Naval Academy Lingo at CVW?

FighterPilotHopeful

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2014
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54
While (dragging?) during a CVW, I decided that it would be a good idea to follow my plebe during a lot of the times when he told me that I didn't necessarily have to... For this, I was named a "MOTIVATOR."

Basically, my introduction to people was, "This is my drag, _____, he's a motivator."

What the heck does this mean? :confused: I know that some people thought of it like it was a great thing, and others.... well, not so much.

P.S. If you're a drag, following to Chow Calls, Come-Arounds, and Standing Watch is very rewarding. They're the little things of academy life that people always neglect to talk about because they're trying to scare you about Plebe Summer!

P.P.S. If you're ever expecting to have an extended period of down-time, like while your plebe is standing watch, ask to take their Reefs Points with you! You obviously won't memorize anything, but it's cool to see! Don't spend all of your time on your phone lol.

^^^ This is why I'm a motivator. :shake:
 
A motivator is someone who is very gung ho (as you properly surmised). Some will see it as "too much" some really like that.

Your advice to participate is good. You are there to get the "flavor" of plebe/academy life so you should. However, here's a word of caution to all future CVW attendees. The kids at USNA are all exceptional. To be invited, you are probably also exceptional. Trying to prove this with JROTC uniforms, letter jackets, trying too hard to be all things USNA will probably be met with the derisive version of "motivator." When you go-enjoy it, experience it, but be (as they say) "chill" about it all. Most Mids were just like you guys once but being in the Brigade has a way of making them forget that.

Plebe Summer warning: if you are appointed, posting Instagram and Twitter pics of your personal info (full name, address, etc) with #USNAXX will make you a bit of a target of ridicule. Especially if you do it like a sports signing day (when you aren't signing to play football for example). Detailers and the upperclass search these things out. Post happy stuff just keep your personal info to yourself.

The above is especially true as well if you declare an intention to be a SEAL, EOD, fighter pilot, etc. Those are extremely difficult to secure service selections (fighter pilot a long shot because you have to select aviation then excel in primary flight training, etc) and the kids who have been at the Academy for any length of time know how difficult (academically/physically) it is to secure a slot in those limited areas. It makes you look naive to voice these things as your intended path.
 
A motivator is someone who is very gung ho (as you properly surmised). Some will see it as "too much" some really like that.

Your advice to participate is good. You are there to get the "flavor" of plebe/academy life so you should. However, here's a word of caution to all future CVW attendees. The kids at USNA are all exceptional. To be invited, you are probably also exceptional. Trying to prove this with JROTC uniforms, letter jackets, trying too hard to be all things USNA will probably be met with the derisive version of "motivator." When you go-enjoy it, experience it, but be (as they say) "chill" about it all. Most Mids were just like you guys once but being in the Brigade has a way of making them forget that.

Plebe Summer warning: if you are appointed, posting Instagram and Twitter pics of your personal info (full name, address, etc) with #USNAXX will make you a bit of a target of ridicule. Especially if you do it like a sports signing day (when you aren't signing to play football for example). Detailers and the upperclass search these things out. Post happy stuff just keep your personal info to yourself.

The above is especially true as well if you declare an intention to be a SEAL, EOD, fighter pilot, etc. Those are extremely difficult to secure service selections (fighter pilot a long shot because you have to select aviation then excel in primary flight training, etc) and the kids who have been at the Academy for any length of time know how difficult (academically/physically) it is to secure a slot in those limited areas. It makes you look naive to voice these things as your intended path.

SO GLAD SOMEBODY FINALLY SAID IT! When you go for a CVW and plebe summer you do not want a target on you! Don't wear Seal insignias, letter jackets, jrotc uniforms etc. you do NOT want to stand out. Some of those Mids have long memories---anything that makes you stand out might be used against you at a later time!! You want to get the most out of the experience of course, but your are an observer--observe, learn, but understand some mids have a slightly cynical worldview.
 
When I was on my CVW about a year ago (mid March of last year), there was a kid who showed up wearing a Navy SEALs t-shirt. From the comments I heard behind his back (nothing horrible, just remarks about him being "that kid" and other things along those lines.) you could tell people weren't happy about that. The drags in the company I was in also had the opportunity to play a pick up game of basketball with our plebes during their free time. During the game some of the plebes asked us how we liked it so far, to which a drag replied "It's ok, but I'll probably go to community college so I can drift through and drink and party all I want." That was probably the wrong answer to that question.
 
