<p>It's such an issue because its the 4th of July, parents--many for the first time--have had child ripped from their bosom and, w/ nothing better to do on a rainy Wed., at least this provides cheap entertainment.</p>
<p>As I've always said, cheaper than visiting the porn sites.
What will rile people up is amazing!</p>
<p>What a country!</p>
<p>"I'm just listening to descriptions of parents taking thousands of pictures during plebe summer and thinking this just reinforces Army's notion that Navy is indeed a 'country club.'"</p>
<p>That's your opinion. I see these parents as people who are letting their children go (which is an arduous process in itself, for most) and not only letting them go, but having them take up the baton to serve their country. This is their (and myself included) way of dealing with it. Anyone who thinks the Navy is a "country club" will soon be educated to the contrary. </p>
<p>The Navy makes fun of Air Force and says that before they build landing strips, they build the golf course. Coming from the Air Force I think it's pretty funny. </p>
<p>"If Dropshots is a bone of contention - stay off the site. It certainly does not bother the plebes, at least none that I know of from last year, and from what we could tell last year it did not really bother the Cadre; so why is this such an issue here?"</p>
<p>Double Amen.</p>
<p>^^^^Bill0510- :D</p>
<p>It's just hot and dry here!</p>
<p>I just had to comment on the "Country Club Image" posting:</p>
<p>It's funny, but the Navy usually thinks of the Air Force as the country club service. (I have definitely heard Nurseypoo's comment more than once about the golf course/air strip priority!). Actually, I thought that all the services considered that the case!! We are a Navy family--My husband is a USNA grad, has over 25 years of service (and is still active duty--I won't give his year because this is not his posting and I don't want to drag him into something he may not want to be a part of!!). We were even married at the Chapel (none more beautiful, in my opinion!!.. but the Air Force and Army Chapels are very nice too--just different!). Anyway, on our cross country trips, or even when just visiting somewhere, we always seek out the Air Force bases first...they are always just first rate!!</p>
<p>Note: All joking is good natured...I love all the branches of the Armed Services.</p>
<p>Happy 4th of July, & God Bless America!!!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>nurseypoo, they admit it:</p>
<p>
[quote]
But the Air Force, which for decades has spent more proportionally on qualify of life programs and facilities, is wringing its hands and, critics contend, dragging its feet over the prospect of giving the Army control of McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and the Navy control of Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Bolling AFB, Washington D.C., and Anderson Air Base in Guam.</p>
<p>Air Force officials argue, at every opportunity, that their bases alone are “fighting platforms” for their aircraft and thus must be maintained in top form as the Navy strives to maintain its ships and the Army and Marine Corps sustain its deployed ground forces.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>My father was an Air Force pilot and I recall staying in an ante bellum mansion (think 'Gone With the Wind') that had been converted into a hotel in Biloxi, MS, that was reserved for officers' families. In retrospect, the only problem was that it was segregated.</p>
<p>Daughter and I are driving her car across America this summer (you saw Oprah & Gayle's trip???), and we definitely plan on staying at Air Force Inns! ;)</p>
<p>Happy Birthday to USMA, today! </p>
<p>As I've said before, when cadets graduate from USAFA they are issued their golf clubs before their degree. :D</p>
<p>My husband never played (I think that has more to do with keeping me off of the links: he'd be DNIF due to injury with a golf club- I suck and he would be unitentionally injured). :D</p>
<p>69- I do agree that we had a very good quality of life when we lived on base; more amenities than the other services at times. To be honest, we were thoroughly cocooned and spoiled when our husbands were deployed to the first Desert Storm. </p>
<p>rgrmebb- The AF chapel is really unusual architecturally and beautiful inside. I have never seen the chapel at USMA, but the Naval Cathedral is hands down my favorite.</p>
<p>This is going to be my last posting on this issue because nothing else really needs to be discussed.</p>
<p>jmwrites...the front doors clearly states NO VISITORS. That implies that no one is allowed past the doors....so why would taking pictures from the outside looking in be acceptable? Inside on the 2nd deck, there is a sign saying NO VISITORS PAST THIS POINT. I think that those signs send clear messages that pictures aren't allowed by visitors inside the mess hall. It doesn't matter about a clearance....it is called respect for the rules.</p>
<p>As I mentioned in a previous post, I am sure these ladies aren't intending to cross the lines. And yes, a nice word to them would be expected and I am sure they would respect it.</p>
<p>Oh . . .by the way, I will be on the yard come mid-July and I plan to take lots of pictures of plebes. [Only from where I will be authorized to be.]
Will be posting to the USNAA site and will let you parents know.
Good luck w/ your telephone calls.</p>
<p>Just wanted to let you know Thorton has added some pictures today...
Found our Plebe at least 11 times!!! That made my day! (Have to say they were all looking a little tired though.) And...I found the pictures by doing the 'Company' search (didn't have to go through tons of photos). Hope others have good luck with it today too.</p>
<p>Also, I don't know if this site was already mentioned, but USNA-Net has a 'Photo Gallery'--pictures posted by parents (<a href="http://www.usna.org)%5B/url%5D">www.usna.org)</a>. Not that many pictures, but worth a look.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm just listening to descriptions of parents taking thousands of pictures during plebe summer and thinking this just reinforces Army's notion that Navy is indeed a 'country club.'
