<p>Another take on why USNA has deemphasized the summer offshore sailing program. Perhaps the Iraqi war has caused cuts deeper than we thought.</p>
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[quote]
The offshore program and inshore basic sail training in smaller boats are victims of budget cuts, said Cavalieri, who has been struggling to keep them afloat on about one-tenth of the funds he's used to having.
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<p>You would think that learning to sail and command a small craft would be the basic building block to becoming a naval officer? Maybe to much being spent on all those fancy sports venues ?</p>
<p>If I'm not mistaken, alumni and generous donors finance the "fancy sports venues," not the American taxpayer. Small boat handling and navigation are valuable experiences for future naval officers. Many are sorry to see this happen.</p>
<p>Fantastic.</p>
<p>I hope the VOST will still get to do the summer Newport to Bermuda race...</p>
<p>Hell, I hope there will still be a VOST.</p>
<p>I concur with CAPT Klein and VADM Fowler on their shift on summer training. Sailing cruises, honestly, in my experience didn't further any seamanship or navigation. There are already YP cruises that give MIDN the chance to stand as Conning Officer, Officer of the Deck, Helm, Lee Helm, Nav, etc. YP cruises are a better option in learning/understanding seamanship and navigation...it is also more realistic than a sailing cruise. </p>
<p>I would rather have them cut the sailing cruise than YPs, PROTRAMID, or Surface Cruises! Sailing is at the bottom of the pole.</p>
<p>Dittoes on VOST. Mine's loving it. Not tough to see your view, jadler. Nice, traditional, not essential or even necessary in terms of experiences. Obviously expensive.</p>
<p>Actually, I agree with Jadler. The average midshipman would benefit much more from any of those other cruises than sailing.</p>
<p>But will this restrict summer sailing activities for those on VOST?</p>
<p>Assignment to a ship for summer is great if the ship is operating. Too many times the ship is in port and not underway. At these times, I feel that Mids can be seen as a burder rather than someone trying to expereince the Fleet. Each ship is different and I am sure there are good and bad experiences. I am not sure what can be gained if the ship does not get underway. At least with the sailing program you are experiencing "Life at sea", albeit on a different platform. Unless they go back to a NATRON type cruise, where all the youngsters embark together and are led by First Class Mids, I am not sure how successful and beneficial summer cruises can be.</p>
<p>Plebe son is VOST member. I will ask if this means anything for the Newport-Bermuda race. I couldn't tell from the article whether this was a cutback specifically in sail training for rising 3rd class Midshipmen, a cut of VOST activities, or both.</p>
<p>My sense tells me that this is really about more "gray hull" time for Youngster Cruises than cutting VOST, but I might be wrong.</p>
<p>"My sense tells me that this is really about more "gray hull" time for Youngster Cruises than cutting VOST, but I might be wrong."</p>
<p>That sounds right.</p>