BEAT NAVY!!!

skippers said:
I'm a west point grad with a son at annapolis...great time as always at the game, catching up with classmates, parents of mids, etc...great communities on both sides. That said - and I was a corps squad athlete at the academy so understand the competitive nature of any Army v Navy game - anyone who was there notice the cadet players who ran into the end zone at the end of game and mocked the mids in stands? Maybe overreacting, but as a USMA grad, I found it lacking class and disappointing...just curious if anyone else picked up on that, and what reactions of others was.
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Oh, there’s a whole ‘nother thread that sprouted discussion on that today.
It spawned from the thread about the kidnapping of USAFA live falcon mascot by USMA cadets. I hope it’s settled down.
 
I wasn't able to afford a ticket to the game, but I did ride out to PA. It was an amazing scene, I even got a free USNA T shirt. Hope I'll get accepted so I can actually see the game next year!
 
Yankee23 said:
Old Navy BGO said:
The Cadets played a tough game and deserved to win.




Inter-service rivalry is good, and gladly accept this kind of comment from a veteran of any branch (and will be quick to retort with my own extensive inventory). However, one of my pet peeves is hearing it from those that haven't served. OP's profile indicates that he's just a candidate this year, so I would suggest holding the trash talk until you have earned the right.
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I don’t necessarily see it this way, but I respect your opinion. It’s been my dream to attend West Point for a very long time and even though I’ve been watching the Army/Navy Game for a relatively short while now, I’m still a big fan of Army football and have grown an “inter-service” hatred towards the Naval Academy. I would still encourage you to resort to your own “extensive inventory” because I’m sure you have one and I know that with mines being very amateur, you would definitely embarrass me. With my Nom, 3Q letter, and LOA I’m sure I’ll be appointed to my dream school next year. Maybe we can stay in touch so we can send blows at each other when my inventory matures a little more.
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This a plebe mom and I would tell you that all the plebes and upperclassmen that I get to know since the Acceptance day are very humble. And that is all I want to say here.
 
The commandant shot a moto video with Marines last week. He's had a busy few days. He attended a state funeral, had two aircraft crash and Marines are still missing, but he still made time to observe part of Exercise Steel Knight at 29 Palms. He walked into the room when my son was briefing the CG on his BN's part in the exercise. I quoted his below statement to put perspective to real world ops and a football game.

Robert B. Neller‏Verified account @GenRobertNeller Dec 8
Pumped up for game day! Almost half of the Navy football team seniors (16 of 34) have chosen to lead Marines. Sorry, we just didn't have room for everyone. Now, take care of business today at the 119th Army-Navy game in Philly. GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!

"We shot this last week, but I have to be honest: right now my mind is completely on finding the Marines involved in the aircraft mishap off the coast of Japan. Cannot thank enough the US, Japanese, and Australian forces assisting in the rescue of our teammates." -Gen Neller
 
Yankee, we watch West Point games all season and root for them every week (other than vs. Navy). Ditto for USAFA. Must admit that, toward the end of the 14 years when USMA went without a victory against USNA, more than a few USNA fans were actually hoping for an ARMY victory. Why? Because there is such a close relationship that it actually hurt to see Army lose over and over again. You want a real rivalry (which we now have again), not what we had during that time.

Applaud your passion for USMA. But, I think (hope) you will find that the relationship between the SAs (and especially b/t Army and Navy) is much more complicated, rich and wonderful than you're making it. I commend to you a book by John Feinstein entitled, "A Civil War." It follows team captains for both teams and -- though now dated -- explains better than anything I've ever read why Army and Navy feel the way they do about each other.
 
skippers said:
anyone who was there notice the cadet players who ran into the end zone at the end of game and mocked the mids in stands?
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I was sitting right above mids and noticed this. I noticed one Army player came over and folded his arms mocking the Mids. I was disappointed when I saw that, but I thought it was pretty classy when another Army player grabbed his shoulder after a little while and turned him around and led him back toward the field.

I am an "outsider" so I won't comment further other than to say that Army had the better team this year and Navy has struggled this season, so I was hoping for a Navy win but expected what happened. If you look back at the history it would be pretty hard for either side to claim superiority - they are close to dead even with wins. I think the rivalry is great and makes the game that much more special and I think for the most part the actions of both sides are respectful.
 
usna1985 said:
Yankee, we watch West Point games all season and root for them every week (other than vs. Navy). Ditto for USAFA. Must admit that, toward the end of the 14 years when USMA went without a victory against USNA, more than a few USNA fans were actually hoping for an ARMY victory. Why? Because there is such a close relationship that it actually hurt to see Army lose over and over again. You want a real rivalry (which we now have again), not what we had during that time.

