Class of 2014 crest unveiled

We are the first class to have Roman numerals on the crest (so we were told when we were making it).

Initially, when we were in the process of creating it there was some resistance to the whole Roman numeral thing and we thought that the BTO wouldn't approve it. Thankfully though, everything ended up working out and it got approved.

Those of us who were on the committee were curious to see what the reaction of our classmates would be to the crest and I'm happy to say that the reaction was much better than we anticipated. A lot of 2014 Cadets told us they love it, so it was definitely a huge success.
 
TheKnight said:
Initially, when we were in the process of creating it there was some resistance to the whole Roman numeral thing and we thought that the BTO wouldn't approve it.
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Our original design initially had Roman numerals but I think it didn't get approved.
 
America's Finest said:
Our original design initially had Roman numerals but I think it didn't get approved.
Click to expand...

I'm almost certain it had to do with the change of BTO. The whole process was going while McKearn was transitioning out.
 
I think the crest is kind of boring :frown: I understand that the shield and wreath is kind of a throwback to older crest designs but there's no originality to it. Except the roman numerals. The meaning of which seemed...awkward? To represent modeling ourselves after the ancient Roman military? :confused::confused: I was also kind of bothered by the fact that our president exclaimed it only took the committee two hours to finish the design...maybe they were running on a tight schedule, I dont know, but he made it sound like the job was rushed

Only part I really dislike is the very bottom of the crest...what the heck is that v-shaped gold thing?
 
Chockstock said:
I think the crest is kind of boring :frown: I understand that the shield and wreath is kind of a throwback to older crest designs but there's no originality to it. Except the roman numerals. The meaning of which seemed...awkward? To represent modeling ourselves after the ancient Roman military? :confused::confused: I was also kind of bothered by the fact that our president exclaimed it only took the committee two hours to finish the design...maybe they were running on a tight schedule, I dont know, but he made it sound like the job was rushed

Only part I really dislike is the very bottom of the crest...what the heck is that v-shaped gold thing?
Click to expand...

There isn't all that much room for originality. When we first met to go over the design, we were told "OK so, here's what you must have on the Crest...and well there's not really much else you can have on there."

Each year what gets on the Crest is really dependent on what gets approved, and that's more a matter of who it is that is doing the approving and who it is that is fighting on our behalf (this year it was MAJ Pickler).

As far as the two hours thing, well, it took one two hour meeting to get the basic design, but we met multiple times to go over it. There were like 6 or 7 versions of the Crest. Even the Reg reps didn't get to see this final design until the actual dinner. In fact, the final design is somewhat different than the "final" version we all got emailed.

As far as Roman numerals, well our choices were Roman numerals or Arabic numerals (which are the numerals we use on a daily basis). Seeing as how the Roman military had a powerful Officer corps we felt the Roman numerals would be more relevant. I mean, we (Firsties anyways) wear red sashes because in military forces world-wide the sash is a sign of officership. In fact, US military Officers wore red silk sashes up until we stopped fighting wars in dress uniforms. So we figured: "Well here at West Point we (Firsties anyways) carry sabers and we wear red sashes to honor that tradition (which apparently started with the Romans). Why not go with Roman numerals?"

Not to mention that the Committee almost unnanimously felt that the Roman numerals looked cooler than "2014" would have looked.

As far as the V thing at the bottom, I honestly don't know what that is because it wasn't on the version that I had before the unveiling. Either way, when it's on our rings it won't really be a problem because that part will probably blend into the ring.
 
TheKnight said:
There isn't all that much room for originality. When we first met to go over the design, we were told "OK so, here's what you must have on the Crest...and well there's not really much else you can have on there."

Each year what gets on the Crest is really dependent on what gets approved, and that's more a matter of who it is that is doing the approving and who it is that is fighting on our behalf (this year it was MAJ Pickler).

