Daughter and Son in Law rarely wear their rings but are proud they have them. They always remember more important (and funny) things from four years USNA and TBS and never mention who does and doesn't have a Ring.
DS, now an ensign, (Covid Class, aka USNA Class of 2020) used a small part of his Career Starter Loan ( aka "The Car Loan" that 2Cs are eligible for) to pay for his ring.Our soon-to-be 2/C DS say he has no interest in getting a class ring - too expensive and he will never wear it because it “sends a bad message to those around him after commissioning”. I get the expense but I don’t get the second part.
We probably can help defray some of the cost for a ring (sounds like they are more expensive than engagement rings) - worried he may be passing on an important tradition for not so good reasons.
My only advise is to avoid overthinking it.... I know some people spent hours thinking about the details and designing the perfect ring. Others were like me...gold, synthetic star, I wasn't going to pay for a lot of extras, All of these years later, that ring has the same meaning to me as the classmate who spent double the price. I rarely wear it, but when I do-- I don't really think much about what gold or stone I used -- its the engraving (USNA and Class Crests) that are meaningful.Does manyone have any regrets in their gold choice? In all honesty, I do not see my son wearing his ring much at all outside of special occasions. But I am not sure if that in itself is enough to justify getting a softer metal. I know it is a personal choice in the end, but I am interested in hearing USNA graduates' experiences and opinions.
Trust me... I don't overthink anything when it comes to shopping. I recently bought two suits. I was in and out the store in 20 minutes. That included picking out the suits and getting fitted (unfortunately my new suits are quite a bit bigger than my old ones...)My only advise is to avoid overthinking it.... I know some people spent hours thinking about the details and designing the perfect ring. Others were like me...gold, synthetic star, I wasn't going to pay for a lot of extras, All of these years later, that ring has the same meaning to me as the classmate who spent double the price. I rarely wear it, but when I do-- I don't really think much about what gold or stone I used -- its the engraving (USNA and Class Crests) that are meaningful.
That would be a pretty cool touch !We may take the stone from it and put it in my son's ring
Have you ever tried to type with a big hunk of gold on your finger ?I have to admit I was a little surprised looking at this thread. I always thought Academy grads were all called "ring knockers" precisely because they all got AND wore their rings as often as possible.
Nope. Sure haven't. They didn't issue grunts typewriters and computers were not even a thing back then.Have you ever tried to type with a big hunk of gold on your finger ?
THATS. COOL!!Trust me... I don't overthink anything when it comes to shopping. I recently bought two suits. I was in and out the store in 20 minutes. That included picking out the suits and getting fitted (unfortunately my new suits are quite a bit bigger than my old ones...)
My wife and I agreed that this would be a gift for our son from day one. He will honestly be happy with whatever he gets. But she is insisting that we do the proper 'research.'
The only thing we may do that's 'extra...' My father wore a ring in his portrait taken in 1943 after graduating from Great Lakes. I never saw him wearing it, but my mom gave me that ring when he passed. It's been sitting in a drawer for 12 years. We may take the stone from it and put it in my son's ring. I think it would be a great connection.
Of course not ..probably before they learned they couldn't trust Marines with crayons either !They didn't issue grunts typewriters and computers were not even a thing back then.
Oh yes. You can get class crest items in perpetuity from whichever vendor has the contract. No problem there.Can class rings be ordered later in life?
I graduated from USAFA in 1983 (see my crest to the left). I didn't allow my parents to help buy my ring. I learned later that my father was "saddened" by that; he wanted me to have the fanciest, most amazing ring, in celebration.Can class rings be ordered later in life?
I got DH his class crest cuff links in 14 kt gold for our 25th anniversary. He was speechless. Gave all his others away.Good to know. DS doesn’t want a ring. DW is fretting. Maybe someday then.