Applaud your passion for USMA. But, I think (hope) you will find that the relationship between the SAs (and especially b/t Army and Navy) is much more complicated, rich and wonderful than you're making it. I commend to you a book by John Feinstein entitled, "A Civil War." It follows team captains for both teams and -- though now dated -- explains better than anything I've ever read why Army and Navy feel the way they do about each other.
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I’ll definitely buy it. I never viewed the relationship in the manner that many of the replyers are mentioning. I look forward to reading this book and broadening my scope of things.
 
Yankee23 said:
I’m still a big fan of Army football and have grown an “inter-service” hatred towards the Naval Academy.
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I've given a little thought to this comment, and realized that it illustrates my original point. The rivalry is not about "hatred" toward the other Service Academy, or Service, but rather a mutual respect that comes from a common experience. The truth is, the Services are all more alike than different, and those that have attended Service Academies and have served in the military have an awful lot in common. Sure, we all think our branch of the services is the best, and certainly want to win THE GAME ...but at the end of the game, we both stand together and sing our Alma Mater together. To me, that is the best part of the game ....

usna1985 said:
Must admit that, toward the end of the 14 years when USMA went without a victory against USNA, more than a few USNA fans were actually hoping for an ARMY victory.
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. I wouldn't go as far as hoping for an Army victory, but will will 'fess up to feeling a little sorry for the Cadets and WP Alumni just before each of the games (particularly those where we went in with 9-2 records and they were 2-9). However, I can assure you that from the Opening Kickoff to the final seconds ticked off the clock (and in several of those games the final seconds were critical!), I wanted nothing more than BEAT ARMY !
 
I never viewed the relationship in the manner that many of the replyers are mentioning.
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It is something I hope (and trust) you will learn once you're at WP. There's good-natured ribbing among the services but we all recognize two things. First, everyone from a SA serves this nation and no service to this country is greater than another. Second, and more importantly, you are likely to end up serving alongside members from other services. We are first and foremost brothers and sisters in arms and we recognize and never forget that someday our very lives may depend on the skill and daring of someone from another service.
 
I'm not a big football fan and will admit that I get dragged to a local sports bar to watch this game each year among both Army and Navy parents clubs and fans, but I'm always impressed by the laughter, good fun, and genuine camaraderie in addition to the fact that both sides can enjoy the game at the same venue. This cannot be said of my team (Michigan) and its rival (OSU) whose fans watch the annual matchup at bars far from each other for good reason. One is brotherhood, the other is hatred. We certainly could learn a lesson from the academies.
 
@Yankee23 try watching this. There is a common heart in all that serve, no matter the uniform. I CRINGED when I read “hatred”. I suspect with time, growth and maturity you will understand. Perhaps it was a misspeak. But our world In general could use less hatred. We are more alike than not. Especially brothers and sisters in arms.

 
justdoit19 said:
@Yankee23 try watching this. There is a common heart in all that serve, no matter the uniform. I CRINGED when I read “hatred”. I suspect with time, growth and maturity you will understand. Perhaps it was a misspeak. But our world In general could use less hatred. We are more alike than not. Especially brothers and sisters in arms.

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I watch this year’s video a few times, but I must admit that I watched (and cried to) last year’s videos a lot more.
 
I wont get into the "slang-calling" debate, but I do have a few inappropriate things to say to the Bozo in the replay booth. Not only did he/she make a terrible call (Navy folks might disagree), but what they ended up doing, re-spotting the ball a yard from where the run actually ended, and then order a re-measurement? Why measure? There was no question that by moving the ball that far would be way short. And it took them 25 minutes to come up with that? They could have closed their eyes and blindly spotted the ball instead, and had a wiser more thoughtful disposition. Even Gary Danielson said that it was a horrendous call, and that the call on the field should have been affirmed, as the replay confirmed the original spot was good. That could have been a game-changer. Glad it didnt as Army/Navy is too big and important for a referee to insert himself as the most important person in the stadium.

