USNA Professor Exposes USNA 2 Track Admissions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
181

<p>For those interested in the progress or lack there of of this issue at USNA …</p>

<p>There are 2 substantial articles in the December “Proceedings”, the monthly publication of the U.S. Naval Institute, housed there at the Yard.</p>

<p>One piece …“Navy Diversity is Off Course” is by a just-retired-from-active-duty senior chief who notes what he, and many USN vets consider the destructive nature of the 2 track admissions policy, confirming its reality and its birth in political correctness. He notes: " Leaders are keen to state that diversity is good, but they seem averse to explaining why." He goes on to cie the Chief of Naval Ops Diversity Policy states, “diversity has made our Nation and Navy stronger.” “Sounds great, right? And who would dare say the contrary?” (As we recently learned in the Ft. Hood terrorist attack, this military issue goes beyond the Navy.) And he goes on, “But such a strong statement deserves explanation. The policy goes on to discuss a lot about how the Navy shall treat people, but these are statements about equal opportunity, not diversity. The subjects are related, but not the same thing.” Amen. His principle point is what many here have observed …</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Diversity is fine, and has a place in admissions, but never should skin color come in the way of choosing the best. Not the best of the white guys and the best of the people of color. </p></li>
<li><p>If diversity is so important in preparing the best leadership possible, then the troops deserve to hear why so. That is not forthcoming because there is no evidence apparently. Just like there is no defense of Prof. Fleming’s charges from the USNA officials, there is no defense or evidence presented as to why color matters in command.</p></li>
<li><p>He evokes M.L. King’s dream …that men and women would be evaluated by the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Truly USNA’s 2 track admissions approach is antiquated, '60ish. MLK would weep. For the qualified men and women who are not being given equal opportunity at USNA for the simple reason their skin color is “wrong.”</p></li>
</ol>

<p>The 2nd article, by a USN LT, also confirms broad recognition in the Fleet of this 2 track system, and …not unexpectedly, and as might be readily anticipated …states that this is the platform to also transform the Navy’s policy of not allowing outted gays to serve. He notes in his piece “It’s Time to Scrap Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, “The Navy rushed to trumpet that the Naval Academy class of 2013 is the most racially diverse in the school’s history, but one minority group is conspicuously absent from the party: homosexuals.” </p>

<p>btw, if you’re not familiar with the U.S. Naval Institute, check it out. Some excellent publications and an informed, insider forum on national defense. This month’s issue of the magazine has a focuse on simulation and training, with articles by the new Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. J.W. Greenert ( a super guy, btw); Capt RV Guesentine; VAdm Peter Daly, VAdm Dean McFadden, Commander J. Kraska and many others. It is well worth the $$ and read.</p>

<p>USMC Maj Gen (ret) Tom Wilkerson is a superb man and the Institute’s CEO. They were the 1st to publish Tom Clancy’s manuscripts. Offices at 291 Wood RD … <a href=“http://www.usni.org%5B/url%5D”>www.usni.org</a></p>

<p>Lastly …while many wish to pooh pooh and bury this issue, it seems it’s not going away. Like this blog, the Sr. Chief notes that this has attracted more views/input than virtually any other on the U.S. Naval Institute blog. This thread is approaching 11,000 views. Stay tuned.</p>

182

<p>Please note that the Senior Chief’s article is on the Opinion page. It is there for a reason. As someone has aloready pointed out on this thread their opinion of opinions, it definitely applies here:

Also, the Senior Chief was involved in leadership positions for maybe a decade. Adm Mullen who forumulated this policy, well into his fifth decade. Additionally, a senior enlisted, in many instances, does not have the facts available to formulate whether officers are performing adequately or not.</p>

<p>Lastly, his source is “Cdr Salamander” and he uses another of his exposes, color guard fiasco, which has since been shown groundless, as an integral part of his ‘logic’ which is nw proven to be circular. the Perhaps he ought to stick with the deckplates and leave the policy to those who have the knowledge to formulate it.</p>

183

<p>

</p>

<p>au contraire, the Cdr Salamander blog has pointed out the, ahem, “inconsistencies” in the Color Guard Fiasco official statments by Capt Klunder and Cdr Carpenter which, if believed, would leave one open to swamp land sales in Florida and buying the Brooklyn Bridge.</p>

184

<p>For anyone continuing to want to believe Salamander’s rendition of the events surrounding the color guard at the World Series, please keep in mind that the entire evolution occured prior to media, including Salamander’s, involvement. The original 6>6Alt>8>6Alt2 evolution all transpired totally internally to the Academy. No attempt or reason for a cover-up. Except for Salamander’s ridiculous ascertation that a trained unit of 6 would fall on their face if forced to perform with 8, the 8 solution was equitable and viable. Again, all handled before media involvement. It was a good solution. The forgotten cover and shoes threw a monkey wrench into the works and cuts had to be made. Someone had to be disappointed. Unfortunately, it was a whiny crybaby who was cut instead of a mature midshipman.</p>

<p>On forums and blogs, we can second guess and Monday morning quarterback all we want and our remarks carry absolutely no accountability, they need not even be factual or credible. However, it is different for a leader. If he is not credible or factual, in this instance, he has 4400 litmus tests. To not pass would cause him to lose his effectiveness. He made the correct decision.</p>

185

<p>who are the 20% who didn’t make it?</p>

186

<p><a href=“http://www.usna.edu/PAO/All%20of%20America%20October%202009.pdf[/url]”>http://www.usna.edu/PAO/All%20of%20America%20October%202009.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>worth the read.</p>

<p>and in the spirit of transparancy and full disclosure, I am a convert to the “secondary, optional and conditional” theory. ;)</p>

187

<p>You have to wonder if Gibbs wrote this puff piece.</p>