The skinny on reef points

<p>Fyi, I'm not referring to the fairer sex among the Brigade. I'm willing to lend those fine young women the fullest benefit of any doubt, persuaded that they'd consider it a sorry insult to be referred to as a "stud." Yes? :confused: ;)</p>

<p>Is ridiculing others part of being a witnessing Christian? That would be unChristian behavior in my church.</p>

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Many of the young men would no doubt much prefer "studing." Me too!

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<p>I take back post #56.</p>

<p>Why is it that when a reference is made to the "young men" of the Brigade [which, in fact, the original post did not] that somehow "ridicules" the young women of the Brigade?</p>

<p>Perhaps people who were offended read the original post's "studing" as the intended word, "studying," and were offended that female mids were not included. I personally like puns, so WP's did not offend me.</p>

<p>re: #56 ... I'm not at all surprised. ;)</p>

<p>re: #63 ... I'm not at all surprised. :eek:</p>

<p>I just noticed that "studying" was misspelled twice in the original post.
I guess there REALLY was a subconcious element going on when I used the word "studing." Must be my subsconsious "studiness" coming out; the Id trying to dominate my Superego.
Or . . . was it my mysoginistic tendencies trying to break out against the phyloginists of the world?</p>

<p>Perhaps, deep down, I was trying to draw out each of our gynophobias, manifested in each of us by remarks that represent a resentment that women are in attendance at the Academy.</p>

<p>Hmmm. . . .very interesting turn this thread has taken.<br>
"Studing RP." Deep meaning attache dto such a simple phrase.</p>

<p>Heavy stuff, Sigmund. :cool:</p>

<p>If I make a suggestion and that is to simply drop this topic, (or atleast allow it to simmer). Very controversial and is indeed an important question but it seems that it may be getting a bit out of hand. A thread on another service academy forum was locked 3 weeks ago and I do believe one of the main posters on this thread was banned so take my advice and quit "beating a dead horse" for its response will always be the same. It is unfortunate that the member banned was very imformative and much of a help in many cases, I just dont want to see the same result on another very helpful forum.</p>

<p>If you are gonna buy it early(Reef Points or Contrails in my case) then do it for your own personal reasons. If not then once more it is your choice and noone elses. </p>

<p>Thanks!!! ;-)</p>

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<p>airforce, Throughout life, you will be faced with a choice of dong something the correct way or maybe taking the easy way out. Memorizing reef points early is not a choice. It is not the individual's choice and no one elses. It is not just one of two equal opinions, one from those who have never been there and probably are only rationalizing the incorrect advice they gave their plebes one or more years ago. Memorizing reef points early is, pure and simple, circumventing the intention of the exercise. It is taking the easy way out. As Jadler, much earlier, pointed out, those who do so are not reaping the intended benefits. Those who choose to violate the internt are in the wrong, call it what you will.</p>

<p>I see your point that memorizing portions of RP in order to make plebe summer "easier" can defeat the intent of the exercise. </p>

<p>That said, from various posts by academy grads, the ability to rapidly memorize information does seem to be an important skill. Would you (69 and other mids/grads) recommend that appointees work in general on their memorization skills, whether it's countries of the world and their capitols, statistics of favorite sports teams, elements of the periodic table, etc.? In that way, it seems that they would be preparing in the same way they would for running, exercises, or studying for validation exams.</p>

<p>2012mom,</p>

<p>You can certainly try, but it all takes on a new meaning when the stress is added at USNA. It really isn't going to help much! It's like comparing apples and oranges.</p>

<p>Personally I agree with with the fact tht memorizing RP and such is wrong, from a moral and ethical standpoint. My earlier statement was still just in the fact that each one of these kids that will be entering at one point or another will the choice to buy it early and get ahead of the game to gain some type of an advantege, or to not buy it and reap the benefits that a plebe summer is intended for. I am in no way disagreeing here, but if there was no choice, then the academy would deem it illegal allowing no room for such a choice. But as it has been pointed out before, they do nothing to stop it and seem to not have a problem with it, but if you choose to buy it early and seem to feel a greater amount of frustration and/or greater consequence for trying to gain an advantage, well you made a choice, and with that came a consequence...</p>

<p>This argument is not just about "Reef Points", it's about moral and ethical values which should be held at the highest regard as a Naval, Air Force, Army etc. officer. USNA69 can help us see a point of view from the past, not just from the past but as a graduate, someone who has put in his time and has experienced the academy first hand.</p>

