Class of 2014

MomoftheMagik

5-Year Member
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Feb 5, 2010
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403
Back from PPW and couldn't wait to post what we heard about our Class of 2014!

  • 2nd lowest rate of attrition on record
  • The lowest illness/injury reporting rate since record keeping began

This is one tough, motivated group of young men and women, and we are very proud of them!

Thank you to the detailers and all whom have had a hand in leading them during the past weeks. Go Class of 2014! Go Navy!
 
Glad that you enjoyed PPW. Not to blow your image of the Class of 2014 but having the lowest attrition rate may be look upon as "great" by some of the administration and of course the Parents but not so much by the Mids, especially the firsties and second class. The Detailers have been very frustrated by the lack of training methods they were allowed to use. Yes for all of us Academy Grads ours will always be the last real Plebe Summer but I am not sure the lighter softer approach is doing anyone any good. JMO
 
I see why they didn't leave. They were all standing and giggling, asking detailers what comes next. Seems soft. I've heard some good things though. Lets see how they perform as AC year plebes now.
 
Back from PPW and couldn't wait to post what we heard about our Class of 2014!

  • 2nd lowest rate of attrition on record
  • The lowest illness/injury reporting rate since record keeping began

This is one tough, motivated group of young men and women, and we are very proud of them!

Thank you to the detailers and all whom have had a hand in leading them during the past weeks. Go Class of 2014! Go Navy!

You have every right to be proud. Any parent should be proud of their midshipman's accomplishments.

However, not to rain on your parade but, but I think these statistics are more of a reflection of recent academy policy changes than the particular grit of the Class.

As far as record-breaking low attrition is concerned, don't you find it odd that the Class of 2014 was only superseded by the Class of 2013? And I'll bet the Class of 2012 is in contention, as well. I would venture a guess that had 2013 experienced the blistering heat that 2014 experienced during their Plebe Summer, there would have been a reversal in those standings. I don't think the Class of 2013 even knows what a "black flag" is.

Plebe Summer (and Plebe Year, for that matter) is no longer seen as a "weeding out" process (as has been in the past) so much as it is an "educating process." There's no doubt about it, the Naval Academy has turned into a "kinder and gentler" place than in the past. That may be a good thing - I don't know.

Further, the academy has been systematically eliminating certain evolutions that have proven themselves to be "injury causers." That's probably a good thing and it seems to be manifesting itself. For instance, the Class of 2013's Sea Trials had certain events removed/altered in an attempt to reduce injuries. This philosophy was taken to extremes when they became the first class in a VERY long time to "climb" an ungreased Herndon - ostensibly to, again, reduce the number of injuries.

Don't fool yourself into thinking that the Class of 2014 is, somehow, tougher and more determined than previous academy classes simply because they have had record-breaking low attrition. Maybe ... may be not. In fact, I'd say ... probably not.

I will say this, however. I think the academy is getting better at educating candidates at what they are getting into when they accept an appointment. I think technology has a lot to do with that - the internet, in particular.

In years past, there were always some midshipmen who showed up for I-Day not fully understanding the "adventure" they had signed-up for. They became disillusioned very quickly and would sometimes quit as a result.

Congratulations to the Class of 2014!

Go Navy, Beat Maryland!
 
Glad that you enjoyed PPW. Not to blow your image of the Class of 2014 but having the lowest attrition rate may be look upon as "great" by some of the administration and of course the Parents but not so much by the Mids, especially the firsties and second class. The Detailers have been very frustrated by the lack of training methods they were allowed to use. Yes for all of us Academy Grads ours will always be the last real Plebe Summer but I am not sure the lighter softer approach is doing anyone any good. JMO

You are exactly correct!

After Sea Trials, while assembled on Rip Miller Field, VADM Fowler announced that the Class of 2013 had the lowest overall attrition in academy history and that they were "no longer Plebes." They do not wear that as a badge of honor, I assure you. Secondly, they would have preferred to stay Plebes until they successfully conquered Herndon - just like all the classes before them. They did not want any "special treatment."

The classes' accomplishments may have been an impressive bullet on VADM Fowler's resume ... but not the Class of 2013's.

Nobody wants "participation" ribbons.
 
You are exactly correct!

After Sea Trials, while assembled on Rip Miller Field, VADM Fowler announced that the Class of 2013 had the lowest overall attrition in academy history and that they were "no longer Plebes." They do not wear that as a badge of honor, I assure you. Secondly, they would have preferred to stay Plebes until they successfully conquered Herndon - just like all the classes before them. They did not want any "special treatment."

The classes' accomplishments may have been an impressive bullet on VADM Fowler's resume ... but not the Class of 2013's.

Nobody wants "participation" ribbons.

I don't know, I was pretty proud of it. Meant that I no longer had to buddy-carry your son around.
 
