Off-campus party houses?

MemberLG

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I have to ask as to something like this occur at other academies. To my knowledge, not at West Point,

"That's standard operating procedure here," academy English professor Bruce Fleming said, adding that over the years, he's heard of many off-campus rentals, including lacrosse houses and baseball houses. "The students talk about it all the time.

from Baltimore Sun September 8, 2013 Mids' Getaways An Open Secret
 
"Off-campus party houses"? I am shocked, I tell you, shocked.

Fleming hasn't had a life for a long time.
 
Although I'm not aware of any "party houses" from my days at CGA... I don't have an issue with them.

When I graduated my parents rented a house, and my aunts, uncles grandparents and friends slept there.

So, renting a house shouldn't be the issue.

Cadets and midshipmen party.... so do enlisted and officers, so do college professors, Congressmen, Presidents and Supreme Court Justices...

So, partying isn't the issue.


Poor midshipmen, I'm not sure the government gets its money's worth with this professor.
 

Ohhhhh..... one of these kinds of articles. I generally error on the side of caution, but honestly, two separate events, involving different people, alcohol and a midshipmen who was being disenrolled? I don't know about that. It's suspect. Just seems like something else is going on here. I don't know, obviously, but just doesn't sit right.

It's good for midshipmen and cadets to remember, consent cannot be granted by someone under the influence.
 
What's the early bird?

DoD version of the Drudge report

"The Current News Early Bird is a daily compilation of published items and commentary concerning significant defense and defense-related national security issues. It aims to represent how the public, Congress and the press see military and defense programs and issues. The Early Bird is an internal management tool intended to serve the informational needs of senior DoD officials in the continuing assessment of defense policies, programs and actions. Further reproduction or redistribution for private use or gain is subject to original copyright restrictions."

From a DoD computer, access is easy. From non DoD computer, you have to give your SSN, DOB, to get verify against a DoD manpower database to get accessed.
 
Slightly off topic, but I just googled "current news early bird" and went straight to it, no authentication of any type required.
 
Ohhhhh..... one of these kinds of articles. I generally error on the side of caution, but honestly, two separate events, involving different people, alcohol and a midshipmen who was being disenrolled? I don't know about that. It's suspect. Just seems like something else is going on here. I don't know, obviously, but just doesn't sit right.

I was just focusing on the party house.
 
There are definitely a lot of off - campus party houses at the naval academy. Mainly Juniors and seniors who decide to go in together in renting a house or apartment out in town for the weekends. And yes, many of these people who rent out these houses are part of sports teams who in turn invite freshman and sophomores (who are generally part of their team).
 
It happened at USAFA when I was a cadet. I'm not sure how often, but it did occur.
 
These houses do exist, I do remember attending parties at them many times while I was a Mid. The large majority of these places were smaller places that 4-5 Mids would chip in and rent in the local area. Most of the places I went to actually belonged to NARPs, not athletes, so this is not something that is isolated to athletes what so ever. Seavoyager has a different opinion, this is just based upon my time at USNA. Yes the "football house" and "lacrosse house" are probably the most well known. Some of my friends came from money and homes not far from Annapolis, their parents would rent a small apartment close to the yard and use it when they came to town. Other weekends their Mid would use it. And yeap, surprise, surprise, Mids drank there. I honestly have no issue with Mids renting a house. Most of the time it was done firstie year and this gave them somewhere to go on a weekends. I think the bottom line is accountability for one's self. Don't drink to a point you cannot make a decision and surround yourself with responsible friends (and always keep someone sober for driving and to keep an eye on things). No person should ever be assaulted. If an assault does occur, that person should be brought to justice, quickly and harshly with due process. Mids who are caught breaking rules should be held accountable.
 
There are definitely a lot of off - campus party houses at the naval academy. Mainly Juniors and seniors who decide to go in together in renting a house or apartment out in town for the weekends. And yes, many of these people who rent out these houses are part of sports teams who in turn invite freshman and sophomores (who are generally part of their team).

Though obviously it's more of an athlete thing, there are some NARPs or members of non-big teams that do it as well. My plebe year one of our firsties apparently legitimately lived out in town (i.e., hopped the wall every night and was back by MQF) with his girlfriend and was never caught.

If midshipmen are allowed to have consensual sex, it will be easier to teach them about how to avoid problematic sex, such as sex between superiors and subordinates or sex with partners who may be unable to consent.

This is stupid. MIDN are allowed to have consensual sex. You're just not (supposed) to do it in the hall. C'mon kids, it's not that hard to wait until the weekend.
 
Regarding the "party houses" - we got a letter on Saturday from the Commandant addressed to us as parents stating not only were they against policy but that the parents/sponsors who signed the leases could be held liable for what happened in them. (I can provide quotes when I get home this evening.) I don't recall if the CAPT comes out and says that they exist, his words left little doubt that they do.
 
There are definitely a lot of off - campus party houses at the naval academy. Mainly Juniors and seniors who decide to go in together in renting a house or apartment out in town for the weekends. And yes, many of these people who rent out these houses are part of sports teams who in turn invite freshman and sophomores (who are generally part of their team).

I guess I should have been more specific on my question. No issue with weekend rentals. At West Point, we went little farther as Highland Falls wasn't a happening place and was within the drinking limit.

Reading the article, my impression was some of the "party" houses were like long term lease.
 
Yes they are long term lease type situations. I am surprised the Commadant sent that. Be curious to see the whole letter before I pass judgement. Understand folks can be held liable for things, but not sure how I feel about the Dant "informing" parents.
 
Regarding the "party houses" - we got a letter on Saturday from the Commandant addressed to us as parents stating not only were they against policy but that the parents/sponsors who signed the leases could be held liable for what happened in them. (I can provide quotes when I get home this evening.) I don't recall if the CAPT comes out and says that they exist, his words left little doubt that they do.

Something tells me the lawyers of said parents/sponsors of these adults (because midshipmen are adults) would have something to say about parents or sponsors being held liable for "party houses". Let El Commandante know he's not the mayor of Annapolis... he just has a small bit of the land for his school (and he's not even in charge of that).
 
Yes they are long term lease type situations. I am surprised the Commadant sent that. Be curious to see the whole letter before I pass judgement. Understand folks can be held liable for things, but not sure how I feel about the Dant "informing" parents.

Maybe the next letter from the Dant informs the parents of how many parents are practicing lawyers... with far more experience than the five (made up number) O-3 JAGs?
 
14 Aug 13

Dear Parents,


In May, I assumed the duties as the 85th Commandant of Midshipmen...

Blah...blah...blah...

As you are likely aware through media reports and past communication from this office over the past couple of years several instances of serious misconduct have taken place at off-campus residences leased by Midshipmen or leased by parents or sponsors for the benefit of Midshipmen. I need your help to put a stop to this practice.

Naval Academy regulations strictly prohibit and Midshipman from entering into a lease agreement for an off-campus residence. Moreover, Midshipman use of any off-campus residence that the principal leaseholder or owner does not occupy a majority of the time (i.e., four of seven days per week) is also prohibited. Additionally, individual parents and sponsor parents that choose to acquire an off-campus residence for their Midshipmen risk potential civil liability. Off-campus houses are high risk propositions due to alcohol abuse that often occur at these locations. Serious crimes, injuries, or even death may occur under those circumstances.

Blah blah blah...

I look forward to seeing you around the Yard!

W.D. Byrne, JR.

I suspect the liability mentioned involves underage drinking.
 
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