know; perhaps not part of the "admissions process," but certainly a big part of the journey thereafter!</p>
<p>Questions our son was encouraged to ask at every school he considered:
"what are the issues"
and
"how is the administration responding to them." </p>
<p>the good, the bad and the ugly folks.... it all comes with the package, no matter where you go!</p>
<p>Just one man's opinion... ;)</p>
<p>Well, whatever issues (non-issues?) there were/are seem to be resolved as far as USNA is concerned - they are just being perpetuated here on this forum.</p>
<p>...these are "parental" issues - not USNA issues.</p>
<p>If they are truly USNA issues, then let the mids post about them - not parents (again, the parents forum would be the place to post if you truly "feel the need").</p>
<p>Task Force Life/Work to Visit Southeast Region
Story Number: NNS070912-33
Release Date: 9/12/2007 3:56:00 PM</p>
<p>By Lt. Cmdr. Kim Dixon, Chief of Naval Personnel Diversity Directorate</p>
<p>WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Task Force Life/Work (TFLW) Roadshow will be visiting the Southeast Region from Sept. 26 through Sept. 28, hosting events at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport, and Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Kings Bay. </p>
<p>Each day will consist of an 8:00 a.m. event for officers and command master chiefs, with a breakout discussion session for junior officers, and a 10:30 a.m. event for all hands. The TFLW Roadshow events will take place Sept. 26 at the NAS Jacksonville Base Theater, Sept. 27 at the NAVSTA Mayport Base Chapel, and Sept. 28 at the NSB Kings Bay Base Chapel. </p>
<p>These events provide an opportunity for everyone in the Navy to hear directly from the Task Force about current and future initiatives and to provide direct feedback. The Task Force is looking for the thoughts, opinions, and insights of those who are, and will be, the leaders of the 21st century Navy. </p>
<p>“Some things will never change because of the business we are in … we go to sea and our Sailors recognize that hard work and long hours are necessary when underway. However, we often bring this culture with us no matter what we do – shore duty, ship in an availability, etc,” said Vice Adm. Terrance Etnyre, Commander, Naval Surface Forces. “As the demographic make-up of our nation shifts, our Navy must also shift to remain a viable career option for all.” </p>
<p>More than 800 people attended the recent Roadshow events in the Southwest Region. Life/work balance refers to the level of satisfaction a person has about his or her personal life and professional life and the feedback received in San Diego highlighted both aspects. </p>
<p>Comments submitted by audience members hit a wide array of topics with financial incentives and increased education opportunities mentioned most. Attendees also brought out concerns about limited advancement opportunities, the High Year Tenure policy, the evaluation process, and limited daycare facilities. </p>
<p>“TFLW is examining initiatives that Navy can influence through policy change to win the war for this talent. However, they need to hear from you, your wardrooms, and your crews,” Etnyre said in a recent message to the surface forces. “I encourage you to discuss this with your wardrooms, CPO messes, and crews and provide TFLW suggestions on how we can do things differently to encourage our Sailors to ‘Stay Navy.’” </p>
<p>Two other options are available for providing feedback to the Task Force. The first is the TFLW Web site, <a href="http://www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/taskforcelifework%5B/url%5D">www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/taskforcelifework</a>. The site details the mission and vision of the TFLW, lists announcements, briefs, and the Roadshow schedule, and provides an e-mail link to submit direct feedback to Task Force representatives. </p>
<p>The second is the TFLW online community blog, accessed through the TFLW Web site. Anyone can request to join the blog by using a (dot)mil e-mail account. Current discussion threads include telecommuting, education opportunities, work environment, and life coaches. Members of the blog can either comment on existing discussion threads or begin a new one. </p>
<p>It appears that the Fleet is asking people how to improve Navy life and are also offering a community blog where they can provide their comments. Life in the military is not always black and white.</p>
<p>Damn, when I was on here briefly at lunch I could have sworn there was a poster that actually was supporting me. Do those automatically get deleted. </p>
<p>It also have a fairly accurate description of Bill. Sorry to see it go.</p>
<p>^^^^ LOL!!!</p>
<p>No, not automatic....
just those deserving of the delete key!!!</p>
<p>as for bill.... leave the poor guy alone- it's only wednesday and he doesn't hit his stride until the weekend!!! ;)<br>
anyway, his "return to capistrano" stories are CC classics......
(hmmmm.... we should be due for another one of those any day now!!!!! :) )</p>
<p>Annapolis' good fortune in being home to the Naval Academy goes beyond the prestige of having a world-class educational institution here. The presence of midshipmen in uniform on city streets, in itself, generates a sense of patriotic pride.</p>
<p>But we may be seeing fewer of those immaculate uniforms because of changes introduced by the academy's new superintendent, Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler. This may be disappointing to the community and will strike at freedoms mids have enjoyed for years. But Adm. Fowler's reforms should make for better officers.</p>
<p>There will be more mandatory meals on campus - so local restaurants and pizza deliverers will lose business. There will be fewer liberties - so sponsors will see their midshipmen less. There will be fewer opportunities for midshipmen to work on community projects - so organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the city's GreenScape project may lose volunteers.
Adm. Fowler's intention is to focus on the core mission of the academy. Singing in the Glee Club or helping build homes may make midshipmen better-rounded individuals - but not necessarily better Navy or Marine Corps officers.</p>
<p>The superintendent concluded that the time for community projects and extracurricular activities was coming out of officer training. Annapolitans, like all the other U.S. taxpayers footing the bill for the mids' education, presumably agree that the academy's top priority is turning out superbly qualified officers.</p>
<p>Adm. Fowler argues persuasively that the academy can't be compared to a college campus. Typical college students are responsible to the country only to the extent that every American citizen is. Perhaps they can choose to waste their money - or their parents' money - by spending more time in a bar than in a classroom. No such choice can be offered to future officers attending an exclusive school at great expense to the tax-payers.</p>
<p>Of course, the academy starts with an unusually dedicated group of young people. The school picks from the best and brightest, from applicants who excel in athletics and scholastic achievement. The academy has only four years to take all this raw potential and mold officers - which leaves no time to squander.</p>
<p>Only time will tell whether Adm. Fowler's changes are working. He does run a risk of demoralizing the brigade and providing scant relief from the pressure of academy life. That's all the more reason to make sure that everything at the academy - food service included - helps the mids bear up under a grueling schedule.</p>
<p>Change comes hard, and we suspect Adm. Fowler's changes aren't popular with midshipmen who weren't warned about them and may have been enjoying greater freedoms for a couple of years. This will fade as the new regimen becomes routine.</p>
<p>Adm. Fowler's changes may not make him popular with the brigade, but are made with the best of intentions. We hope they're given a chance by everyone - the community included.</p>
<p>Copyright 2007 Capital Gazette Communications, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
The Capital (Annapolis, MD)
October 10, 2007 Wednesday</p>
<p>^^^
Did Mrs. Fowler write this?</p>
<p>Actually this is written with some balance and a reasonable attempt at objectivity, maybe if we keep our fingers crossed ’69 will take note of how that is done</p>