Can USNA ever be fun?

The snowball fight was outstanding.
If that was back in 2010 though, why was everyone wearing woodland camo utilities? I thought that they all had blueberries back then.
 
Skipper07 said:
Even plebe misery is fun in a twisted way if you’re all in.
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Old Enlisted Marine said:
I should point out though he is a bit twisted.
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Kierkegaard said:
People figure out ways to have a little fun wherever they are.
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I disagree with the OP -- becoming a good Naval (and Marine) officer and having fun are not mutually exclusive,
It may not be the same fun as you find at State U , but USNA is what you make of it.
I will admit, I didn't have as much fun as some of my classmates- I worked too hard and took things too seriously. (On the other hand, except for Plebe Year Army week, never had to experience the Early Morning Breakfast Club , aka Restriction Muster).

Temple provides a great list of fun things that separate USNA from State U. I could go on with my list, as well as little things that made USNA fun and special. I do want to point out Skipper and Old Enlisted Marines' common comment -- it helps to have a somewhat twisted sense of humor--things that may be fun and funny at USNA don't always seem to be as cool in the real world. (For example, as Youngsters, we would often spend Friday evening study period playing "Dong Ball" -- kind of a mix basketball, rugby, Wrestling, etc, where the person with the ball had to get in position to "dong" the bell with whatever type of ball we were using that day. Good memories, good camraderie, and great Classmates).

The twisted sense of humor helps in the Fleet too...in fact, it is a common thread through military branches. I was at my barber, an (never say former) enlisted Marine, a while ago and during the course of normal barber shop banter he made some comment that only I understood and laughed at--leading into a discussion of the twisted sense of humor in the military.
 
I wholeheartedly echo all of the above. When I was at USNA, people often asked me that question. I responded that we absolutely had fun, but that our definition of "fun" probably differed from that of most college students. For example, getting swim call on "Hell Night" was totally fun (seriously).

If your idea of fun is going to frat parties, going into town during the week, dating whomever and whenever you want, getting drunk, wearing jeans to class, experimenting with MJ on occasion . . . then a SA isn't going to be your cup of tea.

I don't know that you have to have a twisted sense of humor . . . rather, the notion of "fun" changes based on your circumstances.

I do still vividly recall a mini-reunion of my (albeit small) h.s. class during winter holiday of my plebe year. I listened to what my classmates had done / were doing (taking 12 semester hours and being overwhelmed; going to frat / sorority parties, getting drunk (18 was legal drinking age then)) . . . and just shaking my head at what I'd accomplished in that same time.

I'd learned to sail, qualified in pistol and rifle, was taking 21 credit hours (that's what plebes did at the time), was in great shape, had learned to wear a uniform properly, could do great chow calls :), had learned to march in parades . . . I felt that I had already accomplished so much in such a short time that the things I'd missed paled in comparison.

During 3/C summer cruise, I sailed a 100' double masted yacht in the Caribbean. I remember having lookout watch, sitting at the tip of the bow with my legs dangling between the stanchions and thinking to myself: "I can't believe they're paying me to do this."

Being honest, you do give up certain elements of "fun" when you choose to attend a SA. That's why the SA life definitely isn't for everyone. However, those who stick it out would almost certainly say they would willingly trade their experiences for traditional fun.
 
" I bet if you were stranded on a deserted island you’d figure out ways to entertain yourself"

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Worden Field USNA, March 2021, ROM Status 'Red'

"Type A, demanding meritocracy fun"--- sure. "Type B "You gonna chill today? or go to class Bra?"----not so much,

I also understand that "fun" is occasionally mandatory at the USNA.

Seriously, I've discovered that I have the most fun, the best fun, with the friends I am truly close to; I have 5-10 truly close friends. I'd estimate from DD's calls, comments, letters, and the occasional JO that crashes at the house on his/her journey to points west, that my CL2020 DD has at between 30-50 really close friends and another (meh?) 1000 whose face or name she knows as fellow travelers at USNA between 2015-2020.
I envy DD that; I envy every mid that.

Best:

Winston
 
When my newly appointed DS started this journey I wondered about that too but after looking at hours of videos, thousands of photos, going to 2 Navy football games (they were the visiting team so the Mids travelled to the game), visiting the Yard, and listening to his CVW trip report I can assure you that the Mids have a lot of fun. Yes, even the Plebes during Plebe Summer.
 
To reply to all of you, thanks for the feedback. It gives me great insight into some of the not-so-curated view of the SA's.

I do have an unusual sense of fun regarding what my generation appears to enjoy.

I'm 17, but I can't say I've ever been to a "party". These parties are what I imagine in reality is a bunch of people standing around with badly made cocktails, and a few couples necking in the background. The few party's I do enjoy have been pretty low-key Church parties where everyone just plays billiards and ping-pong (I know right, Billiards in Church?, I am Catholic and these are at my friend's youth groups).

I'd much rather be out and about with a few of my close friends, either just going to Sonic and cracking up about stuff that really isn't that funny, or shooting each other up with paintballs in my yard at 9 at night.

So, I do think I would be compatible with the type of humor and fun with the academy crew, but then again, I wouldn't be disappointed at all if I don't sit down at the end of a day and say "Boy is this fun", because I know I won't. It does seem like in the future though, people are super grateful about their experiences, which is really cool.

Thanks again for the fun stories and memories.
 
Very helpful resource! Thanks for taking the time to make this. Didn't know you were out there but ill be sure to subscribe now. Thanks again!
 
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cbasulto1 said:
No one goes to the Naval Academy to have fun. One goes to be shapen into an officer. This process does not directly require fun activities.

I still however just wondered, as I am going through my application, does anyone have any particular things that they enjoyed at the academy?

I also guess that in the most case, you don't have time for "fun", and each person's definition of enjoyable things varys.

Just wondered what people have to say.'

Thanks
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Follow Mylifeismid on instagram. It's a meme page for the USNA.
 
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