<p>I certainly was not disregarding the validity of your comments. I wanted to know when you were last in the fleet. You all relate your stories about how it was but none of you are commenting on how it is. I just found this sort of interesting when we relate stories about what our current mids are experiencing you assume it is idle rumor. Just wanted to know if you did have current info.</p>
<p>You answered my question, thanks. </p>
<p>Maybe if we could have conversation about what actually is happening it might be more insightful than describing training cruises that occurred 20+ years ago. Not that that is not important to you, it just isn't what we are finding as the norm now.</p>
<p>NT, your question was very condescending. Also, you have absolutely no right to tell me that it is not 'my' Navy anymore. I gave 'my' Navy 24 years of my life and I am continuing to give 'my' Academy 100s of hours annually in various roles.</p>
<p>I am sorry that I am unable to join your "what 'actually' is happening now" whining and crying club, but, if you would take your blinders off and listen to what people are telling you, you might come out of this with a positive outlook. If midshipmen 3rd class cruises were successful 20 years ago because we spent an extended period of time aboard ship and got our hands dirty, don't you think that if the cruises are extended again, and midshipmen lose the role of observers, that it might not happen again. Midshipmen cruises were among the highlights of our 4 years.</p>
<p>Sorry, this is a NAVAL Academy. It is not Tuba Tooting Tech.</p>
<p>And since you seem to think you have the right to my biography, what in the heck gives you the expertise to make such comments as this:</p>
<p>
[quote]
What has been described here about fleet cruises is the norm. The exception is a valuable cruise experience.
<p>Time2, second and third hand rumors from disgruntled midshipmen, in my book, do not qualify as experience. In the court system it is called hearsay and, for obvious reasons, is inadmissable.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Time2, second and third hand rumors from disgruntled midshipmen, in my book, does not qualify as experience. In the court system it is called hearsay and, for obvious reasons, is inadmissable.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Am I to understand that you think this is all rumor, that my Mid has lied to me and his friends, that I have no idea what he has experienced? You are assuming he is a disgruntled Midshipman - how would you know that - as you said: In the court system it is called hearsay and, for obvious reasons, is inadmissible.</p>
<p>So he is concerned that his 2 EC's are either being eliminated or down graded to "recreational". So that makes him disgruntled? You have made a leap here and know nothing about my Mid. Yes he was disappointed that his sub cruise turned out the way it did - it was a colossal waste of his time and the Academies money. </p>
<p>I have my opinion - I am not the only one who feels the way I do. You have your opinion and no one else's will measure up. I get it.</p>
<p>I have worked in the defense industry from 1982 to present. Corps of Engineers from the late 80's to present (AF bases) But I guess because I am a civilian and not ex/retired military my opinion does not matter.</p>
<p>I don't think that Native Texans comments are intended as a personal attack on anyone. Rather, its frustrating to hear from our Mids that such a radical change has occurred and that there is nothing we can or should do about it. I know that Native Texans kiddo will adapt as will my son but we do have the need and the right to question and vent so that we can cope. Please remember that we just had our kids leave home again. While it wasn't like Plebe Summer, the leaving is just as hard.USNA69: I really love and miss my son as well as all of the parents do, so please cut Native Texan some slack.</p>
<p>Already my son has adapted to the food situation by going to Target and stocking up just in case. He has become an expert in mice extermination!</p>
<p>Oregon Mom, I really loved and missed my son every time I packed him off to the Academy. Do you know what I did when he called screaming and moaning about all the changes and how screwed up everything was? I listened patiently, tried to calm him down, and told him things would probably work out. Then I would spend the next week or so preparing dynamite advice that would knock his socks off. Guess what? Within a week, a month tops for the life threatening changes, he had forgotten what was so important that had necessitated the call in the first place.</p>
<p>I love the Academy. Like most of the alumni, I list it as the most influencing event in my life. I cannot stand by while parents with periphery knowledge make iomproper disparaging remarks.</p>
<p>I love it sound bites... how to spin a story .... :) </p>
<p>Trust me Oregon mom he is adapting! Went to Starbucks last night called from there to find out what type of coffee to buy and then loaded up on muffins so that he would make sure he actually got breakfast without anything greenish blue included.</p>
<p>I would agree from our experience that what you say about the problem's immediate crisis feeling eventually being "tempered" by the Mids is correct. It has proven to be the case in the past. </p>
<p>However, I believe you are mistaken to say that Texans knowledge is "peripheral". This parent has been in direct contact with his/her youngster. Its is what it is. Yours is what it is. Both are valid.</p>
<p>Hers is peripheral, yours is peripheral, mine is peripheral, and everyones on this site is peripheral. We have absolutely no idea why decisions are made. To jump to the conclusion that a given policy is improper or unsound is simply irresponsible. To feed the fire, especially with a mid who is trying to cope with it, is even more irresponsible. And when I try to calm a plebe who has not experienced the previous administration, a plebe who only knows what is happening now, by stating that next year will be better, and being told that I don't know what I am talking about, is even more irresponsible.</p>
<p>USNA69, I was trying to be civil. No one is trying to attack you or insult your experience. However, if you believe that everyones knowledge is peripheral including your own, then why waste your time interacting with these folks on the forum? I have always enjoyed reading what everyone has to say. Sometimes I agree, sometimes not...I have learned a lot from many people since my son started this journey in high school. By discussing various issues, hopefully future mids and their parents will have the same experience that I have had. Its also very entertaining.</p>
<p>I asked my son about the "changes" and he wasn't excited about the new rules. However, he asked my opinion about this, then thoughts of how this great nation and its leaders valued my son enough to accept him in this incredible institution, I can only give him my heart-felt advice.<br>
"be thankful and keep your eyes on your goal to graduate and serve"
I know I sound like ex-miliatry gungo cliche speaking dad.
