Anyone hear about something down at USNA?

No it won’t impact # of appointments for an incoming class.
 
Appears more than just a few are involved by the latest news reports:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...lsd-cocaine-allegedly-bought-on-dark-web.html

I wouldn't put much stock in the Fox article. The Bancroft Hall Rumor Mill has been running rampant the past few days, and I wouldn't put a lot of trust into midshipman sources.

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!

No. That's not how it works.
 
I wouldn't put much stock in the Fox article. The Bancroft Hall Rumor Mill has been running rampant the past few days, and I wouldn't put a lot of trust into midshipman sources.

And clearly these mids slept through the reform pao briefs. They absolutely should not be talking to the media, whether they think they know what they’re talking about or not.
 
The Fox News article read; "...according to several students who agreed to speak to Fox News only on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media..."

Why is it that those who are not authorized to speak with the Media, always DO?
Come on, follow a simple order.
 
Ugh. All of it. The thing that I wonder about is that, according to this article, the mid ‘ringleaders’ appear to be prior enlisted. Is this stuff a big problem enlisted? I have no clue. Hadn’t thought about DS having to manage this kind of thing as an officer someday.

Also got my first real lesson and understanding of Bitcoin. Wow.
 
19,

Do you mean committing criminal activities? Have you heard of the “Fat Leonard” case? Most are officiers in that investigation and many are USNA grads.

The fact is, USNA and other SAs recruit from all over the country. It could have been a direct appointee or a college reappicant. It is the moral compass error that could have happened to anyone - those who do not have one!
 
Ugh. All of it. The thing that I wonder about is that, according to this article, the mid ‘ringleaders’ appear to be prior enlisted. Is this stuff a big problem enlisted? I have no clue. Hadn’t thought about DS having to manage this kind of thing as an officer someday.

Also got my first real lesson and understanding of Bitcoin. Wow.

If prior enlisted are involved, I believe it “just happened” that way. IMHO, prior enlisted are no more or less inclined to go to the dark side than others. I would bet prior enlisted who are not at all involved with this are not pleased to be associated with the group that may be involved.

Enlisted, same as midshipmen, are drawn from a cross-section of society. Junior officers will see a wide range of the good and bad in human behavior in their Sailors and Marines. The exploits of these folks, both good and bad, form the core of many sea stories shared around the wardroom table.

That said, some prior enlisted who were stellar Marines and Sailors, smart as whips, who never would have considered misconduct back at their unit, arrive at USNA and feel wrong-footed. They are older, some with combat experience, and they are treated the same as 17 year olds just out of HS, and they have had to give up their apartment, car, live-in GF or BF, can’t have a beer even if they are 21, are going through boot camp all over again, and their younger roommates are likely to have been everything in HS they may not have been in terms of achievements. Most have a great sense of humor, get through it and are natural leaders. Some develop a “too cool for school” chip on their shoulder, and engage in petty misconduct, or, sadly, use that leadership ability and brains to do more serious stuff.
 
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That said, some prior enlisted who were stellar Marines and Sailors, smart as whips, who never would have considered misconduct back at their unit, arrive at USNA and feel wrong-footed. They are older, some with combat experience, and they are treated the same as 17 year olds just out of HS, and they have had to give up their apartment, car, live-in GF or BF, can’t have a beer even if they are 21, are going through boot camp all over again, and their younger roommates are likely to have been everything in HS they may not have been in terms of achievements. Most have a great sense of humor, get through it and are natural leaders. Some develop a “too cool for school” chip on their shoulder, and engage in petty misconduct, or, sadly, use that leadership ability and brains to do more serious stuff.
 
Had not even thought about all this. Very interesting points!! DS’s leader during his summer seminar was prior enlisted. He was AMAZING. And had applied a couple times. He hands down had an impact on DS applying: DS really appreciated and respected his leaders desire, commitment, tenacity and ‘ never give up’ attitude. Wanted to be around these similar minded people.

We attend a private catholic school, very successful academically and athletically. It’s always BIG news when someone ‘messes up’. People enjoy seeking others ‘fail’. When actually we are all human beings subject to temptation, free will, the dark side. It happens everywhere. I don’t find this surprising that there are ‘bad eggs’. What I WOULD be surprised about is if it wasn’t dealt with. And it is.
 
I also have to say, having a prior enlisted roommate can be a great thing. At OCS, my prior roommate had all the Navy slang, rack-making science, shoe-shining technology and room inspection secrets down. I helped her when she struggled with engineering, navigation, pull-ups and swimming. Back then, it wasn’t called “EI for extra instruction” or “remedial” if you were assigned extra sessions; it was called Stupid Swim or Stupid Nav. Less kind era.
Sorry for the thread diversion. I have had great experiences with the enlisted military community, and recall many superb prior enlisted from USNA from my tour there. I hate seeing the actions of a few spatter mud on many who are blameless.
 
I get your point, and agree that there are plenty in other officer programs , and non-military that are every bit as good and bright. However, I won't retire the phrase as that should be the objective of all our Officer accession programs, to attract the best and brightest we can get. My point is the system doesn't always work, but it should't take away from all the very good Midshipman, or deter good candidates from applying.

