Discussion of Changes at USNA

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>For the past few months, I've seen quite a few posts complaining about changes (or perceived changes) at USNA. Whether it's the lack of plebe overnights for PPW, de-emphasis on clubs, or something else, there is a lot of moaning & groaning. At a certain level, I understand disappointment and the desire to express it.</p>

<p>However, IMO, it's one thing to say that you are personally unhappy with or disappointed about a new policy or change in policy. It's something else to suggest, implicitly or explicitly, that those making the decisions are misguided, incompetent, or worse. </p>

<p>In any organization, but especially in the military, change is inevitable. For example, in our squadron, there was a new CO every single year and each one had a different way of doing things. The big difference between the civilian world and the military is that, typically, if civilians don't like the changes, they can leave. Military folks can't. But you know that going in.</p>

<p>For those of you at USNA, you will soon be officers leading men and women, possibly into battle. As junior officers, it's your job to implement your CO's decisions with full support as if they were your own, even if you disagree with them (unless, of course, they're illegal). </p>

<p>If you're a current Mid, consider how it comes across on these boards when you bad-mouth your superiors, especially when that criticism is non-constructive. Trust me, you don't look good. The same is true for parents and alums. I'm not suggesting that people shouldn't speak their minds but rather that people consider the words and tone they use to voice their dissatisfaction.</p>

2

<p>85,</p>

<p>That's the stance I am trying to take. My post(s) on this matter is/are only meant to be informative.</p>

<p>I do have my opinions, but I won't share them on this board.</p>

3

<p>USNA85- posted this elsewhere, but will repeat it here....</p>

<p>just got back from dropping our mid off for reform...
and while there was some "talk" about "what was new," overall, from the stance of the Mids themselves, it was more "informative" rather than "complaining".... did not hear anything from the firsties at all..... and the second class were all a-buzz about their upcoming signing and cars...and parking.... the new youngsters were just trying to "figure out" what comes next (this is, aferall, their first "reform")....and the plebes.... just lots of "chow calls"..... </p>

<p>If anyone was less-than-happy, they were keeping a stiff upperlip and kept it quiet..... (did hear a few dads expressing a few more opinions..... the moms were just too busy trying to get in last-minute good byes!)....</p>

<p>in the end, did not hear much of anything at all!</p>

4

<p>Did anybody hear about the superintendent's desire to scale back Army/Navy game week festivities?</p>

5

<p>Yes! I don't understand that at all!</p>

6

<p>I have heard that as well. Apparently, the armed forces should be united against a common foe. This friendly rivalry, and might I say one of the highest mutual respect, has been going on for many, many years. This is one of the few fun highlights of the year. I hope he rethinks this one and does not rain on this event. Seriously, how long has the Army/Navy rivalry been the competitive focus of all of the athletic teams? Talk about wanting to make sweeping changes.</p>

7

<p>Don't worry. Politics will prevail and the party will go on. This is bigger than any ego.</p>

8

<p>One person's ego is another one's accountability. The new Supt hasn't given us the reasoning behind his orders, not that we should think that this be required. His theme seems to be that we are war. He is in charge of a military instillation, an instillation susceptible to enemy attack. Many of the new regulations perhaps have a security reason behind them. Guessing, sure, but a guess more logical than an "ego" tag.</p>

9

<p>Jadler,
That's the thing. On THIS board, you should be able to express an opinion. I recall that some may know who you are and that may preclude you from expressing yourself. To the extent you have maintained anonymity, you CAN express yourself hereon.</p>

<p>85
There are many, many civilians who are stuck in dead-end jobs or, for other reasons, cannot leave their jobs. Change is, indeed, always present in life.
The problem, it seems, is that many of the changes being proposed do not appear to have any real purpose behind them.
As I stated elsewhere, does all of this change imply that recent graduates were less prepared for service when they graduates when compared to graduates of an earlier era? [Graduates of say the last ten years compared to twenty years ago?]
If that is what the administration has determined, somehow, then the changes may be merited. If not, then is this an example of change for change's sake?</p>

<p>The pendulum may have swung too far one way and now it seems to have swung too far the other way.<br>
The USNA, in this day an age, must compete with other institutions for students. That is a fact. The type of student attracted to this environment will narrow.</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
The pendulum may have swung too far one way and now it seems to have swung too far the other way. The USNA, in this day an age, must compete with other institutions for students. That is a fact. The type of student attracted to this environment will narrow.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Given what is now going on I can assure you mine would have never applied. The institution will loose some of its more rounded intellectual types for the I want to play war types. </p>

<p>I too want answers to Bill0510's points. Why's and the rational behind the changes. Accountability, to those of us who have entrusted our young people to this institution, if you will. </p>

<p>
[quote]
The new Supt hasn't given us the reasoning behind his orders, not that we should think that this be required.

[/quote]
Blind because I said so policies will not earn him respect. He does owe an explanation, not just some PR statement.</p>

<p>None of this makes any sense.</p>

11

<p>Look at it his way, at least the Navy "march on" at the Army/Navy game will look sharper this year!! :)</p>

<p>Lighten up folks, only kidding!!!!!!</p>

<p>:)</p>

12

<p>Shogun,
Always good for the alternative perspective.</p>

<p>Is there a lot of marching-on a shp?</p>

13

<p>


</p>

<p>Where are those damned rolling on the floor smilies when I need them?</p>

14

<p>As an outsider, I can only give an "outsiders" perspective. Perhaps these changes are due--we are, after all, "a nation at war." Meals at West Point have been frequently interrupted by sad announcements over the last few years:</p>

<p><a href="http://armyfootballclub.org/as/admin/remembrance.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://armyfootballclub.org/as/admin/remembrance.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

15

<p>Given the emphasis that mids sh/ only be doing those things that support the Navy's mission:</p>

<p>The march-on sh/ eliminated since there is no need for such close-formation marching on a ship.
Perhaps it should be replace with a fire fighting run on, w/ hoses and the mids dressed in firefighting gear!</p>

16

<p>


</p>

<p>Maybe you should stick with things you know about such as dead-end civilian jobs. Nevermind, then you will want to compare them to a Naval career, of which you also know nothing.</p>

<p>Morning quarters. Happens every day. Within a week of his arrival, Ensign Jones, will be asked to move his branch to another nearby location. "Attention, closed march, dress right dress, attention, right face, forward march, halt, left face, open order, dress right dress, attention, at ease." And a few more. Forgive me if I am rusty. It has been a while. The march-ons were not enough to instill it in my memory such that it became permanently indelible. Much more professional, if doable, than, "Hey guys, fall out and fall back in over there by those bollards."</p>

17

<p>I don't think it is necessary to personally attack someone on here because your opinion happens to be different from theirs.</p>

18

<p>Don't see a personal attack at all. Just some good advice. That midshipmen need to learn to march is a fact, not an opinion.</p>

19

<p>I was referring to:</p>

<p>
[quote]
...Maybe you should stick with things you know about such as dead-end civilian jobs. Nevermind, then you will want to compare them to a Naval career, of which you also know nothing.....

[/quote]
</p>

20

<p>Well then, maybe you can explain his comment about dead-end jobs as relating to military careers. Went right over my head.</p>