<p>Some of the stories coming out of USNA regarding Army Navy week activities are...um...extreme. I would like to hear from current mids who have experienced it in prior years to understand if this year's environment was out of the ordinary. I would also like to hear from alumni as to the level of mayhem they witnessed during Army Navy Week when they lived on the yard.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I think it is best that these stories remain within Bancroft Hall.</p>
<p>Please note that I didn't ask for any stories, nor did I tell any.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I think it is best that these stories remain within Bancroft Hall.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Why? </p>
<p>Is there something that needs to be hidden? </p>
<p>From whom?</p>
<p>Illegal or immoral activities? Hazing?</p>
<p>:confused:</p>
<p>oh people need to chill out. "illegal/immoral activities? hazing?" <em>concerned face?</em> </p>
<p>its army week. nothing happened that was really out of the ordinary. when people got out of hand, they were punished. mother b didn't burn down and no one died or was seriously injured. crazier things go on on a normal weekend in DTA...and thats the truth.</p>
<p>Indeed. Get nearly 4,000 adolescent testosterone generators who've been drilled in exhaling "GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY" virtually every day since they arrived in Bancroft and are since living in close proximity the week before Army-Navy, and we'll all be refreshed in our grasping the truth of the adage ...</p>
<p>"Boys will be boys!" :eek: :eek: :eek:</p>
<p>...and way beyond. </p>
<p>Managing the borders of good taste and appropriate behavior can become shall we say, confusing? challenging? impossible? ... :confused: Or maybe it's the origin of that old pre-Star Wars tv show Outer Limits R Us! :cool:</p>
<p>GO GOATS! BUTT MULES! ;)</p>
<p>
[quote]
mother b didn't burn down and no one died or was seriously injured. crazier things go on on a normal weekend in DTA.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree, so why hide em as grad/dad says?</p>
<p>Let's hear 'em!</p>
<p>come on. when you read mccain's book you hear how bad it got for mids back in the early 1900s. nothing comes close to squatting with a broomstick behind your knees for long periods of time.</p>
<p>zanerdude, they're talking about pranks, not hazing. </p>
<p>There was one bad incident, and the kid involved won't be going home for Christmas and came pretty close to separation. If you're interested PM me, it's inappropriate to post.</p>
<p>We heard "what they did last year" stories at Thanksgiving. It sounds like the pranks were not out of the ordinary, for the most part. Our son explained that it isn't hazing it is tradition. Yeah right! We were worried, but knew we wouldn't want to know any details. We reminded him that Christmas break is on the line. He was glad that army week lasted longer than air force week. Now the mayhen is behind them and they can concentrate on finals.</p>
<p>Different battalions apparently got to celebrate Army-Navy week for longer or shorter periods of time, depending on whether they went overboard or not. My daughter's squad went on a more traditional "spirit mission" to post a banner at CAPT Klunder's house that was well-received. The banner even made its appearance at the game.</p>
<p>Thanks, especially to you current mids. I really just wanted to know if this year was out of the ordinary. It sounds like it was about on par with past years.</p>
<p>Jaybee, if it is too inappropriate to post, then it is too inappropriate to send in a PM. Don't offer to tell the world about something you probably know little about.</p>
<p>Loose lips sink ships.</p>
<p>Disclaimer: "Nothing I post should be taken as the truth or accurate, nor should it be taken that I fail to realize many folks on this board know infinitely more than I do about everything USNA and will quickly point that out".. That said I heard it was an out of hand food fight in Kings hall that closed down the festivities.</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>Good thing for the disclaimer.</p>
<p>This is why I said things should not be posted. Most of them will be unsubstantiated rumors, that will lead to more rumors. I doubt Mids will actually post anything of which they have first hand information. Do you think the Commandant would have released everyone including restrictees if there had been serious issues?</p>
<p>I first want to start off by saying that I do not represent the administration and these are my opinions from my experience at the academy. It is not that there is something to hide. The academy has traditions, and it is through these traditions that form camaraderie. Many things in the military are not designed for parents to be involved with or know about. I understand that the academy is a different setting than the fleet, however it is because of the openness that many traditions have gone away at the academy. Do things get out of hand sometimes during army week? Yes, and the actions are dealt with accordingly through the conduct system. As a grad, and I think most grads would agree with me, there is stuff that happens at the academy that are for mids and academy grads to know. Its not hazing, nothing illegal but something that forms the bond between academy grads. Midshipmen are there to be prepared to be leaders and officers of Marines and sailors. In my opinion, we can equate this to training received by the enlisted Marines and Sailors. Parents are not invited to be there during boot camp/MOS school. They are invited to graduation once the Marine/sailor has been transformed. I dont think the Academy will ever be this strict nor do I think it should, but parents need to realize their sons and daughters can not tell them everything that happens. Trust that the company officers and administration will do what is best for the mids. Trust that the system works and that your mids are being trained to lead the best military in the world.</p>
<p>Put well '07. On a larger screen, the deterrents you've observed and note to nurturing that culture that is, should and perhaps must be unique to serving well in the military can and often are insidious, pervasive, chronic, seductive in today's PC world. They can be like rust, ruinous. </p>
<p>Many are beyond rectifying and must be dealt with as politics, recognizing what was fine, acceptable a generation or 3 back, now might be sorely out of order or even criminal. Others, including well-intentioned,dying-to-know parents, need not be among those exposed to all the sunshine of the Yard. Trust is a critical notion for as we continually are reminded, the intended goals and outcomes of a USNA or other SA education, training and indoctrination are possibly impossible for laymen to fully know or understand. Nor are they simply fraternal fun. They have a life-and-death purpose.</p>
<p>The question has been fairly, frequently asked as to why the precipitous increase in 5-and-dive and premature resignation of commissions. What is causing more to serve less? While it's a complex issue, I believe that 07's good response lends lots of insight to the issue.</p>
<p>Whistle Pig. I agree 100%. It is the general attitude that everybody is a winner that is the problem. Everybody is not a winner, especially in war. The sense of entitlement at the academy is huge because all mids are told is they are special and the best and brightest. We have to face that some people are not as smart at others and some people will not be good leaders. At the academy, many mids feel that by graduating from there they are good leaders. It can be attributed to the mids but when everybody tells you that you are special and the best then you start to believe it, regardless if you are or not. Simply wearing the uniform and academy ring does not make you a good leader.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, that's one of those questions to which the correct and uprighting answer may never be either sought or discovered. Sadly, while the probable right Q's and their A's cost thousands of American lives and millions of taxpayer dollars, votes for politicians are deemed well, even more "priceless."</p>
<p>And so it is, none will ask the difficult questions to which those same powerful people can afford no answers.</p>