Congratulations

AF6872

AF6872

15-Year Member
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Mar 4, 2007
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Congratulations to all the new Ensigns and Second Lieutenants from Friday and all those from West Point and Colorado. Gates broke up a little bit at the end but he deserves to be a little emotional after his many years of continuous service. Good luck to all and if I might paraphrase "Serve with honor and come home safe".
 
AF6872

Yes, Secretary Gates did, he can afford to, he is just an awesome individual.

RGK
 
One of the finest commencement talks ever, and as AF notes, very touching and so obviously personal and heartfelt. Obama's lost his best, I'm afraid, and our men and women in harm's way are the ones most @ risk of paying the price of his departure.

If anyone could, Gates would have earned his passport into the Pearlie Ones, serving under EIGHT ...8!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... presidents of vastly differing politics and capabilities. A unique, lofty honor for the new Ensigns and 2nd LTs to be the beneficiary of his final address.
 
Gates' speech was awesome, one of the best I've seen during my time at the Academy. I can't post the link because I'm stuck in the displaced persons camp that is Naval Academy Summer Programs and am using my phone to post, but strongly recomend all parents and candidates to check out the transcript.
 
Congratluations

Hurricane 12

Have A GREAT SUMMER! Thanks for your service to this country, the United States of America.

God Bless and God Speed,

RGK
 
Hurricane is correct, a must read: http://tinyurl.com/3lst8j2
Not a dry eye in our row on the field at the end, when Sec. Gates said, 'as if you were my own sons and daughters.' This man, truly cares. We were honored to be in the Secretary's presence.
 
I agree. This was without a doubt one of the most moving and well thought out Commencement speeches ever.
And I have heard quite a few.
 
As a parent, what an incredible day, that was the topper to an incredible week of non stop activities. We are finally home and still recovering.

Agree completely with everyones comments regarding Secretary Gates speech. It was excellent.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus's speech was also excllent. "On this Day" floored our visiting relatives. They were stunned to realize all the missions that tha Navy & Marines do on an everyday basis.

On the lighter side - The Marine General stood up first and issued the oath of office in about 40 seconds. My 2nd LT told me she and her fellow Marines had fun mouthing blah bla, blah blah with their still Midshipman friends for several minutes while Adm. Roughead droned on. Those Mids were just dying to be Ensigns.

Hurricane 12 - Hope one of your summer blocks is Leatherneck! From your posts you have the attitude of a Marine!
 
As a matter of fact, one of them is Leatherneck, starting bright and early tomorrow morning.

Thanks to all for the kind words!

(And congrats to your new 2nd Lt, MIDNDAD!)
 
Hurricane, best to you at Leatherneck!

If you are the PT stud I thnk you are, hope you win the "Steel Susan" award. You would look good in "offical" Marine combat boots and the award certificate is very cool.
 
As my wife says: "Good Luck At Leatherhead". Wear some shin guards on the night maneuvers. You will meet every tree and creek in the forest during Leatherneck.
 
AF6872 said:
As my wife says: "Good Luck At Leatherhead". Wear some shin guards on the night maneuvers. You will meet every tree and creek in the forest during Leatherneck.
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At least twice and don't forget the river a leat 3 times!
 
AF6872 said:
As my wife says: "Good Luck At Leatherhead". Wear some shin guards on the night maneuvers. You will meet every tree and creek in the forest during Leatherneck.
Click to expand...

Is your daughter reporting to TBS for Echo or Fox?

Mine was at Quantico today getting some stuff ready and called me laughing. She thinks it's a hoot getting Ma'amed by all the enlisted. Still feels real strange and being a 2nd LT has not sunk in yet.
 
MIDNDAD:

July report. In the lot waiting to get out and was fun watching Mids saluting new Lts and Ensigns. Entering the Mid Store a new Ensign held the door open for me. I told him he didn't have to do that any more and that he was now an officer. We both laughed.
 
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AF6872

Regret not meeting some parents such as yourself at the Marine orientation last week. Our daughters travel in different circles but must know eachother somehow.

They may be new 2nd LT but they have those 4 years. My daugther and her friend were at Quantico yesterday picking up some addtional gear they would need for TBS. Both were dressed like mids on leave, no collar shirt, shorts, and flip flops, and hair pulled back in bun. The male NCO's paid them no attention, the female NCO's however kept looking at them and 2 of them started to really stare. She could tell they were trying to figure out exactly who and what they were, a couple of enlisted girls or something else. She returned the stare for about 20 seconds and both NCO's broke the stare and disapeared. She was laughing to herself this officer stuff really works.
 
O-1 is good but I remember E-5 and above with O-1 reporting and scared to death on first duty station. Male NCO's with no attention? Were they dead? I always payed attention no matter what the rank.:thumb: I am sure they know each other.
 
Becareful about playing the rank game as an O-1...you might out rank subordinates, but don't bite the hand that feeds you.
 
jadler03 said:
Becareful about playing the rank game as an O-1...you might out rank subordinates, but don't bite the hand that feeds you.
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Agreed: She is much smarter and professional to do that once she reports in.
 
MIDNDAD, my advice was meant irregardless of checking into a command.
There is a place and time to ensure "good order and discipline" amongst subordinates...be careful how you choose it and the manner in doing so.
 
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