<p>LOL as if you have room to speak... picking on all of us meddling moms...</p>
<p>Thanks Shogun, I like to cook but don't think I'll try this one :)</p>
<p>As an Alumn I have to agree with USNA DAD & GRAD that the most frightening change is the fact that "Beat Army" is becoming something that is not immediately said at the end of Blue and Gold. I have heard through the Alumni Association that it will still be allowed at Sporting Events, but other events the response will be "Go Armed Forces". I think this is a tradition that is ridiculous to change. </p>
<p>I also feel that removing town liberty from midshipmen does not prepare them for the fleet, but rather places them at a disadvantage. I completed Nuclear Power School not so long ago being a Nuke (sorry NAPTOWN4 i sense that you don't like nukes), and it was my observation that the Academy Grads wanted to make up for lost time with drinking and partying so removing this little bit of time to relax is going to be detrimental to the midshipmen when they do reach the fleet. I cherished my time with my companymates and classmates when we would go out on town liberty. I understand that this Supe wants to make a change and apparently so does the Commandant, but this needs to be done carefully. I think that this sweeping change is too much. I agree that there are always problems with food at king hall. People will never be happy with the food that is given and that is true, but it is ridiculous to give moldy bread. I am a submariner and we do run out of fresh food, but we would never serve moldy bread to our crew. </p>
<p>I am proud to say I am an Alumn of this institution, but I think the changes are too extreme. I am impressed by all the midshipmen (especially firsties) for dealing with all of these new rules because I cannot imagine having to go through these changes on what should be the best year at the academy where you get to enjoy the town of annapolis and the company of your classmates. I have written enough now, but my last opinion is to all the parents: I understand that you care about your children and you want a place to vent and that is fine, but please don't do it to the newspapers. Also, do not believe that you understand what your mid is going through and speak as though you have the entire picture because unless you have been a midshipman you do not fully understand. </p>
<p>BEAT ARMY!!!</p>
<p>I read this statement by the new Supe and he has some valid points, but I believe that he is off the mark with his approach to getting this done. He talks of how important it is for mids to learn how to lead and deal with day to day things, but then he removes the need for them to have time management be removing ECAs and making mandatory study time. He talks of how that the Eisenhower only had 15 days inport on their last deployment, but I would question how many days when they were in their homeport did they get to liberty (that answer would probably be at least three out of every four days). </p>
<p>Another fact that is often overlooked when it is discussed about midshipmen graduating and going to lead sailors and marines in 9 short months. That is only sort of the case. In reality only the SWO's will be leading divisions in 9 months. The next closest will be Marines who must go through TBS to learn how to lead as marines. Submariners have to go through over a year of nuclear training plus sub school and pilots must go through a couple years of flight school. Flight school and Power School these former midshipmen have to learn time management and deal with real life. These are things that with the mandatory time requirements are not going to be learned until after they graduate. </p>
<p>The Naval Academy is a very prestigious place and I am proud to have come from there so I do understand that fact that he stresses that midshipmen are the face of the navy, and that is true. I however also believe as an alumn and an active duty service member that it also does mean a lot for us to watch Navy Football and see the mids cheering on their team. I think that is a tragedy to remove the ability for these mids to have the MO's to go to watch away games. </p>
<p>I do believe that the Supe has good intentions, but I believe that somewhere between intentions and implementation the message is being lost. </p>
<p>To all of you who are parents of plebes, you will probably hear from your plebe that this year is miserable. I said it to my parents, and had many friends that did as well. I contemplated leaving as most of your sons/daughters will too. I am glad I didn't. Once I got through the first semester I looked back and realized what it was that USNA stands for it was awesome. They will have a rough time going back after XMAS, but that is normal. Keep being supportive and sending carepackages. </p>
<p>Lastly just a friendly reminder that Navy plays Temple on ESPNU at 730PM Eastern on friday! GO NAVY BEAT TEMPLE and ARMY</p>
<p>There has got to be a certain seriousness and somberness throughout the entire fleet today. Either one is on sea duty and deployed or preparing to head that way. If they are on shore duty, Individual Augmentation is taking two thirds of these sailors and deploying them to Iraq or Afghanastan. The entire fleet is either at war or will be there shortly. I guess ADM Fowler feels that these attitudes should convey down to the Brigade.</p>
<p>Now that it is football season, the Monday afternoon practice session comes to mind. Even though it was the offense who played poorly Friday night and is being made to run the extra laps, the defense stands quietly by, knowing that the next time it might be them. There is no skylarking and graba$$ing as they watch their teammates run the extra laps. Maybe our military who are fortunately out of harm's way at the moment ought to pay the same respect to those who are.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
I am sure they do. For example, USMMA is annually ranked among colleges as having very poor food quality. But apparently the midn/cadets and the parents at these other academies are able to handle it with a certain amount of patience, understanding, and maturity.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>So long, farewell.</p>
<p>jadler03</p>
<p>Thanks for all you have done for us, and especially for what you are about to do for your country. Come back and visit us. Many of us will miss your perspective, insight and maturity.</p>
<p>Good luck and do let us know how you are doing once in a while.</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>
[quote]
navy2010 ... In fact I AM going to the market. Gotta pick up some pickled pigs feet, mountain oysters, and a hefty block of limburger cheese. Guests are coming tonite!
