<p>From what I have heard, youngsters are now afforded precious few privileges beyond those of plebes. This is a big change from last year, and is a HUGE disappointment to the class of '08 since they worked very hard and thought they would be receiving the privileges that '07 were afforded last year. Apparently the new Commandant, Capt. Grooms (who is personally very nice, along with his wife, Emily~we served with them in a previous life) has decided that youngsters rate fewer privileges, despite breaking academic records last year. </p>
<p>I am really hoping that someone can shed some light on this. It is very discouraging for the youngsters to have attained youngsterhood only to be told they are not allowed the privileges they aspired to all through plebe year. Whining? Maybe. But not entirely uncalled for in my opinion. I understand that things change when a new command comes in, but come on.</p>
<p>-Youngster weekends now begin NET 1015 on Saturdays and end 2000 on Sundays (excludes 3 day weekends). 4/C liberty is from 1200 Sat until 2200 Sat. 3/C liberty is from 1800-2200 Fri, 1015-0100 Sat-Sun, and 0800-2000 Sun. However, every 3 weeks 3/C are on duty, which they cannot leave. All the weekends earned last semester (4-6) are now essentially overnights.
-Instead of a 9 section duty rotation, 3/C and 4/C are on 3 section; 2/C 4 section; 1/C 5 section. This is a big complaint among 99.9% of the Mids.
-There are liberty dependent inspections every Mon. and Fri.
-Rumor has that Saturday morning classes will occur next semester for 3/C and 4/C
-BSA (Brigade Support Activities) have the same status as varsity NCAA sports (with exception of missing formations).
-SMT (Sat. Morning Training) is mandatory for 3/C on weekend duty -- "seperate but equal" training between 3/C and 4/C.</p>
<p>Jadler03: you have peeked my interest- can you please elaborate on what is a "9 section duty rotation?"...or what you mean by the "weekends earned last year" are now "overnights"...and what are "liberty dependent inspections?" </p>
<p>hate to sound naive, but I don't think i fully understand the lingo...
and lastly, what were the differences afforded to BSA and varsity, and what has changed?<br>
(with son starting next year, curiosity is killing this cat!!)</p>
<p>Duty sections rotate and a calendar is generated and each section stands the same amount of duty time (or as close to as possible) as other sections over the total days in a semester. Basically every 9 days you stand duty/watch. Now it is basically every 3 days.
Since the liberty policy changed from last year, when 3/C could take weekends begining after 1530 on Fri, weekends now begin at 1015 Sat. and therefore the 2 days of liberty (where you don't have to return to USNA) is now only an overnight.
LDInspections means if your room fails a class B room inspection, you don't get liberty...or if during the week you fail a random one....no libo.
BSA/Varsity's games/concerts/competitions are considered to be their "watch standing" and BSA/Var. get equal credit in the order of merit.</p>
<p>Jadler03: thanks for the clarification....the watch every 3 days sounds intense considering how intense everything else is on the academic side- may I ask how your mid is balancing the time between the added watch duty and keeping up with assignments? sounds like it would be difficult, especially for the plebes with all the rates they have on top of things- do you know what prompted the change?</p>
<p>one final question: how does varsity figure into the order of merit?
thanks, again,for enlightening us all- so much better to be prepared-</p>
<p>Watch is different from duty. Watch requires the assignee to remain in the corridor to protect the occupants. Usually a two-hour assignment, sometimes four. The hardest is when it is during the night, like a 2AM -4AM assignment, and then go about regular classes and meet the normal expectations.</p>
<p>Duty means that one is on deck and available to do a myriad of tasks, which change depending on the circumstances. The big thing is that the assignee is restricted and cannot leave when he/she is on duty.</p>
<p>Sometimes overnight watch is actually helpful for getting extra study done. Everyone is asleep and there is nothing else to do.</p>
<p>Jaedler can clarify, I'm sure. This all changed, as most things do, when there is a change in command.
CM</p>
<p>just to make sure I understand: if they have night watch, are they allowed to bring work with them (ie: assignments or things they need to study?) are they at a desk or are they "standing" and making rounds?
~forever learning!</p>
<p>I am not sure exactly how the OOM is calculated. It is one gigantic equation that only a few people know. I do know that varsity athletes can get help in 1) aptitude rankings and 2) the overall military order of merit.</p>
<p>To clarify watch/duty:
With a few exceptions, if someone is watchstanding...they are on duty.
If you are on duty, you do not necessarily have to stand watch.</p>
<p>Keeping up with work isn't hard...the frequency of duty has increased and the amount of watch is the same as before.</p>
<p>Within the general regulations, a lot of things vary by company. For example, some plebes could keep their wristwatches for plebe summer, some not.</p>
<p>Each company's specific implementation is different, some more restrictive, some less.
CM</p>
<p>Just to clarify...It's ok (and recommended) to bring wrist watches, but they WILL be taken. No company I know of this summer had watches. Most got theirs back half way through. I didn't get my back until Parent's Weekend!</p>