As far as the two hours thing, well, it took one two hour meeting to get the basic design, but we met multiple times to go over it. There were like 6 or 7 versions of the Crest. Even the Reg reps didn't get to see this final design until the actual dinner. In fact, the final design is somewhat different than the "final" version we all got emailed.

As far as Roman numerals, well our choices were Roman numerals or Arabic numerals (which are the numerals we use on a daily basis). Seeing as how the Roman military had a powerful Officer corps we felt the Roman numerals would be more relevant. I mean, we (Firsties anyways) wear red sashes because in military forces world-wide the sash is a sign of officership. In fact, US military Officers wore red silk sashes up until we stopped fighting wars in dress uniforms. So we figured: "Well here at West Point we (Firsties anyways) carry sabers and we wear red sashes to honor that tradition (which apparently started with the Romans). Why not go with Roman numerals?"

Not to mention that the Committee almost unnanimously felt that the Roman numerals looked cooler than "2014" would have looked.

As far as the V thing at the bottom, I honestly don't know what that is because it wasn't on the version that I had before the unveiling. Either way, when it's on our rings it won't really be a problem because that part will probably blend into the ring.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised you guys only took two hours to make yours...we had an entire crest committee working on our design all of last semester (the crest plaque was unveiled at our formal) and the class council had us submit surveys for what we wanted on our crest as a class. It shows some differences in how both of our classes worked as a class, I suppose.

I'm really happy with my crest, and if you're happy with yours that's all that matters, right?
 
I think it's excellent!

And I can "echo" at least from a "rival" school, the difficulty in originality. USAFA has about 6 mandatory items that must be in the crest...that leaves not a lot of room for "originality."

And yet we ALL seem to do well!

I like the "simplicity" of the design...its focus is the CLASS: the statement and the XIV...with the national service connection of the eagle and flag. And then the "past and present" I'm "assuming" is a double-hit with the cadet sabre and the cavalry/officers sabre from the past/present.

Nope...I like it! :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
Class of '83 Ring Committee Chairman
 
flieger83 said:
I think it's excellent!

And I can "echo" at least from a "rival" school, the difficulty in originality. USAFA has about 6 mandatory items that must be in the crest...that leaves not a lot of room for "originality."

And yet we ALL seem to do well!

I like the "simplicity" of the design...its focus is the CLASS: the statement and the XIV...with the national service connection of the eagle and flag. And then the "past and present" I'm "assuming" is a double-hit with the cadet sabre and the cavalry/officers sabre from the past/present.

Nope...I like it! :thumb:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
Class of '83 Ring Committee Chairman
Click to expand...

Interesting...what do you guys have to have on your crests that's required? I think the only things were had to have were "USCGA" and 2014.
 
TheKnight said:
There isn't all that much room for originality. When we first met to go over the design, we were told "OK so, here's what you must have on the Crest...and well there's not really much else you can have on there."

Each year what gets on the Crest is really dependent on what gets approved, and that's more a matter of who it is that is doing the approving and who it is that is fighting on our behalf (this year it was MAJ Pickler).

As far as the two hours thing, well, it took one two hour meeting to get the basic design, but we met multiple times to go over it. There were like 6 or 7 versions of the Crest. Even the Reg reps didn't get to see this final design until the actual dinner. In fact, the final design is somewhat different than the "final" version we all got emailed.

As far as Roman numerals, well our choices were Roman numerals or Arabic numerals (which are the numerals we use on a daily basis). Seeing as how the Roman military had a powerful Officer corps we felt the Roman numerals would be more relevant. I mean, we (Firsties anyways) wear red sashes because in military forces world-wide the sash is a sign of officership. In fact, US military Officers wore red silk sashes up until we stopped fighting wars in dress uniforms. So we figured: "Well here at West Point we (Firsties anyways) carry sabers and we wear red sashes to honor that tradition (which apparently started with the Romans). Why not go with Roman numerals?"

Not to mention that the Committee almost unnanimously felt that the Roman numerals looked cooler than "2014" would have looked.