Any word on how many involved ? It's obviously being held pretty close to the vest, as I don't seen any press yet.

The best and the brightest as originally used is not a compliment. It refers to failures in the Vietnam war era introduction for the 20th-anniversary edition of “The Best and the Brightest,” his classic history of the hubristic J.F.K. team that would ultimately mire America in Vietnam. He noted that the book’s title had entered the language, but not quite as he had hoped. “It is often misused,” he wrote, “failing to carry the tone or irony that the original intended.”

Halberstam
 
I also have to say, having a prior enlisted roommate can be a great thing. At OCS, my prior roommate had all the Navy slang, rack-making science, shoe-shining technology and room inspection secrets down. I helped her when she struggled with engineering, navigation, pull-ups and swimming. Back then, it wasn’t called “EI for extra instruction” or “remedial” if you were assigned extra sessions; it was called Stupid Swim or Stupid Nav. Less kind era.
Sorry for the thread diversion. I have had great experiences with the enlisted military community, and recall many superb prior enlisted from USNA from my tour there. I hate seeing the actions of a few spatter mud on many who are blameless.

Best thing to ever happen to my DS was the NCO's during AROTC, especially those just back from Iraq/Afghanistan who thought that B.S. stands for something other than Bachelor of Science.

Same applies today almost 3 yrs later. He is in a unit where Officer/Enlisted relationships are less formal and rank means little.

Signed,

Dad guilty as He|| of pushing DS to much during adolescent years.
 
Ugh. All of it. The thing that I wonder about is that, according to this article, the mid ‘ringleaders’ appear to be prior enlisted. Is this stuff a big problem enlisted? I have no clue. Hadn’t thought about DS having to manage this kind of thing as an officer someday.

Is it a big problem...no, I think the Navy is pretty good at dealing with the drug problem. Does it happen, yes...and more. You can't imagine the types of issues that young officers get to deal with . The use of the term "get" instead of "have" is intentional. I found that the challenge of dealing with the issues that our younger enlisted , and even junior officers, bring us was some of the most rewarding part of serving. In my view, that is one of the things that distinguished a young Navy/USMC officer from the Air Force officers I went through Navigation training with. We had both a flying job, and a ground job, and both were equally important.
 
I also have to say, having a prior enlisted roommate can be a great thing. At OCS, my prior roommate had all the Navy slang, rack-making science, shoe-shining technology and room inspection secrets down. I helped her when she struggled with engineering, navigation, pull-ups and swimming. Back then, it wasn’t called “EI for extra instruction” or “remedial” if you were assigned extra sessions; it was called Stupid Swim or Stupid Nav. Less kind era.
Sorry for the thread diversion. I have had great experiences with the enlisted military community, and recall many superb prior enlisted from USNA from my tour there. I hate seeing the actions of a few spatter mud on many who are blameless.
Initially Plebe summer was mentally challenging for my prior service DD for the reasons you listed. She was a combat vet listening to cadets younger than her tell her about the real Army, some “silly rules” and learn the West Point way. Lost her ability to just be able to do what she wants after duty and had to hand me the keys to her Jeep on R-Day. That one hurt.
But then she saw that the experience was as much about developing the cadets over her as it was developing the cadet candidates. She also had some fantastic cadet leaders when she went to the field phase.
Now her younger room mates love living with her. Upper classmen tend to leave them alone. She complains but seems to have found her place.
 
I get your point, and agree that there are plenty in other officer programs , and non-military that are every bit as good and bright. However, I won't retire the phrase as that should be the objective of all our Officer accession programs, to attract the best and brightest we can get. My point is the system doesn't always work, but it should't take away from all the very good Midshipman, or deter good candidates from applying.

Any word on how many involved ? It's obviously being held pretty close to the vest, as I don't seen any press yet.

The best and the brightest as originally used is not a compliment. It refers to failures in the Vietnam war era introduction for the 20th-anniversary edition of “The Best and the Brightest,” his classic history of the hubristic J.F.K. team that would ultimately mire America in Vietnam. He noted that the book’s title had entered the language, but not quite as he had hoped. “It is often misused,” he wrote, “failing to carry the tone or irony that the original intended.”

Halberstam[/QUOT

Thanks for the "Best and Brightest" tutorial. I am delighted to know that I use the term as originally intended. . . which is usually when my kids do something stupid. They know their communication from Mom will end with #bestandbrightest Just keepin' it real :)
 
Thanks for the "Best and Brightest" tutorial. I am delighted to know that I use the term as originally intended. . . which is usually when my kids do something stupid. They know their communication from Mom will end with #bestandbrightest Just keepin' it real :)
 
Just an FYI on that Fox News article... the author is a USNA grad. Not saying the quotes he used from un-named Mids are accurate as to what is actually going on.
 
DD USNA Graduate wants out. As a Company Commander and Adjutant she wants out with all the crap she has to put up with every day from enlisted. Thank god for a NAPS or prior enlisted at USNA. Her roommate was prior Marine it might not work in the real world
 
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DD USNA Graduate wants out. As a Company Commander and Adjutant she wants out with all the crap she has to put up with every day from enlisted.

Ugh! How many years does she have in with the Corps?
 
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