[/quote]
guess you are expecting a crowd then.....??? :eek:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Could I suggest you're keeping this between you and me and leave our Mids outta the cat fighting. I'm fully confident mine couldn't hold a candle to yours, but shucks, you know, we're all just happy to be here. After all they have to let in a few charity cases beyond Long Island, where English is a 2nd language, as you've illustrated well.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>all "joking" aside-
1. I don't catfight. But I do play ball. If you toss one in my court, expect it to fly right back.
2. I am not the one bringing the "mids" into the conversation. If you want to avoid a "response," then suggest leaving them out in the first place.
3. I avoid "comparing and contrasting" one mid from another at all cost. What I hold fast to is that the experience is unique to each. On his appointment to USNA, my mid told his BGO he felt he "was one of the lucky few of the deserving many." I feel very "lucky" that he is there, and that we get to be on the sidelines. I am proud of all of them. So please don't make me out to be any more, or any less, than I am.
4. where "english is a second language- which I have illustrated well?" ???????? I am not sure what you are implying. But if you want to get into a pi$$ing match, heck- I'll gladly take you on. No contest!
5. A few charity cases beyond LI.... as if to imply "charity cases on LI?" ????? That is almost too funny. But unless you have 2 pocket aces with another one on the turn, I suggest you lay down that hand.
6. Congrats on "coming out of the closet." Your meddling button is on its way.</p>
<ol>
<li>and it was "un-H-E-E-D-ed".... NOT "unHEADed."<br>
To heed: to pay attention. To strongly consider.</li>
</ol>
<p>Now stop picking on NativeTex.... lest she change her thanksgiving "turkey" to a suckling pig! Don't you know you "don't mess with texas".....!!!</p>
<p>We assumed you meant "unheeded" . Glad you've discovered that spell check. Now use it often. On the other hand, your original post of "un-H-E-A-D-ed: To lose one's mind" really seemed to illustrate your post quite well. </p>
<p>
[quote]
But if you want to get into a pi$$ing match, heck- I'll gladly take you on. No contest!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Not a CC reader on the planet that would doubt that statement. :eek: You win. You're way too full of it. ;)</p>
<p>USNA69 Maybe you stirred the pot once to often:
[quote]
But apparently the midn/cadets and the parents at these other academies are able to handle it with a certain amount of patience, understanding, and maturity.
[/quote]
Our Mids and especially those who have posted here have most definitely handled themselves with patience, understanding and maturity. I Believe the actions on the yard have also been handled with a great amount of maturity.</p>
<p>Eveyone wants to keep pointing out that it is the Naval Academy Midshipmen who are always the "bad boys and girls" Everything is perfect at the other SA's ... do your own research/checking around and you will find incidents at both AFA and USMA that will lead you to believe that these institutions all have their own problems. At least at USNA there have not been any riots... </p>
<p>We will most definitely miss the Mids here if innuendoes keep driving them away. Everybody then loses.</p>
<p>ProfMom2. Agree with you wholeheartedly.</p>
<p>What is with these people who say "He belongs to the Navy now" or similar such bunk.
He is still MY son and he still calls us regularly.
If you don't have a solid relationship with your child, that is your business.
Just because we talk, currently, 2 or 3 times a week . . . well, that's our business.</p>
<p>As I said to a young mother the other day who asked what it took to raise a successful kid: First, y ou have to LIKE your kids. You have to like being around your kids and you ahve to like talking to them. Which is different from LOVING them just becuase of a genetic connection. We ENJOY our children and have enjoyed traveling with them around the world, even at very young ages when we had to haul half of the room with us to Europe becuase Mome was convinced they wouldn't have just th eright baby food there. [Gotta wonder how those English babies make it?]</p>
<p>So, if you have surrenderered your parental rights to the Navy, good for you! We haven't and until our son tells us to butt out, we won't.</p>
<p>It is indeed, unfortunate, that the acrimony of these threads continues to drive off people. Especially mids.
Jadler? Does this mean he is signing off for good or has he just given up on this thread?
Wheelah? From what I understand, a fantastic young woman.
JamTex? Always amusing in his passion.