But i'm just a very grateful ex-immigrant who loves this great country.
(P.S.----he was alright after few hours of grumbling :) )</p>
<p>Let's encourage our children to utmost excellence!!!!</p>
<p>Do you know why the overnight was not allowed during PPW this year?<br>
I don't. But I was told that I didn't know what I was talking about when I questioned the statement that it was incompetent bureaucrats.</p>
<p>Do you know the reason for the recent changes? I don't. But I have been told to crawl back in my hole and shut up because things have changed and it is no longer 'my' Navy.</p>
<p>Why do I "waste" my "time interacting with these folks". I hate to see people, people with possible influence, even if that infulence is only their son or daughter, besmirching an institution unfairly.</p>
<p>I appreciate your concern but don't worry about anyone insulting me. I have a thick skin. Maybe less so with stupid attacks concerning the Academy but I also find it very entertaining.</p>
<p>I'm now a bit sorry I started this thread. Personal attacks on TPTB have now turned into personal attacks on people on this forum. Sad, really sad.</p>
<p>To the parents, I can only say, let your children fight their own battles. They are the very best and brightest this country has to offer; I am more than sure they can handle a few curve-balls thrown their way. This sort of thing is part of life, and especially military life. Life isn't always fair. Military life definitely isn't always fair. Might as well start learning that now.</p>
<p>As for us old, out-of-touch alums, we may or may not know exactly what USNA is like today. However, we do have the advantage of (1) having graduated from USNA, (2) having served in the USN or USMC, and (3) in some cases, counseling current applicants. That does give us a little perspective on life at USNA, life in the military, and life in general.</p>
<p>USNA69:I have read everything you have written. You obviously have a lot of experience in the Navy etc..I have gleened some valuable information from you.</p>
<p>I'm just a mom who has two kiddos in the Navy. I like to stay connected anyway I can. Since reading the forum about the meals, I got a care package ready to send w/ extra food to my Mid.</p>
<p>Hmmmm, I logged on to see what's new and made the mistake of reading this thread. How sad that a discussion has deteriorated into insults and nasty name-calling. Frankly I'm surprised and disappointed. While I did not have the honor to attend this wonderful institution, I married one that did (beautiful wedding in the Chapel, but that's another thread!) and is currently a BGO. We've sponsored Mids and now have a Firstie son. Does that give me any "special" insight into the reasoning behind the changes? Certainly not, but as a parent I was the recipient of a letter from the current Supt. regarding his philosophy underlying his decisions. What concerns me is not what was done in the past and not how "horrible" it will be now. What concerns me is that some of the changes do not appear to jibe with the stated "vision." </p>
<p>Now, before any of you start hammering me - let me assure you that I know that I could be wrong (in fact, I was wrong once before, but it was way back in '94). We could all be wrong - or - we could all be right. My best guess is that eventually we will find ourselves somewhere in the middle. </p>
<p>I have NOT encouraged my Firstie to leave, nor have I tried to paint this as all lollipops and sunshine. He's frustrated, I'm frustrated and dare I say, my grad husband is REALLY frustrated. So......instead of bashing on each other, perhaps it would be better to take a deep breath and see what happens. Classes start tomorrow and for at least the next week our Mids will be too busy to care too much about anything - except maybe the fact that there isn't enough food! (Yes, mine was at Giant when I talked to him this afternoon.)</p>
<p>USNA1985 - don't feel bad this discussion was bound to happen whether you started it someone else.</p>
<p>juliemrn welcome! I am with you, this is painful and we are all frustrated, I will say I am almost glad to hear that your grad husband is REALLY frustrated. We have told our youngster that this will sort it's self out with the help of the Alumni - I just hope that is a true statement. </p>
<p>Mine was directly effected by two of the cuts. One, an activity that had afforded him a great deal of leadership as a plebe, and he was so looking forward to when he returned last Wed. (I will not say what it is for fear of becoming the next victim.) He also loves to sail and after his sailing cruise this summer he was rated to be an XO for next summer - he emailed this afternoon that there would probably be no sailing cruises next year. What a shame, and what a waste of a tremendous investment in 44's that the foundation has made. He will survive but I will not go as far as saying he will be better for it.</p>
<p>We read the letter too and are very confused as to how these changes support his vision. My husband is a professor in Engineering - we need well rounded, balanced, technically proficient grads. </p>
<p>I like your phrase of "lollipops and sunshine" - my husband's comment was "motherhood and apple pie!"</p>
<p>Who we should really be sorry for is the poor food service contractor. In order to be the low bidder he had to bid using historical data of about 8 meals per mid per week. Now he is preparing 12,000 meals per day instead of 6000 and the USNA Food Services Officer is say, "Hey, not my problem, we told you the contract was for full services." If they don't come to some new agreement soon, the contractor will probably forefit the contract.</p>
<p>The above is total speculation and in the new age of best value vice low bid contracts, probably not even realistic. But humorous, nevertheless.</p>