Plebes Dropping Already

Worrying that our kids might get sick with a virus and hoping our kids get a true Plebe Summer experience is a big deal, I know. In just four years though, Sailors and Marines who are lucky enough to be under the leadership of the outstanding officers of the class of ‘24 will not care about their Div-O or platoon commander’s PS experience and further, Sailors and Marines didn’t give a rip where their officers went to college.

An AAV accident in the Pacific has killed a Marine and other Marines and their Doc are missing. These are the things that keep moms and dads up at night.

www.cbsnews.com

1 Marine dead, 8 service members missing after sea tank sinks off California coast

Marine Corps Commandant David Berger tweeted Friday night that the Marines will temporarily suspend amphibious assault vehicle water operations.
www.cbsnews.com www.cbsnews.com
 
Reading this thread I will say this..... I can 1000% guarantee that this is being handled magnitudes better than it is at regular universities. Where my DD goes to college, she knows a star football player that had it (tested positive, but asymptomatic) and was still out and about. The coaches have to know that he has it and didn't ensure he was isolated. It is going to be nuts on campus when the college kids go back in 2 weeks. The young cadets/midshipmen couldn't be in a better place than they are now with all this mess going on.
 
Devil Doc said:
Worrying that our kids might get sick with a virus and hoping our kids get a true Plebe Summer experience is a big deal, I know. In just four years though, Sailors and Marines who are lucky enough to be under the leadership of the outstanding officers of the class of ‘24 will not care about their Div-O or platoon commander’s PS experience and further, Sailors and Marines didn’t give a rip where their officers went to college.An AAV accident in the Pacific has killed a Marine and other Marines and their Doc are missing. These are the things that keep moms and dads up at night.
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> Great comment Doc ... I hope that when the current Midshipmen get to my age, COVID will be just a small blip on their career -they can look back and take pride that they adapted and overcame the problem (and all the other classes will claim they were the last to have a Plebe summer -- like we they been doing for 174 years !). The truth is, there are thousands of outstanding officers there that didn't have a Plebe Summer --I don't know the numbers, but I would venture to guess that USNA turns out well less than 50% of the Navy Officers each year, and as Doc noted -- the troops don't care!

The AAV accident is a grim reminder that everyday carries risks, and all we can do is try to recognize and manage the risks. My thoughts and prayers are out to the Marines involved and their families.
 
Devil Doc said:
Worrying that our kids might get sick with a virus and hoping our kids get a true Plebe Summer experience is a big deal, I know. In just four years though, Sailors and Marines who are lucky enough to be under the leadership of the outstanding officers of the class of ‘24 will not care about their Div-O or platoon commander’s PS experience and further, Sailors and Marines didn’t give a rip where their officers went to college.

An AAV accident in the Pacific has killed a Marine and other Marines and their Doc are missing. These are the things that keep moms and dads up at night.

www.cbsnews.com

1 Marine dead, 8 service members missing after sea tank sinks off California coast

Marine Corps Commandant David Berger tweeted Friday night that the Marines will temporarily suspend amphibious assault vehicle water operations.
www.cbsnews.com www.cbsnews.com
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Not good at all. Sigh.
 
Capt MJ said:
Not good at all. Sigh.
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This event bothers me, and is something all of us should be concerned about. Somewhere in their training manuals, there must be instructions on what to do if the AAV is taking on water, and the rate .... and how much time they have to act in each and every situation. I hope the investigation uncovers what, if anything, was missed. And what can be changed in the operations and training manuals.
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@Old Navy BGO thank you, I’m just trying to keep it real. My son didn’t do the Academy or ROTC as I’ve mentioned on here often and he turned out pretty good. He’s very rough around the edges and has tattoos everywhere and most of them are legal. In his earlier days, his Marines thought he was prior enlisted. His response was, “If you ever meet my dad you’ll know why I’m this way.” When he first told me that I asked, “Is that a compliment?”
 
Dr. Strange Love said:
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This event bothers me, and is something all of us should be concerned about. Somewhere in their training manuals, there must be instructions on what to do if the AAV is taking on water, and the rate .... and how much time they have to act in each and every situation. I hope the investigation uncovers what, if anything, was missed. And what can be changed in the operations and training manuals.
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There are egress procedures. I hate helos and AAVs. This isn’t the first such incident with these coffins. Marines and their Doc are crammed in and when the water comes in only so many can get out initially. If the vehicle sinks then all who remain aboard go with it. I’m hoping for a miracle.
 
Don't mean to sidetrack this thread but here is a pretty accurate description of what it is like for a Marine unit in AAVs. (I don't subscribe to some of the author's editorial comments but his description of riding inside of an AAV are spot on).

taskandpurpose.com

A Marine reflects on how a sinking amphibious assault vehicle symbolizes the entire Corps

Inside a track, I watched men snap like I’d only seen during torture scenes on film.
taskandpurpose.com taskandpurpose.com

We were often told that when these drop off the big Navy mothership, they sink 12 or 20 or xx feet and then bob back up to the surface. Not sure if that is an old wive's tale but I believed it. We heard that if something were to go wrong, you have split seconds to react before its too late.
 