As far as the V thing at the bottom, I honestly don't know what that is because it wasn't on the version that I had before the unveiling. Either way, when it's on our rings it won't really be a problem because that part will probably blend into the ring.
Click to expand...

You know what, I've decided that I actually like our crest. And it IS original, scratch what I said - its obviously a throwback to the past (I even called it that), not a lack of originality. Its still boring too, but I like it that way, if that makes any sense. Nothing extra or anything too fancy or extravagant...besides, it could've been worse, like our motto (which I was skeptical of too, until later on). Clean and simple. Yes, I was aware of the 4 or 5 items that were mandatory...if you were a company rep (I assume you were), I have to say, great job and thanks for the hard work :thumb:. Besides the "meaning" of the roman numerals (which I'm still having trouble feeling), and that mysterious gold v-bar, I agree it looks fresh compared to '2014'. I have to say..crest makes me proud!
 
SamAca10 said:
Interesting...what do you guys have to have on your crests that's required? I think the only things were had to have were "USCGA" and 2014.
Click to expand...

We had to have the officer saber, the cadet saber, and the eagle. Plus (I don't remember whether it was officially required or not), every crest is essentially guaranteed to say "USMA" and the class year.
 
lotrjedi13 said:
We had to have the officer saber, the cadet saber, and the eagle. Plus (I don't remember whether it was officially required or not), every crest is essentially guaranteed to say "USMA" and the class year.
Click to expand...

Don't forget the class motto. :wink:
 
SamAca10 said:
I'm surprised you guys only took two hours to make yours...we had an entire crest committee working on our design all of last semester (the crest plaque was unveiled at our formal) and the class council had us submit surveys for what we wanted on our crest as a class. It shows some differences in how both of our classes worked as a class, I suppose.

I'm really happy with my crest, and if you're happy with yours that's all that matters, right?
Click to expand...

We only had one formal two-hour meeting, but we met about 22-30 times throughout the semester to go over the initial design, the revisions, etc.

Chockstock said:
You know what, I've decided that I actually like our crest. And it IS original, scratch what I said - its obviously a throwback to the past (I even called it that), not a lack of originality. Its still boring too, but I like it that way, if that makes any sense. Nothing extra or anything too fancy or extravagant...besides, it could've been worse, like our motto (which I was skeptical of too, until later on). Clean and simple. Yes, I was aware of the 4 or 5 items that were mandatory...if you were a company rep (I assume you were), I have to say, great job and thanks for the hard work :thumb:. Besides the "meaning" of the roman numerals (which I'm still having trouble feeling), and that mysterious gold v-bar, I agree it looks fresh compared to '2014'. I have to say..crest makes me proud!
Click to expand...

! I'm glad you like it!

Like I said earlier in the thread, we got a much better reaction than we expected.

Also: I was a Reg Rep (4th REG baby).

lotrjedi13 said:
We had to have the officer saber, the cadet saber, and the eagle. Plus (I don't remember whether it was officially required or not), every crest is essentially guaranteed to say "USMA" and the class year.
Click to expand...

It had to say USMA. One of the first designs didn't have USMA on it, but didn't get approved.
 
Chockstock said:
You know what, I've decided that I actually like our crest. And it IS original, scratch what I said - its obviously a throwback to the past (I even called it that), not a lack of originality. Its still boring too, but I like it that way, if that makes any sense. Nothing extra or anything too fancy or extravagant...besides, it could've been worse, like our motto (which I was skeptical of too, until later on). Clean and simple. Yes, I was aware of the 4 or 5 items that were mandatory...if you were a company rep (I assume you were), I have to say, great job and thanks for the hard work :thumb:. Besides the "meaning" of the roman numerals (which I'm still having trouble feeling), and that mysterious gold v-bar, I agree it looks fresh compared to '2014'. I have to say..crest makes me proud!
Click to expand...

How it looks on the ring is very important too.
 
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