Different Name Tags

[dav1y]

Hi all!

Just had a quick question regarding name tags and why there are different ones out there. I've seen ones (like the ones that are issued over PS) with just a mid's last name and class year, and other name tags with a mid's full name and "U.S. Naval Academy" text underneath their name on the name tag. Can only certain mids wear certain name tags? Or are both fine and it is just up to personal preference? Thanks in advance!

 

[NavyHoops]

The US Naval Academy ones are usually worn for liberty or other functions off the yard. For day to day usually your last name and year. Your company may have prescriptive rules for when those are authorized, especially as a Plebe.

 

[gnba_25]

Plebe here: the only thing that the academy requires is that you wear a name tag on certain uniforms. You get issued 5 black and yellow tags on with last name ‘2x. Certain summer trainings will get you a special name tag (ie red for plebe summer detailers and black and white for summer seminar and summer STEM). These special ones are only authorized as you are in a detailer role, so you can’t wear them during the academic year. As far as the ones with your full name and US Naval Academy, you can buy those at the midstore. They cost $5 for one, but many like them as they appear more official when out in town. I haven’t heard of companies denying plebes the ability to buy them.

 

[Computerman21]

There is no differentiation between classes in who can wear name tags. I personally reccomend ordering a few name tags with crests (name, United States Naval Academy, and the school crest) once you get out of plebe summer. Someone has a name tag with crest that’s the exact same format (lastname ‘25) as this issued name tag, and it looks bad.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Or are both fine and it is just up to personal preference?

Had to laugh at this thought. Very few things when it comes to USNA are left up to "personal preference". By definition, "uniform" means "the same." and there are very extensive regulations regarding what uniform is worn when, and how each uniform is worn.

For parents and Plebes to be ...there is very little reason to worry about these things now. The wearing of of Uniforms will become second nature to the Plebes very quickly, and frankly there is no reason for parents to even think about what is worn when, and how. I cringe every time I see well meaning Parent's club guides to Commissioning Week that include advice to "make sure your graduating Midshipman is on time to all scheduled functions and has the proper uniform..."

 

[WT Door]

The US Naval Academy ones are usually worn for liberty or other functions off the yard.

Loved it in the day when name tags were not worn on whites or blues while on liberty. It saved some classmates, in a dash back to Mother B, from being reported by name. The offender's description was pretty much limited to "a midshipman in whites (or blues)."

 

[ders_dad]

My DS (‘23) hasn’t gotten any new name tags and wears those issued on I-Day. He operates on the premise of “if it takes time to do, costs money (of any amount), requires a trip to the Mid Store, and is optional” it ain’t happening. This can be distressful for parents.

 

[LT360]

My DS (‘23) hasn’t gotten any new name tags and wears those issued on I-Day. He operates on the premise of “if it takes time to do, costs money (of any amount), requires a trip to the Mid Store, and is optional” it ain’t happening. This can be distressful for parents.

My DS has the same opinion. He is eligible to wear the silver star for Commandants list but has yet to purchase. When asked, he replied: silver does look good with the gold anchors, silver is not gold and gold is goal, the star is optional and most importantly it is not convenient to get to the uniform store. It is his decision and I stay out of it.

 

[LT360]

For parents and Plebes to be ...there is very little reason to worry about these things now. The wearing of of Uniforms will become second nature to the Plebes very quickly, and frankly there is no reason for parents to even think about what is worn when, and how.

Spend time worrying about other things....prom, finishing HS strong, graduation, exercising, enjoying last few months at home with family and friends. My DS actually likes the uniform aspect because he does not have to decide what to wear and when. It will be prescribed in great detail what, when and how to wear.

 

[OldRetSWO]

My DS (‘23) hasn’t gotten any new name tags and wears those issued on I-Day. He operates on the premise of “if it takes time to do, costs money (of any amount), requires a trip to the Mid Store, and is optional” it ain’t happening. This can be distressful for parents.

I wouldn't begin to understand why he'd want any more nametags. The I day issue is plenty of them to last through four years and even beyond (reference my own nametags making Bancroft appearance this century). Add to that the sewn on nametags on some uniforms and really, that is the absolute LAST thing any of us wanted to buy.
Plus, at least for us, a new nametag required a lot of work. I don't know if this is still done but we had to work them to a shiny finish which required brasso and a lot of elbow grease. The black/non letter area of the nametag is kind of a matte finish and we were expected to "improve" that just as we had to do with brass belt buckles which we had to get the lacquer off of and then keep polished.

 

[brewmeist]

The I day issue is plenty of them to last through four years and even beyond

To prove your point, I have a pic of my son wearing all of them at once during his Plebe Summer. Not his proudest moment!

 

[kchamp27]

My DS (‘23) hasn’t gotten any new name tags and wears those issued on I-Day. He operates on the premise of “if it takes time to do, costs money (of any amount), requires a trip to the Mid Store, and is optional” it ain’t happening. This can be distressful for parents.

Think your DS is my DS 25's role model

 

[LT360]

To prove your point, I have a pic of my son wearing all of them at once during his Plebe Summer. Not his proudest moment!

There are pictures from last PS (2021) with several Plebes wearing not only there own nametag but follow Plebes. Apparently the penance for forgetting Nametag is to wear two nametags, if you forget again you now are up to three and so on. Eventually you run out of your own and have to borrow them.