<p>Looking forward to graduation and their service assignments</p>
<p>Seniors</a> recall time at academy - Naval Academy - (HometownAnnapolis.com)</p>
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Looking back over their four years at the Naval Academy, some local seniors said yesterday they were glad they came - and are delighted to be leaving.</p>
<p>"Walking across that stage is going to fell soooo good," said Midshipman 1st Class Benjamin Gabbard, of Arnold. "It can't get here too soon."...
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The mids who discussed the matter yesterday said that grousing about the food reflected a broader dissatisfaction at the tighter regs, generally.</p>
<p>"There were disgruntled midshipmen. Of all the changes, that was the easiest thing to complain about," said Midshipman Cormack. "But we certainly never went hungry."</p>
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<p>Shezam, Surprise, Surprise</p>
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A mechanical engineering major, Midshipman Watters applied to become a surface warfare officer, but the submarine community recruited him.
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<p>Does this have to do with what JackTraveler was saying about how so many mids signed up for SWO because it's the easiest way to 5 and dive? And then other branches (flight, subs) had to recruit them.</p>
<p>For those who don't click on links, the above quote about grumbling midshipmen was preceeded by the following:</p>
<p>"Reports of food shortages soon surfaced.</p>
<p>"When they have all the side dishes, but run out of main meals half-way through, you get upset," said Midshipman 1st Class Scott Wallace of Annapolis, who will be attending medical school in the fall.</p>
<p>"It happened for several weeks," he said of the shortages. "Then, they started putting out three times what they needed."</p>
<p>Academy leaders said at the time that there was one occasion, on a Saturday, when the mess hall ran short. Adm. Fowler told the academy's civilian oversight board recently that he would look at asking the Pentagon to increase the budget for food."</p>
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"Reports of food shortages soon surfaced."
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<p>And where did these reports come from? The disgruntled midshipmen of course.</p>
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When they have all the side dishes, but run out of main meals half-way through, you get upset," said Midshipman 1st Class Scott Wallace of Annapolis,
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<p>And why would you assume that this is not one of the aforementioned disgruntled midshipmen?</p>
<p>"And why would you assume that this is not one of the aforementioned disgruntled midshipmen?"</p>
<p>Because either there were shortages for several weeks, or this Mid is committing an honor offense. I have read previously that Mids who are selected for medical school straight from the Academy are often near the very top of the OOM, so I doubt that he would be stupid enough to lie to a newspaper reporter. It is also possible that the Mid in question was grossly misquoted.</p>
<p>Do SWO Midshipmen get to choose which ship/location they serve in/at?</p>
<p>Yes, Orders Assignment Night (AKA Ship Selection Night) was last Thursday.</p>
<p>2012mom, that isn't an honor offense...it is an opinion/prespective! Also, just because you have a high OOM doesn't mean you can't do something "stupid." There was a kid in our class in the top 20 who got booted.</p>
<p>USNA69,</p>
<p>I can tell you that there were food shortages and problems and these complaints didn't ALL originate because of the changes. I do find it quite ironic that you quickly point out how unreliable MIDN statements can be when its not in your favor. However, when a MIDN makes a quote in your favor, you quickly support it. It isn't a one way street, especially when you don't have a first hand perspective. You can't go off a handful of quotes made in newspaper reports (especially when they are inconsistent!).</p>
<p>There were food problems in the beginning and MFSD, the Commandant, and Superintendent HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED to us that there were problems that weren't in our control.</p>
<p>So believe it or not, but let's rest this issue because it is over and while the food COULD be better, it has come a long way since the beginning of last semester.</p>
<p>EDIT: I know the MIDN that you quoted very well. I think the statement is a little misrepresentative of what she would admit fully to. Remember, when you make a statement on behalf of the government, it isn't going to be all dandy and opinionated.</p>
<p>Good post as always, jadler. Thanks.</p>
<p>Did you receive the assignment you wanted?</p>
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<p>If I remember correctly, my main concern was with second-hand MIDN statements to their parents, not quoted statements in the media.</p>
<p>You may not remember quite as well as I do the grief that I took for suggesting exactly this same thing last fall. That there are two sides to every story. That things are not always exactly as depicted by the first report. That the Food Services Division is not run by a bunch of incompetent bureaucrats exemplifying the Peter Principal in action. My stance caused me to be labeled a ‘bitter old man’ whose time had passed for having relevant views. I was ‘accused’ of both being the Superintendent in mufti and a plant by the administration. Actually I saw these last two as compliments.</p>
<p>The last two efforts of the Annapolis newspaper, the letter to the editor rebuttal by the Commandant and this last article, have done much to place the issue in perspective and perhaps support my initial contention that the food issue had nothing to do with food.</p>
<p>Jadler, you are about to become an integral part of one of the greatest institutions in the world, an organization comprised of good and competent people doing their best. Promotion structure is such that the best rise to the top. Your leadership will be superb. Your contemporaries will be outstanding. Those under you will want to do the best they can for you. Of course there are always a few bad apples but they will be dealt with swiftly. So, when some outsider comes along and commences making disparaging remarks about YOUR Navy, simply respond with one form or another of “B__ S__”. Then go do your homework. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, your initial response was the appropriate answer.</p>
<p>My tastes in wine are not so plebian as Yellow Tail.</p>
<p>USNA69,</p>
<p>Points taken.</p>
<p>Yes, it is true that you made the point about the newspapers last semester. Thus, I think the only valid assessment is having a first-hand account. I definitely did not like some of the new changes (though, I did adopt them with full support). However, when I say there were food shortages, it was dead-on. It wasn't the changes that caused me to validate some of the claims in the newspapers, it was the truth. Of course, because of the split mess situation, those in KH didn't necessarily see what was going on in DH or vice-versa.</p>
<p>Time to move on to bigger and better things....like....spring break and graduation!</p>
<p>At the end of the article it listed all the stats for service selection. It listed the number of USMC selections as 237. Does anyone know how many were air and how many were ground?</p>
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My tastes in wine are not so plebian as Yellow Tail.
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<p>nope.... not bitting!!!!</p>
<p>but do feel free to upgrade to whatever you deem appropriate.... just deliver as promised! A bet is a bet!</p>