Anyone hear about something down at USNA?

"A diamond is a chunk of coal that did really well under pressure." - Henry Kissenger

The pressure will only increase through TBS, a MOS specialty school and finally when you have the responsibility of leading Marines and Sailors.
 
@MiddyB

Could you mind to let me know what ARIs stand for ? Thanks . I am reading this post and
getting really scared now. I have 1 plebe and one just about to coming . Thanks everyone as I am learning much from this forum.
 
@MiddyB

Could you mind to let me know what ARIs stand for ? Thanks . I am reading this post and
getting really scared now. I have 1 plebe and one just about to coming . Thanks everyone as I am learning much from this forum.
Alcoholic Related Incidences
 
Sorry for earlier typo. Alcohol Related Incidences.
 
My advice to those that have come and gone, it's not the same Academy.

Excellent insight Middy B, and thank you for the inside look at the current situation. The truth is, things don't change all that much. While those of us that went before you will naturally think things have gone soft, and USNA is a kindler, gentler place (aka "When I was a Plebe.... the Class of "XX was the last to have a real Plebe Year), there is a lot that doesn't change. As many have said before, the vast majority of the Midshipman are good, hard working, dedicated young men and women, and they will become good leaders in today's Navy. That being said, there have always been those that rebel against the system, go over the wall, drink and get in trouble etc. I never thought of that as a way to cope with stress, but the truth is, many of those guys were, or seemed, a lot less stressed than I was trying to toe the line every day.

I accept the normal , day to day conduct issues , including alcohol offenses, as part of coping with stress or just different levels of maturity, and these are handled with the Midshipman conduct system. Drug offenses are a completely different animal. Even though drugs are prevalent in society, even legal in some states, and I suspect that many of the parents and even candidates have used or experimented, the Navy adopted a "zero tolerance" policy long ago. If my recollection is correct, this policy (and the Golden Flow program) came in the aftermath of a pretty bad flight deck crash and fire. Understanding the background of the policy is important to illustrate why the Navy has the policy -- our sailors and Marines have a dangerous job, it is even more dangerous when impaired, and when incidents occur, it is not just the impaired person who gets killed.
 
I am not, nor have I ever been a Mid, but this situation is not unique to USNA so I will chime in. Several members of the class of 2012 at USCGA were disenrolled for cocaine and marijuana use. For the record, the Coast Guard is THE maritime force in the drug war so the irony here is real. I had several classmates disenrolled for using spice during my 3/c year along with members in the class of 2013. I know of a former JO (also a former cadet) who, not only did illegal drugs (i.e. meth), but manufactured and distributed them to members of the crew of the ship that person was on. That person was sent to Fort Leavenworth. The point is, Middy B and several others are on point in their comments. The Brigade is a subsection of the total United States population, subject to the same positive and negative influences. Admissions does their best to select candidates they believe are academically, physically, and morally capable of leading others in the Navy or Marine Corps. However, there are always going to be people who make poor decisions. The decisions made by those arrested will haunt them for the rest of their lives. They will be held accountable because there is no other alternative. Their behavior, no matter what stress they were under, is inexcusable.

@MiddyB

Could you mind to let me know what ARIs stand for ? Thanks . I am reading this post and
getting really scared now. I have 1 plebe and one just about to coming . Thanks everyone as I am learning much from this forum.

There is no reason to be scared. The actions of a few do not define the many. Your plebe and plebe to be are in good hands. I am sure you have taught them well, trust them to have the sense to choose their friends wisely and when to get away from a potentially negative situation. This type of event happens on college campuses around the nation and to a more severe extent. Unfortunately, your DS or DD cannot be protected from these types of situations but they can be taught how to avoid them. The Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the other services, have been churning out capable officers for years. They know what they are doing.

Edit: For the record, the fact that we are talking about this on this forum is a good thing. Too often, I think parents and candidates walk in to SAs and SMCs with rose colored glasses on. It's important to know that these types of incidents happen and it's important for those of us that have gone through the process to be upfront and honest about it.
 
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I am not, nor have I ever been a Mid, but this situation is not unique to USNA so I will chime in. Several members of the class of 2012 at USCGA were disenrolled for cocaine and marijuana use. For the record, the Coast Guard is THE maritime force in the drug war so the irony here is real. I had several classmates disenrolled for using spice during my 3/c year along with members in the class of 2013. I know of a former JO (also a former cadet) who, not only did illegal drugs (i.e. meth), but manufactured and distributed them to members of the crew of the ship that person was on. That person was sent to Fort Leavenworth. The point is, Middy B and several others are on point in their comments. The Brigade is a subsection of the total United States population, subject to the same positive and negative influences. Admissions does their best to select candidates they believe are academically, physically, and morally capable of leading others in the Navy or Marine Corps. However, there are always going to be people who make poor decisions. The decisions made by those arrested will haunt them for the rest of their lives. They will be held accountable because there is no other alternative. Their behavior, no matter what stress they were under, is inexcusable.

@MiddyB

Could you mind to let me know what ARIs stand for ? Thanks . I am reading this post and
getting really scared now. I have 1 plebe and one just about to coming . Thanks everyone as I am learning much from this forum.

There is no reason to be scared. The actions of a few do not define the many. Your plebe and plebe to be are in good hands. I am sure you have taught them well, trust them to have the sense to choose their friends wisely and when to get away from a potentially negative situation. This type of event happens on college campuses around the nation and to a more severe extent. Unfortunately, your DS or DD cannot be protected from these types of situations but they can be taught how to avoid them. The Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the other services, have been churning out capable officers for years. They know what they are doing.

