A "Tradition"?

Class of 2017 had no pillowfight.

I'm glad they didn't.

At which point does it cross an individual's mind that striking someone else with a hard object is a good thing? You can say, "There's just 18" and all that crap, but with what these "leaders" have already invested in their own careers, it's insane to think any of this was a "good idea."
 
A lot of fluff there in that article...but honestly I am surprised the incident has not gotten more attention than it has (maybe it has in the local area). I assure you I am not a hater, far from it. But this is suppose to be the premiere Army institute in the nation. I know young folks will be young folks but this looks really bad IMHO when cadets stuff articles in pillow cases to intentionally inflict injury. I understand all will not make it through the system but this is suppose to be the cream of the crop of young people in the nation, at least as "The point" would want us to see it. It really brings up a lot of issues and questions in IMHO, but yes folks make mistakes. I assure you I have and I know for a fact my young DS did/has made mistakes but I hope he or I never chose to intentionally inflict injury or harm to a brother or sister. And if this is true that is what some choose to do...it is ludicrous. But I am just a less than humble, never military (thanks to those that served), tax payer!!! Bottom line, this could have been a lot more serious... a lot more... the potential seemed to be there.

In closing I would like to say, where my DS came from there is a Code of Honor, as I am sure there is at WP, and every plebe would be called in and asked if he was involved in the ill play (probably happening at WP I am sure) and if things did not add up, as in caught in a lie, well you know. If he/she admits to the wrong well deal with it in an appropriate manner as the school sees fit, as a bad decision.

Sorry for the ramble....
 
Cluelessparent said:
...but honestly I am surprised the incident has not gotten more attention than it has...
Click to expand...

This was on every major news outlet, the Today Show, all major network evening news broadcasts...so not sure what other attention you speak of. Also you are not getting it...a few people put something in their pillows...my son guesses less than 5, but obviously no one knows. The majority of injuries (concussions, blood drawn on face) were helmet related. Some were chariot incidents (crashed laundry carts). West Point is still the "premiere military academy." Nothing has changed. What makes this year's event different than ones in the past is that (most likely) some upset parent contacted the media and it blew up. Also, the protocol for checking injuries and concussions is different now, so there's no way to compare injuries with previous years. Social media has blown this way out of proportion. The vast majority of the cadets are just as honorable as cluelessparent's DS...but the reality is they are still kids and will not always behave like the paragons of honor that everyone expects them to be. As soon as everyone takes SA students off the pedestal they have them on and views them through a lens of reality, the better able they will be to see the academy in its true light: a place to train the leaders of tomorrow.

Two more piece of advice and I'm done ranting:
1. lighten up
2. ground the helicopters
 
mom3boys said:
Cluelessparent said:
...but honestly I am surprised the incident has not gotten more attention than it has...
Click to expand...

This was on every major news outlet, the Today Show, all major network evening news broadcasts...so not sure what other attention you speak of. Also you are not getting it...a few people put something in their pillows...my son guesses less than 5, but obviously no one knows. The majority of injuries (concussions, blood drawn on face) were helmet related. Some were chariot incidents (crashed laundry carts). West Point is still the "premiere military academy." Nothing has changed. What makes this year's event different than ones in the past is that (most likely) some upset parent contacted the media and it blew up. Also, the protocol for checking injuries and concussions is different now, so there's no way to compare injuries with previous years. Social media has blown this way out of proportion. The vast majority of the cadets are just as honorable as cluelessparent's DS...but the reality is they are still kids and will not always behave like the paragons of honor that everyone expects them to be. As soon as everyone takes SA students off the pedestal they have them on and views them through a lens of reality, the better able they will be to see the academy in its true light: a place to train the leaders of tomorrow.

Two more piece of advice and I'm done ranting:
1. lighten up
2. ground the helicopters
Click to expand...

Well you might add a 3rd:

3.) Leaders need to actually lead.

Given that this type of thing has happened in the past one might think that leadership would see 3 feet past the nose on their face and realize that as you say "they are still kids and will not always behave like the paragons of honor that everyone expects them to be," and therefore make it crystal clear that such infractions would have significant and meaningful consequences.

No way around the fact that this is a failure of leadership, in addition to a failure to display good judgment on the part for a select few cadets.
 
