Maybe Missing The Point?
So there are some who are responding to this post with all the reasons they think that someone should stay in the Band ...
My point and I believe Deepsea's point is that participating in ANY extra curricular activity at the USMMA should be the personal choice of each midshipman. When it comes to EVERY other extra-curricular activity on campus, this is true - however, it's NOT true with the Regimental Marching Band. To me, that's wrong, and basically the sum total of the issue. Further all these posts in defense of the current status quo on the subject are not addressing Norcalmom2014's questions:
"Why is the band commitment treated differently than other extracurricular activities? I doubt kids are being forced to join any other activities except for band.
Who can kids talk to about these kinds of things; in essence, their education and future without being admonished or pressured in some way? In other words, do they have a right to choose to opt out of band or not, the government is footing the bill, so maybe not? Do what you are told, and all that kind of stuff? "
Taking them in what I regard as logical order:
RE: " I doubt kids are being forced to join any other activities except band."
NORCALMOM2014's assumption is indeed correct. Midshipman are not in any way, shape or form compelled or otherwise coerced to join or continue to participate in any other extra-curricular activities. Additionally, leaving the band without moving out of band company continues to expose the now nonparticipating midshipman to coercion as they are the ones who are "different" from their roommates, etc. If this were something similar to a gender situation in the workplace, the non-participant could clearly make the case they were being openly forced to remain and routinely be exposed to "a hostile work environment." The attendant fines, etc the non-participant's employer would find them liable for could in such a case be significant.
RE: "Why is the band commitment treated differently than the other extra-curricular activities?"
Bottom line, as Forrest Gump would say, I think the honest answer is "For No Particular reason." Some more background, over time the current situation evolved from a desire of the bandmaster and an alleged "basic need" of the band members to live in a common dorm/barracks to be able to accommodate the schedule of their practice, etc. over the entire course of the year, not just a particular season, to have all the members of the band live in a single company. This is a situation (a separate band company) that has been so for over 30 years. So while one might question why it's any harder for a band member to live in say 3rd company and make band practice, etc. vice a football player in season doing so, suffice it to say the existence of band company is a long held and practiced thing at the USMMA, such that few if any question that practice at all. That said, as far as I know it was at some point during VADM Stewart's tenure as Superintendent (I know is was subsequent to RADM King's time as Super) that the number of people in the band, a source of pride, honor and tradition at USMMA, dwindled and it was decided that the conscription of additional members was necessary.
After all - since they had a dorm and needed to put people in those rooms, why not also force them to play instruments? If my attribution of this policy is incorrect, in other words if the bandmaster wasn't supportive of this and/or VADM Stewart wasn't the Superintendent who authorized the start of this policy then someone who has better information please correct me. In any case I'm pretty sure, my earlier post enumerating of a few of the worst case scenarios as to the potential backlash to this policy illustrate what I think of the idea and the advisability of continuing the practice. Truthfully I think the whole situation ought to be reviewed. If one feels that team tables are inadvisable and go against the idea and building of proper esprit d'corps in the regiment (I do not - we had team tables when I was there and it was a good thing - especially when a sport was in season) then segregating midshipmen based on their participation in a particular extra-curricular activity makes even less sense.
As further background, I can tell in that in the early 1980's what was then third company (we had 6 "regular" companies and band co back in those days of the square riggers) was the smallest "regular company" and we lived in Cleavland Hall. Over that period, Third Co consisted almost entirely of football players and sailors until some of those guys (third co was all male back then, 1st and 4th company were the only coed companies then as they were the only halls with female heads and showers) were moved as it was felt the relationships of teammates was adversely affecting the ability of the regimental system to function properly. In other words in some cases class rates were not being enforced among teammates, etc. That put an end to any discussion of the potential for team "dorms" - of course except for band company because they had this "practice schedule" issue. Never mind that at the time the Football Team was attempting to compete at the Division II level or that the Intercollegiate Sailing Team was consistently ranked in the Top 5 in the nation, went to EVERY ICYRA Championship Regatta and on any given weekend during the season(s) - Fall and Spring - fielded a highly competitive team at at least one major and one minor regatta or multiple minor regattas and had two or three offshore vessels racing in the Long Island Sound or elsewhere. Once again explain to me how and why it's only the Band Company that has to live together to be able to better manage their time with the REQUIRED Regimental and Academic commitments...
RE: "Who can kids talk to about these kinds of things; in essence, their education and future without being admonished or pressured in some way? In other words, do they have a right to choose to opt out of band or not?"
I believe those answers are: they absolutely have a right to opt out of band. To my knowledge, there is NOTHING an incoming P/C or his/here parents sign that abrogates their rights in this regard such that they agree to accepting such a determination, etc. like the Class of 2012 signed relative to agreeing to allow and accept IT when they were plebes. As such, they can talk to their chain of command, however since that chain of command involves all midshipmen officers who are band members and a company officer who is the band co company officer, I would jump immediately to wither the Deputy/Assistant Commandant of Midshipmen or the Commandant himself in order to ensure I wasn't "admonished or pressured in some way." I would also say, this will likely still be a character building learning experience for the midshipman opting out of band but a lesson in self reliance, persistence, and leadership that ultimately everyone who aspires to command needs to learn. That being taking responsibility for your own actions, course to destination, and results and seeing things through to the end when you believe in something, even when it's not the easy or popular course.
RE: as to the comment: "the government is footing the bill, so maybe not? Do what you are told, and all that kind of stuff?"
The Government is indeed footing the bill and while as a proud alumni I really, really like the fact USMMA is the only Service Academy to have a marching band that is led and staffed by students, I'm also equally sure that the reason the US Government is footing that bill is not so I or my fellow Americans can see and hear a really good, English Style Regimental Band. I think theres a mission that you have to learn as part of your plebe knowledge for USMMA and despite revisions, etc. over the past 32 years since I could rattle it off as a Plebe, I'm pretty comfortable in asserting, it doesn't include anything about ensuring we have a great Band.
I will not post further on this thread as I'm sure I'll only start sounding like even more of a "ranter" on it (is that even a word?). I just felt that while some people are responding with what they feel are words of encouragement, etc. the original poster may just as likely be feeling like now they are being coerced and are "being admonished." I hope I'm wrong in which case sorry for the rant, but I would say that at no point in the original post by NORCALMOM2014 did she say or ask anything like "My son seems to want to get out of Band Company, I think he should stay there, what reasons can I or should I give him to encourage him to do so?" In which case several of these replies would be smack on target and I would not have posted either of my posts nor sent her the PM I sent. I am not in any way suggesting that band is a bad thing or not a worthwhile activity. I am clearly saying I think that conscription of entering midshipmen to band company is NOT a policy that should be continued and the whole idea of a separate band company and how it is administrated and managed inside of the Regimental System should be reviewed and if deemed appropriately updated. Like I said, I truly won't post again on this thread so all those who have other views/thoughts and additions can get some exposure for their views as clearly there are indeed alternative views of merit on the subject(s).
Finally to NORCALMOM2014 - whatever your DS decides to do, I wish him good luck and well.
