<p>I got fried once, series 1000, and got 5 demerits. My tours were suspended because my upperclassmen realized that I had been fried because of something I had nothing to do with.</p>
<p>The 5000-series fry I almost got from a "friend" was cancelled completely by my company officer when he saw that the accusation was utter BS.</p>
<p>No joke. I graduated with only 5 demerits and not a single tour marched or day of restriction served.</p>
<p>well now you will have to explain a bit more...
what is a "series 1000"....and how does that differ from a 2k, 3k, 4k and 5k? Is 5K the highest? what happens when you get above a certain number- ???? do they ever go away or do u keep accumulating them?</p>
<p>Well, I don't know if they've changed this, but back in the day, a Conduct Report was written on a Form 2. "Bring me a Form 2", "Bring me a Duece", and "You're fried" were all ways of saying the same thing.</p>
<p>There were six levels. 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000. There were no series between them (5341, etc.) The higher the level, the greater then infraction. 6000-series frys were damned serious, and could result in separation. Guys who got fried 6000 were normally UA in town while drunk or something really bad. Nine times out of ten, if you survived a 6000-series, you were awarded over 100 demerits for the offense, which means you got to wear your black N sweater (just like the blue cardigan sweaters with the gold N varsity athletes wear, only it was bright yellow with a black N). Black N's were one of those badges of honor you wore because you'd gotten away with it, but no one was eager to try and earn one.</p>
<p>Back to the topic of s.o.'s:</p>
<p>What about an s.o. at another academy? I'm thinking much of the same problems would arise. Anybody have any thoughts on that?</p>
<p>If you are serious about attending the Naval Academy, you shouldn't be worrying about a significant other. If the Navy wants you to have a girlfriend/boyfriend, you will be issued one with your seabag. :D </p>
<p>Girlfriend for the men and boyfriend for the ladies. Don't Ask - Don't Tell.</p>
<p>Get your priorities straight.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What about an s.o. at another academy? I'm thinking much of the same problems would arise. Anybody have any thoughts on that?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Probably worse because neither can travel easily to see the other. OTOH, they'd at least have something in common they could share.</p>
<p>Look, the bottom line is that GreatAmerican is right. While I know the SO's are important and all, the fact remains that your priorities right now need to have said SO several pegs lower on the ladder than you might think. </p>
<p>Wanna have one? Fine, but be prepared for the potential consequences, and under no circumstances allow them to either make you make bad decisions or to distract you so badly that you fail.</p>
<p>Zaphod, I liked your answer and I hope all the plebes-to-be read it and take it to heart!
Go Navy, Beat Army this weekend!</p>
<p>I used to have a Westpointer who worked for me. He married another Westpointer. Now, for the No-no. He started dating her on the sly when she was a plebe - while he was an upperclassman! WARNING! WARNING! DANGER! DANGER! </p>
<p>Note: WestPointers marrying Westpointers must be extremely fertile as the couple in question now have 12 kids and are living happily everafter! (They say it's cheaper that way).</p>
<p>From personal experience I can back the comments of others regarding GF/BF left at home. Can the relationship work? Sure. But is your relationship realistically growing? Each of you will be maturing based upon the life experiences either at home or college. You will learn that the conversation can become difficult as your college experiences differ...especially if you are a female mid (those home town guys still can't understand why you would ever choose to become a Navy officer and for some reason get jealous of you living around male mids????).
Did relationships survive? Sure! But now for the big question, how many survived the 5 yr, 10 yr point? None from my circle of friends.
Remember that your experiences after the Academy will be very exciting and take you on new adventures.<br>
I met my husband after graduating, and, he was a classmate...I just never had the chance to meet him until we were living at nearby stations doing very different jobs (don't ask how we met..that's another tale). Of our best friends who married right after graduation, all have divorced. At a reunion we talked about why some relationships survive and others tanked and the common thread was, "We just hadn't experienced life. We needed to go out on our own and grow up. Most of us hadn't ever had to do those mundane tasks in life for ourselves." Those of us that met our significant others after graduation have all been married 20+ years.
As a female, I would suggest that you don't keep a girlfriend for the 'letter writing' aspect during Plebe summer, that's bound to cause a big stink if she finds out she's just in the picture to keep your spirits up during tough times. Just recognize that you will both change, are both young, and will want to enjoy your college years.
