CO Leak

From a 2009 grad

In three short months the show will stop and something new will begin. This roller coaster ride of Kings Point will end, and in some weird way there is a part of me that doesn’t want to get off. I am always amazed of how much this place was able to cram into four years of training, and the vastly different lives that will be led once we all leave.

While walking to class the other day I couldn’t help but take account of everyone around me. A future ship’s Pilot already had his LNG PIC and Liquid PIC, and he was flanked by a future Marine Corp fighter-pilot who had already completed OCS. There was an engineer walking by who signed on with MSC, a sailor truly capable of fixing anything should it go broke. A future Army Infantry Officer was on our starboard flank, a man excited for his commitment and future duty to his country knowing full his odds of deployment. A close friend was just accepted to an Off-Shore Supply Vessel Company, and within 6 months he will be ship-handling with the best of them.

One was headed towards the Union Hall, excited for a variety of adventures that AMO or MMP had in store for him, and another just received a US Coast Guard Cutter assignment out west. A future lifer on tugboats cruised by, while also committing to the obligation of a Coast Guard reserve assignment for Port Operations. Future aviators and soldiers will head into active duty in every branch of service and as sailors in every facet of the Merchant Marine.

You could search the world ten times over and never find that combination of young adults in any other place.

I never thought school could be as much fun as Kings Point. Not the waking up early, the push ups, the haircuts, long hours and lack of toilet paper; but the absolute blast of spending 18 hours a day with your best buds. There were some days I absolutely just could not wait to get to class to see what would happen next. It’s was like every class was an episode from “Seinfeld” with writers, directors, actors, a laugh track and audience. But your couldn’t write the stuff that happens at Kings Point, it would never be possible to script something this fun to watch, live, and breath.

As we get ready to leave here we have to get ready to say “thanks” as this offer is only available here. Maybe it was some storm at sea you will never forget, and no one back home will ever be able to understand. Maybe it was that hop in a F/A-18 and breaking the sound barrier and pulling 7.2 G’s during your Naval Flight Internship, or sailing to Antarctica . Maybe it was the broad spectrum of leadership you got to witness during these four years, from bad to good, and being able to take a part of everything you liked. Perhaps it is your new ability to get along with just about anyone having spent 300 days chipping rust next to the wildest of personalities. Your visits to over a dozen countries will always be with you, although you would rather forget the Suez Canal .

You broke ice up the Hudson in the dead of winter while driving Growler, and learned how to dock the Liberator. Maybe you were sailing to Bermuda on one of the Academy’s 40 foot boats and while stuck in the gnarliest of squalls in the middle of the night while surrounded by lightning you turned to your buddy and said “can you believe they let us do this!?” You got to feel what it’s like to be on a real college varsity sports team, and the highs and lows that competition brings. Maybe you scored the winning touchdown, the golden goal, the home run, or were a supporting player in the hardest of seasons. You know how it feels to be on a team.

You learned just how much work you can get out of a longshoreman in Venezuela with a pack of Marlboro Reds, and how to tell the Boson just had too much to drink and not take it personally.

You may forget the monuments you saw along the way; the Great Wall of China, the Acropolis in Greece; the War Statues along the banks of the Suez Canal that were riddled with bullet holes. But NEVER forget the people. Those interactions, social situations, follower and leadership challenges are what truly contribute to what you are today. Those are the tools we will use when we go forward, not the photos we took. I am not sure you can find those tools anywhere else.

You can now throw together a 20 slide PowerPoint project in 60 minutes and actually deliver it with ease; earn an A- and instantly forget what you just presented. You now work better under pressure and on a team. You know when to make watching “Lost” more of a priority than studying Nav Law. You now know when you had too much to drink.
You will never forget the rush of dropping a tray in Delano only to hear a hundreds of your shipmates roar in approval, or crashing into your first (and hopefully last) ship while on the bridge of the CAORF simulator. You will always remember what it was like to put out your first Class Bravo fire and walking into a room of smoke and orange flames.

Very simply, we went to school for free and got paid to see the world. We each have a pretty full tool chest, a bank of experiences and people skills that will serve us well in addition to a commission, an Unlimited Tonnage or Unlimited Horse-Power license valid on any vessel in any ocean, and a degree. We also got four years of smashing free haircuts.
End

Just wanted to introduce a little levity into the conversation - quite honestly it doesn't matter what we think/feel/want. The only thing that matters is if our DS/DD's are going to be able to look back on their years at KP with the same fondness. I believe they will.
 
H2Ocostable, I understand your sentiments exactly. I have read this entire thread with interest and I was about to respond when I read your post. As a mom of a current 2C I am of course concerned with the CO problem, but I also am dismayed at the negativity of this thread. I had the pleasure of visiting with my DS and his sea partner over the weekend. He is in the middle of his sea year, so we were very fortunate to be able to see him when his tanker came into a port a few hours from our home.

