Anyone hear about something down at USNA?

This all reminds me my Class II for using bad words (maybe the F word), doesn’t seem so bad.
 
Just very sad news, now confirmed. Accountable as they must be for their choices, I nevertheless feel sorry for them and their families. This unfortunate event is also a warning flare to candidates: getting caught for behavior like this has far more serious implications at a SA than compared to conventional college life.
 
At adjudications (conduct hearings) with mids who had a chip on their shoulder, I used to call over to Admissions and get their candidate application essays. You know - the ones that talk about being held to a higher standard, wanting to be a servant leader, lifelong dreams of being an officer, the honor or leading Marines or Sailors in defense of the nation, living by a code of honor, taking the harder path, steering by a moral compass, plus a recitation of their special traits, skills and achievements, etc. I would read these back to the mids and ask where that person went. Then I would usually ask them if they would tell me the same BS reasons for what they did if their mom or dad or the Gunny who convinced them to apply was standing in the room. That’s what I want to do here. (BTW, the chip usually fell off the shoulder and façades cracked.)
In this case, we are talking potential criminal charges and consequences, especially if quantity and dealing are involved. USNA dismissal will be the least of their problems. All the people back home who have rejoiced at their SA journey - cruelly disappointed.
 
Capt MJ said:
I would read these back to the mids and ask where that person went. Then I would usually ask them if they would tell me the same BS reasons for what they did if their mom or dad or the Gunny who convinced them to apply was standing in the room. That’s what I want to do here. (BTW, the chip usually fell off the shoulder and façades cracked.)
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When I was Squadron Legal Officer (as a very junior JO in the P3 Squadron), I observed several good leadership lessons during Captain's Masts...CAPT MJ's approach is spot on, and probably turned a few Midshipmen around.

This one sounds bad...once drugs are involved, there is no turning around. Navy has had zero tolerance for drugs for years. One wonders what is going through the minds of a Midshipman who thinks he/she can get away with it.
 
[QUOTE="Old Navy BGO, post: 592517, member: 14409"
One wonders what is going through the minds of a Midshipman who thinks he/she can get away with it.[/QUOTE]
Indeed sir, it made me wonder as well and to which my wife replied "being smart doesn't make you smart"
 
This is sad. I had heard rumblings from my mid. He also told me he didn’t get it, since they put up a PowerPoint slide that literally says “Navy Drug Policy: ‘No!” Very, very sad.
 
Being from Maryland, I can definitely say there is a serious drug problem around here, as with a lot of other places in the country. Not a lot of people want to address the issue or talk about it, which creates very negative barriers in our communities here. I’ve seen so many people around me and in my community have their lives changed forever from falling into drug habits. It’s such a heartbreaking thing to see anywhere, but it is especially saddening to see in young people with such potential and opportunity to succeed in life. I hope that one day the American people as a whole will be able to take a long and hard look at this issue and work together to figure out ways to overcome this barrier in our society.
 
It’s true. Don’t know if these details are accurate, but NCIS on site. Dogs. Arrests. So very disappointing. Interestingly, I’ve heard much more than my Mid. These details are news to him.
 
Even amongst "America's Finest," (our service academies' cadets) there are those who are not immune to committing crimes. It's a lifestyle that's hard to change.
 
SCMids said:
It’s true. Don’t know if these details are accurate, but NCIS on site. Dogs. Arrests. So very disappointing. Interestingly, I’ve heard much more than my Mid. These details are news to him.
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I asked my mid also when I saw the OP question on this forum. DS says the investigators have been there for the last week or two.
 
Sydney C. said:
FYI....And as in that episode, today they started to test the entire brigade.
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Operation Golden Flow - full unit sweep. Oh my. I do hope additional mids did not make bonehead decisions over the 3-day weekend.

For those unfamiliar with the programs behind drug testing:
https://www.usna.edu/Commandant/Dir...HOL_AND_DRUG_ABUSE_PREVENTION_AND_CONTROL.pdf


The process is done under very prescribed and controlled circumstances, as part of chain-of-custody evidence handling protocol. Specimen bottles are carefully labeled and double-checked in the presence of the testee. Stall doors are open; observers are used. No exceptions for rank. The Services have been doing this process since the 1980’s, and it’s designed to hold up in court.