My now youngster son would agree. Herndon's lack of grease hurt the class more than any injury. This summer's Plebe class has had the most Black Flag days ever, and according to Youngster Son, the detailers were not allowed to substitute inside activities ... not even swimming activities ...

All Congratualtions to those who finished Plebe Summer ... it's a true accomplishment ... the "fun" continues all year ... hopefully the Class of 2014 will actually have an end of year Herndon Event (and not be gyped like 2013)

Youngster son says there is no greater feeling than seeing the new plebes come in and to, finally, no longer be at the absolute bottom of the totem pole ... !
 
Youngster son says there is no greater feeling than seeing the new plebes come in and to, finally, no longer be at the absolute bottom of the totem pole ... !

I think the academy is currently running on a little Fowler momentum. I'm guessing things are going to change with the new administration. At least, I'm hoping they will. I don't think I'm alone in that sentiment.

You're right - there's something about laying your eyes on a sweaty Plebe, running around in that dorky Plebe outfit (complete with that dorky "dixie cup") that makes you finally realize, "I'm not a Plebe anymore."
 
Very concerned about the trend with respect to physical capacity for the midshipman. Heard that around 30 % could not even finish 'O' course much less put up a respectable time ?? Same for the E course. How did they even pass the CFA? What about the PRT to come?
Is this the new politically correct Academy which I was hoping existed only on these blogs?
 
Man, I don't know how to take all this info. I've been working on getting accepted for 2 and a half years. I don't want to get there and be disappointed by mediocrity. That would defeat the whole desire of wanting to attend. Anyone have any thoughts?
 
Thought: Go somewhere else.

If you have enough time while at the academy to worry about the mediocre people around you, then chances are good that you aren't challenging yourself enough. Play a varsity sport, join some club that thinks constant PT is fun, try to beat everyone in Madden 2011, or major in Chemistry or Aeronautical Engineering. Plebe summer is easy, it gets harder.
 
Man, I don't know how to take all this info. I've been working on getting accepted for 2 and a half years. I don't want to get there and be disappointed by mediocrity. That would defeat the whole desire of wanting to attend. Anyone have any thoughts?

You can mostly ignore the cynical comments of academy grads (like myself) and current midshipmen - because we tend to be a cynical lot. If you buy us a beer (which you can't) we'd tell you that it's a great school. If we had it to do all over again - we would - even under today's conditions. We're just venting. :smile:

Plus, there is a very strong "Back In My Day" Syndrome.
 
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I don't want to get there and be disappointed by mediocrity.
How about being the type of leader that improves the quality of those around him instead of hoping their mediocrity doesn't disappoint him.
 
Thought: Go somewhere else.

If you have enough time while at the academy to worry about the mediocre people around you, then chances are good that you aren't challenging yourself enough. Play a varsity sport, join some club that thinks constant PT is fun, try to beat everyone in Madden 2011, or major in Chemistry or Aeronautical Engineering. Plebe summer is easy, it gets harder.

That's great! ... and so true.

You get my nomination for "Post of the Week."
 
Man, I don't know how to take all this info. I've been working on getting accepted for 2 and a half years. I don't want to get there and be disappointed by mediocrity. That would defeat the whole desire of wanting to attend. Anyone have any thoughts?

Just back from PPW. When discussing Plebe Summer w/DS he said he loved it! Doesn't know what some of the other plebe's are complaining about as he said " its not that hard, do what your told to do, shut up, and help out when and where you can. Not sure how some of these plebs got in? They may be book smart but there are many that don't have a dimes worth of common sense!"
As are most things in life, you get out what you put in. Go to USNA to just get by and you will; go with a meaning and a purpose and the world will be your oyster. It is truly an incredible institution, if you choice to live it to its fullest potential.
 
Just back from PPW. When discussing Plebe Summer w/DS he said he loved it! Doesn't know what some of the other plebe's are complaining about as he said " its not that hard, do what your told to do, shut up, and help out when and where you can. Not sure how some of these plebs got in? They may be book smart but there are many that don't have a dimes worth of common sense!"
As are most things in life, you get out what you put in. Go to USNA to just get by and you will; go with a meaning and a purpose and the world will be your oyster. It is truly an incredible institution, if you choice to live it to its fullest potential.

Those who get into schools like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cornell, etc ... would probably say, "How in the hell did some of these dingbats ever get into this school?"
 
Yeah you guys are right. It is what YOU make out of it. Please forgive my momentary compulsion to complain.
 
Congratulations to all Plebes and Plebe Parents. First hurdle is over. Next is Reform and "Hello" night. Not really a big deal if you have the right Company. Plebe academic year means upperclass have their own things to worry about. Yes you have to chop and other crap and second class may give you a hard time on rates and academics but it only gets better as the year goes on. Then "Plebes No More". Good Luck!
 
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