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Yes pray ... that anything good comes of this, e.g. equipment inspection and maintenance details.

Edit: @USMCGrunt, just watched the YouTuber, and in light of your comments above, are there serious design issues in this newer version .... egress considerations, and does it require inflatable safety pontoons. Something is amiss.
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USMCGrunt said:
Don't mean to sidetrack this thread but here is a pretty accurate description of what it is like for a Marine unit in AAVs. (I don't subscribe to some of the author's editorial comments but his description of riding inside of an AAV are spot on).

taskandpurpose.com

A Marine reflects on how a sinking amphibious assault vehicle symbolizes the entire Corps

Inside a track, I watched men snap like I’d only seen during torture scenes on film.
taskandpurpose.com taskandpurpose.com

We were often told that when these drop off the big Navy mothership, they sink 12 or 20 or xx feet and then bob back up to the surface. Not sure if that is an old wive's tale but I believed it. We heard that if something were to go wrong, you have split seconds to react before its too late.
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Not an old wives tale at all although the depth might be an exaggeration. I've personally seen them go completely underwater when the we launched them - each one did it and then (thankfully), they bob back up and proceed. It really has to be seen to fully understand the issue. On dry land or in the well deck of a ship, the AAV is quite tall - probably 10 feet or more but then it goes out in the water and almost all of it is underwater - maybe a foot or so is visible when it is waterborne.
 
Dr. Strange Love said:
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Yes pray ... that anything good comes of this, e.g. equipment inspection and maintenance details.

Edit: @USMCGrunt, just watched the YouTuber, and in light of your comments above, are there serious design issues in this newer version .... egress considerations, and does it require inflatable safety pontoons. Something is amiss.
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The newer version that has not been fielded yet?
The article's author has a point of view that runs counter to what I've seen and experienced. The reason that the "top isn't popped" is that it is dangerous in even little waves because any rocking of the LVT can cause the large top hatches of the LVT to slam shut. The first amphibious operation that I participated in began with a rehearsal/practice landing the day before the actual operation and in the rehearsal, the battalion commander (O5) broke all four fingers of one hand when that large hatch slammed shut on it. He was lucky that he didn't lose the fingers which could also have happened.

While you can see the large hatch/ramp at the rear of the LVT, there are also large hatches on top which are the emergency egress for the troops who are riding in back.
 
Turned over with second set today...halfway through evening meal the anchor bell rung and then came the announcement “First Set, dismissed”, catching the Plebes all by surprise. We smartly walked out instantly and then second set marched in to take the detailer oath. Heard it was an eventful evening in Bancroft after that.
 
Oh goodness... I bet the looks on the Plebe’s faces were pretty priceless. Congrats on finishing up first set.
 
Kierkegaard said:
Turned over with second set today...halfway through evening meal the anchor bell rung and then came the announcement “First Set, dismissed”, catching the Plebes all by surprise. We smartly walked out instantly and then second set marched in to take the detailer oath. Heard it was an eventful evening in Bancroft after that.
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BZ!
 
Kierkegaard said:
Turned over with second set today...halfway through evening meal the anchor bell rung and then came the announcement “First Set, dismissed”, catching the Plebes all by surprise. We smartly walked out instantly and then second set marched in to take the detailer oath. Heard it was an eventful evening in Bancroft after that.
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I can't talk like I've "been there," but from what I understand from my own DD, as a detailer, you've worked to give to the class of 24 a treasured thing that was given to you. I have to wonder whether, at 21-22-23-24 yrs, you understand what a rare and noble thing that is. No dig/disrespect intended; you will.

Thank you
 
Kierkegaard said:
Turned over with second set today...halfway through evening meal the anchor bell rung and then came the announcement “First Set, dismissed”, catching the Plebes all by surprise. We smartly walked out instantly and then second set marched in to take the detailer oath. Heard it was an eventful evening in Bancroft after that.
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Glad you did it? What was your favorite memory?
I suspect that you learned a few things about leadership, that may make you want to do more in your Company, after reform?
 
FYI it’s available for viewing on the Dants story. Very cool!!

Were the plebes that missed the Oath, ever administered one? I’ve heard that’s required. I’ve heard it’s “only” ceremonial and not necessary.

I do know that to this mom at least, it’s meaningful. The most meaningful thing to my Older Mid that he has ever done.

I have also wondered how one becomes a detailer. Are the asked? Do they apply? Curious about that process.

Check out the Dants story before it’s gone. Goosebumps!! Maybe it will hit other official social media sights, I did see a videographer in the story.

Congrats to 1st set....good luck to 2nd set. A year to remember, that’s for sure!!
 
Kierkegaard said:
Turned over with second set today...halfway through evening meal the anchor bell rung and then came the announcement “First Set, dismissed”, catching the Plebes all by surprise
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BZ ! Nicely done '21 ...

If there is one good things about this whole COVID thing, it's the opportunity to create these memorable events. Plebe summer has become so scripted that an incoming class has enough information available that they can pretty much predict what's coming next. The book has to be completely rewritten this year.
 
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