Cluelessparent said:
But this is suppose to be the premiere Army institute in the nation. I know young folks will be young folks but this looks really bad IMHO when cadets stuff articles in pillow cases to intentionally inflict injury. I understand all will not make it through the system but this is suppose to be the cream of the crop of young people in the nation, at least as "The point" would want us to see it.
Click to expand...

If you can point me to a perfect institution, I will agree with you. I would say, on average, West Point is a premiere institution in the country. There are always outliers - I had some classmates that made me wonder how did they get into West Point (some might have same thougths about me :), some classmates they didn't do well at West Point or in the Army, and at least one for committed very serious crime and will be spending rest of his or her life in jail. But what I just mentioned, you will find it at any other premiere institutions in the nation. General Petreaus is a good example. Afterall he is a human being as he things he shouldn't have done. So, if you take a step back and see all the good things happening at West Point or good things West Point graduates have accomplished, your faith should be restored.
 
Kanye's Dad's Sock Puppet said:
"they are still kids and will not always behave like the paragons of honor that everyone expects them to be," and therefore make it crystal clear that such infractions would have significant and meaningful consequences.
Click to expand...
Exactly! Cadets need to know loading of pillows will not be tolerated. Period. This wasn't the first time it happened. Just as there are cadet leaders that "jokingly" encourage the drawing of blood, there have been also cadet leaders that have encouraged cadets not to participate in the fun event stating it like russian roulette...you never know if the pillow coming at you is more than a pillow. Leadership needs to crack down on the loading offenders is what I am hearing most often from people. No one seems to outraged by the pillow fight itself but the outrage comes from the outliers that load pillows.
mom3boys said:
Also, the protocol for checking injuries and concussions is different now, so there's no way to compare injuries with previous years.
Click to expand...
Yes, would be very interesting to be able to compare injury rates from past years. Concussion rate seemed abnormally high this year but who knows...previous years could have had just as many or more. I find that a bit alarming to think about.
 
mom3boys said:
Here is the best response I've read to date about the pillow fight: http://annebet.com/2015/09/09/pillow-fights-and-other-failures/
Click to expand...

"...I’m confident punishment will be effective."

Maybe she could tell us what punishment would be effective. I can tell her what the punishment would be in the real world.


This timing of this whole affair is interesting to me since I just began reading Where Men Find Glory. Everyone knows the story of Pat Tillman, the NFL football star who gave it up to enlist in the Army. Most do not know that he brutally assaulted a kid in high school. One could say that his punishment for pleading guilty to felony assault--30 days in jail and no effect on his ASU football scholarship--did not fit the crime of literally kicking the kid's teeth in.

Unfortunately, most adolescents who are indulged and receive preferential treatment learn nothing from their mistakes.
 
No helicopters to ground here.... I am way over the weight limit... maybe a tank :)

If I did, my intentions was not to make it sound like my DS is any more honorable than any of yours, I assure you he has made plenty mistakes and still is and will make more. along with I. I think some call it learning, if you do indeed learn form the mistakes. All I was trying to say is, I hope reason would have won out if he decided to load a pillow. Honestly I am not sure, I was not there and do not know the circumstances but my point was if confronted, I am sure if he did load one, he would say I did...

This one I agree with: Notice "A" not "THE"...I am sure they. SA, SMC, Non SMC ROTC all have points to offer.

MemberLG said:
If you can point me to a perfect institution, I will agree with you. I would say, on average, West Point is a premiere institution in the country.
Click to expand...

I saw it on news media but thought it was played down... In today's PC world I was surprised it was played down so low key..... not necessarily a bad thing.

mom3boys said:
This was on every major news outlet, the Today Show, all major network evening news broadcasts...so not sure what other attention you speak of. Also you are not getting it...a few people put something in their pillows...my son guesses less than 5, but obviously no one knows.
Click to expand...

This one: Weellll if you say so :) Obviously you have an investment ;) Just kidding mom.... I just pulled the tanks into the dock... Is that a correct phrase tanks into the dock, remember that weight limit :) Good luck to all.

mom3boys said:
West Point is still the "premiere military academy." Nothing has changed.
Click to expand...

In closing... it takes a youth of great desire, morals, ethics and character to even attempt to travel the road of a SA, SMC, or ROTC program and want to serve their country. And I am sure most posses these characters or they would not be there. Thanks to all who have strive to produce this quality of individual/DD or DS in a waning world. And good luck to all.... God Bless!

Oh, I am taking my pillow with me as I leave LOL ;)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top