Class of 23 & 24 Shotgunning

Kierkegaard said:
The scramble is not meant to be a punishment but rather a way to force these mids and all 30 companies to rebuild their reputations.
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As a distant and ill-informed observer, this is also my interpretation. Part of the cynicism I’m getting from my 3/C is few fellow mids are not taking the professional part very seriously (including him). He was very excited to have a chance to train plebes for sea trials (he texted me which is unusual), which tells me he’s bored senseless but also it is a chance to actually do something other than school and watch and watch and school. Also, his company has been carrying mid class rankings from spring 2020. Since he was was the only plebe in his company to do tours (and that happened just before spring break) he’s been the anchorman ever since, even though he does (most) everything exceptionally well and tutors etc. Consequently, he was not even eligible to be considered for squad leader over this coming plebe summer. This is his chance to build a reputation and get out of a year-long doghouse. While not exactly a mulligan, this is an opportunity for everyone to turn the page. My DS thinks I’m full of it because I’m “not in the Hall” and on that point, he’s correct. But, from my vantage point, I see it as a great opportunity. Both he and I are reading the Caine Mutiny right now. I’m near the end. I see a lot of Willie Keiths getting a new blank slate.
 
NavyHoops said:
I was shotgunned after my Plebe Year. I was happy about it. Pros - you get to know more people in the Brigade, a chance to start new, the fleet changes a lot and this sort of mirrors that. At any one time in the fleet you are turning over at least 1/3 of your unit each year and this helps Mids understand what that change is like. Starting new can be challenging for many as the unknown is what most do not like. For Mids who have good reputations they will have to work hard to re-establish it. For those who maybe didn’t or struggled with the COVID environment, it’s a chance to start fresh. Cons - close bonds with company mates and room mates. With these 2 classes having a lot of COVID months at USNA, I think it’s a great chance to sort of start fresh next year.
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Just very frustrating for many Mids because shotgunning was mentioned more than once as being completely off the table by the Dant....Perception is truth is difficult to come by, "It's crazy to me how they just prove it can always get worse".....At least they can still decide to stay or not, before 2/7
 
brewmeist said:
I think being home last year, being at St John's this year, and being in ROM for a straight month was enough shock to the Youngsters' systems.

They'll get through it, and it probably will make them stronger leaders in the end. As much as I don't care for the decision, I am quite sure the Supe will not lose sleep because of how I feel...

I heard that '2023 enrollment is now below 1,000. Curious how many will still be there for 2/7...
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Me too, I am glad they can still decide. I think confidence in leadership is quite low, especially in leadership honesty. Dant repeatedly said shotgunning would not happen.

My mid is very focused on service in the Fleet, has always been her goal, but she is now thinking NROTC might have been a decent route. She has bled blue and gold since 8th grade so I doubt she's going anywhere but I don't want her to feel trapped.

I also wonder what will happen with Traditions. So much has been lost or tabled tradition wise, it seems to me.

I also imagine Bruce Fleming is feeling quite smug. I've been shocked at how many things have been deemed 'non mission critical'.
 
Skipper07 said:
Youngsters are pretty upset about it. After months of lecture about bonding as a class and getting through COVID together, they drop this bomb. I forecast extreme cynicism and retention problems with 2/7. A lot of people that "hate" it here stay because of the people. Now we have to start anew.
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Not to mention being told more than once by the Dant Shotgunning wasn't gong to happen......
 
Kierkegaard said:
The point about a lack of professionalism and discipline is a generalization, but it is a problem with many mids in ‘23 and ‘24 in the eyes of the senior officers on the Yard. But I do think it’s not all their fault.

‘24 had several ROMs that interfered with training. The class of ‘23 missed out on the second half of spring semester and the first half of this most recent fall semester during the phased return, and got no summer trainings. 3/C have always been at a higher risk for conduct cases since they no longer are under continuous supervision while still having few privileges, but this year it’s even starker, along with the large number of physics honor cases.

Fumbling past a field grade officer in the hall instead of confidently greeting is common from a Plebe during first semester, but when a lot of 3/C make mistakes in professionalism like that, it is seen as a lack of training, which again is not even their fault, but still it exists. Then there’s all the stuff anonymously posted on social media which undermines good order and discipline. In general there is a concern that companies have become isolated bubbles during covid leading to some unhealthy habits. One example explained to my company was a room full of plebes recently caught drinking in the hall. Supposedly there’s been a significant uptick in lapses of judgement like that.

These aren’t my concerns, this is just how the senior officers on the Yard view the situation. The scramble is not meant to be a punishment but rather a way to force these mids and all 30 companies to rebuild their reputations. Will it work? I’ll leave that for more experienced minds than mine.
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I always appreciate your thoughtfulness and ability to look at issues from various perspectives.
 
A1Janitor said:
It was one of the options discussed in this household - but not seriously (I assume).

