Plebes to be scrambled

[scoutpilot]

If scrambling is so essential - WILL THE CLASS OF 2014 SCRAMBLE AFTER COW YEAR?

No, they will not. The companies need the continuity of NCO jobs to officer jobs.

2002 never scrambled. 2009 never scrambled. 2014 won't. There are pluses and minuses to both. Your use of all caps makes me feel as though you're awfully invested in this.

The important thing to take away is that there should be no encouragement of complaining or griping about this, or any indication from us that we feel the Supe/Comm are wrong. It's their nut to crack. They know more about USMA today than any of us. They are making smart decisions based on what they see as being best for the Corps. If cadets think this is such a great atrocity, they will have short and painful careers. Sometimes tours get extended or planes get turned around to Afghanistan. Scrambling is small potatoes. Soldiers and officers follow orders.

As for Yuk privileges, they only came into existence in 2002. Prior to that Yuks had no greater privileges than plebes, hence the "bitter Yuk." We didn't have a rash of quitting. When they told us we were being promoted but not recognized, there wasn't a big rash of quitting. Privileges and things like scrambling ebb and flow.

 

[hawk]

The important thing to take away is that there should be no encouragement of complaining or griping about this, or any indication from us that we feel the Supe/Comm are wrong. It's their nut to crack. They know more about USMA today than any of us. They are making smart decisions based on what they see as being best for the Corps.

It's funny what TEE week will do, the scrambling decision is already old news, the plebe's we hear from (directly or indirectly) have largely moved on. Parents are talking about it more than the plebes.

They would be disappointed if the rumor about yuks losing OPP and cadet casual turns out to be true, but don't really have time to worry about it. TEE's, then what to do while killing time waiting for graduation. (Does make you wonder why the big gap between the two)

 

[BigNick]

SCOUTPILOT-

I am NOT invested in this. My son did not like it but he has moved on and so have I. I spent 34 active duty years in the military so I know how things work.

I fully understand that the officials at WP know best ( I was an instructor at WP for 4 years in addition to my Cadet time)and that they have a right and a responsibility to make what they feel are the right decisions.

My comments were not critical - just seems that if scrambling is so important that all classes would do it. I think the "short-term trama" for the Plebes was that the decision was made after the Yuks had received their new company assignments and after the Plebes had their new roommate assignments. Add this to the possible loss of yuk prividledges and you can see why it might cause some concern on the part of the Plebes.

 

[scoutpilot]

It's funny what TEE week will do, the scrambling decision is already old news, the plebe's we hear from (directly or indirectly) have largely moved on. Parents are talking about it more than the plebes.

They would be disappointed if the rumor about yuks losing OPP and cadet casual turns out to be true, but don't really have time to worry about it. TEE's, then what to do while killing time waiting for graduation. (Does make you wonder why the big gap between the two)

It's funny that they view cadet casual as a privilege. It came into existence when I was a Firstie and going out and buying/wearing it was the mark of a super toolbag. Times change!

 

[TheKnight]

The only negative thing about the 2015 scramble is that the short notice of it will be a minor inconvenience during re-orgy week next year. Most cadets, I think, agree that if there is going to be a scramble it should happen after plebe year. Any gripes about it are because everything was already set up for 2014 to scramble (some of us had already started moving, been welcomed by new companies, had positions for next year, etc).

Ultimately, in the long run, I think we'll see that it was beneficial as most Cadets I've met agree that a plebe scramble is better than a Yuk scramble.

The Comm sent out the following on the matter:

To the Corps of Cadets:


For most of the past half century, the Corps of Cadets scrambled to new Academic Year companies at some point during their 47 month experience. The unique circumstances found at the Academy and in the Corps during those fifty years drove the reasons for and the methods of the various scrambles. My observations of the Corps for the past ten months coupled with an in-depth look at past practices and our current leader development model lead me to change our current scramble practice. Today I announce the initiation of "Operation Fresh Start" to commence with the next Academic Year.


The Class of 2015 will scramble during the upcoming Reorganization Week for 1st Term of Academic Year 2012-2013. The purpose of this scramble is to move cadets to new companies as they assume NCO status (corporal). I have rescinded the order to scramble the Class of 2014 as that class needs to remain in place for stability. This adjusted scramble provides a fresh start for cadets as they move from "follower" to "leader" within the Corps of Cadets and will "set" the unit leadership at the company level and below.


I have asked the Brigade Tactical Department to start the detailed planning for executing this operation. I expect the Class of 2015 to know their new companies sometime during Cadet Field Training. Thank you in advance for your professional approach to this change in concept and for your flexibility.


Best of luck to you all as you complete your Term End Examinations. We are all going to have a great summer!



Warm Regards,


Ted
Theodore D. Martin
Brigadier General, United States Army
Commandant of Cadets

 

[SimpleMan]

SCOUTPILOT-

Add this to the possible loss of yuk prividledges and you can see why it might cause some concern on the part of the Plebes.

Not trying to vector this thread off in a direction unrelated to the scrambling discussion, but I'm wondering, BigNick, what you are referring to when you mention "loss of Yuk privileges". Has there been some change in that area for this year's Plebe class and beyond? Just wondering.

 

[BigBear]

Not trying to vector this thread off in a direction unrelated to the scrambling discussion, but I'm wondering, BigNick, what you are referring to when you mention "loss of Yuk privileges". Has there been some change in that area for this year's Plebe class and beyond? Just wondering.

