I just wanted to say thanks...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
21

<p>I'm actually very glad to hear you say that. I thought maybe I was a bit over the top about the whole thing. :o</p>

<p>I really need to have mine reworked. It's beaten all to hell. I'm also going to have them take out the Amathyst it currently has and replace it with a medium Aquamarine. It's what I always wanted, anyway.</p>

<p>Wear it with pride, buddy. You earned it. :)</p>

<p>I hear you on losing a digit, man. Ever see the picture of the guy's hand after her basically deboned his finger while going down a ladder? YUCK!</p>

<p>So tell us about your meeting with the 'Dant! :D</p>

22

<p>I too, wanted to say thank you to everyone on the board. I have not been in for awhile, the list serve seems to take up my time. But tonight I was worried thinking about he.... night, wondering if they were all okay and my immediate thoughts were to look here.
It was so wonderful to meet every one. Yes it was me who asked about the ring. When my husband told a previous naval officer about our daughter he said " Well I was an officer but I didn't have the ring." I really didn't fully understand it until being there this week-end. They are a great group of
future officers and they come from a great group of parents.
Zaphod, again thanks to all of your wisdom and advice over the past year.
I'm sure we will be here asking more questions as time goes on.</p>

23

<p>With all this serious talk about class rings from you Canoe U guys, I thought I would lighten it up a bit with a little "ring knocker" joke...</p>

<p>One day, a Marine Gunnery Sergeant was invited to dine with his Commander in the field mess.</p>

<p>When they entered the mess area they found the place quite crowded.</p>

<p>They finally noticed a table with two empty chairs. There were three lieutenants seated there, so the Colonel asked if they might join them. The lieutenants, of course, promptly invited them to join the table. The Colonel and the Gunny ordered lunch and engaged in light conversation as they ate.</p>

<p>At one point the Gunny mentioned that he had observed characteristics about many officers from which he could normally determine the sources of their commissioning. The lieutenants were eager to hear about this and asked if he could tell how each of them had been commissioned.</p>

<p>The Gunny turned to the lieutenant on his left and said that the he had received his commission through attendance at ROTC. The young officer confirmed that this was indeed correct and asked how the Gunny had figured determined this. The Gunny replied that by his conversation the lieutenant seemed to have a strong academic background but limited military experience.</p>

<p>The Gunny then told the lieutenant on his right that he had gone through OCS after previously serving as an enlisted man. The lieutenant confirmed that was indeed the case, and asked how the Gunny had figured it out. The Gunny replied that the lieutenant’s conversation indicated that he had a firm military background and a lot of common sense, but not much book learning.</p>

<p>At this, the third lieutenant asked the Gunny if he had determined how he had received his commission. The Gunny promptly replied that the lieutenant had graduated from the United States Naval Academy. The young officer stated that this was correct and asked if the Gunny had noticed his high level of intelligence, precise military bearing, or other
superior qualities acquired at the Naval Academy. The Gunny replied that it was none of these that had tipped him off, he merely observed the lieutenant's class ring while he was picking his nose.</p>

24

<p>Ah, yes..... :rolleyes:</p>

<p>So..... what ROTC did you graduate from, and where do you keep your USNA "We regret that..." letter? ;)</p>

25

<p>had my grin for the day. heh. that ring has magical powers. takes away one's sense of humor. LOL my theory stands about them removing the funny bone during plebe summer/indoc/beast. Nothin' is funny anymore. :D</p>

26

<p>Oh, no.... we laugh all the time. Even at ourselves.</p>

<p>We just don't let outsiders do it. :)</p>

<p>Hell, I'll take ribbing from USMA woops before I take anything from some ROTC puke. Welcome to the Pecking Order. ;)</p>

<p>Besides, if I were REALLY offended, it would show. :D</p>

27

<p>Attention all Woops: Your training mission is as follows. Secret covert operation "Navy Laugh Off" begins at 1400 hours today. Objective - Yard art. Four gallons of round up will be provided at secret location in SC. The chemical will be used to write GO ARMY in 4 foot letters in front yard location. Subject should be at workplace. If seen on property location, bag it & tag it. Will be removed to the nearest bar until objective has been met. Photos will be needed after a 7 day period to update file. Thank you & remain safe.</p>

28

<p>Won't work. My lawn is dead anyway. ;)</p>

<p>Also, I don't fire warning shots, and I need the fertilizer, so BRING IT! :D</p>

29

<p>ROTC!!!....Oh please Zaphod, I got a “real” seagoing education on a “school ship”. Learning and doing all the stuff most of you Naval Academy guys only read about in Knights, Duttons and Bowditch. “We regret letter”... from USNA...!!! You have got to be kidding me.. I’m ROTFLMAO... To be perfectly honest though, I did get one from KP. :(</p>

30

<p>Lets sing!
Whoop there it is
Whoop there it is</p>

<p>:D</p>

31

<p>
[quote]
Oh please Zaphod, I got a “real” seagoing education on a “school ship”.

