Case Stirs Criticism of Naval Academy Chief

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>As Ex-Quarterback Waits for Decision on Future, Alumni Question Leadership</p>

<p>Published in yesterday's Washington Compost:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/16/AR2006121600956.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/16/AR2006121600956.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Five months after he was cleared of a rape charge, the U.S. Naval Academy's former star quarterback is shuffling papers at the Washington Navy Yard, awaiting word on whether he will be allowed to serve as an officer -- or kicked out of the academy on lesser offenses and forced to pay back $136,000 for his education there.</p>

<p>The case of midshipman Lamar S. Owens Jr. remains front and center in the Naval Academy community, spurring an ugly battle between the superintendent, Vice Adm. Rodney P. Rempt, and academy graduates who accuse Rempt of bias....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
The case has also exposed a fault line of opposition from alumni who believe academy standards have been lowered under Rempt's watch. They point not only to high-profile cases involving drinking and sexual indiscretions but also to a general lack of decorum displayed on a much-viewed Internet video of midshipmen marching through the streets of Annapolis on the way to a recent Navy football game, appearing -- in the words of one alumnus who commented online -- like "undisciplined louts in uniform."...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is why the Brigade of Midshipmen looked like a rag tag bunch of squids from McCale's Navy at the Army-Navy game compared to West Point.</p>

2

<p>Wouldn't happen to have link to that video, would you?</p>

3

<p>"undisciplined louts in uniform" - that is not at all how the Brigade should be described. Is there no ability to influence behavior within the Brigade itself?</p>

4

<p>on the subject of that video, here is what my host mid told me when i was at my CVW</p>

<p>there is an anti-military group called something like "is israel worth it" that basically goes around wearing shirts with the WTC buildings on fire and and the words "is israel worth it" on the front (implying that our backing of israel caused 9/11) and taking video of the mids. they then edit the video to make the mids look as bad as possible and post it on the internet telling people that this is what their tax dollars are paying for. </p>

<p>so basically they are a bunch of nuts who are trying to make the military look bad, and apparently are seeing some success</p>

5

<p>ahhh...it's a fake video? that's rotten.</p>

6

<p>its not necesarily fake, just out of context</p>

7

<p>my husband and son happened to walk from the campus to the stadium w/ the mids at one home game this year and there was no loutish behaviour.</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
its not necesarily fake, just out of context

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What's the difference? It's a purposeful misrepresentation.</p>

<p>Considering the people doing it, of course, it doesn't surprise me at all.</p>

<p>I would have been surprised by the Mids, though. While marchovers were fun (we used to carry bags of candy and toss it to the kids lining the way), they were never what I would have described as "loutish".</p>

9

<p>Link to video:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mMR-_gTaaA%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mMR-_gTaaA&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

10

<p>Seems to me the group, "Is Israel Worth It?" picks very strange venues to engage in philosophical debate.</p>

<p>I have to presume that besides wearing the T shirts that create a link between the US support of Israel to the horrors of 9/11, they almost certainly had a banner asking the passing brigade the very same question. Very tempting to comment when asked, that...</p>

<p>Perhaps the group expected our young men and women, so likely soon to be in harms way to protest that no, it was not worth it. In that, they were sorely disappointed.</p>

<p>Perhaps the brigade would be better served by not engaging in "walk-by" commentary with political protesters, but this racist group (just a plain fact, as blatant anti-african american and anti-jew commentary is conveniently provided on the tape) has an "axe to grind" and are willing to insult individual members of the brigade and the entire brigade itself to reinforce their twisted viewpoint.</p>

<p>God bless free speach. It makes it so much easier to spot the idiots.</p>

11

<p>My take on the video is that with the exception of 28th, 29th and 30th Companies, the Brigade was not marching. The description of "undisciplined louts in uniform" is fitting. Criticism of RR is warranted.</p>

12

<p>Not to throw fuel on the fire, and I'm certainly not qualified to comment on the top of lowered standards under Vice Admiral Rempt, but the photo shown in the attachment illustrates why some of the West Point cadets were disappointed with their Annapolis brethren before the start of the Army Navy game; I think they expected a lot more from the mids. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025055.jpg&EventID=62%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025055.jpg&EventID=62&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I'll leave it up to the Navy folks to decide if there's a problem or not, but I'd sure be interested in the answer to the question and possible solutions if there is a problem.</p>

13

<p>Oh yeah; and when it comes to comments on YouTube, think of the stupidest moron who has ever posted to the service academy forum. In comparison to the average YouTube poster he's/she's some kind of uber genius rocket scientist. So there's no need to get excited about what some knucklehead wrote on YouTube, the clearly more articulate Mids who defended the marchers notwithstanding, of course.</p>

14

<p>OK... First off, the group is a Neo-Nazi group. If you would like to learn more about them, I believe they run a website called SSRegalia.com... Atleast I think thats right. </p>

<p>But anyway, the issue at hand is alumni calling into question VADM Rempt's tenure as superintendent. In reference to the comment of "undisciplined louts in uniform," comment, that behavior is nothing new from Rempt's term. I can't speak on what the class of 1980 did on their march on, but from the time mids step off at T-Court until they enter the gates of the stadium, they are not marching. Instead the mids are showing spirit, cheering right along with the throngs of fans that line the streets. They often interact with the fans, which shows people that mids are not the automatons they see up on the Hudson(no offense to the cadets, just a biased observation). When they reach the stadium the mids lock it on, get in step, and show professionalism on the field. Judging from Zaphod's comments, I think the same was true for the class of 91. The Naval Academy is not a prison, and especially at a football game, the mids should be able to show some school spirit. Also, the picture posted by WPSON2010 was a bit out of context. If you look closely at it, it was taken when the mids were going to their seats, not marching on. The picture was taken after the brigade marched on, did their "spirited" singing, and after they recieved the signal from the flagman to get off the field.</p>

