<p>There is no plebe recognition this year. We will only not be plebes after graduation. Something about too many youngsters walking around. And Herndon will only be for a few people who complete Sea Trials in a certain time or something. So only a small percentage will do that. </p>
<p>Wow. That sucks.</p>
<p>what is that about?? i can't believe they would have a cutoff for Herndon, and NO plebe recognition! I'm hoping to get in for class of 2012, and I can't imagine not being able to climb Herndon!</p>
<p>are you sure that is not just another rumor run amuck????</p>
<p>I think it was said that you have to participate in Sea Trials in order to particiapte in Herndon. Basically, if you're too hurt for Sea Trials, you're too hurt for Herndon.</p>
<p>If the family observance of Sea Trials and plebe recognition ceremony/dinner is indeed scratched this year I wouldn't be surprised. We're wondering what I-day 2008 will look like...</p>
<p>No, they said that they did not want everyone doing Herndon because it is a dangerous evolution so not everyone will be allowed to do Herndon. She said something about a committee to decide who would do Herndon. Pretty gay though, if you ask me.</p>
<p>I don't know how accurately you're interpreting her words. (1) Sea Trials and Herndon are a go, definitively. (2) No "Plebe Recognition Week," per se, but rather it will consist of events such as Sea Trials and Herndon (in reality, no change from last year, as far as the really big events that truly matter are concerned). (3) After Herndon you will be "plebes no more" and stop rates, chopping, etc, and get spooned by your upperclass. However, you won't get to put the shoulder boards on until graduation a week later (really not a big deal, either, since everybody will know that plebe year is over for you guys anyways). (4) She said that they want Herndon to be "safer," whatever that means...I've heard nothing of allowing only a few people to climb Herndon (though that's the only way I can think of to make it "hazard-free"). She also mentioned some way to tie it in with performance at Sea Trials...I guess only time will tell.</p>
<p>I feel sorry for the plebers that the administration is swiping away tradition like this, though...a few bumps and bruises go away, but seeing plebe year entirely through lasts for a lifetime.</p>
<p>2010: The LAST REAL plebe year (not in jest this time, though)</p>
<p>I support the Dant in eliminating the frocking after Herndon.
There is a reason that graduation day is called GRADUATION DAY!
Pretty much the only difference is the shoulder boards and it is only for one week.</p>
<p>Let's just see what happens with Herndon....it is too early to speculate what is going to happen.</p>
<p>Personally, it does not bother me that there is no Plebe recognition Dinner or ceremony. Commissioning Week should be about the First Class and their families. But, I am bothered by any changes that might occur with climbing Herndon. You successfully complete Plebe Year as a Class and you should climb Herndon as a Class. Too much tradition is attributed to the event and it should remain a major part of your time at USNA. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.</p>
<p>Changing Herndon is just wrong. All plebes, not just the ones who perform well during Sea Trials need to make that right of passage. </p>
<p>I don't disagree with elimnating Plebe Recognition week though..used to be you weren't considered a 3/C until you saw the dome of the Chapel after 3/C cruise.....</p>
<p>What? Parents missing a chance to dine in King Hall during Plebe Recognition Week??? ;)</p>
<p>I also say the class climbs Herndon together. It looked dangerous to me, but those who fell hit classmates not the ground. Are that many mids seriously hurt during the climb?</p>
<p>What I, as a parent, would really miss is the pinning on of the third class shoulder boards after the Reaffirmation Ceremony. Too many youngsters? Our mid thought t was actually pretty cool to have Youngsters and Youngsters, lower half, running around for a week. Okay then, no more frocking ceremonies in the fleet where the rank is put on before the actual promotion. I thought we were trying to make it more like the fleet? </p>
<p>Anyway, this doesn't bode well for Commissioning Week. Public Affairs says they don't know when the schedule will come out, and there was a very long pause when I asked if the sched. would be susbstantially the same or abbreviated. Still, I was advised to go by last year's schedule until the new one comes out. From the 'Dant's office "It is coming out, we just don't know when." That is so like the Navy, hurry up and wait! :)</p>
<p>I don't think they are frocking in the fleetn as a rule anymore, but I could be wrong....</p>
<p>my squad leader told us that their was one plebe who broke his back during 2010 herndon, multiple concussions, and many more minor injuries.</p>
<p>my nass squad leader that is</p>
<p>Yes, putting third class shoulder boards on was a special moment for the mids and their families; it's said that it is the most significant stripe our future officers will earn. Someone had better call the class of 1961 members and tell them not to come for the "Link in the chain event." </p>
<p>I would hope that firstie families at least know the dates of commissioning week activities in order to confirm house/hotel/restaurant reservations, etc. Dare I even consider firstie parent weekend for September 2008?</p>
<p>I was at the 2010 Herndon climb and do not remember seeing the injuries mentioned, but who knows. As for putting the third class shoulder boards on, I definately did not consider it a significant event in anyway. Of course, back in the 70's we just climbed Herndon and celebrated the success. The most significant stripe I earned was the Ensignstripe upon graduation. Even after making O-6, I still considered it the significant milestone. The Ensign stripe is where the career begins.</p>
<p>^^^ Bad info - my youngster said he never heard that one... There was no medical that came and quite frankly didn't see too many actually fall. Those that did just landed on the lower level and got right back.</p>
<p>Sad that traditions are going by the wayside when most colleges and universities have recognized the importance of parent involvement with students. We are seeing more opportunities to bring parents and families to College and University campuses, USNA is after-all the undergraduate COLLEGE of the US Navy so one might think that they would pay attention to the course that higher education is taking in America.</p>
<p>I wouldn't put a fork in Herndon yet because I don't think it's done, especially when the Alumni hear about it......</p>
<p>I've got no problem with the no frocking. My wife went, but I missed it last year. She and his then GF put his shoulderboards on the wrong way - and it made for a great opportunity for me to tease him mercilessly... In any case, traditonally, you're not really a third class until your firsties graduate, and not a youngster until you see the chapel dome after Youngster Cruise. My Plebe was grumbling about it tonight, but it's clear that he didn't understand what the 'Dant was saying. He equated "no frocking" with still be under Plebe discipline, and that is clearly not accurate. Bad rumor.</p>
<p>As far as Herndon goes, I was a bystander for my own class' climb in 1981. At 6' 1", 185, there was no way I was getting anywhere near the top anyway, and I was not interested in having somebody crush me for an hour plus on the bottom, either. Honestly, there are probably only 70-80 "active" participants in the human chain, anyway. A tiny little sandcrab from our company got the cap on and got the Supe's boards as well. </p>
<p>Sea Trials should be closed to the public, IMHO. My son said it was a joke having all the parents there last year. He said it would be like having your parents in the hotel room with you on your honeymoon - or words to that effect - and it felt more like a spectacle for the public than a test of endurance and teamwork for the class.</p>
<p>My two cents...</p>