<p>Cobia,
I have never participated in a threaded discussion before; never really had the time nor the interest. I have also, with the exception of the past few weeks, been a limited participant of this thread. [See my post count compared to others; about half have been in the past month.]</p>
<p>As the summer has progressed, however, [and thanks for Jamzmom for expanded posting opportunities] it has been interesting to read about how the other academies operate.
Threading [is that what this is called?] has its good and bad aspects, the most significant of which is anonymity. That means it is difficult [impossible] to determine the inflection that comes along with spoken interaction; likewise it is difficult [impossible] to be insulted by the comments of others.</p>
<p>No apology necessary; I cannot have taken it personal since we don't know each other. Your perspectives are appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks, cobia. I wasn't quite sure if it was some mystical thing or had anything to do with men sitting around in circles beating on drums. A nice dance with the good uniforms is much better than my imagination.</p>
<p>Refresh my memory guys. How many more days until your kids are officially done with Beast, Plebe Summer, ect.? I promise to write it down somewhere this time. How the heck is everyone? Ya'll are awful quiet.... You should be hoooping & hollering that this little "adventure" is now ending! I'll WAHOO for ya!! Get the balloons out! Lets have a party!</p>
<p>Don't feel bad about needing your memory refreshed. Just be glad it can still be refreshed.</p>
<p>For the Army cadets, basic training is in its final week. The cadets finished their midnight-to-dusk 15 mile marchback from Lake Frederick to West Point this morning. The rest of this week is call "reorganization week" during which the new cadets will be assigned new rooms, roommates and possibly new companies within the corps of cadets. As mentioned before, the new cadets now have to share the West Point post with the entire corps of cadets who have returned from their summer assignments. Between now and Saturday, the new cadets will organize their school supplies including their new computers. If all goes according to plan, the new cadets should get email priviledges some time this week.</p>
<p>Saturday, Acceptance Day, is the official end of CBT. The new cadets are formally accepted into the corps of cadets and can drop the "new" from their title. The plebes will parade Saturday morning in one of two occassions when a given Class gets to parade as a separate group (other time is graduation day).</p>
<p>Well if they ever get back from Madiera, the Coasties will undergo "sea trials" this week, then end their "swab summer" on August 14. then they have their shoulder-board ceremony where they become 4/c cadets then march in with their new companies. They then have a couple administrative days for such things as moving rooms etc; This is followed by Convocation, the official start of the school year; then begin classes on August 17.
As a side note, a "swab" remains a "swab" until he sees another "swab." That is to say until the class of 2010 reports in...just a traditional type thing, they are officially 4/c cadets.</p>
<p>USNA Plebe summer is over on Friday at the kickoff of plebe parents weekend. The kids are very excited that this phase is almost done. Watch the Orioles games on Tuesday and Wednesday as the Plebes will be there.<br>
NAPS05mom (Tricia)</p>
<p>Great motto for Class of 2009. FOR YOUR FREEDOM AND MINE</p>
<p>I was dissapointed that the motto's I sent the superintendent were declined:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Smooth as a Vintage Wine</p></li>
<li><p>Always Over the Line</p></li>
<li><p>Never Ones to Whine</p></li>
<li><p>Halting the Decline</p></li>
<li><p>WIll You be my Valetine</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Pretty good! For Army..... The USMMA c/o 2009 is Luctor Et Emergo. For those of us that flunked Latin... I Struggle, Yet I Emerge</p>
<p>My suggestions were blackballed as well:
1) We Sail for Chocolate
2) Ships R Us
3) Knots going to Give Up
4) And my favorite: There once was a man from Nantucket...</p>
<p>I like the one they picked. But just in case they decide to change, here are more WP motto suggestions</p>
<p>1) Officer, I never saw the sign
2) Send Navy into the brine
3) Beast is over, no more cryin'
4) No more mre's at dine time
5) I stepped up to the line
6) The guidon is mine</p>
<p>Ya'll just gotta pull my chain don't ya. You are fully aware that I can hardly stand to let one litsle-bitsy comment go by without a retort. I try try try & yet I bobbed in here again, telling my husband to wait a sec as he stands at the door to take me out to dinner, to say:</p>
<p>And its the Navy's job to get them there while they're doin' it! :) :) :)</p>
<p>Hey guys! 3 more days till the end for Army & 2 more for Navy! My balloons are blown up and got the champagne iced!! I don't need much of a reason to do that. I celebrate National Pickle Week. And the coasties I'm not feeling sorry for at all. Cruisin' around eating gummy worms.... Alright! I'm coming already! Gotta go.... GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!</p>
