College Class Rings

J

jbs123

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
52
DS is currently an MS3 in AROTC planning to go active duty. His college is currently taking orders for class rings. He doesn’t particularly want one. His father is suggesting he get one because all the West Point grads will be wearing their class rings. My father-in-law is a West Point grad and we know how much that ring means to him. My gut instinct is that if he doesn’t want a ring, he shouldn’t get a ring. Does anyone have any advice for my son about class rings?
 
I knew many SA grads on active duty who did not wear their class rings, or only wore them socially. Ditto Any College grads. It’s a personal choice.

It’s your son’s call. Assuming his ring vendor is Balfour or Jostens or other usual, he can order a ring twenty years from now if he wants to.

A class ring can and should mean a great deal, especially to SA grads who earn it with a lot of sweat equity, and to those who like to wear an outward symbol. It’s not right or wrong, it’s just a choice.

A ring does not make the officer. Performance does.
 
My son got a ring from his college bt I don't think he ever really wears it. If I were to guess it's hanging around his girl friends neck. JMPO, if he doesn't want a ring then don't get a ring. I think ring knocking is over hyped and is perhaps more about an attitude than actually wearing a ring. Just my two cents. Now you have me wondering where the hell my class ring, from an unknown college in a remote part of the country, is. I don't think I've seen it since my first wife left! hmmmmm.....
 
All the West Point grads will not be wearing their rings — if what dad means is everyday, in the course of regular activities. The class ring is a coveted and precious keepsake, and as such, is typically tucked away somewhere safe at home. Not to mention, West Point grads are wise to not being “that guy” upon hitting active duty. Wearing their ring to work would likely designate him or her as “that guy,” which only invites all sorts of unpleasant reactions from others. In short, wearing that ring to work is a bit much, so they typically don’t.
 
My DH wears his USNA ring way more as an old grad than he did on AD, where he would only get it out for social events or USNA class reunion events. He flew jets (didn’t wear rings as a safety thing), now trains, rides and shows horses as his full retirement career (doesn’t want to lose it), but it comes out of the stud box when it’s time to get puffed and fluffed for a social event.
 
Citadel alumni tend to wear rings at all possible times and the rings show it after a while.

As I understand it VMI has the option to buy a steel or pot metal 'combat ring' to go with the gold on. If your son has no strong feelings towards a ring that's a good sign it's not a big deal
 
Definitely whatever your DS wants to do. As mentioned above, most don't wear rings day-to-day in the field/on ship/aboard aircraft due to safety concerns and fear of loss. I wear my SA ring much more since retired now that I sit at a desk.
 
Depends on what he wants to do. They are expensive and if he doesn't want one, then no need to spend the money. At VMI, where my DS is a cadet, the ring is a huge deal and I haven't heard of anyone not orddrior them. They also have the option of, for about $70, buying a combat ring, which is a stainless steel replica. I would say most purchase this as well. My son doesn't wear his much at school but always at home or if he goes out.
 
MidCakePa said:
The class ring is a coveted and precious keepsake, and as such, is typically tucked away somewhere safe at home.
Click to expand...

Like @turtlerunnernc posted about VMI, the West Point cadets can also buy a relatively inexpensive steel and granite “battle” ring for everyday wear or, perhaps, when mowing the lawn and taking out garbage. ;) Our son showed us a picture of the nice case he got that houses both rings side by side. Not sure how much sense it makes to wear a class ring in actual battle, but they do seem large enough and heavy enough to do some serious damage if threatened.
 
Norwich offers the traditional gold or lustrium class ring and also a field ring for minimal cost in addition to your order. The field ring is meant for daily abuse and very sturdy.

The Norwich ring tradition started in 1923. There are Tales documented in medal citations of class rings as weapons in close quarter combat. Rings helped identify bodies and body parts. The ring is such a special part of the school if you can't afford one, you only need to tell your CO and the old guard (your link in the chain alumni year) will help pay for one. One Rook platoon even raised the money to surprise their cadre.

DS' godmother is a retired AF E8 and tells him over and over how much she hates ring knockers (the academy/ROTC grads who remind everyone they are an academy grad by knocking their ring on any hard surface). She said she'd "Gibbs Smack" him if he ever does it. Lol

I like the term sweat equity.
 
DesertCaliMom said:
Norwich offers the traditional gold or lustrium class ring and also a field ring for minimal cost in addition to your order. The field ring is meant for daily abuse and very sturdy.

The Norwich ring tradition started in 1923. There are Tales documented in medal citations of class rings as weapons in close quarter combat. Rings helped identify bodies and body parts. The ring is such a special part of the school if you can't afford one, you only need to tell your CO and the old guard (your link in the chain alumni year) will help pay for one. One Rook platoon even raised the money to surprise their cadre.

DS' godmother is a retired AF E8 and tells him over and over how much she hates ring knockers (the academy/ROTC grads who remind everyone they are an academy grad by knocking their ring on any hard surface). She said she'd "Gibbs Smack" him if he ever does it. Lol

I like the term sweat equity.
Click to expand...

Oh, the ring knocking on EVERYTHING !!!
 
The ring means different things to different people. To tell the truth, I wear my USMA ring maybe once a year and sometimes never. I never wore it while in the Army. YMMV.
 
I did not get a class ring from college and never felt I was missing anything when I was serving on active duty in the Army. I still have no regrets in NOT buying one. DH seldom wore his USMA ring, even though he has a tight bond with his alma mater. He won't be wearing it anymore, though, as he donated it to the class ring melt program!
 
Thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences with class rings. I showed my husband the responses last night and he has agreed to no longer push him to get a class ring. My husband never even had a class ring himself! My own class ring sits in a drawer, although I did wear it until I gained weight and it no longer fit.
 
jbs123 said:
Thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences with class rings. I showed my husband the responses last night and he has agreed to no longer push him to get a class ring. My husband never even had a class ring himself! My own class ring sits in a drawer, although I did wear it until I gained weight and it no longer fit.
Click to expand...

@jbs123

Of course, your DS can get you the barrel charm of his ring to wear as a pendant, or his class crest pin.
I think Jostens is the vendor.
[emoji16]
 
At dinner the night of the Ring Ceremony, our son presented me with a necklace that matches his ring. I rarely tear up, but he got me that night. I will prize the necklace for the rest of my life, but the hug that went with it was priceless.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top