I have noticed recently that there have been multiple references on all of the academies' forums to identity crisis affecting all the academies. Thoughts on this? Thoughts on the causes? How do you think they will be resolved, and when they are how will/should the academies change? (Please specify which of the academies you are referring to in your posts).
academy identity crisis
- Thread starter vampsoul
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raimius
15-Year Member
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Mostly hype, IMO.
Some people look at the academies and ask "Why do we spend $400K per student when we could spend $80K on a ROTC student?"
That usually comes from outsiders, who have not seen what the academies do.
Each academy has areas where they can improve, and that is what most here are talking about, IMO. It is difficult to run an educational institution to develop leaders while balancing discipline, athletics, academics, military instruction, etc.
Some people look at the academies and ask "Why do we spend $400K per student when we could spend $80K on a ROTC student?"
That usually comes from outsiders, who have not seen what the academies do.
Each academy has areas where they can improve, and that is what most here are talking about, IMO. It is difficult to run an educational institution to develop leaders while balancing discipline, athletics, academics, military instruction, etc.
kp2001
10-Year Member
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Merchant Marine Academy
1)Needs to find stable and professional leadership in all positions.
2)Needs to reaffirm it's stance as a premier school of Maritime Education
3)Needs to re-engage the alumni to provide support and guidance to the school (some have gone "adrift" over the past few years)
In my eyes today's world of varying unstable regions and governments makes it even more important to have a professionally trained cadre of maritime officers. The fact that something like over 90% (I believe it's around 97%) of the world's commerce travels via the ocean simply reinforces this ideal that the US needs to provide a viable merchant fleet. We also have an increased need for MSC expertise when we look to the Naval strategy of "Sea Basing" and the logistics associated.
Just a few thoughts on the subject.
1)Needs to find stable and professional leadership in all positions.
2)Needs to reaffirm it's stance as a premier school of Maritime Education
3)Needs to re-engage the alumni to provide support and guidance to the school (some have gone "adrift" over the past few years)
In my eyes today's world of varying unstable regions and governments makes it even more important to have a professionally trained cadre of maritime officers. The fact that something like over 90% (I believe it's around 97%) of the world's commerce travels via the ocean simply reinforces this ideal that the US needs to provide a viable merchant fleet. We also have an increased need for MSC expertise when we look to the Naval strategy of "Sea Basing" and the logistics associated.
Just a few thoughts on the subject.
All the academies.
Affirmative action.
In future generations when the US population becomes brown (mixed white/black/Hispanic) then hopefully this approach to selecting future officers based at least partially on skin color will end. Then perhaps only the qualities that are actually valid considerations will be used and we can get back to recruiting the best quality candidates.
Affirmative action.
In future generations when the US population becomes brown (mixed white/black/Hispanic) then hopefully this approach to selecting future officers based at least partially on skin color will end. Then perhaps only the qualities that are actually valid considerations will be used and we can get back to recruiting the best quality candidates.
All the academies.
Division 1 sports and athlete recruitment.
The academies do not need big time sports programs to recruit students. They have far more well qualified applicants than they need. There is no need to lower admissions standards for some students at the expense of others. Don't think that happens? No problem. Once athletic recruiting in no longer necessary then it will be a moot question. How many Marcus Currys will we hear about then?
Division 1 sports and athlete recruitment.
The academies do not need big time sports programs to recruit students. They have far more well qualified applicants than they need. There is no need to lower admissions standards for some students at the expense of others. Don't think that happens? No problem. Once athletic recruiting in no longer necessary then it will be a moot question. How many Marcus Currys will we hear about then?
SamAca10
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My bad.What about Asians?
I meant; In future generations when the US population becomes brown (mixed white/black/Hispanic/Asian and all other nationalities)...
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...and from people with a letter stashed away somewhere, addressed to them on a Service Academy's letterhead, starting with "We regret to inform you..."