Hope this rambling has been good for something...
BEAT ARMY!!!!</p>
<p>Quick Questions
Speaking of girlfriend, how easy it is to get a girlfriend once you're in USNA?
Do the local girls go crazy after the mids?(that's wut i heard from a guy at kings' point)
How easy is it to sustain a marriage once ur in the military?</p>
<p>I'm sure the alumni can shed some light on all the attention given to Mids by members of the opposite gender, but DH's cousin's kid who lives in Glen Burnie summed it up in a comical way recently... </p>
<p>This nice-looking (civilian) guy commented that when he goes out locally, no matter how nicely he is dressed or how good he smells, if a mid walks in the door, he might as well go home. "No way to compete with that uniform!", he said! </p>
<p>Now, about military marriages (I do have experience w/ that!), if you go into it with the idea that it is forever, then it will be! The military lifestyle does present some unique challenges not otherwise found in civilian relationships, but if two people are really committed, they can make it - no matter what!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Speaking of girlfriend, how easy it is to get a girlfriend once you're in USNA?
[/quote]
Depends who you ask. Some girls swoon over the uniform, while others avoid it like the plague. Of course, it has a lot more to do with the person in question rather than what they are wearing.</p>
<p>Regardless: PRIORITIES. You're not going there to be a social butterfly, so just forget about it. If it happens, it happens. You'll have other more important things to be worrying about.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do the local girls go crazy after the mids?
[/quote]
Some do, some don't. Sadly, most of the ones who "go crazy" are still in High School. Tread with extreme care.</p>
<p>
[quote]
How easy is it to sustain a marriage once ur in the military?
[/quote]
On the whole, very difficult, but thousands of couples manage. It all depends on who you choose. Choose wisely.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Quick
Speaking of girlfriend, how easy it is to get a girlfriend once you're in USNA?
Do the local girls go crazy after the mids?(that's wut i heard from a guy at kings' point)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>as for the first question, the uniform only goes so far- if you are as dull as a rusty old car, sorry to say no uniform will help you out! Besides, if you need a uniform to attract someone, you generally end up with someone not worth attracting! Remember, the uniform will come off, eventually- and what they will see is "you." Better off, IMHO, having them see "you" from the get-go.</p>
<p>As for the second question, that one gave me a good laugh! I think that KP'er was having an out-of-body-expereince, or has been cooped up in Kings Point too long! You are talking about New Yorkers....and Long Island girls are a lot more savy than most! I highly doubt any "local girls" are going crazy over kings pointers..... take my word on this, the Manhasset, Great Neck and Port Washington girls go for a much different crowd! </p>
<p>now, if you are a lacrosse player...... :rolleyes:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Besides, if you need a uniform to attract someone, you generally end up with someone not worth attracting!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Exactly :) That's how I see it. I don't plan to get a "girlfriend" until after graduation (if I am accepted). If the right person comes along after that, then I'll go from there. I don't plan to go after just anyone who "throws herself" at me just because I have a uniform, like you said.</p>
<p>^^^^ ah, you gotta love the youth of today!!!! ;) </p>
<p>"the best laid plans of mice and men....."</p>
<p>so I will share our little story to our new member, as you missed all the fireworks of last year....</p>
<p>our son "split" with his high school gf before leaving for his year at the foundation program, 'cause he "didn't want anything messing up his head." Smart boy, I tell him. BGO tells him "you are doing the right thing....keep women away until after you get your commission." His BGO is marine-tough. We ship the thorpedo off according to the "plan."</p>
<p>Off he goes.... to an all-male school, on a hilltop, in the middle of nowhere...I mean, the nearest pizza palor is 5 miles away and he has no car, no bike, and it gets a bit too cold for a jog in the middle of winter.</p>
<p>"Safe" I say. "It's a good thing."</p>
<p>HA!!!!</p>
<p>In the dead of winter, watching a hockey game at this all-male establishment, in comes one little female spectator on a visit to see one of her friends.<br>
She's adorable.<br>
She's better than adorable...
she's a knock-out. :eek:</p>
<p>They meet.</p>
<p>They hit it off.</p>
<p>She visits again.
And again.
And again.
And then he invites her again.