And while I am at it, why do football referees only understand "yards" as a measuring option. They always spot the ball on an actual yard line, as opposed to someplace in the middle, and the booth reviews always tell them to spot on a yard line, or in rare cases, a half-yard spot. Spot the ball exactly where the progress ended, regardless of how close or far from the yard-line it is. But I digress.
 
Yankee23 said:
I’m glad I made this post. Lots of helpful insight on the do’s and dont’s that I would’ve never even thought of. I definitely see where you guess are coming from. It’s like beating up on your siblings but being protective of them from outsiders. And right now I’m an outsider. Not only can I not wait to join the Long Gray Line, but I can’t wait to be amongst the brother(sister)hood all military service members and veterans are apart of. Sorry if I came off as arrogant again, someone who’ll be that “that guy” at USMA, and/or even an annoying snot. Enjoy that rest of your day everyone and happy holidays.
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I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. Most service members have pretty thick skin, and have been called much worse. However, this particular forum will be a bit, well, lets just say "edgy" this week. But let me be clear; both academies and services are "equal".


.......................But on Saturday, Army was a he11 of a lot MORE equal than Navy. Go Army!
 
Old Navy BGO said:
However, one of my pet peeves is hearing it from those that haven't served. OP's profile indicates that he's just a candidate this year, so I would suggest holding the trash talk until you have earned the right.
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I just want to understand this comment a bit more fully and this is an honest question seeking an honest answer from those who have served. As a parent of multiple cadets, should I have refrained from any friendly banter while I was in Philly this past weekend because I have a civilian vocation and did not attend USMA/USNA or work for the Army or Navy? Does wearing WP or USNA gear as a parent appear distasteful to those that served while I did not? I don't want to be that guy buy never really saw it that way.

Maybe this is different, but I graduated college from a school with a national football presence and has many subway alums and I never felt any ill feelings about their love for my school and participation in its rivalries because they did not go to school there. The more attention and more participation in the rivalry, the better as far as I am concerned.
 
VelveteenR said:
I'm not a big football fan and will admit that I get dragged to a local sports bar to watch this game each year among both Army and Navy parents clubs and fans, but I'm always impressed by the laughter, good fun, and genuine camaraderie in addition to the fact that both sides can enjoy the game at the same venue. This cannot be said of my team (Michigan) and its rival (OSU) whose fans watch the annual matchup at bars far from each other for good reason. One is brotherhood, the other is hatred. We certainly could learn a lesson from the academies.
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I personally watched the OSU/ Michigan game to see how many times Harbaugh would throw his headset. Sadly, it was zero. [emoji6] There is always next year!
 
@jebdad, nothing wrong with wearing your kid’s colors proudly and loudly. All the better to have good-natured and respectful banter with the other side. And plenty of fun to cheer crazily in support of your team. I did all those things last weekend in Philly. All good!

Where it gets distasteful is when people talk down to the other side, insult them, talk smack, express “hatred” (even if it’s in quotes) as @Yankee23 did. Maybe you get a bit more leeway if you actually attend or graduated from an academy, but not much more. What impressed me about the hyper-passionate West Pointers around me last weekend is that they always cheered for their team, not against the other one.
 
I wont get into the "slang-calling" debate, but I do have a few inappropriate things to say to the Bozo in the replay booth
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Agree that (a) it was a bad call, and (b) it took FAR too long. Refs aren't perfect and most of the time do an incredibly good job. However, bad calls and blown calls are part of the game. While some are more likely than others to "affect the outcome," every football game has around 100 plays and, if you focus on what you can't control (the refs), you lose sight of what you can control (the rest of the game).

just want to understand this comment a bit more fully and this is an honest question seeking an honest answer from those who have served. As a parent of multiple cadets, should I have refrained from any friendly banter while I was in Philly this past weekend because I have a civilian vocation and did not attend USMA/USNA or work for the Army or Navy? Does wearing WP or USNA gear as a parent appear distasteful to those that served while I did not? I don't want to be that guy buy never really saw it that way.
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Since I assume the "gear" question was tongue-in-cheek, I'll skip that one. As to your first question . . . "friendly banter" is fine and expected. Being mean-spirited or disrespectful is neither. As an adult, I presume you know the difference so will leave it at that.

Read the book I recommended earlier (no, I'm not getting royalties). It explains it far better than I can.
 
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