<p>It sounds like you are on the right track. Keep doing as many push-ups, sit-ups as you can do. Additionally, follow the Academy running schedule, too. Finally, during the summer you will run intervals (i.e. 3 x 800m at your group pace...the fastest does 2:30 for 800) as well as 3-5 mile slower paced runs (with your company). The last day of PEP (at least this year) was a 10k (6.2 miles) race.</p>
<p>Good luck, the next 2 months will seem an eternity, but make good civilian use of it!</p>
<p>Definitely right, I did drop out of XC. I realized I wasn't made for the "fast" stuff. I am made for the longer stuff...(1/2 marathon, marathon). So now, as I think I have previously mentioned, I am running with the Marathon Club. Additionally, the coach of the XC team and I had different views of USNA (that was a second reason).</p>
<p>Personally, I really don't care who you are (I believe I know who you are) "YutYut" and nor do I get offended by you. I think my actions speak for myself. I do not even know where "overweight" kids fall into this topic. And if you want to call me a JOE go ahead and do that. Job, Opportunity, and Effort! (thanks to M/CAPT Kelvington, Brigade Commander)</p>
<p>To everyone else: Just remember when you come here to try your best...that is the number one thing. If you do that everything will fall in place...and remember that everyone is good in one thing and not necessarily everything...there will be Mids who will be willing to help others before themselves - "ship, shipmate, self" ... that should be everyones goal. Even if people do call you a JOE (ironic) or disagree with you...and you know what you are doing is right, stick with it, because in the short run (USNA) you might not be so well liked, however, when you graduate, you will be well prepared and ready to serve. </p>
<p>For everyone who does not know what a "JOE" is...
A joe is a Midshipman who follows what is told, puts their classmates before them, listens and upholds the Dant's and Supe's plans, puts 110% effort into everything, and believes strongly in USNA and USN. Additionally, joes are not liked because....usually they are always happy about being at USNA and have a sense of high commitment and just want to do the "right thing". Also, this usually means that a Midn has different views of the Academy. For example, going to hear the Distinguished Graduate Awards for most of the Brigade is a "waste of time" on a Friday afternoon, but for some it is impressive to hear former graduates speak. Being a joe doesn't mean telling on people or necessarily getting them into trouble...more of "leading from the front" and "motivating others".</p>
<p>Finally, what you put into the Academy, is what you are going to get!</p>
<p>Enough about that...
less than 28 days to go!</p>
<p>Well, all I have to say is that Jadler has given more constructive comments throughout the year than the other "johnny-come-latley's hell-bent on scaring the heck out of the next class. In my opinion, save it. We have all heard it before. The kids, sons and daughters just have to experience it. There will be helpful, hurtful, nice, mean, and everything in between people at the academy, as there is in life. Some will matriculate well. Others will not. That's the breaks. But, really, the scare tactics don't do anything but make you look bad and certainly aren't very honorable.<br>
NAPS05mom</p>
<p>Interesting . . . It's always hard to say anything useful [and certainly many other people seem to have no hesitancy about blathering on about marginally useful matters].</p>
<p>Jadler HAS been interesting. Sounds as if he is in the right place at the right time; confident about what he is doing and why he is doing it.</p>
<p>I am sure YY has his reasons too. It's sort of interesting to hear a slightly different perspective. [Although YY does not come off as articulate and confident. Maybe that's one difference between a "JOE" and not.]</p>
<p>In any event, as with 90% of the posts on CC, you have to take it all with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>So . . . lets hear some more differences between how a JOE and non-JOE [would that be a BOB?] views academy life.</p>
<p>We didn't use the term "JOE" during my days at USNA---guess I must be getting old!</p>
<p>Anyhow, I think I have a good way of breaking down the broad categories of mids: Common Sensers (CS) vs. Chain-of-Commanders (CC).</p>
<p>CS mids are concerned only about the bottom line--graduating and getting the hell out of the academy. They don't want to listen to a Friday afternoon distinguished graduate speak because they aren't interested---they just don't want to go on a Friday! After all, can't the distinguished grad come and talk on a day that the mids can't leave the year? And why are we drilling so much? You don't drill in the fleet (at least you Navy-types won't). And why are we having another personnel inspection? This is getting silly!</p>
<p>Your CC mids, on the other hand, have absolute faith in their chain-of-command to make the right decisions. After all, if an officer is telling you to do something, he must be right. He has more training, more experience, and I can't see the "big picture." Their faith in the chain makes them question orders and policies to a much lesser extent than their CS counterparts. For this reason, the CC mids are often derided by the CS mids for being "part of the system" or "one of them."</p>
<p>The funny thing is that this distinction pretty much evaporates once the mids graduate. Why? Because the chain-of-command in the "real" Navy actually functions correctly, since it is tempered by the common sense of the senior enlisted personnel. The problem at USNA is that you have too many officers running around, and almost no enlisted. This leads to a chain-of-comand that is inefficient and slow to respond to the concerns of the mids. </p>