The others? Not sure of who is whom, the above three, however, have been posting for a couple of years.</p>
<p>But, then again, that is the climate of our country these days . . . just wear the other side out so your side can advance its beliefs. Kind of like a jihad . . .</p>
<p>Oh, and NativeTexan, if you are . . . from one to another, you just keep on, keepin on.</p>
<p>Good post Bill.</p>
<p>USNA69:</p>
<p>I agree with you about the need to be serious and somber, but the problem, as I see it with my own limited perspective is the following.</p>
<p>The Naval Academy is more or less isolated from the real world events going on in the warfighting part of the military. Even in the relative "peace" of the Cold War, my only true experiences with the REAL Navy were on short summer cruises and PROTRAMID visits. Those are wholly inadequate to give prospective officers the type of training they need to lead sailors and Marines.</p>
<p>I'll only speak for myself, but...even though I was wearing the uniform of the Navy, I look back and realize that I was not really a part of the Navy until I graduated, finished flight school and went to the Fleet in my first squadron.</p>
<p>I doubt that a major change in the program would be "saleable" to the Navy leadership or the general public, but if I were "King of the Forest", I'd say that Mids should spend two years at USNA in school. Next they would complete a year in the Fleet as "old time" Midshipmen getting experience and becoming "salty dogs". Then, they would return and finish up academically at USNA and graduate. I don't care whether they serve in ships, subs, aviation squadrons or Marine platoons, but I would rather see a program like that than the current one. Talk about growing up and sobering up. That'd just about do it, IMHO. </p>
<p>The football team would suffer (said with tongue firmly planted in cheek), and it might be harder to recruit kids into a program like that, but I don't think it's fair to chastise the Mids for behaving like civilians in uniform and not understanding the seriousness of the business they're entering into with pretty much "zero" perspective or appreciation for the challenges the Fleet and FMF are facing. They just don’t know because they haven’t been there, and it isn’t real to most of them. You can do all the “body bag” training, character development and discussion you want to with little to no impact. The only Mids that truly understand the challenges (firsthand) are the prior enlisted folks who served in deployed units.</p>
<p>My two cents…</p>
<p>USNA Dad& Grad - What you propose is very similar to what happens at USMMA. The Mids there spend 4 months of their youngster year "at sea" on a merchant vessel, tanker or MSC ship, then spend 6-8 months at sea during their junior year. There is little question that by the time they graduate they are sure of whether they want to "sail" or do something else.</p>
<p>BTW-The Mids at MMA are in the Navy Reserves. They don't get paid while in school, unless they are at sea. Because of that they have to pay for their uniforms, computer, etc. up front. Better or worse than the Navy program? I honestly don't know. Just thought you'd like to know that your scenario is already a reality for some.</p>
<p>I can vouch for "Salty". Whooowee can I.</p>
<p><em>Group Hug</em> :D</p>
<p>If Jadler signs off, it will be a sad CC day indeed.</p>
<p>R-E-S-P-E-C-T</p>
<p>WP- see if you are capable of spelling that.</p>
<p>That's good, hun. ;) You get to remain in the bee. Now, for your next word, can you spell ... ballistic? :confused:</p>
<p>And if you get that one, your bonus word will be ... Jocasta, with triple bonus points for telling us who Jocasta was? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Whistle piglet-</p>
<p>Would you like the Greek mythology version..... no, me thinks the Marvel comic book character is more your speed. That's M-A-R-V-E-L. BTW- you are aware they write for the 6th grade reading level.</p>
<p>And just remember....Jocasta was sent by Apollo to test Oedipus' faith and conviction. So tell me meddling dad- will you pass or fail?</p>
<p>Feel free to call your significant other whatever you will, but do not presume to call me "hun." (for the record, thats H-O-N....as in "keep dreaming"). Now your turn.... spell "delusional." Ham hocks "ain't my thing," and I don't have much use for little piglets, unless I am pulling that pork after it has been slowly roasted on a spit.</p>
<p>Just for the record- I don't wear words, try as some will to affix a label. The difference between us is that I do not go around needlessly insulting people whom I have not met, or throwing barbs randomly just to see how people react. For those that do, they get what they deserve from those that find them offensive. Just remember- arrows shot in the air come crashing back with the same velocity.</p>
<p>Since it is obvious you have failed to spell "RESPECT," let alone appreciate its meaning, I'm afraid you have failed the test. :eek:</p>
<p>Triple bonus points.
Jocasta-3, Piglet-0.</p>
<p>Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, the well-warmed, and the well-fed.-Herman Melville </p>
<p>(thought you might like that one "hon", considering how destitute we English-as-a-second-language LI'ers are)</p>
<p>You go Navy 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>Have no fear! That little piglet is in mud so over his head he can't see the tip of his big hairy nose! If he doesn't start behaving and treating the moms a bit nicer I am gonna have to really yank his nose ring until he squeals! ;)</p>
<p>Don't flatter yourself, Hun. I meant as in "Attila." Also known as "Scourge of even God."</p>
<p>Indeed, Jocasta was so meddlesome of her son, she married him. Best wishes, mommy dearest. Bet he's praying for alot of very extended sea duty.</p>