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Bell Ringing 2013: Administration Stomping on KP Traditions- PLEASE READ
As any Kings Pointer knows, the greatest symbol of the completion of four years of academic and regimental struggle is the ringing of the bell in the Oval after passing license. This tradition is not only a high point for the newly licensed 1/c, but the general air of celebration and accomplishment serves as a motivation for the members of the lower classes who witness bell ringing, clearly illustrating the "light at the end of the tunnel" which at times can seem very dim. Bell ringing is without a doubt one of the most highly anticipated moments of any Kings Pointer's time at the Academy.
However, this year, things may be very different. The current Academy command staff, ALL OF WHOM ARE NEW THIS YEAR AND NONE OF WHOM HAVE EVER WITNESSED A BELL RINGING, have decided that bell ringing for 2013 should be carried out in a "regimented" fashion. As spelled out in the Operations Order reproduced below, gone is the celebratory atmosphere and jubilation, replaced with an abomination more akin to Lunch Muster than the symbolic culmination of four years of hard work.
This tradition is not the property of the Superintendent, the Commandant, or any of the staff so hell-bent on destroying it. It is OURS. It belongs to the Midshipmen. For each it symbolizes something different; the accomplishment of a lifetime, the end of years of struggle, a dogged determination to not be beaten by a system which seems at ever opportunity to beat down those who live under it. But for each it is equally important.
For my friends who have graduated in years past: PLEASE read the below operations order and see what outsiders and people too weak to protect their own traditions are doing to your alma mater. Please, for the sake of us all, help the members of the class of 2013 to regain what we and all past graduates have earned. A simple email to the command staff, a word to anyone who can help, or any other way to make yourself heard, would be greatly appreciated by us all.
Kings Pointers have throughout history have distinguished themselves for our determination, our adherence to our own set of beliefs and values, and an unwillingness to let ourselves be walked upon. Now is the time to show these traits and demonstrate just what MERCHANT MARINERS, not the outsiders assigned to "lead" us, stand for.
Acta non Verba, my friends. But in this case, either or both applied properly will work.
FROM: Regimental Commander
TO: Regiment of Midshipmen
VIA: Commandant of Midshipman
SUBJ: BELL RINGING CEREMONY 31 MAY 2013
SITUATION: Following the successful completion of license it is a Kings Point tradition to ring the bell in the middle of the oval to signify having completed the course of education at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Following the Bell Ringing the Class of 2013 will commence their leave period between license and graduation.
MISSION: This ceremony is to signify the successful completion of license and academics at the Merchant Marine Academy for the Class of 2013. The event should be enjoyable for the midshipman while at the same time be carried out in a dignified manner that is in keeping with the traditions, rules, and regulations that govern the Regiment of Midshipmen.
UNIFORM: Bell Ringing Formation/Ceremony: Khaki’s with garrison cover.
Cookout: Issued PT gear/ running suits
TIMELINE: 1100-1330: Cookout for the Class of 2013 at Land Hall.
TBD: Licensing Exam Grades are posted.
NLT 20 Minutes following the posting of the license exam results midshipman from the class of 2013, who successfully passed licensing, will muster by companies in the Oval.
POLICY/PROCEDURES.
Leave/Liberty. Commences AFTER the completion of the Bell-Ringing
Ceremony. Specific policy for the period 31 May to 12 June to be published in a separate Commandant Notice.
Bell-Ringing Ceremony Formation. First Company, Second Company, and the
Regimental Staff will form up on the South Side of the Oval. Third, Fourth, and Band Company will form up on the North Side of the Oval. The ceremony will begin when the RC calls the Companies to attention. Following remarks by the Superintendent and the Dean, the RC will announce commencement of the bell-ringing. Midshipmen must remain in the complete Uniform of the Day throughout formation and the actual bell-ringing.
Cookout. The cookout will be coordinated by the Class Presidents from the Class
of 2013 and 2014. Starting at 1030 popcorn and wing will be available in Land Hall. At 1100 burgers and hotdogs will be available on the patio facing the waterfront. The Class of 2014, Delano Staff, along with ED midshipman will cook the burgers and hotdogs on the grills outside of Land Hall.
No food or beverages will be allowed to leave Land Hall or the patio areas. At 1330 food service
will cease and clean-up will begin. By 1400 Land Hall will be cleared; clean-up will be
completed by the Class of 2014 and ED midshipman.
Land Hall will be off-limits from 1000 to 1430 to all underclass not directly supporting the event
or the clean-up.