<p>So, no matter what kind of a mind you are, I am pretty confident that the fleet will make everything okay. </p>
<p>Now let's hold hands and sing Kumbaya!</p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>
<p>To DeepThroat: Thank you for your well thought out comment. You were able to harness YutYut's angst and bitter cynicism into a cogent and decidedly articulate argument. </p>
<p>To NAPS05Mom: Let's dissect your last comment..</p>
<p>I'm glad jadler's comments made you feel so good about the Naval Academy. If you want to feel good, just watch all the videos the academy makes every year. Or go read a brochure. jadler is only repeating all the noble ideals the academy spouts off to prospective students. </p>
<p>I'll tell you what though: like any institution, it has problems. There are many different routes to becoming an officer, and there's not anything special about the naval academy. It's not better than ROTC or OCS, it's just different. And what I have learned through experience is that there are some major flaws in this system. It's contrived. It's fake. A lot of things we do here, SERVE NO PURPOSE. And what people like jadler will have you believe, is that it all makes you stronger. This unfortunately, is wrong. Maybe it does for some people, but for number it's demeaning. An entire year of chopping down the center of the p-way? Does it really serve a purpose after three months? We get the point already. Hitting a bulkhead in March at 6 in the morning so we can do rack races and have chopping EI while a bunch of idiots yell at you for not changing uniforms fast enough? Does it really help you? For me, it does not. </p>
<p>I'm glad you so easily brush off these comments as 'scare tactics'. That strikes me as decidedly dismissive and ignorant. You always look at both sides, and for you to laude jadlers ability to paint you a beatiful picture of the naval academy complete with posies and roses, while simultaneously dismissing opinions that don't jibe with this glorious facade you have built for yourself is foolhardy. Take the good with the bad and understand that negative opinions of the naval academy aren't some fearmongerer's effort to scare prospective students but to let them know that it is not the bright picture some would paint. </p>
<p>It's interesting that you mention that people just have to experience it. Do you even read what you write? Heed your own words and think twice before imparting your knowledge gleaned from second and third-hand experience. YutYut has experienced it. I know him and not only is he bitter and cynical but he's also on the superintendant's list and is ranked number one militarily in his class. He also has the body of Adonis, lemme know if you want a pic...</p>
<p>Finally, it's nice that you feel so at ease throwing the word honor around at every available opportunity. Expressing a less than optimistic and upbeat opinion of an institution with which I am INTIMATELY familiar with is not dishonorable in any way shape or form. Let me tell you about honor. A lot of great people get in trouble or are kicked out for stupid reasons here. You've always gotta watch your back for some fry-happy robot who's personality is defined by the thousands of rules and regulations here. I wonder sometimes what these people were like before they came here, because they live, eat, and breathe everything the naval academy throws at them.</p>
<p>ma'am,</p>
<p>i just wanted to know what year you graduated from this distingushed institution. Since you are so knowledgeable in the ways of mother B.</p>
<p>-a concerned midshipman</p>
<p>If you haven't been here and experienced what the academy has to offer, you seriously need to be quiet and listen to what ACTUAL MIDSHIPMAN are saying, except this ridiculous JADLER kid. He mentions not being popular, probably because of the ridiculous propoganda he spits. BUT this is not a flame, im just trying to point out that this place makes 95% of the people cynical and mean. Lets get real. HONESTLY, some people are totally absurd. but what do i know, its not like i ACTUALLY GO TO THE NAVAL ACADEMY. PS. I HEART MIDSHIPMAN CAPTAIN LUKE KELVINGTON, UNITED STATES NAVY, BRIGADE COMMANDER, FALL 2005.</p>
<p>mista hoorah- so funnya and sense making. Very honor talk, speak crazy napsmom. i like pink flower. take advice from adlerleal, not doing super good at navy. go back home praefacture jordan. no people are liking you like bitter sake. yutyut three times fun super shipmate!</p>
<p>Man, how do they let you negative people even in the Naval Academy? The Naval Academy does what it actually says: to create Naval officers. You guys must be plebes. Life sucks as a plebe from what i hear but that isnt the whole Academy experience. Thats why they call it "Plebe Year" because it only lasts for a year.</p>
<p>Hoorah - </p>
<p>It's not a matter of not wishing to hear the criticism of USNA. Most of this board would welcome the views of current mids.</p>
<p>It's possible to do it without personal attacks. And thoughtfully. Which was not what YutYut brought to the table. </p>
<p>Any constructive thoughts about what prospective mids should consider before accepting an appointment? Any views on how the upperclass feel (eg, do you anticipate your antipathy to diminish over time, or is it constant throughout all 4 years)?</p>