We spent quite a bit of time with the two young men including a nice dinner out. We (mom and dad as well as two little sisters) also got to take a tour of the tanker they are on. It is difficult to put into words any better than described by H2O's post the level of maturity and incredibly close ties these guys have developed.

The degree of sophistication of the ship and the proficiency with the ship's systems demonstrated by our DS was nothing short of amazing. We are
extremely happy with the education he is receiving at Kings Point. Sure, there are issues that need fixing (as exist at any college to one degree or another), but the big picture is very positive.

For you new potential KP families, I would encourage you to visit the school and talk with current and former mids rather than accepting all the negativity on this thread and discarding an incredible opportunity for your DS or DD.
 
Sadly, yes.

So basically you are saying it is My respnsibility as a plebe parent to get the minimum safe living conditions at KP by call my Senator?

In short, and unfortunately, yes. Look at the Walter-Reed fiasco a few years ago. Look at the conditions wounded servicemembers were living in. What finally made it get fixed? The system magically working, or a YouTube video from a parent to their Congress critter? Then think about how many Americans know about Walter-Reed vice KP.

Look at what recently happened with Norfolk area military housing. What got it turned around? The system magically starting to work or family members having enough and calling their Congress critter?

Trust me, I want to see KP better off than when I attended 15+ years ago. Should calling your Congress be necessary? Heck no! Does it work if you think there is a serious issue? Well... don't take my word for it, do the Google searches and decide for yourself. What happened to turn around Walter-Reed and Norfolk area military housing? Cause trust me, KP is far more removed (unfortunately) from the American public's and Congresses radar than Walter-Reed and military housing.

EDIT: And of course no KP official is going to tell you that because it's not the way a military officer (e.g. the Supe) would handle a problem, you don't call out your superiors whether you agree with their handling of a situation or not. You turn to and do your best to get the mission accomplished with what you are given (hoping you don't break any laws).
 
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Facguynavy, so then we need to have a little something stating "along with obtaining an MOC nomination to USMMA please have your parents contact all the same congress people as you already have the address anyway and plead for"...... What? Time and attention, money or oversight? What specifically is the order of what to ***** about first? This is the reason I have not called my Senator's office. Those that have received a nice form letter stating blah, blah, blah. I think those who volunteered to pass out literature to the Capitol Building and Senate offices have the best chance of implementing attention. Curious, does anyone know if any KP Alumni's are current or former Members Of Congress? Anybody have Mark Kelly's address? I am sure he is a little busy but maybe he needs a project. :thumb:
And remember we were asked to not respond to media.
 
We hosted my child and several friends for a meal over the weekend and just can’t believe what they said. Apparently there are two staff members who socialize with the midshipmen, provide them alcohol, and take advantage of them. This is Penn State and Sandusky without question. Right aboard the campus! Where is the FBI?! Although the two staff members are oriented in the minority the demographics of the academy mean they have plenty of targets. Will there even be a DOT investigation? A few of the others mentioned the availability of party drugs on campus in large quantities smuggled back from sea year which may also play into the unbelievable behavior of the staff. And that there are no room inspections, drug tests, or dogs in a federal academy was just stunning. How could this be unknown to everyone?
The CO issue, hot water, no leadership, sexual assaults. When will this end? Will the new superintendent do anything? Should the school even continue? None of this drama exists at our other child’s university. The combination of unethical, immoral, and illegal conduct on the part of what seems like every member of the staff and faculty – which when I calm down I just know is not true – means I can no longer support the academy or recommend attendance to anyone who cares for their child. We had some doubts as things went on but eventually our child mentioned they are interested in resigning and transferring to somewhere “less corrupt and dishonorable”. We are so relieved that this will be over soon. Even if it takes an additional year of schooling, loans, and family disruption just about anywhere has to be a more wholesome learning environment than the cesspool which has become of Kings Point.

If anyone has proof of this...call the FBI yourself. If you don't it might be a good idea to calm down a bit with the accusations. Most disturbing, and what disturbs me the most is the insinuation that this behavior is known and condoned at KP. Call the FBI or calm down with this sort of very damaging post.
 
If anyone has proof of this...call the FBI yourself. If you don't it might be a good idea to calm down a bit with the accusations. Most disturbing, and what disturbs me the most is the insinuation that this behavior is known and condoned at KP. Call the FBI or calm down with this sort of very damaging post.

Kram1:

I agree totally. Does KP have issues - yes, that said I know there is no where near the amount of issues and to the degree "GraduateZZ" alludes to and implies and/or states in their post.
 
Can anyone confirm what was said above to any extent? I'm very close to leaving my current University at the end of this semester to attend school at KP and don't want to be making a decision I'll regret.
 