As directed by:
MIDN CAPT [Name Withheld], 1/C Regimental Commander
MIDN LCDR [Name Withheld], 1/C Regimental Honor Board Chair and First Class President
Any questions should be directed up the Chain of Command or to the Class Officers
Respectfully Submitted,
M/N CAPT [Name Withheld], 1/C M/N LCDR [Name Withheld], 1/C
Regimental Commander Regimental Honor Board Chair
First Class President
Bell Ringing 2013: Administration Stomping on KP Traditions- PLEASE READ
As any Kings Pointer knows, the greatest symbol of the completion of four years of academic and regimental struggle is the ringing of the bell in the Oval after passing license. This tradition is not only a high point for the newly licensed 1/c, but the general air of celebration and accomplishment serves as a motivation for the members of the lower classes who witness bell ringing, clearly illustrating the "light at the end of the tunnel" which at times can seem very dim. Bell ringing is without a doubt one of the most highly anticipated moments of any Kings Pointer's time at the Academy.
However, this year, things may be very different. The current Academy command staff, ALL OF WHOM ARE NEW THIS YEAR AND NONE OF WHOM HAVE EVER WITNESSED A BELL RINGING, have decided that bell ringing for 2013 should be carried out in a "regimented" fashion. As spelled out in the Operations Order reproduced below, gone is the celebratory atmosphere and jubilation, replaced with an abomination more akin to Lunch Muster than the symbolic culmination of four years of hard work.
This tradition is not the property of the Superintendent, the Commandant, or any of the staff so hell-bent on destroying it. It is OURS. It belongs to the Midshipmen. For each it symbolizes something different; the accomplishment of a lifetime, the end of years of struggle, a dogged determination to not be beaten by a system which seems at ever opportunity to beat down those who live under it. But for each it is equally important.
For my friends who have graduated in years past: PLEASE read the below operations order and see what outsiders and people too weak to protect their own traditions are doing to your alma mater. Please, for the sake of us all, help the members of the class of 2013 to regain what we and all past graduates have earned. A simple email to the command staff, a word to anyone who can help, or any other way to make yourself heard, would be greatly appreciated by us all.
Kings Pointers have throughout history have distinguished themselves for our determination, our adherence to our own set of beliefs and values, and an unwillingness to let ourselves be walked upon. Now is the time to show these traits and demonstrate just what MERCHANT MARINERS, not the outsiders assigned to "lead" us, stand for.
Acta non Verba, my friends. But in this case, either or both applied properly will work.
FROM: Regimental Commander
TO: Regiment of Midshipmen
VIA: Commandant of Midshipman
SUBJ: BELL RINGING CEREMONY 31 MAY 2013
SITUATION: Following the successful completion of license it is a Kings Point tradition to ring the bell in the middle of the oval to signify having completed the course of education at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Following the Bell Ringing the Class of 2013 will commence their leave period between license and graduation.
MISSION: This ceremony is to signify the successful completion of license and academics at the Merchant Marine Academy for the Class of 2013. The event should be enjoyable for the midshipman while at the same time be carried out in a dignified manner that is in keeping with the traditions, rules, and regulations that govern the Regiment of Midshipmen.
UNIFORM: Bell Ringing Formation/Ceremony: Khaki’s with garrison cover.
Cookout: Issued PT gear/ running suits
TIMELINE: 1100-1330: Cookout for the Class of 2013 at Land Hall.
TBD: Licensing Exam Grades are posted.
NLT 20 Minutes following the posting of the license exam results midshipman from the class of 2013, who successfully passed licensing, will muster by companies in the Oval.
POLICY/PROCEDURES.
Leave/Liberty. Commences AFTER the completion of the Bell-Ringing
Ceremony. Specific policy for the period 31 May to 12 June to be published in a separate Commandant Notice.
Bell-Ringing Ceremony Formation. First Company, Second Company, and the
Regimental Staff will form up on the South Side of the Oval. Third, Fourth, and Band Company will form up on the North Side of the Oval. The ceremony will begin when the RC calls the Companies to attention. Following remarks by the Superintendent and the Dean, the RC will announce commencement of the bell-ringing. Midshipmen must remain in the complete Uniform of the Day throughout formation and the actual bell-ringing.
Cookout. The cookout will be coordinated by the Class Presidents from the Class
of 2013 and 2014. Starting at 1030 popcorn and wing will be available in Land Hall. At 1100 burgers and hotdogs will be available on the patio facing the waterfront. The Class of 2014, Delano Staff, along with ED midshipman will cook the burgers and hotdogs on the grills outside of Land Hall.
No food or beverages will be allowed to leave Land Hall or the patio areas. At 1330 food service
will cease and clean-up will begin. By 1400 Land Hall will be cleared; clean-up will be
completed by the Class of 2014 and ED midshipman.
Land Hall will be off-limits from 1000 to 1430 to all underclass not directly supporting the event
or the clean-up.
As directed by:
MIDN CAPT [Name Withheld], 1/C Regimental Commander
MIDN LCDR [Name Withheld], 1/C Regimental Honor Board Chair and First Class President
Any questions should be directed up the Chain of Command or to the Class Officers
Respectfully Submitted,
M/N CAPT [Name Withheld], 1/C M/N LCDR [Name Withheld], 1/C
Regimental Commander Regimental Honor Board Chair
First Class President