The Academies’ March Toward Mediocrity- New York Times OP Ed

Parents Forum
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<p>a startlingly damning indictment of the service academies- written by an English Professor at USNA</p>

<p>By BRUCE FLEMING</p>

<p>Annapolis, Md. </p>

<p>"THE idea of a football star receiving lenient treatment after testing positive for drug use would raise no eyebrows at most colleges. But the United States Naval Academy “holds itself to a higher standard,” as its administrators are fond of saying. According to policy set by the chief of naval operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, himself a former commandant of midshipmen at the academy, we have a “zero tolerance” policy for drug use.</p>

<p>Yet, according to Navy Times, a running back was allowed to remain at Annapolis this term because the administration accepted his claim that he smoked a cigar that he didn’t know contained marijuana. (He was later kicked off the team for a different infraction, and has now left the academy.)</p>

<p>The incident brings to light an unpleasant truth: the Naval Academy, where I have been a professor for 23 years, has lost its way. The same is true of the other service academies. They are a net loss to the taxpayers who finance them, as well as a huge disappointment to their students, who come expecting reality to match reputation. They need to be fixed or abolished. "</p>

<p>Op-Ed</a> Contributor - The Military?s Mission Of Mediocrity - NYTimes.com</p>

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<p>I’ve had a grief with the Naval Academy since last year when two people from the graduating class were offered a spot. One was going to be a basketball player and probably the stupidest person I have ever met in my life. Many of my friends and my teachers would always say he took the spot of the much better candidate. The much better candidate was one of the smartest people, tested pretty well, did amazing during physical endurance tests, and wanted to be a Navy SEAL. He was sent to the remedial school in RI where the basketball player should’ve gone. Basketball player ditched the Naval Academy a month into it and went to a post-baccalaureate school and has signed to play with TN, I think. </p>

<p>The author is making a great point about what the mission is for military academies. A guy in my class will be heading to West Point in the fall and he deserves it so much. He will be a great solider one day and he is an African-American so the whole affirmative actions did play into it. I just think it is time for military academies to reform their values.</p>