I think I understand! I don't think I was that bad (hopefully lol)... I didn't talk much about myself, just asked a ton of questions.


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Not saying you were bad at all. Hopefully just a helpful word for others.
 
It's ok to be excited at your CVW and ask alot of questions. We were all there at one point in time. Agree it's best to leave your JROTC uniforms and letterman jackets at home. This is the first step into your future out of high school, so leave high school at home when you go on this visit. Be a professional, dress like one and act like one. JROTC is a great program, but wearing your uniform on a CVW isn't a good idea.

Ask questions. They want you to. While your plebe is studying or has watch, put Reef Points down and ask to speak to upperclassman to get their view. Plebes at this point of time should know their upperclass pretty well and be willing to ask them to speak with you. When you go to meals and you meet some one who peeks your interest ask if their a time to come back and ask some questions and get their perspective. Most Mids are more than happy to talk to drags. Ask about their summer training. Talk to upperclass in the majors you are exploring. Talk to seniors who have service selected some assignments you are interested in. Reef points is only 6 weeks of your life, their input will be much more valuable to help you really get a perspective of life beyond Plebe Year. PS is 6 weeks, Plebe Year is a year of your life. You spend another 3 years there and then a minimum of 5 in the fleet. Get those perspectives to understand if this is the right fit for you. The reasons some plebes will be hesitant to bring your to chow calls and come arounds are they just want to focus on be done with. Often what drags see as "cool" is really old and annoying at this point. They have literally done 1,000s of chow calls at this point. Plus you can stand in any hall and watch them. Plebes at this point are just done with all the morning PT, come arounds and other training.

There is alot of emphasis on Plebe Summer, but the AC year is 4 years versus 6 weeks. As mentioned in this forum, AC year is much harder than PS. Also taking a visit this time of year you saw the dark ages first hand. This is a tough time of year for Plebes and even upperclass. They are tired, ready for the year to be over with and realizing the academic load is much harder than even first semester. Some are questioning if it's the right place for them. So its good to see that perspective to, but keep that in mind with some of negative comments. USNA is not perfect, it is really what you make the school about. Yes there is alot of cynicism, pessimism, and sarcasm at USNA. Its been a part of the place for over a century, its part of how Mids deal with it to make it through.

The term motivator is being used tongue in cheek. It can be good or bad. They joke about the SEAL stuff because nearly 90% of drags say they want to be SEALs. Same with Plebes in PS. Like I said it's ok to be excited. Don't do stupid stuff on social media. Posting a pic with your appt (personal info missing) is fine. But posting it's your first step to being a SEAL will make you stand out.
 
I just got back from CVW about a week ago and there was a drag there who wore I a face mask and some sort of crazy costume because he wanted to be a seal and he said "if you want to be a seal, you have to dress like one." The whole school was talking about him, well everyone that I talked to knew who he was and talked down on him. So agreed with above, DO NOT TRY AND STAND OUT.


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I was actually at the same CCW and ran into him before everyone got there, he had a seal trident on his coat before the CVW began, the lieutenant made him take it off, what goes through these peoples heads?
 
I was actually at the same CCW and ran into him before everyone got there, he had a seal trident on his coat before the CVW began, the lieutenant made him take it off, what goes through these peoples heads?

Every year there are a handful of kids who do some stupid things are CVWs. Kids wearing tridents, kids in JROTC uniforms who say they have earned more ribbons than a Mid or Mids should salute them and plenty if kids who 'brag' all kinds of weird academic and fitness things. Bottom line have fun, ask questions, be polite and be respectful and it will all be fine.
 
kids in JROTC uniforms who say they have earned more ribbons than a Mid or Mids should salute them

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this one...co2020fb was spot on, "what goes through these peoples heads?"

If possible--bring your plebe home baked cookies.
 
[QUOTE="Every year there are a handful of kids who do some stupid things are CVWs. Kids wearing tridents, kids in JROTC uniforms who say they have earned more ribbons than a Mid or Mids should salute them and plenty if kids who 'brag' all kinds of weird academic and fitness things .[/QUOTE]

These kids usually get remembered and it spreads through the company like wildfire if they become a plebe. One thing that always irked me were kids who wore sweats/jeans with holes, t-shirt, and flip flops to CVW. Seriously, consider CVW as like an official visit, doesn't have to be suit and tie but dress smartly.
 
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