There are a few cadet rumors going around:
-No more garrison cap
-No OPPs for Yuks
-No Cadet Casual for Yuks

Plus seven home football games, several of which are on three day weekends...

 

[America's Finest]

Plus seven home football games, several of which are on three day weekends...

It should be only 1 on a three day weekend unless I mapped the dates wrong. And 8 football games total if you count Army Navy.

 

[Casey]

There are a few cadet rumors going around:
-No more garrison cap
-No OPPs for Yuks
-No Cadet Casual for Yuks

Plus seven home football games, several of which are on three day weekends...

Service cap rumour is confirmed. The Comm has signed the memo on that one. Waiting on the others

 

[SeaMars]

Can you elaborate? What headgear will go with "as for class" if not the garrison cap?

 

[America's Finest]

Can you elaborate? What headgear will go with "as for class" if not the garrison cap?

The same cover we wear with the dress gray.

 

[Hoffy600]

Why is this considered bad to replace the garrison cap w/ the combo cover? Is it uncomfortable or something?

 

[MomWPgirl]

From what my daughter says it does not fit in backpack for one thing. She envisions covers being mistakenly picked up by other cadets, lost etc. The cap folds and is easily put away and is easy to keep track of.

 

[America's Finest]

Why is this considered bad to replace the garrison cap w/ the combo cover? Is it uncomfortable or something?

MomWPGirl pretty much summed it up. It also is less comfortable and looks a bit tacky with the class uniforms.

 

[Hurricane12]

Funnily enough, one of the more major uniform-related gripes at USNA is that we can't wear garrison covers: the combo covers are inconvenient (except for the female ones to carry food back from King Hall), always get left behind or stolen in strange places, and get dirty and damaged easily.

Seems kinda silly to move "backwards." Of course, we're having our own cover-related issues I'm more than happy to dodge so there you go.

 

[Casey]

Add to that its about $10 dollars to replace a garrison cap while its about $35 to replace a service cap if its lost, stolen or irrepably damaged and its not a change I'm pleased with just due to the nature of so many covers already getting misplaced and what not

 

[DHinNH]

From what my daughter says it does not fit in backpack for one thing. She envisions covers being mistakenly picked up by other cadets, lost etc. The cap folds and is easily put away and is easy to keep track of.

I would put the garrison cap in the "easy to pick up the wrong one" category much more quickly than I would the service cap. One **very quick** glance inside the service cap tells you if it's yours or not.

Or have cadets stopped personalizing the inside of their service caps (pictures in addition to name inside the service cap)?

 

[scoutpilot]

I would put the garrison cap in the "easy to pick up the wrong one" category much more quickly than I would the service cap. One **very quick** glance inside the service cap tells you if it's yours or not.

Or have cadets stopped personalizing the inside of their service caps (pictures in addition to name inside the service cap)?

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking. The garrison cap is easily mixed up, though I suppose some cadets probably stick them in backpacks.

In MY day (harumph, harumph) no one used backpacks. We weren't issued them, and you couldn't wear them on two shoulders, so they were more pain than they were worth. We tended to just carry our stuff. Plus, garrison caps weren't allowed through classroom doors. Period.

 

[hawk]

The most common comments I hear against the Service cap and for the Garrison is comfort. And that it's easier to deal with indoors. It will lay on your leg and not fall off, etc. Not as much an issue in the classroom as they have the pegs.

I'm not hearing this as a grumble/whine from the cadets, it's more of a preference. Could be worse, they could have to deal with berets!

My read is it's just a simplification of the uniform as an expense reduction. One less hat. They had to keep the grey hat anyway. White service would look silly with as for class. Tar bucket is untouchable.

I remember all the negative slang & vibe for the garrison style cap pre beret in the 70's & 80's, and don't recall it as popular.

I'm not a fan of brimless hats.... were I in charge I'd have them wear something like the ACU patrol cap but in grey.... functional, inexpensive, could be made from existing patterns, etc. And has at least a bit of utility. Not as fragile as the service cap, more comfortable, and still has a brim.

Better again, I'd also just eliminate some of the garrison uniforms. I see no reason for As for Class, would use the field uniform (ACU's). Keep W/G or Dress gray for in public. White shirts are cheap.

 

[scoutpilot]

The most common comments I hear against the Service cap and for the Garrison is comfort. And that it's easier to deal with indoors. It will lay on your leg and not fall off, etc. Not as much an issue in the classroom as they have the pegs.

I'm not hearing this as a grumble/whine from the cadets, it's more of a preference. Could be worse, they could have to deal with berets!

My read is it's just a simplification of the uniform as an expense reduction. One less hat. They had to keep the grey hat anyway. White service would look silly with as for class. Tar bucket is untouchable.

I remember all the negative slang & vibe for the garrison style cap pre beret in the 70's & 80's, and don't recall it as popular.

I'm not a fan of brimless hats.... were I in charge I'd have them wear something like the ACU patrol cap but in grey.... functional, inexpensive, could be made from existing patterns, etc. And has at least a bit of utility. Not as fragile as the service cap, more comfortable, and still has a brim.

Better again, I'd also just eliminate some of the garrison uniforms. I see no reason for As for Class, would use the field uniform (ACU's). Keep W/G or Dress gray for in public. White shirts are cheap.

ACUs have no business in the classroom. They're a utility uniform. Granted they get to wear them sometimes but we're a professional organization and should dress like one. If I were in charge of the Army, I'd make non-MFE mos's wear class B's to work. You wanted an air conditioned office job, then by god you're going to dress like an office drone.

I'm so glad we banned ACUs at the Pentagon.