<p>Are plebes expected to know some rates upon arriving on I-day?</p>

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<p>Not really. Just my opinion. I am horrible and did okay. I think plebe year is probably the only time that rote memorization is expected. Once one gets into the fleet, it is more organized specific knowledge in a prescribed order rather than rote memory. There is a reference. Example: An emergency aircraft start checklist will be demonstrated in the aircraft where the cockpit layout and anticipated hand and eye movement will become important in performing the sequence in the correct order. A TAO directing a fighter aircraft against a like enemy will expect certain tactics depending upon the distance between the two aircrafts. Knowing which weapons system he expects each aircraft to deploy depends more on a thorough knowledge of the systems than a rote recall of the range and capability of each weapon on each of the opposing aircraft. Learning the capabilities in conjunction with the interrelated tactic helps in the overall understanding and memory thereof. Not at all like chow call for example even though it is delivered in a prescribed order; main course, veggies, drinks, dessert, etc.</p>

<p>I thought they send you a short list of very basic things to memorize, like the mission. Is that not true?</p>

<p>If I recall correctly, there was a "short list" of things sent home in the "permit to report" package that were to be memorized. I seem to recall it included the USNA Mission, the chain of command, and the first 3 "Laws of the Navy"- all of which were supplied in the package of material sent to the candidate (thus, did not require anyone to go out and get a Reef Points!) (please do keep in mind this was for the Class of 2010)</p>

<p>just want to comment on this particular comment....</p>

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....get ahead of the game to gain some type of an advantege

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<p>I don't think that should be your goal. Part of plebe summer, and plebe year, is learning that it is not about "you," but about "the team." Gaining an advantage runs the risk of standing out, and it is the team that has to be successful.</p>

<p>I would strongly consider listening to USNA69 on this one. You will get what you need when you need it.</p>

<p>haha i wasnt encouraging that but it is something tht happens...</p>

<p>I agree with the above comment, listen to USNA69 he has so much to offer and is correct in his statements...</p>

<p>Give me a break...cheating? If it's available to all, it's far from cheating...let’s move beyond that ridiculous misuse of the word. Until USNA officially comes out and states, "No entering candidate shall read Reef Points prior to I-Day." then I don't want to hear anyone say it's cheating (or even against the 'spirit' of PS...whatever the hell that means). </p>

<p>Whether a candidate decides to learn the material ahead of time or not is a personal matter, but throwing around words like that is ludicrous. I'm sure some feel they need more mental prep than others, and therefore they read & memorize some parts of RP. That's not cheating...no matter how you want to paint it. </p>

<p>Just like the star HS track team captain that realized he/she doesn't need as much prep on getting in shape for long runs yet maybe doesn't have the best upper body muscle development, are you going to fault them for doing extra push-ups before entering PS? If the 'chubby' kid knows he/she is a bad runner and therefore spends a ton of time getting in shape before the start of Plebe Summer, are you going to fault them for that extra effort? Why does physical prep get an 'AttiBoy' yet mental prep gets labeled 'Cheater'. </p>

<p>I would commend any candidate on spending extra time putting themselves in the best place for Plebe Summer success - be it physical or mental. I applaud any candidate that puts mental & physical preps ahead of going out and partying with their friends during their last few months of 'freedom'. That's called motivation, determination and drive...all great attributes of a future midshipman and leader. It's also called maturity. What it's not called is cheating!</p>

<p>If I had all of RP's memorized before entering my Plebe year it really wouldn't have mattered & god knows I wouldn't have been a cheater...all it probably would have meant is more push-ups for me as I would have been dropped often to my Detailers screaming, "Why do you know everything & your company mates don't?!?! Stop bilging your shipmates!!!" Either way you're going to get dropped...no matter what prep you do. </p>

<p>So '69, stop being a crusty old salt that doesn't want to admit that maybe your views are not shared by all...just because you've got a few hours of stick time doesn't mean you can redefine the meaning of the word cheat. And yeah, I too am a Grad and spent some time in a g-suit, so please spare me the condescending response that obviously I don't get it because I haven't run through an emergency checklist or two in my day. If you think a true Plebe Summer (and the entire Plebe year experience for that matter) experience can only be summed up properly by having first exposure to RP at USNA & somehow it will be wasted, cheated and/or not beneficial if you learn some basic facts beforehand, well boss, I think you've missed one too many 3 wires in your day. Cheers.</p>

<p>Everyone else was done with this topic 6 weeks ago; why are you resurrecting it? We have all moved past this; perhaps you should do the same.</p>