Can anyone confirm what was said above to any extent? I'm very close to leaving my current University at the end of this semester to attend school at KP and don't want to be making a decision I'll regret.

Try to take things you hear on here with a grain of salt. KP rumor mill is ruthless and often way off from the truth, especially when your arn't in the regiment and can't distinguish what has some basis and what is obviously made up.
 
Can anyone confirm what was said above to any extent? I'm very close to leaving my current University at the end of this semester to attend school at KP and don't want to be making a decision I'll regret.

arrq:

Go ahead and PM me and I'll get you in touch with a few current midshipmen directly so you can get first hand information, but basically no you should not be worried about your decision. Are there issues - yes from time to time - are they anything like was portrayed in that post, not that I'm aware and I wouldn't believe that sort of source (anonymous posting here)....
 
Can anyone confirm what was said above to any extent? I'm very close to leaving my current University at the end of this semester to attend school at KP and don't want to be making a decision I'll regret.

Do not make any decision based upon the hysterical, factually deficient, post from "GraduateZZ".

I will personally guarantee that recreational drug/alcohol usage and availability, and heterosexual and homosexual promiscuity is more prevalent and institutionally accepted at the University you currently attend, then it is at King's Point.

You appear to be someone who has persevered. Declined admission last year to USMMA, and now at some "University", getting academically stronger. Possibly the same "University" that "GraduateZZ" threatens to send his child to after resigning from KP.

Do not make your important life affecting decisions based upon one individuals misguided temper tantrum.
 
Do not make any decision based upon the hysterical, factually deficient, post from "GraduateZZ".

I will personally guarantee that recreational drug/alcohol usage and availability, and heterosexual and homosexual promiscuity is more prevalent and institutionally accepted at the University you currently attend, then it is at King's Point.

You appear to be someone who has persevered. Declined admission last year to USMMA, and now at some "University", getting academically stronger. Possibly the same "University" that "GraduateZZ" threatens to send his child to after resigning from KP.

Do not make your important life affecting decisions based upon one individuals misguided temper tantrum.

I can definitely agree to everything you said in your post besides that I declined admission last year. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with myself senior year and applied quite late (about this time last year) and was put on hold.

However, I now feel much more confident in myself now with University experience :thumb:.
 
Changes

My child does not associate with the two staff members who abuse students but my child also does not drink so it may be easier to avoid their lures and advances. The use of the quasi military rank structure to pressure students into satisfying the urges of older employees does not exist in civilian schools so at least the threat from that approach is removed. As for calling the FBI my comment was to demonstrate that the current administration is not taking care of the students. My child isn’t in danger from these two people but maybe yours is so perhaps an external review would be beneficial. Regardless of that if I have the correct information one of them is being fired or has at least been kicked off campus which should reduce the danger to the vulnerable. Now if the other one is given the same punishment maybe there will be far less worry for the students. Time to go after that one and help out the students.

Indeed my child is departing the academy to a school with much more impressive ratings. If anyone else is interested the other maritime schools are well aware of the turmoil, distress, and complete disintegration of the academy and have some very interesting offers. They may fit your needs should you be interested and for at least us they were competitive offers to other colleges. Other schools were interested to hear of the madness and had some very good data, programs, and procedures that appear to successfully address the issues plaguing the academy as they are not present in those civilian institutions. Best of luck to the students unable or unwilling to depart for other opportunities and future potential students need to realize many other schools successfully operate as businesses and do not tolerate this government condoned nonsense. Once the details of KP and other schools are compared the academy just isn’t competitive anymore.
 
As a USNA graduate and the proud parent of a USMMA 2016 candidate my observation of this forums really disturbs me. The top three most recent postings for KP are still on the toipics of a CO leak, a "call to action" which has amounted to a junior high school playground argument, and an (though entertaining and lighthearted) attempt to get a daughter a date to the ring dance. While not discounting some very inspirational posters, how about we take a look at some of the other academy forums and promote the quality of our applicants and midshipmen, the elite nature of this and all service academy's, how we as alumni and boosters can do our part, and, above all, leadership and service which is what the place is all about.
 
As was stated above, the conversation on this board greatly disturbs me and my possible decision to leave my school and go to kings point. The validity of these statements I can't be sure of but the fact that they're here at all should mean something in itself.
 
As was stated above, the conversation on this board greatly disturbs me and my possible decision to leave my school and go to kings point. The validity of these statements I can't be sure of but the fact that they're here at all should mean something in itself.

I can only give you an outsiders perspective, but a couple of things to keep in mind:
To begin with - the premise in your last sentence is wrong. One of the other posters on these forums (Marciemi) has a great signature block that addresses this:
"The problem with Internet quotes and statistics is that they are often wrongfully believed to be real." -Abraham Lincoln"
Just because there is something posted does not mean that it is either entirely or even mostly factual, and certainly it doesn't mean that you are receiving the full context even if the fact itself is correct.