<p>We have an exchange middie on board the Eagle for part of the "pleasure cruise." Here is his journal:</p>
<p>08 August 2005 ~ 2/c Kevin Ringelstein, USNA</p>
<p>Service to each other, the ship, and the ocean flows through USCG Barque Eagle as much as the wind flows through its sails. This prevalent attribute, coupled with unwavering sacrifice from every officer, crewmember, cadet, and swab, has given so much to make our trip a safe and successful voyage. From literally putting their lives on the line properly setting the sails, to spending hours preparing and administrating briefs and lessons for the Eagle rookies, the experienced Eagle members continue to preserve the great legacy of square-rigger sailing.</p>
<p>As an exchange midshipman from the United States Naval Academy, I feel truly honored and blessed to share with the Coast Guard this unique tradition. At first glance, the Eagle is without a doubt an intimidating ship. However, the great poise and patience of the experienced Eagle crew has tamed this Tall Ship even in the hands of swabs and exchange cadets. The three-masted beast of New London cuts through the ocean with such sail power that even the dolphins ridding alongside us have trouble keeping up.</p>
<p>The swabs and exchange cadets have been able to control this powerful ship through the guidance of the team aboard. Participating on Eagle has given me a deep sense of what it means to be a part of something greater than myself. When I look out into the ocean and realize what I am doing, I think of what a unique experience I am receiving. From what I have witnessed so far, I believe the character of Coast Guard cadets is that of a unique warrior. These cadets and crew share the same code of ethics and possess a great love and appreciation for their fellow man. I have interacted with those who want to save and rescue others. This appreciation for life is revealed through their training, positive attitude, and unyielding quest to understand the sea. The Eagle, in my eyes, is a part of this quest, and I am privileged to join such an honorable service.</p>
<p>Received first email from our daughter this morning. She says Re-Orgy week is like R-Day X 100,000 with all the attention of the upper classmen. She says they have phones in their room now (but not to call till she says ok. She says being on Core Squad is awesome, especially at meals (less harassment at the Core Squad tables). She also gave us her academic schedule for first term:</p>
<p>(She validated English)
Advanced Chemistry
Advanced Calculus
Advanced World History
Military Science
Gymnastics (taken in place of English)
Information Technology</p>
<p>Sounded like she was ready for more Beast after seeing what Re-Orgy week was llike!!</p>
<p>There has to be a better way to shorten "Re-Organization" than Re-Orgy! Teaching second grade, the rule is when g is followed by i, e, or y it sounds like j. That's why some g words have "u" s. Lesson over. Carry on. Maybe that's why the Navy just calls it Reform! </p>
<p>Our son said the same thing about Reform! They now have 3,000 people on them! Yikes!</p>
<p>Thanks for the update. We haven't heard from our son since his 5 minute call about 10 days ago. Knowing his love of the outdoors, he may still be out at Lake Frederick enjoying the summer weather and MRE's.</p>
<p>Agree that there should be a better way to shorten Re-Organization Week. Re-Orgy makes it sound like the first Orgy was not decadent enough.</p>
<p>Momof1: Does that mean Mids go to "Reform School"?</p>
<p>Bossf51: Enjoyed the journal. Think journal writing is a great habit to develop. I find it helps to put one's life into perspective.</p>
<p>shogun, I got e-mails this morning also, with the only valuable information being that she has 2 roommates including her east roommate. And didn't we think no one would room with their Beast roommates? I don't know about class schedule yet other than Advanced Chemistry.</p>
<p>aspen and mom, I am just calling it "Reorganization Week".</p>
<p>Boss, thanks for sharing the journal entry. It was not only well written, but very moving.</p>
<p>I'm intrigued by Shogun's daughter's course schedule ...
"(She validated English)
Advanced Chemistry
Advanced Calculus
Advanced World History
Military Science
Gymnastics (taken in place of English)
Information Technology"</p>
<p>"The Corps has...!" In our sons' day, a cadet could validate a course, but only to replace it with a higher level course within the same discipline ... as Shogun's daughter seems to have done in Chemistry, Calculus, and World History. </p>
<p>In those "old" days, "gymnastics" was a euphemism for IOBC training. Half of plebes took gymnastics/IOBC and half took boxing (men)/combatives (women). Then they flipped the next semester. Shogun, is your daughter doubling up on physical development courses this semester?</p>
<p>As to the IOBC, I understand that it was a requirement in building the spectacular new Arvin Gymnasium that the dust in the IOBC venue be preserved so that the tradition of "Arvin Lung" would not be lost. Good luck to your daughter. I understand that "Arvin Lung" becomes even more character building in the winter months when the indoor humidity drops to ultra low levels.</p>