What is the "perfect midshipman"?

The 'perfect' leader is an imperfect person who can successfully lead a group of unwilling subordinates. I say imperfect because everyone has flaws, it's what makes us human. No one will ever get everything right, it's those who learn from their mistakes that make the best leaders. AJROTC says that a good leader uses the LDRSHIP skills bank. Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Try to embody those and you will be that much closer to be the best leader that you can be.
 
The perfect Midshipman? Of course. And they leave every Plebe Summer.
 
"The 'perfect' leader is an imperfect person who can successfully lead a group of unwilling subordinates."

This might be the best comment I've ever seen on this forum. The second best is the comment that "the perfect midshipman leaves every plebe summer."

Thank you both. And from the same thread!
 
A "perfect" midshipman couldn't relate to his or her imperfect subordinates that he or she must lead.
 
The interesting fact is that the "perfect midshipman" does not necessarily make a perfect (or even good) officer. The converse is also true.

Something my father told me when I started USNA: There are some people who everyone "knows" early on will make Admiral/General -- and do. There will be others who, 25+ years from now make Admiral and people will say, "Who were they again? Don't remember him/her."

When I look at the flag officers in my class, that is absolutely true. Some have shone from day 1; some shone on day 1 and then "crashed and burned"; others really didn't start shining until they hit the fleet.

USNA is a training ground where some succeed more than others. You should strive to be your best there and at all times. But success at USNA doesn't necessarily equate to success in the fleet or in life and having a less than stellar tenure as a midshipman doesn't mean the rest of your life/career is doomed.

And, FWIW, I agree with Hurricane -- never seen a "perfect" midshipman in that human beings are never perfect.
 
Not really sure what you are asking. If you change the question to 'what is the perfect college student?', I'm not sure anyone could ever answer that. What exactly are you trying to find out?
 
I would say that the goal of the Acadmeny is to graduate and commission officers then the perfect midshipmen is one who graduates and commissions.
 
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