This kind of “last f___ you” is the type of premonition of future bureaucracy that would also lead to a five and dive.
Old Navy BGO said:
Never heard of it ever happening before ...but then Administration had a lot more on their mind at this point last year.

As others have noted, there are pros and cons....and frankly, I have no idea how or why the 'Dant makes the call. To some degree, I suspect it depends on the 'Dant and staff's own USNA experience.
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pretty sure this happened to the Rant's class too?
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ThereseInDenver said:
There is a lot of 5-and-dive talk among Plebes, too. But there is also hope....hope that summer block training will re-stoke enthusiasm and they will start to see a little more of what brought them to USNA in the first place. My plebe jokes that they have had a front row seat to the underbelly of leadership decisions that have shaken their faith to the core....so now MUST be the time they will begin to see the stellar leaders they will want to emulate.
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Encouraging to my Mid during this time has been the Alumni outreach. She has taken advantage of their graciousness and has 'met' with several. One told her to hang on till the Fleet, that the leadership this alumna found there was, at times, laudable. Also said that sometimes leadership is sent to USNA for remedial work, not to expect the best of the best........
 
Capt MJ said:
I will watch what mids do, rather than what they say. Voicing fears and frustrations aloud to fellow sufferers is therapeutic and helps air out some of the feelings of powerlessness, anger and frustration. No doubt every one of these mids looked application process interviewers in the eye and avowed they wanted the harder path. We all got handed that with this pandemic.
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Absolutely and they need to be able to let off steam. I just don't want my Mid to feel trapped. She can leave. If she's trapped it's by her desire to serve in the Navy. Bottom line, Life IS tough and relentless and all we can control is our attitude. Those are the pep talks she is also getting but she has to be able to vent ("Suck it up, Buttercup" is our family motto). Choosing to leave is as honorable as choosing to stay. Knowing you are choosing to stay helps with motivation to 'embrace the suck'
 
ders_dad said:
As a distant and ill-informed observer, this is also my interpretation. Part of the cynicism I’m getting from my 3/C is few fellow mids are not taking the professional part very seriously (including him). He was very excited to have a chance to train plebes for sea trials (he texted me which is unusual), which tells me he’s bored senseless but also it is a chance to actually do something other than school and watch and watch and school. Also, his company has been carrying mid class rankings from spring 2020. Since he was was the only plebe in his company to do tours (and that happened just before spring break) he’s been the anchorman ever since, even though he does (most) everything exceptionally well and tutors etc. Consequently, he was not even eligible to be considered for squad leader over this coming plebe summer. This is his chance to build a reputation and get out of a year-long doghouse. While not exactly a mulligan, this is an opportunity for everyone to turn the page. My DS thinks I’m full of it because I’m “not in the Hall” and on that point, he’s correct. But, from my vantage point, I see it as a great opportunity. Both he and I are reading the Caine Mutiny right now. I’m near the end. I see a lot of Willie Keiths getting a new blank slate.
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One thing to note… 3/C tend to be pretty cynical this time of year regardless of year. It’s part of the cycle. Many are eager to move on to leadership roles and stop being Plebes with more privileges. They missed out on summer training which doesn’t help either. Unfortunately many Mids will view anyone with conduct trouble in a negative light no matter how stellar they are doing their job mentoring, training, leading and following. Especially if that happened Plebe Year. Shotgunning in this case is probably a good move for him. And yes, unless someone has lived in the Hall and has the shrunken bike rims, it’s truly hard to understand the nuances.
 
To those that know, how does the reassignment happen logistically? Is there a random sprinkling? Separating wth purpose? A secret ‘MidBid’ (kidding...but I have no idea!)? Who does it?

Doesn’t matter. Just curious. It’s a fascinating g endeavor!
 
justdoit19 said:
To those that know, how does the reassignment happen logistically? Is there a random sprinkling? Separating wth purpose? A secret ‘MidBid’ (kidding...but I have no idea!)? Who does it?

Doesn’t matter. Just curious. It’s a fascinating g endeavor!
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Why am I picturing all the current 2/C Mids setting up Fantasy Draft accounts?
 
justdoit19 said:
To those that know, how does the reassignment happen logistically? Is there a random sprinkling? Separating wth purpose? A secret ‘MidBid’ (kidding...but I have no idea!)? Who does it?

Doesn’t matter. Just curious. It’s a fascinating g endeavor!
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They’re going to use the formula the Admissions Office uses to ensure a balanced class set in each company. Within those constraints it will probably be random.
 
FutureAdademyDad? said:
My point is taking to task the statement that the lower classes have become "complacent and entitled".

If so, the responsibility for that falls at the feet of leadership.

Period.
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Absolutely. And by taking this action, they are clearly taking responsibility for the situation and taking the unpopular steps that they believe to be appropriate to address the situation.
 
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