Edit: For the record, the fact that we are talking about this on this forum is a good thing. Too often, I think parents and candidates walk in to SAs and SMCs with rose colored glasses on. It's important to know that these types of incidents happen and it's important for those of us that have gone through the process to be upfront and honest about it.
Thanks trackandfield08
I am not, nor have I ever been a Mid, but this situation is not unique to USNA so I will chime in. Several members of the class of 2012 at USCGA were disenrolled for cocaine and marijuana use. For the record, the Coast Guard is THE maritime force in the drug war so the irony here is real. I had several classmates disenrolled for using spice during my 3/c year along with members in the class of 2013. I know of a former JO (also a former cadet) who, not only did illegal drugs (i.e. meth), but manufactured and distributed them to members of the crew of the ship that person was on. That person was sent to Fort Leavenworth. The point is, Middy B and several others are on point in their comments. The Brigade is a subsection of the total United States population, subject to the same positive and negative influences. Admissions does their best to select candidates they believe are academically, physically, and morally capable of leading others in the Navy or Marine Corps. However, there are always going to be people who make poor decisions. The decisions made by those arrested will haunt them for the rest of their lives. They will be held accountable because there is no other alternative. Their behavior, no matter what stress they were under, is inexcusable.

@MiddyB

Could you mind to let me know what ARIs stand for ? Thanks . I am reading this post and
getting really scared now. I have 1 plebe and one just about to coming . Thanks everyone as I am learning much from this forum.

There is no reason to be scared. The actions of a few do not define the many. Your plebe and plebe to be are in good hands. I am sure you have taught them well, trust them to have the sense to choose their friends wisely and when to get away from a potentially negative situation. This type of event happens on college campuses around the nation and to a more severe extent. Unfortunately, your DS or DD cannot be protected from these types of situations but they can be taught how to avoid them. The Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the other services, have been churning out capable officers for years. They know what they are doing.

Edit: For the record, the fact that we are talking about this on this forum is a good thing. Too often, I think parents and candidates walk in to SAs and SMCs with rose colored glasses on. It's important to know that these types of incidents happen and it's important for those of us that have gone through the process to be upfront and honest about it.

Thank you @trackandfield08 . That is what I hope and pray for but the dynamic nature of the world we live in right now... is a bit scared to me.
 
Life is an endless education. Some will make smart decisions throughout while some do not.

Agree. There is a lot of stress at USNA . . . there will be even more in the Fleet and beyond. Life doesn't get easier.

I would also say that some people make mistakes . . . others make bad decisions. "Oops moments," while wrong, are sometimes understandable at some level. Drug dealing is a bad decision. Period.
 
Great note 1mom. I'd add that along the way, smart people, good people, people on a path to wisdom can make some really bad decisions.

It seems to me that an 'Operation Golden Flow' will likely net more than one MID with no relationship to it's triggering violations. Some Mids will be going home. I guess it's a good thing that (for many) letting Mom and Dad down will be a primary concern (strong families). That said, If my kid really screwed things up in this kind of way the last thing I'd want her to be thinking about is how disappointed I am. I'd just want to help dust her off, and get her back in the race.
 
Great note 1mom. I'd add that along the way, smart people, good people, people on a path to wisdom can make some really bad decisions.

It seems to me that an 'Operation Golden Flow' will likely net more than one MID with no relationship to it's triggering violations. Some Mids will be going home. I guess it's a good thing that (for many) letting Mom and Dad down will be a primary concern (strong families). That said, If my kid really screwed things up in this kind of way the last thing I'd want her to be thinking about is how disappointed I am. I'd just want to help dust her off, and get her back in the race.
Yeah, and not get arrested and have a felony wrap around her\his damn neck for the rest of her\his life.
 
USNA is one big leadership lab, with round-the-clock testing going on.
Capt MJ I would like your permission to use your quote when I speak with kids and their parents who are interested in becoming Mids. IMHO this sums up the Academy in one sentence.:thumb:
 
USNA is one big leadership lab, with round-the-clock testing going on.
Capt MJ I would like your permission to use your quote when I speak with kids and their parents who are interested in becoming Mids. IMHO this sums up the Academy in one sentence.:thumb:

I've been using the leadership lab analogy for years.... I like the round the clock testing addition. I tell my candidates that USNA is a leadership lab, and you get to see the good, the bad, and the ugly, and ultimately come out with your own style. That is really true about the Navy in general, you never stop observing different leadership styles and learning from them.
 
Capt MJ I would like your permission to use your quote when I speak with kids and their parents who are interested in becoming Mids. IMHO this sums up the Academy in one sentence.:thumb:

The “leadership lab” term has been out there for many years. I think it’s in wide use in ROTC for PMS/PNS sessions with seniors.

I think it’s a great term for the SAs. The testing does go non-stop..
 
AH! Operation Gold Flow. I remember a general once saying that if his plane went down his name would not be mentioned but X amount of GIs would be delayed returning from SEA would be the big story.
 
From the article:

“Midshipmen sources estimated the number of students under investigation to be as high as roughly two-dozen, despite the lower official estimate. “

Would something like this affect the number of appointments for classes in the immediate future? Sorry, I don’t have a lot of empathy for dope dealers. Make way for some better men and women!
 
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