[/quote]
</p>
<p>with all due respect usna09mom....</p>
<p>there would perhaps be more photos if there were more places for parents to "stay".... highland falls is not exactly a tourist hub!</p>
<p>anyway, they are still shouting "Go ARMY- BEAT NAVY" up in them Hudson Hills....
when EVERYONE knows the C&C troply is STILL safely tucked inside Bancroft Hall..... AGAIN!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>so much for "getting it right".....
IMO, it should be "GO NAVY- BEAT ARMY-AGAIN!" ;)</p>
<p>(I do give them points for their marching however....)</p>
<p>RGRMEBB..
I just now called Thornton and they told me no photos for the 4th are up yet, and you the ability to search by company and platoon does not exist yet... Only I-Day and Last name.. Just curious houw you found 11 photos?</p>
<p>USNA69-
thanks for that link....</p>
<p>looks like the USAF is a bit miffed that they have to give up Hawaii for a place in New Jersey!!! ;)</p>
<p>(I can see why they might be stonewalling a bit!!!)</p>
<p>
[quote]
anyway, they are still shouting "Go ARMY- BEAT NAVY" up in them Hudson Hills....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Good grief. Tell me about it. I feel like I'm living behind enemy lines up here!</p>
<p>As for all the photos. Look, parents, it is undoubtedly a source of perverse pleasure and pride to have your little crumb-cruncher running around in the sailor suit at Annapolis. Just please try to remember that while it may be all fun and games to you, it isn't for your Plebe.</p>
<p>Take all the pictures you want, just stay out of restricted areas, don't get in the way of the detailers, respect basic privacy, and whatever you do, DON'T jump up and down like an idiot if you see your Mid. It will embarass him and annoy the detailers. Neither will be appreciated.</p>
<p>On the Friday of my PPW, we were eating lunch when we noticed a crowd of goody-two-shoes parents taking pictures of us and generally carrying on outside the windows of King Hall. They weren't even trying to be discreet.</p>
<p>At the orders of our Squad Leader, we all stood up and began moving around as if we were fish. When the order was given, we all snapped to attention, faced the window, and bellowed, "SIR! THIS IS NOT A FISHBOWL, SIR!"</p>
<p>Most of the parents got the hint and left. A few morons simply laughed and carried on and were pulled away (with surprised looks on their faces) by the other parents.</p>
<p>Please remember that this is serious for the Plebes, and respect the situation they find themselves in. They don't need to feel like rats in a maze. The detailers already make them feel low enough.</p>
<p>MOM2LOLA</p>
<p>I just double checked what I did for the Thorton website. I clicked on "Members" to log in (After I log in, "Induction Day" photo page automatically come up, which I ignored). Then I went to 'Photo Search" and clicked on "Search by Company" on the drop down. The heading on the page then switched from "Induction Day" to "H Company Photos" and there were 3 pages of picture to check out (none from Induction day, but all new photos), of which I found 11 of my Plebe!! (and I have put them under 'My Waldo Stored Photos' so I can just log in and look at them).</p>
<p>Interestingly, the "Induction Day" photos still do not seem to be sorted for me. There are "only" 21 pages of pictures now (as opposed to the 70+ pages there were originally!!), but they don't come up by company/or last name). And when I did try the last name feature, the name 'Smith' came up automatically as the heading with 1 page of pictures, which is not our last name! I guess they are still working out some kinks in the system.</p>
<p>Hope they get your Company pictures in soon!!</p>
<p>
[quote]
</p>
<p>Please remember that this is serious for the Plebes, and respect the situation they find themselves in. They don't need to feel like rats in a maze. The detailers already make them feel low enough.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So true!</p>
<p>(and while I did respect the "no parents on the yard" over plebe summer, I must admitt I sneaked a peak at the Orioles game....afterall, I rationalized, no one said "the orioles stadium is off limits.... :o )</p>
<p>NOT that I would recommend this to anyone....
but will share a funny story...</p>
<p>just so happens, gf and dd are down in annapolis.... the first registering for school, the second on a job interview....</p>
<p>just so happens my very best friend (since grade 3) was at a conference in Washington DC....along with her 2 "daughers" (my "nieces" by any other name)...</p>
<p>all on the same day/evening of the "starboard side" Orioles game....</p>
<p>now I ask you... how could I resist?</p>
<p>so in the car I dash.... 5...no, closer to 6 hours down to Baltimore....where I meet up with my friend, her 2 daughers, my dd and our son's gf....
