Reminder

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>I know that each of you who have been appointed are really smart and invincible. [We all were as teenagers.]
But, given some recent events at the Academy, I want to take an opportunity to remind you to be . . . . sensible[?].<br>
remind yourself of why you want to attend an Academy. You have not chosen to attend a conventional school.
There are multiple rules and regulations with which you will be expected to comply. There are numerous laws with which you will be expected to comply. In sh ort, the expectations of you will be higher than that of other college students.</p>

<p>If you are not prepared to comply, then you sh ould really examine why you have chosen to immerse yourself in an environment that expects COMPLIANCE.</p>

<p>There are, at this momen, plebes who will not finish the year because they could not take the pressure. Even after 8 months. </p>

<p>There are, at this moment, firsties who will not graduate with their class because they have broken a law or regulation. Even w/ just one month to go. Very sad.</p>

<p>If you th ink the law is silly. I fyou think "everybody does it" is a justificaiton for your action or inaction, then you need to evaluate your intended near-term future.</p>

<p>If you are not going to try your best to COMPLY, then perhaps you should not go.</p>

<p>In various threads, you have been reminded to follow the rules. To do what you are told when you are told to to do it.
This is not meaningless advice. Every year, however, every class has members who think they are smarter than administration or that the rule doesn't apply to THIS circumstance. Be forewarned. . .</p>

2

<p>Good info mate… way to instill some fear. Which is a good thing in this case… prevents people from getting too big of a head. A little humility goes a long way.</p>

<p>Personally, looking back on a few things I do see the folly of my thinking, especially in a few previous threads. It’s really quite sad to see firsties get hammered like that, but it’s all up to the person to guide his/her career… and the decisions one makes definitely matter. I wonder how much they’re going to have to pay back… whew, don’t even want to see the number.</p>

<p>Hopefully our class will steer clear of such mischief, and graduate w/o losing too many potentially successful shipmates.</p>

<p>And it all really comes down to motivation and willingness to accept the fact that you’re in the military and life really is different for us than the people in the civilian sector.</p>

3

<p>I would like to expand on Bill’s advice.</p>

<p>First, your likelihood to become commissioned will be based upon the judgment you demonstrate at USNA. Make good, smart, and common sense choices. HOWEVER, don’t blindly accept an order because it was told to you – use your common sense judgment – if someone is not aware of what is going on, don’t hesitate to privately get clarification or state what you think is wrong. Remember, as an officer, one of your jobs is to protect your CO and if he/she blindly gives you an order and you know something to be clearly wrong, it is your job to inform him/her. Having a questioning attitude is an important part of being a good officer. I am not saying to clearly violate any lawful order, but because of the responsibility that you will have, you need to understand that the “I didn’t know” attitude doesn’t fly.</p>

<p>Second, you will be faced with more choices to do wrong once you graduate. If you think it is hard at USNA, it isn’t. You will have the ability to consume alcohol on weekdays. I bring this up because as a duty department head, two of my guys arrived late to duty and smelled of alcohol. What happens? The CDO is informed, who then has to call the CO to get a fit-for-duty screening. One of the guys was underage and admitted to drinking. Where the drinking occurred (previous night) was at the other guy’s place (who was of age). Both are going to Captain’s Mast. One has had a previous alcohol related incident (ARI) and the other was CAPPED (spot promoted) by the same Captain that will be adjudicating him.</p>

<p>Showing up to duty, in a drunken manner is a serious problem. At USNA, it isn’t stressed enough, but when you have to rely on your crew in a foreign port, where terrorism might be an issue, losing one person degrades the section’s ability to perform its job.</p>

<p>My advice, understand that some of the policies are created to prepare you for what is expected in the Fleet.</p>

4

<p>All solid, worthy, even urgent counsel that should be heeded.</p>

<p>Interesting how a chronic, global war in which he/she will be momentarily engaged to lead can sober one’s perspective of the degree once viewed as a “free ride” degree, isn’t it.</p>

5

<p>My advice is to remember who you are there for. You are there to learn how to be a leader for your Marines and sailors. Sure you can have fun while you are there but stay focused on the ultimate goal: Leading Marines and Sailors in combat environments in the war on terror. They will expect you to be ready when you hit the fleet.</p>

6

<p>At our MOC’s event for appointed students there was an appointee who mentioned an alcohol incident while he was on a CVW. Several mids came in late (over the wall?) and drunk on a Thursday night. They were caught and admitted to drinking. The problem was that their entire company was awakened at 1am for the incident. That’s tough on everyone - especially those who have been preparing for tests.</p>

<p>I think this particular appointee decided to go NROTC to another university. It was an Ivy - not sure which one.</p>

7

<p>Have said it before, and worth mentioning again-</p>

<p>Getting in is the easy part. Staying in depends on you. Walking the straight and narrow. Following the rules. Doing the right thing no matter who, if anyone, is even watching. It all matters.</p>

<p>One silly misstep can get you fried. And separated. And maybe, even worse.
One silly misstep of someone else can get you fried. And separated. And maybe even worse.
You sink and swim together. And it is so true that you are only as strong as your weakest link. Don’t be that link- and make sure you work on making that link as strong as you can. There is a reason that phrase has endured the test of time- heed it.</p>

<p>Will you take chances?
Most likely.
You think you are invincible. It can’t happen to you. It won’t happen to you. No one will know. No one will care. No one will see.</p>

<p>Truth be told, you might get away with it, whatever it is.
But odds are you won’t.
Someone always sees, someone always tells. They ALL care.
What seems so innocent looks very, very different when coded by the MidRegs, or Uniform Code of Military Justice. Behavior unbecoming. Fraternization. Underage drinking, or aiding and abetting in same. Downloading on computer or phone things that should never be opened in the first place. </p>

<p>It’s so easy to stray- temptation is everywhere. Give in, take that risk, and do so knowing the consequences can be grave. Separation may even the lesser of possible evils in terms of what can happen with one lapse in judgment. It can, and does, happen to the best and the brightest. Don’t be that Mid.</p>

<p>As Bill stated in starting this thread, know the rules. Stay within the boundaries. There are consequences to everything that you do, and you will be held accountable to the highest degree. </p>

<p>So when you raise that hand on I-Day, to protect and defend, do not take it lightly. Much will be given to you, and much will be expected. Getting in- just the first step. The goal is getting out with that commission.</p>

<p>And as Jadler points out, from there it only gets more intense. Learn the lessons well.</p>

<p>Ok.
No more preaching from the sandbox.
Best of luck to all of you!</p>