<p>Alcohol problems/sexual indiscretion has been something emphasized by VADM Rempt throughout his time. You only need to look at the much loved 0-0-1-3 alcohol policy to realize the steps that the supe has taken to curb alcohol abuse. I even once saw a Lucky Bag picture from the mid 80s, could be 84, with a mid drinking a Bud in his room. Even under VADM Rempt pre 0-0-1-3, a picture like that would not be taken, much less appear in the yearbook. With sexual indiscretions, there have been two public cases within the past year concerning football players. As far I am aware, these are the only two major cases that the Academy has seen over the time under VADM Rempt (there could be other cases, however, they were not spread throughout the Brigade). A year or two before VADM Rempt came to the Academy there was a rape case in the Brigade. Furthermore, several times throughout the year all midshipmen recieve training on how to deal with/avoid sexual indiscretions. If anything, the Academy under VADM Rempt has been overly protective of the female midshipmen.</p>

<p>VADM Rempt's term as Supe has not been perfect, but to attack him for lowering standards is a bit innacurate. In addition to the new alcohol policies, VADM Rempt has reinstated and increased the cadres' ability to PT plebes during Plebe Summer, went from a 9 section duty for all classes to a 3-6 section duty that depended on class, mandated that all upper class on duty must attend SMT, and decreased the amount of weekends that the upperclasses, especially firsties, earn.</p>

<p>I guess this will spark some debate; just thought it was something that needed to be said.</p>

15

<p>I wasn't at the game, and I don't know how the cadets marched off, but what's going on here:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025046.jpg&EventID=62%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025046.jpg&EventID=62&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025049.jpg&EventID=62%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025049.jpg&EventID=62&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025051.jpg&EventID=62%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025051.jpg&EventID=62&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025054.jpg&EventID=62%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025054.jpg&EventID=62&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I may be picking nits, but it's not quite the same as:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025030.jpg&EventID=62%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025030.jpg&EventID=62&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>or</p>

<p><a href="http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025030.jpg&EventID=62%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2007/photoview.php?GalleryID=783&photo=PC025030.jpg&EventID=62&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>And characterizing cadets as "automatons they see up on the Hudson" isn't as insulting as it is ignorant.</p>

16

<p>Actually the two pictures comparing USNA and USMA when formed up are remarkably similiar, however I do believe USMA organizes its units with regard to height (thus making for a more similiar appearence), while USNA has shorter people within its ranks, thus making the covers appear staggered when viewed from an angle like in your picture.</p>

<p>Might I sense a little bit of preference, judging by your name "WP - West Point"?</p>

17

<p>"Might I sense a little bit of preference, judging by your name "WP - West Point"?"</p>

<p>Perhaps a little, but not as much as one would think given the name. I'd say the family is probably evenly divided between Army and Navy active service and veterans, and I have a very healthy respect for both institutions.</p>

18

<p>
[quote]
Not to throw fuel on the fire, and I'm certainly not qualified to comment on the top of lowered standards under Vice Admiral Rempt, but the photo shown in the attachment illustrates why some of the West Point cadets were disappointed with their Annapolis brethren before the start of the Army Navy game; I think they expected a lot more from the mids.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.west-point.org/family/mem...g&Eve%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.west-point.org/family/mem...g&Eve&lt;/a> ntID=62</p>

<p>I'll leave it up to the Navy folks to decide if there's a problem or not, but I'd sure be interested in the answer to the question and possible solutions if there is a problem.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This one picture may be a bit misleading, as it seems to show the mids marching OFF the field, which isn't as organized as marching ON.</p>

<p>However, there is no denying that the other pictures definitely do not show the best of Navy drill. Whether this can be attributed to Admiral Rempt can certainly be debated, but I certainly hope SOMETHING will be done to prevent this from happening in the future. The formation looked like crap, and the idiot in the Bill the Goat suit should be taken out back to scrub pots and pans with a toothbrush.</p>

19

<p>Admittedly yes, our standards of marching aren't quite as high as that glorious institution upon the banks of the mighty Hudson. Our bad. Perhaps it's the fact we don't march three times weekly. Kudos to West Point for that. </p>

<p>I will say, however, that those of us in the Brigade were highly disappointed with our West Point brethren when several Midshipman were struck in the face with golf balls as we marched through the tunnel off the field. I myself was spit on. The distressing part is that we were briefed to such effect before the game; the administration was expecting such behavior. You speak of professionalism? The professionalism was from within the Brigade as we marched through and did not retailiate. Who are you to speak of professionalism on the field when your beloved cadets cannot show respect to their fellow service-members.</p>

<p>Profmom2's Son.</p>

20

<p>I WAS at the game . . . </p>

<p>Army walks on and off in formation. Navy walks on in formation, thereafter the Brigade walks off, more or less, by company but not in formation.
Significant? I suppose to some people. Just a difference in what some might consider important to the training mission.
The walk-on by each is equally impressive as it needs to be. Which is to say that it doesn't NEED to be at all precise but is, more or less.</p>

<p>Army buffoons [and I do mean buffoons] at the top of the tunnel were indeed not being very nice to the mids as they walked through the tunnel. It was being shown on the big screen and I was witnessing some of it first hand.
So what does that say about the cadets versus mids? </p>

<p>I could not get the photos to open up but one thing is for sure: You DO NOT get between Bill the Goat and camera. [Just kidding sort of, but we still REALLY like him.] </p>

<p>The long and short of it is that WP does appear to emphasize marching and close formation more than USNA. Okay . . . so what?</p>