And again.</p>
<p>And then she travels there for every lax game....home AND away.
And comes to us on mid-winter break (we live a state away).
and on spring break.</p>
<p>And he reports to USNA on I-Day, swearing to "protect and defend."
And she transfers to a school 5 miles from the academy and gets an apt 100 yards from gate 1. </p>
<p>:eek: "This is NOT in the plan" I yell!!! :eek: </p>
<p>I worry.<br>
I fret.<br>
I have a hissy fit.<br>
I have multiple conversations with JM and the Z-man seeking advice.<br>
I have even more talks with said gf and said son.<br>
I even speak to her parents.<br>
I lay down the law.<br>
I go home to NY.<br>
He goes home to Bancroft.<br>
She goes home to downtown Annapolis. </p>
<p>"THIS WAS NOT THE PLAN!!!!!" I tell ANYONE who will listen.</p>
<p>Plebe summer goes OK.<br>
Then comes Parent weekend...thing still OK.
I hope. </p>
<p>Then comes football.
We visit.
Not so good.<br>
One mid, too many people wanting a piece of him.
This was "not in the plan."
My worries increase 10-fold.
What happened to the "don't want anything to mess up my head" thing I ask!
:eek:</p>
<p>We have a tough adjustment phase.<br>
Another call to Z for advice.<br>
Advice shared with son.<br>
Advice shared with gf.<br>
We have a family meeting....everyone there.<br>
We all compromise.
We all get on-board. </p>
<p>Over time, we get lucky....
things work out- well.<br>
Very well.<br>
Better than well.<br>
Excellent.
I thank God. </p>
<p>We get to Thankgiving... the "2% club."
It is a very long, long, long road.</p>
<p>My greatest fears do not come to fruition.<br>
GF could not be any more supportive if she tried.<br>
This is not an easy path, but somehow she is adjusting.<br>
Everyone is maturing, and mom finally gets some peace of mind.</p>
<p>I guess you never know when the right one will come along, and even when they do, how long they will hang around for. We all just take it one day at a time. Life at the academy is not easy....good days, bad days, and worse days. Great moods disolving in minutes to soggy ones. GF living on her own and alone most of the time, with only a few Saturday hours to spend together. Usually a friend or 2 along, or visiting parents. :rolleyes: Somehow we found a way to make it work. I say a prayer of thanks.</p>
<p>And then one day, on a particuarly bad, bad day, when the world over Bancroft is dark and gloomy, and all seems lost, she brings him chocolate-covered strawberries and the world turns all sunny again. I say a special prayer of thanks. I send her a cyber-hug. </p>
<p>Gotta love a girl like that. She is one in a million. But then again, so is he. :rolleyes: Granted, I am biased. </p>
<p>I pinch myself back into reality. We still have a long, long road ahead of us, and things can change on a dime. </p>
<p>Young love. Plans- forget about them. Fate- now there is a topic worth discussing!!!!</p>
<p>ps.....
R....love you!!! :)</p>
<p>Good to know things are working out. :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Young love. Plans- forget about them. Fate- now there is a topic worth discussing!!!!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Sheesh; loved your story :D Man, gotta give you A+ for perseverance. God definitely has a plan for your mid :cool:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Young love. Plans- forget about them. Fate- now there is a topic worth discussing!!!!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Way to go, navy2010! Now that's what I call a commitment!</p>
<p>And as far as plans. . . They rarely work exactly the way we expect them to; I would have to agree w/Marine0311: God's always got something better in mind than we can ever hope to achieve.:)</p>
<p>^^^^LOL!!!</p>
<p>I have to say, it is funny now reading it all over again- at the time, however, it caused lots of angst...</p>
<p>and if it were not for Z......</p>
<p>talk about getting to the root issue, addressing it head on, and laying out the plan straight and simple..... for all those late night calls and support, thanks-thanks- thanks!!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Good to know things are working out.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>well, taking it one day at a time, but so far so good. Not easy for her, not always easy for him, but they are managing and everyone is pulling together on this; the family meeting was key. Then again, I might be on here in another week or two, once final grades are in, with an entirely different slant on things- but we will see. So far, much better......</p>
<p>So I have faith.
I hope. ;)</p>
<p>Bah. You knew it all already. I just helped a little. :o</p>