<p>I agree with juliemrn about the "Link in the Chain" ceremony at the plebe recognition ceremony. Even if it's not a public event it would be special to keep that tradition. </p>
<p>Thanks to profmom for sharing the historical narrative of Herndon!</p>
<p>Academy officials to review risks, changes in plebes' monument climb</p>
<p>Navy</a> ritual scrutinized -- baltimoresun.com</p>
<p>
[quote]
It's one of the Naval Academy's most enduring traditions: Hundreds of shirtless plebes mark the end of their first year by swarming a grease-slicked, 21-foot-obelisk, climbing over one another in a race to the top.</p>
<p>Now, academy officials are asking: Is this safe?</p>
<p>In a terse statement this week, academy officials said they will assemble a student committee to study changes to the Herndon Monument Climb....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Naval Academy Rite Might Slip Away<br>
Safety of Lard-Slicked Herndon Climb Is Evaluated</p>
<p>
[quote]
Herbert McMillan, a 1980 graduate who became an airline pilot and Annapolis politician, also opposes a change. "We're going to send these guys to war but they can't climb a monument because they might get hurt? Come on," he said. "It just seems like a solution in search of a problem."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>washingtonpost.com</a> - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines</p>
<p>
[quote]
A significant and colorful event in the life of a midshipmanthe Ring Dancehad its origin in the 1920s. For some time first classmen had observed the custom of throwing second classmen into Dewey Basin as soon as the latter had become eligible to wear their class rings. (They became eligible to wear their class rings after passing their final exams for the year.) In 1924 this custom resulted in the tragic drowning of a second classman, so it was replaced by the Ring Dance.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>One tradition replaces another...</p>
<p>The death of a midshipman pales in comparison to the fairly benign ORM concerns of Herndon</p>
<p>I am willing to make a small wager that this has more than a little to do with the fact that at least for the past year pictures of the Herndon climb, accompanied by appreciative comments, have found their way into "gay friendly" sites and blogs (note: not that it really matters, but I discovered this by establishing a "Google Alert" for "Naval Academy" some time ago; and, now, thanks to an -as usual- misguided "Darkside," is receiving even greater dissemination and comment). When I first saw these, I was amused ... "gay" doesn't scare me in the least ... some of my best friends ..., as well as some of the finest officers and enlisted personnel fall into that catagory ... and all I recalled was the meaning of Herndon to me and how much fun it was. I think this latest edict from on high is merely the result of fear and embarrassment and homophobia and an attempt to make stars: on the back of the Brigade by denigrating tradition and the Alumni. I would hazard a guess that -with the exception of those in a position of some power in the Association and the Foundation and the "Academy establishment- the vast majority of the Alumni and the Brigade oppose this, not that it will make any difference with this "Supe" and "Dant". Rumor has it that they're on there way out, so -maybe- we can return to educating America's finest and providing officers to the fleet and the Corps.</p>
<p>^^^I had to laugh when I also received the particular Google alert you're referring to. Interesting hypothesis and one that hadn't occurred to me. Now don't get our hopes up with that interesting rumor! :)</p>
<p>I heard from a current plebe that the way Herndon will be run is that the few companies (not sure how many exactly) that do the best in Sea Trials get to Herndon....</p>
<p>this change pretty much sucks in my opinion. I was looking forward to it and I'm not even a plebe yet :) But really though, its such a highly touted tradition, it's all over the brochures, website, ect...</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I feel the same way you do.</p>
<p>Look at it this way, it could always be worse. At USAFA they canceled Recognition for 2 years (similar to Sea Trials, if I understand correctly). Basically, the culminating moment of the first year was erased by the powers that be. The first "non-recognized" class was pretty much shunned by the preceeding class.</p>
<p>Fortunately, the PTB thought better and brought the tradition back.</p>
<p>the way that company system works would really suck because even if all of the companies did amazing, only the top few would be able to do Herndon ('case someone has to be last no matter what).</p>
<p>Well, speaking as a plebe parent who has already:</p>
<ol>
<li>taken time off from work for Herndon,</li>
<li>made plans to travel ~2000 miles to Annapolis in May,</li>
<li>booked a hotel and four airplane tickets for the entire family,</li>
</ol>
<p>I must say that I'm not going to get too upset about the loss of large-scale Herndon, the Welcome Parade, and the Plebe Parents' Dinner. It is what it is. Period.</p>
<p>My plebe's attitude about all of this is about the same; he is viewing all the so-called 'major changes' with equanimity and calm. </p>
<p>It's simply part of military life, and the 'last-minute' nature of the changes to Herndon week (although I doubt that 4 months' notice is truly that) is how the military operates. </p>
<p>My plebe is in a really tough company, and he's subject to more restrictions and regs than plebes in other, 'slacker' ones. Such is life, he says, and it's an opportunity to get just a little closer to 'real' military life while he's at USNA. No complaints, no whining - which makes me pretty darn proud.</p>
<p>You may not have the ceremonies to observe, but you'll still have the chance to spend time with your plebe in his environment and Annapolis can be beautiful in May! Not too many tourists (if you don't count all those Firstie Parents who will be there for Commissioning Week)</p>
<p>I still hope the Administration decides to leave Herndon alone.</p>
<p>Have to laugh . . .yes, JT [was it JT?] you WILL watch from the sidelines if that is what you are ordered to do.
The MAN has his thumb up your *** so far that you don't even know how far just yet.
So, don't go poppin off like that.</p>
<p>Anyway, it is too bad that this administration continues to focus on issues of little or no importance w/ no consideration for brigade morale. REALLY unfortunate.</p>
<p>Guess its a good thing we have been exposed to what submariner commands are like. [Well, I should say what the CAN be like.]</p>
<p>
[quote]
1. taken time off from work for Herndon,
2. made plans to travel ~2000 miles to Annapolis in May,
3. booked a hotel and four airplane tickets for the entire family,</p>
<p>I must say that I'm not going to get too upset about the loss of large-scale Herndon, the Welcome Parade, and the Plebe Parents' Dinner. It is what it is. Period.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>enjoy! Look at it this way: no herndon, no parade = more time with your plebe. No plebe parent dinner = opportunity to enjoy a really good one at the local steakhouse!</p>
<p>Bottom line: make the plans and enjoy the heck out of your plebe- no matter where/when!!!</p>
<p>
[quote]
My plebe is in a really tough company, and he's subject to more restrictions and regs than plebes in other, 'slacker' ones.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>just have to chuckle at this one.... trust me, they all think they are in a really tough company! The rules and regs may be tweeked here and there, but no one is having a ball getting through it!</p>
<p>No one is having a ball getting through it, but you'd be amazed what plebes from some companies whine about as opposed to what I'm used to on a daily basis.</p>
<p>welcome to "my reality!" :eek:</p>
<p>(now Jar, you wouldn't be whining now, would you?) ;)</p>
<p>Forgive me for sounding like a know-it-all, but at CVW I was told that the company I was with was a good company because it wasn't too lax but it wasn't sadistically strict. The plebes told me that the company either above or below them (I forget which) was really lackadaisical and never did any training, and the other one above or below them was really strict. I could hear all the plebes in that company doing chow calls together several times while I was there. So it sounds like even some of the plebes recognize that they have it better than some other plebes.</p>
<p>I had the same experience as usnagirl - my plebe told me she lucked out with an "easy" company at least compared to the company that they were with for plebe summer.</p>
<p>ummm... to put it lightly, I was on all calls till May. I won't even bring up the 10 commandments... but yeah, some companies are definitely much harder than others</p>