<p>First of all, I am doing perfectly fine here. Second, you have different views than I have, and that is fine. And Thirdly, I never said I was not popular, because it happens that I am one of the well respected kids in my entire company (including our own class in company), however I know the reputation that "JOES" get - unpopular. And I never said the Academy is a perfect place...in the sense that everything goes as planned, there are some flaws...but that is part of life. What are you going to do when something isn't fair or the way you like? You can try to change...through feedback. I am just giving some helpful advice to candidates. There are some times of doubt and questioning...but that's normal. Honestly, being on any list (Dean, Superintendent, etc.) is very admirable; something that everyone should aim for (and something I would like and strive for) but that doesn't necessarily predict leadership.</p>
<p>When did I say or even imply the Academy is all perfect? I have been giving advice in how to really enjoy life here...if you don't embrace USNA, then yes, you are going to have one cynical time. I am trying to prevent these candidates from getting cynical when they are here.</p>
<p>Everything that I post reflects my true feelings; no political influence. I will tell anyone anything straight up.</p>
<p>I hope my posts haven't been offensive at all, because I try to write so I am not trying to critcize anyone.</p>
<p>HooRah,
"He also has the body of Adonis, lemme know if you want a pic..."</p>
<p>Are you a male or female midshipman?</p>
<p>jadler03 - I'd echo naps05mom's comments. We appreciate your taking the time throughout the year.</p>
<p>WELL . . . this has certainly been about the most interesting thread in the last 30 days.</p>
<p>I personally think its great that some actual mids [assuming they actually are mids] are actually participating; both the negatives and the positives.</p>
<p>I wonder at the fact that these Mids have the time to get on CC! All the various outlooks are interesting, but again, take with a grain of salt!</p>
<p>jadler03, Thanks for the information you've shared with candidates and their families. We appreciate your input. :)</p>
<p>usna09mom</p>
<p>Admiral Thomas:</p>
<p>Yes, Admiral Thomas, there is a screener for negative and cynical people, because such a thing is possible. It's difficult to detect cynicism about the naval academy in someone who hasn't been there yet nor been able to develop a negative attitude. If you're negative to begin with, why would you apply in the first place?</p>
<p>Of course I had high aspirations for coming here. You should read my admission essays: "want to become a better person...blah, blah, blah" But you get into the ac year and it just goes downhill. A lot of people see Plebes as some kind of justification to power trip and let their egos cloud any leadership ability they might be seeking to develop. Nobody respects you if you're an ass, and unfortunately that's what a lot of people are. And sure, you have to deal with it, but you also wonder how they become like that? </p>
<p>A lot of people lack any impartiality or judgement. It's a favorites game. Some people develop great friendships with the upperclass and some don't. And if you're not their friend, and they don't know you, you'll get ranked poorly. And really that's where the system breaks down. How do you simultaneously develop and maintain this sense of professionalism while some people are willing to become friends with you, go out drinking with you, whatever? The two are almost always mutually exclusive. The entire environment of bancroft hall is not really conducive to maintaining this rift between upperclass and plebes, because first of all, these leadership positions are just as much for upperclass as they are for plebes, so both sides of the coin have people who often have very little idea what the hell they're doing. I don't know how to follow. Well that's alright, I don't know how to lead. And so the situation deteriorates into some lowest common denominator where we develop close friendships as some sort of adjunct to real leadership. So you have some people that will distance themselves, some that'll be your friends, they're spread through the entire chain-of-command, and the entire system is a model of how a lack of uniformity screws things up.</p>
<p>Secondly, it's a dorm. People have their own lives. There's no mission to the naval academy. Yeah, yeah, develop midshipman morally, mentally, physically, blah, blah, blah, but some people work towards that purpose, some do not, and others pick and choose. We're really not united in any uniformity of purpose. Mids at the naval academy have their own objectives, each class's roles are rather ill-defined and vague, because yeah training sergeants are supposed to keep you in line, but they're not always training, different people have different styles and they might be training you with different objectives in mind.</p>
<p>So you have thousands of people working towards different objectives, with different personalities, some who care, some who don't, some who will scream at you for stupid things, others who'll hang out in your room, all interspersed through the entire brigade, throughout the companies and up and down your chain of command, and you're expected to keep up with this weird dynamicism that fluctuates just trying to get down the hall. Someone'll tell you to stop yelling, five seconds later someone yells at you for not being loud enough. What I'm getting at is that this attempt to meld a university with some military training environment is wholly imperfect and very irritating for it's distinct lack of solidarity. The two are at odds with each other.</p>
<p>That's why plebe summer is no big deal. Everyone's working toward the same thing. Everyone's an ass, and you know what to expect. There's a standard--something that is entirely absent from the naval academy as a whole.</p>
<p>usna09mom: I'm a guy. It was a joke.</p>
<p>HooRah,
"He also has the body of Adonis, lemme know if you want a pic..."</p>
<p>Are you a male or female midshipman? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I agree with HooRah 100%. Dead on.</p>