If others are caught, I think there will be little mercy shown. I truly hope it’s confined to a handful.
 
Sydney C. said:
FYI....And as in that episode, today they started to test the entire brigade.
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Yesterday, they had a random selection of mids be pulled for random urinalysis. That's normal, it just happens every once in awhile. Today, they woke up the whole Brigade at 0500 to test all of us. That's unusual and was undoubtedly caused by the incident being discussed.

I really tried to stay out of this thread, but I will chime in. There were indeed mids arrested for possession of cocaine. From what I understand of the situation, the four youngsters busted were not users, but dealers. Also, apparently it started before their time at the Academy (prep school/Fleet). The question of whether they were selling to other members of the Brigade remains, at the time, unanswered. These actions are, of course, inexcusable and shed a very poor light on the Navy and the Naval Academy.

I want to also say something else since some members of this site are in disbelief as to why mids would throw away so much when they have so much going for them. I'm not just talking about drugs, but conduct trouble, ARIs, suicides (which have been a problem this year), etc. Mids are highly intelligent, but the daily stresses and the general nature of this place can be toxic to ones motivation. I won't air the rough and dirty side of the Academy, but please realize that Mids are under a great deal of stress and deal with things very unique to the Academy and can lead to outwardly negative behavior. Some can handle it just fine, others find a different way to release the tension. My advice to those on the outside, do not judge so harshly. My advice to those wanting to come in, do what you can to prepare your mind, body, and soul. My advice to those that have come and gone, it's not the same Academy.
 
MiddyB, you consistently impress me with your wisdom beyond your years and your coaching support to others (including my Army cadet).

I believe you will make a fine Marine officer.
 
@MiddyB
You make excellent points.

I’d much rather have the unrelenting pressure and stress find the cracks in an indivdual’s character at USNA than in the Fleet or Corps. In many ways, USNA is one big leadership lab, with round-the-clock testing going on.

The system is designed to absorb the losses from people who leave either voluntarily or involuntarily.

As I noted before, the vast majority of mids are good people who generally make the right decisions.
 
MiddyB said:
Yesterday, they had a random selection of mids be pulled for random urinalysis. That's normal, it just happens every once in awhile. Today, they woke up the whole Brigade at 0500 to test all of us. That's unusual and was undoubtedly caused by the incident being discussed.

I really tried to stay out of this thread, but I will chime in. There were indeed mids arrested for possession of cocaine. From what I understand of the situation, the four youngsters busted were not users, but dealers. Also, apparently it started before their time at the Academy (prep school/Fleet). The question of whether they were selling to other members of the Brigade remains, at the time, unanswered. These actions are, of course, inexcusable and shed a very poor light on the Navy and the Naval Academy.

I want to also say something else since some members of this site are in disbelief as to why mids would throw away so much when they have so much going for them. I'm not just talking about drugs, but conduct trouble, ARIs, suicides (which have been a problem this year), etc. Mids are highly intelligent, but the daily stresses and the general nature of this place can be toxic to ones motivation. I won't air the rough and dirty side of the Academy, but please realize that Mids are under a great deal of stress and deal with things very unique to the Academy and can lead to outwardly negative behavior. Some can handle it just fine, others find a different way to release the tension. My advice to those on the outside, do not judge so harshly. My advice to those wanting to come in, do what you can to prepare your mind, body, and soul. My advice to those that have come and gone, it's not the same Academy.
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Very well said - excellent insights.
 
MiddyB said:
I want to also say something else since some members of this site are in disbelief as to why mids would throw away so much when they have so much going for them. I'm not just talking about drugs, but conduct trouble, ARIs, suicides (which have been a problem this year), etc. Mids are highly intelligent, but the daily stresses and the general nature of this place can be toxic to ones motivation.
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That was me and I guess I didn't factor in the stresses but just looked at it as bad choices. Thanks for shedding some internal light on the subject.
 
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