My experience- (as a moderator of another forum, and as both an Alum and a Dad and sometime volunteer recruiter at VMI, and as the son, nephew and brother of alums of the varied Academies, Military and Maritime colleges) - is that those schools all are rumor mills with devoted insiders who decry any and everything different from what they perceive as the ideal (usually the ideal was in place the day they matriculated and began to recede the day after they graduated). As long as it's insiders debating those changes, everyone in the conversation understands the context and is able to put this stuff in the proper perspective. But the internet has given rise to the ability to broadcast all of this chatter to an exponentially larger audience- an audience without any experiential frame of reference by which to judge. I believe that to a large extent this is exactly what is happening on the Kings Point forum right now. There clearly are issues that must be addressed - leadership and long term roles and missions, but with the exception of the significant health and safety failure of the HVAC system which led to the CO incident, none of those are issues are really as immediate or dire in their impact on the daily life and experiences of the Midshipmen as some of these threads would have you believe. (Keep in mind the insider nature of much of these conversations and also keep in mind that the Midshipmen themselves have no experience outside their 4 walls so their perspective of the big picture is often a tad bit overstated and of course their parents only know what they are told by those same kids- which just may be filtered either deliberately or inadvertently. I mean- after all WHO tells their mother or father everything- especially if it makes you or one of your buddies look like an ass in the telling?:rolleyes: )

So my advice to you is to keep in mind that much of what you read on the forum of this nature is at very best 2d hand, and often 3d, 4th hand or more, and very little of it is presented with the full 360 degrees of the story or the context, and it's all presented with little to no reference to what things would be like at other schools. While you might not get that from the threads on USMMA of late- you really should keep in mind that it is all relative. I can assure you that while KP - along with every other one of these schools has issues with illicit substances, honor violations, teacher/student interactions, they are by and large far smaller than those you would experience at "Frostbite Falls State" or "Whatsamatta U".

IMHO- in your shoes, you ought to be making a decision about going to USMMA on a couple of points:
1. Are you strongly interested in making the sea a career either as a civilian mariner or in one of the military sea services?
2. After a year at a Civilian college, can you live in a fairly highly regimented college environment?
3. Are you strong enough academically to make it in an environment in which functionally you will have to take 4 years of academics in 3 years as you will have to spend a year at sea shipping.

If you can answer yes to the above- then I suspect you will find that you will absolutely "get your moneys worth" from attending KP. If the answer is no- then I would say that no amount of financial incentive to go there would be worth the baggage and you should proceed accordingly.
It's my two cents- take it or leave it but you ought to consider that perspective before you take all of the threads on "issues" at USMMA that have sprung up of late as absolute gospel truth.

To those alums and KP family members who care about USMMA - I think that you really ought to consider who the audience is that you are speaking to here and consider if you are doing more harm than good with the vocal public airing of all of your issues. This isn't primarily a forum for insiders- rather it's a forum for those with no background or experience. Keep it in mind.
 
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Sometimes people post negative things when the "true" reason they are upset is for a totally different reason than what they are stating- (like their sweet little DS actually just flunked out, but posting negative "reasons" of "hate" is just easier). just sayin'. :rolleyes: Also, the FAR majority of current KP parents do NOT dare to come to the Forum pages and this is a perfect example of WHY. :thumbdown: This thread has gone on too long, and it's ridiculous.
 
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First off let me say it's been two weeks since my last post on this thread (why do the words "Bless me father, it's been two weeks since my last confession" seem to come to mind? Could it be the 12 years of Catholic Education before entering Vickery Gate 33 2/3rd years ago?) That's because as I said in my last post while I sit here with my Sunday AM musings, I'm musing:

How best, as an active alumni and parent of a member of the Class of 2012, can I help these great products of a great institution - USMMA - get off to an even better start to their lives ahead in June 2012, then I got 30 years ago?

In any case this Sunday Morning as I sit here musing of life and reading the forum I want to thank Bruno for a great post. Dead nuts on as they say.

Also going back through the 14 pages of this thread, I apologize, I guess my post while very upset about the realization the danger my son and 38 other members of the regiment were in during this incident is really the only explanation I have for venting here in a public forum.

As for the posts of GraduateZZ I'd suggest anyone concerned look at Bruno's last post and then look closely at what GraduateZZ says in ALL their posts on this thread especially the last one before they make any decisions about whether or not USMMA is the place for them. From that last post by GraduateZZ:

...
Indeed my child is departing the academy to a school with ...

The options and opportunities upon graduation cannot be beat. The education is top notch and the experiences good and bad at least for some, myself included really will help you have a successful future as a leader in whatever path you choose to take.
 
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