2 for 7 for '25

I sent DS a text this morning “Can I bribe you one last time” - 😅 and he quickly replied - NOPE!

I am happy that he is happy in his element ❤️

He said line for haircut today was loooooong…his Company signing is soon! ⚓️ 🇺🇸
 
It is only the second round of the beginning. Accept Appointment, then Two for Seven, then Service Selection (SWO, MARINE, AIR etc.). Then specialty. It does go on. But it all works out.
 
20 rising second class dropping is a relatively nominal figure. Less than 2%.
 
Our year was like Old Swo’s. One of my company mates didn’t attend class for 2-3 days trying to make his decision. Ironically, he stayed in for 30 years and retired as an O-6. I think the reason for the formality today is that people challenged their commitment because they didn’t sign anything.
 
A musical interlude in recognition of Class of 2025’s commitment to serve. The U.S. Navy Band does wonderful outdoor concerts all summer long in DC. This video is from a recent one. Great video montage!

 
IronmanDaremo said:
I would imagine SWO select is rarely ever declined (unless the kid has shown specific aptitude that would attract/place him as subs). Congrats on his next big step! 2/7 is a bigger "ceremonial" deal than it used to be.
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One of the biggest myths is that some midshipmen are forced to go into submarines. The word often used is "voluntold." In every case, those midshipmen have submarines somewhere on their preference list. Even if it's their last choice, it's still one of their choices. The problem is that the midshipmen are forced to place so many selections on their list (I think the number is SIX) that it's almost impossible not to place submarines on that list.

The submarine force has always maintained that all the members have voluntarily elected to serve on submarines. Who wants an Engineering Officer on a submarine to not want to be there? I'm convinced that if a midshipman does not buckle to the pressure and adamantly expresses that he/she does not want to serve on a submarine - they will probably pass him/her by and look for somebody who does buckle to the pressure. Those who are voluntold usually agreed at some point - even if they never fully admit that they agreed.
 
You know...I'm an air force guy...33 years. In that time, I spent over a week on a "flat top" and three days on a "boat." Part of my "other service appreciation training."

The one that impressed me the most was the "boat." Yes, a submarine. I was amazed at the camaraderie that existed in a service that I thought was extremely biased regarding enlisted/officers. What I found was a total team...yes, there were definite delineations of "rank/position" but...it was a TEAM environment. I got on for a "family" cruise...the WEPS officer was one of my closest friends from high school. When the CO/XO learned I was an AF fighter pilot with TS/SCI/***** (we won't go there) clearances...I had the "privilege" of the wardroom at all hours. And they taught me a ton. Did they ever tell me things they shouldn't have? I honestly don't know. I learned a lot. The image "mind blown" comes to mind.

What I really learned though was the amount of knowledge required to EARN your dolphins was just staggering. The men/women that choose that field...it's a TOUGH field...but one filled with an incredible amount of PRIDE. When you see dolphins on a navy member's uniform...know they've met a standard that is TOUGH...I'm glad in my AF career I didn't have to meet such a standard to fly...

Pretty impressive folks those "silent service" types.
 
flieger83 said:
What I really learned though was the amount of knowledge required to EARN your dolphins was just staggering. The men/women that choose that field...it's a TOUGH field...but one filled with an incredible amount of PRIDE. When you see dolphins on a navy member's uniform...know they've met a standard that is TOUGH...I'm glad in my AF career I didn't have to meet such a standard to fly...
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Sub Dolphins for an officer is much more difficult than the SWO qual and that is really saying something.

While I was on my second ship, our ship's doctor (USNA grad) decided that he wanted to qualify OOD and earn his SWO qual during his spare time. I worked with him on much of it, especially the Celestial Nav and shiphandling stuff which he did very well at but still took a long time. After completing the SWO qual, he remarked that the amount of knowledge required was greater than what he needed to pass his medical boards especially the very wide variety of subject areas involved. From other friends, I know that he said this among other doctors, both military and civilian.

And the Sub Qual is MORE/HARDER than what he was discussing.
 
Capt MJ said:
A musical interlude in recognition of Class of 2025’s commitment to serve. The U.S. Navy Band does wonderful outdoor concerts all summer long in DC. This video is from a recent one. Great video montage!

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Thank you for the post Capt MJ, that was fantastic and a reminder to catch the US Navy Band when I'm up north. I also would like to thank you for your advice and guidance regarding my DS's appointment when he was one of the last to be added to 2025. He has absolutely loved his time at the academy and carried out the 2 for 7 signing last week! 🥳
 
MommaJ said:
Thank you for the post Capt MJ, that was fantastic and a reminder to catch the US Navy Band when I'm up north. I also would like to thank you for your advice and guidance regarding my DS's appointment when he was one of the last to be added to 2025. He has absolutely loved his time at the academy and carried out the 2 for 7 signing last week! 🥳
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Appreciate your kind words!
 
Off Topic: All the wonderful people and contributors on this site give me hope. I vividly remember my daughter's. two for seven and thinking about how proud her Grandfathers, WWII veterans, would be if they could be there and then down the road for Her Commissioning and My Son Commissioningo on the USS Constitution .
 
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OldRetSWO said:
And your experience is FAR more formal/organized than what my class and those who served in my era experienced. There was really no "Two for Seven" recognition AT ALL. We all knew that (by law) the actual obligation was set when we attended our first class of our Second Class Year.
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NavyHoops said:
Maybe we got a Steerage Pizza?
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Back in '83 (for class of 85) same as OldRetSWO -- no big deal. I don't recall signing anything.We did have a party in Dahlgreen Hall, complete with large (1L) beer mugs with "2 for 7" and Class Crest. I think its still down in the basement somewhere...
 
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