[/quote]

You see? We're not the only ones with no sense of humor. ;)</p>

<p>Was that SUNY Maritime? Only school I know with a "school ship".</p>

<p>
[quote]
Whoop there it is
Whoop there it is

[/quote]
</p>

<p>ROFL! Too funny! :D</p>

32

<p>Or was it USCGA?</p>

33

<p>No, the one in California.. I graduated in '75.
Zaphod, are you still in the Navy?</p>

34

<p>Negative. Five-and-dived in '96. Been CIVLANTFLT ever since.</p>

35

<p>Listen Zaphod, I truly didn’t mean to offend anybody with the ring joke.. I hope none was taken. I’ve even told a version of it using my school as the butt of the joke. It always gets a BIG laugh. I rarely wear my ring earned many years ago. I never wear it at sea for a variety of reasons; safety being foremost of those. Also I have found in the Merchant Marine where you came from seems to have very little meaning as long as you can do the job. Besides, it’s such a small industry everybody knows where everybody came from, ring or no ring. My son on the other hand (no pun intended) is always wearing his. At KP they can purchase a second ring made of Celestrium for everyday wear. They call this their “battle ring”. I don’t know what you paid for yours (besides the blood, sweat and tears over the 4 years) but my son’s was $1500. That also included the “battle ring” and a couple of very nice ring boxes with the school and class crest on them. Man, talk about sticker shock... He also told me there were people in his class that paid a whole lot more too.. YIKES!!!
Back in ’73 if my failing memory serves me, I paid about $120. It was a nice ring, 21 penny weight and made by Balfour. Artcarved did my sons class ring. However when he had to send it back for a refit before “ring dance” Artcarved couldn’t do it in time so Balfour got the mold, made him his ring and got it to him before the big dance.. So we both have Balfour rings. Which I think is sorta nice. :)</p>

<p>By the way, were you a SWO?</p>

36

<p>You're kidding right? I mean after all, you came in with guns blazing & I thought Dear Lord! Attention on deck! We've got a parent eater. He's going to EAT us. We snapped to and have been on our best behavoir ever since. :D KP forum is squared away & operating on schedule now by golly. <em>evil grin</em> Just teasing....sorta......... </p>

<p>A 1500.00 ring? I know a boy who'd better start saving his Deckie pennies. The ones they are making starting this year are with gold that has been up in the space shuttle. Think they'll double the price?</p>

37

<p>Naw, my son's ring has the space shuttle gold in it.. They have been doing that for a few years now.. Maybe CDR Kelly will start taking up the Celestrium too. That way they can charge double for the "battle rings"!!!</p>

38

<p>
[quote]
Listen Zaphod, I truly didn’t mean to offend anybody with the ring joke.. I hope none was taken.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Are you kidding? :confused:</p>

<p>We're among family here, dude. I've seen REAL comments MEANT to be offensive, and yours didn't come close. No foul at this end. :)</p>

<p>Besides. AS IF!! :D</p>

<p>
[quote]
I don’t know what you paid for yours (besides the blood, sweat and tears over the 4 years) but my son’s was $1500.

[/quote]

I paid approximately $1,200. Mine is 14K gold, closed back, with a natural amathyst for the main stone and two diamond bezel dividers. The only extras I ordered were the diamonds, my name engraved on the inside, and a sculpted palmside. The price included a small wood display box which I still have.</p>

<p>My Dad paid for it. His quote was, "Are you kidding? After all you've been through, and after what you saved us, you think I can't buy you YOUR RING?" followed by a typically-Cuban expression that sadly has no accurate translation. ;)</p>

<p>I know guys who spent over $2,000 on theirs because they loaded them with diamonds or stones of some sort. One thing I never liked was the "nipple" stones, where the stone does not generally follow the curve of the ring, but sticks out like, well, a nipple. Quite a few of those with star saphires and such. Mine was rather boring, all told. I wanted an Aquamarine, but got my birthstone instead. When I have my ring redone (after September), I'm going to have them redo it with the aquamarine, and have them send me the stone back. I may even have them make another alloy ring to put it in to give to my dad. Knowing him, he'd wear it around his neck with my mom's wedding band (Mom passed in 1997).</p>

<p>One thing that is somewhat popular is to take a small hunk out of a granite wall in Bancroft and have them make the ring with that (polished, of course). Definitely a conversation piece. If you see me walking around the Yard with a hammer, keep an eye out for the Jimmylegs. ;)</p>

<p>Never heard the term "battle ring" before.</p>

<p>
[quote]
By the way, were you a SWO?

[/quote]

Correct.</p>

<p>USS DALE (CG-19): 1991-1994, EWO, GMO, ADMINO
USS THOMAS S. GATES (CG-51): 1994-1995, Navigator/ADMINO</p>