(just so happens a Navy Dad even had tickets for us right up on the 3rd baseline!)
and guess who was sitting in the uppermost tiers directly on top of us??? :o</p>
<p>anyway, during the 7th inning stretch, we "stretched" up to the upper level concession stands.... and right past a very "familiar face"....which I totally missed....yup, strolled right by not even RECOGNIZING him.....if it was not for my friend, it would have been a total bust!!! </p>
<p>Anyway, we dutifully "failed to notice," and after some excited whispering amongst ourselves, promptly returned to our seats pleased with the apparent "success" with our "steathness."</p>
<p>So the game ends... and the mids line up for the "march down" the ramps...
and we take the elevator to "get ahead" of them...</p>
<p>and we line up...."waiting".... for one last glimpse...
and down they come...
each company chanting some various plebe-humbling tune...
and the first company down (?lima company?) stops smack in front of us.</p>
<p>And inbetween them and us, is the Brigade commander. ( I think that is who he was....)</p>
<p>so here we are, all nervous that somehow we got our "plebe" in trouble....even though he was way-back-up the ramp tiers with Oscar Company....</p>
<p>And as lady luck would have it, the Brigade commander asks "us" if "we" would like to "take a picture with the Midshipmen"...
(well, let me correct that....he made the offer to the 4 "girls"....not the 2 older ladies! :( )</p>
<p>anyway... the girls...with a little coaxing from us....(and may I add, a lot of coaxing from the plebes!) stood over with the group for a quick "pic"....
and then another one...
and then the brigade commander offered us yet another one....
and then the cover thing started....
first, one cover on the gf....
then one on the dd....
one on each of the 2 nieces....
and before we could "snap" another photo, they each had about 6 covers piled up on their heads! No lie!</p>
<p>so then it comes time to give the covers back....
and they get reminded of the "tradition"....(amazing how fast the plebes have learned their rates! :eek: )
only the brigade commander reminds them (the plebes, that is) that "there will be no PDA".....</p>
<p>so the covers get returned...(to a lot of grumbling) and we get lots of great photos of ???lima company....(to this day, I don't even know!)
and one very nice, very accomodating, brigade commander!!! </p>
<p>(we eventually spotted oscar company...and one plebe struggling to hide a very big, very happy grin!)</p>
<p>Now this is NOT an endorsement for visiting the Orioles...unless you are a diehard fan.... but then again, even us "yankee" fans need a little variety every now and again!!!</p>
<p>(and even though the picture is all a blurr, it was wonderful to see my little crumb-cruncher running around in his sailor suit!) Now watch...with my luck I will be hit by lightening for confessing my terrible deed! :( (me, and about 200 "other" parents....rumor has it it was one of the best-attended summer games all season!) :eek:</p>
<p><a href="me,%20and%20about%20200%20%22other%22%20parents....rumor%20has%20it%20it%20was%20one%20of%20the%20best-attended%20summer%20games%20all%20season!">quote=navy2010</a>
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If this is true and I have no reason to believe that it is not, the cadre also knows this. What is to prevent them, throwing entrapment to the wind, asking at breakfast formation the next morning how many saw their moms and dads the previous evening? I know I probably would have.</p>
<p>USNA69,</p>
<p>If you are talking about conduct wise, nothing can be done. If the cadre questioned the plebe without any reasonable doubt (preponderance of evidence) then disciplinary action cannot be taken based soley on the plebes response....this is also true of ANY conduct offense (i.e. "3/C Smith did you go out on liberty on Friday night?"). Now in plebe summer reality, I am sure they would receive some punishment....but the cadre might be also testing their honor/integrity.</p>
<p>"there would perhaps be more photos if there were more places for parents to "stay".... highland falls is not exactly a tourist hub!" -navy2010</p>
<p>with all due respect, do you actually think Army would put up with this s*** for a even a moment? After all, this is BOOT CAMP and the parents are using incredibly poor judgment, setting a bad example for their offspring, AND jeopardizing their plebe's future at the institution. Furthermore, I predict there will be a BACKLASH from the administration as a result of this behavior.</p>
<p>I'm repeating my question, does this incessant picture taking occur at the following locations during BOOT CAMP? </p>
<p>Perris Island
Camp Pendleton
Great Lakes
USMMA
USCGA
USMA
USAFA</p>
<p>Perhaps not, but do the attendees at either PArris Island or Camp Pendleton or Great Lakes go to baseball games or rodeos during their training?</p>
<p>I hardly think a Plebe's future is jeopardized by inerrant picture taking on the part of a parent. [As we are reminded frequently, they are adults now. They are not held responsible for the actions of other adults. If that were the case, wouldn't Al Gore now have a problem since his son was arrested for possession of MJ? Oh, and wouldn't Hilary be somewhat disqualified because of Bill's impeachment. And, let's not leave Repubs out since there are too many examples of infidelity to count. But I digress.]</p>
<p>In addition, I question whether there are THAT many parents are out of control.
Sounds as if a couple of mothers--who may have some sort of permission based on the comments herein--have pushed the envelope and, perhaps, a couple of parents during I-day may have pushed the envelope. Probably nothing different than has happened for many I-days.</p>
<p>Fact of the matter is, it ISN'T the Army. The mission is different, the administration is different, the yards are administered differently. [Compare, for example, access to AFA, which is significantly more restricted as, I am sure, USMA is also.] </p>
<p>It's NOT boot camp.</p>