Time to Float the Idea of Liberty for the Mids

Capt MJ said:
And it does have an underlying dark irony. As old hands know, normally Tecumseh is dressed to the nines in seasonal attire, occasionally with accessories. A ratty mask seems starkly appropriate. Of course, some counseling is in order for Tecumseh, as he is not covering his nose.
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Yes, had to laugh at the deliberate (I hope) non-covering of his nose.
 
MidCakePa said:
^^^ THIS ^^^

If I’m an enlisted sailor or Marine — especially a non-comm -- I’d be seriously rolling my eyes at what I’m reading, seeing and hearing about the mids. Maybe even a bit disgusted.
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^^^^^ NOT THIS^^^^^^
These young adults are at a place of education. They are not on active service and the mindset is completely different.

My DS is at NAPS and if the lack of off base liberty wasn’t punishment enough the academic staff have been piling on the homework because they know the kids aren’t allowed off base. This has been recognized by the powers that be and is being addressed.

I know many that would be happy with a 20 mile hike up a mountain rather than 2 days on base with nothing to do.

This really needs addressing by the command structure. Either start arranging liberty activities on base or liberty activities off base but do something!
 
sanman said:
^^^^^ NOT THIS^^^^^^
These young adults are at a place of education. They are not on active service and the mindset is completely different.

My DS is at NAPS and if the lack of off base liberty wasn’t punishment enough the academic staff have been piling on the homework because they know the kids aren’t allowed off base. This has been recognized by the powers that be and is being addressed.

I know many that would be happy with a 20 mile hike up a mountain rather than 2 days on base with nothing to do.

This really needs addressing by the command structure. Either start arranging liberty activities on base or liberty activities off base but do something!
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Midshipmen at USNA and midshipmen-candidates at NAPS actually are legally active-duty. Yes they aren’t really treated by leadership with the same respect and responsibility that officers and enlisted sailors are, but they are receiving pay/benefits, security clearances, and are subject to UCMJ plus whatever the military decides to throw at them. (If your son was under 18 years of age when he reported for Indoc, you signed a document explaining this. If he was 18+, he voluntarily agreed to these terms as an adult.)

I recognize many problems going on with morale and mental health right now, and much more definitely needs to be done, but those pointing out that we signed up to be subject to low morale at times aren’t wrong. Like that old USMC recruiting poster said “We don’t promise you a rose garden”. That poster has a DI on it, but on that subject, what these young men and women went through during Plebe Summer and Indoc was way tougher than what they’re dealing with now.

Can’t speak for the situation at NAPS, but apparently liberty will be unlocked for the mids at Annapolis very soon. (That’s the word on the street.)
 
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sanman said:
^^^^^ NOT THIS^^^^^^
These young adults are at a place of education. They are not on active service and the mindset is completely different.
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> Yes, Midshipman and Midshipman Candidates are not in the Fleet, but the mindset should be the same -- we are in difficult times; it's hard on everyone --it's not to early to set the example and lead. Most junior enlisted couldn't give a damn about what happens at a Service Academy, but you can rest assured that hearing about how "hard" things are at a Service Academy won't be received well in the Fleet.

sanman said:
My DS is at NAPS and if the lack of off base liberty wasn’t punishment enough the academic staff have been piling on the homework because they know the kids aren’t allowed off base. This has been recognized by the powers that be and is being addressed.
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> NAPS is supposed to be hard --to push all MC's and prepare them for the Service Academy. I am curious about "recognized by the powers to be, and being addressed .." Back in the day, the busted our a$$es, without COVID. I have no problem with turning up the heat a bit to keep the MC's busy -- idle minds and extra time can be dangerous !
 
Old Navy BGO said:
> NAPS is supposed to be hard --to push all MC's and prepare them for the Service Academy. I am curious about "recognized by the powers to be, and being addressed .." Back in the day, the busted our a$$es, without COVID. I have no problem with turning up the heat a bit to keep the MC's busy -- idle minds and extra time can be dangerous !
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They are still working extremely hard but giving them homework that consumes that vast amount of their liberty time just because they can’t leave base is a bull**** move.
 
sanman said:
They are still working extremely hard but giving them homework that consumes that vast amount of their liberty time just because they can’t leave base is a bull**** move.
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I am not familiar with naps. I thought it was rigorous to give students that showed qualities that they want at the SA, but were lacking something like academics ...

Is the homework that much different than any other year?

I know feedback my kids have gotten from friends that go to schools like MIT and the Ivy’s - so much homework and studying is overwhelming.

Do you think what your son is going through is harder than it is at USNA?
 
A couple weeks in at our k-12 district, and it appears the complaint of the spring being too lenient/easy/wasted, etc was taken a bit too much to heart. For the remote days (on a/b schedule) the amount of homework assigned is definitely above what was done in past for same teacher/class with older child(ren).

Doing extra work just for the sake of doing extra work absolutely sucks. Going faster, diving deeper into a subject, great. Assigning 40 math problems for the day instead of 10 so they can justify their educational hours doesnt make sense to me.

I am confident the pendulum will swing back and forth until they work out an appropriate level.
 
They are still working extremely hard but giving them homework that consumes that vast amount of their liberty time just because they can’t leave base is a bull**** move.
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Why is this a problem? Seriously. If the homework helps them learn more or gets them ahead in subjects, it's time well spent. NAPSters are being PAID to go to school, just like at USNA. The fact they have to do more work doesn't exactly cause me to tear up.

The one caveat is if they are given "busy work" -- homework that doesn't actually move the ball forward. However, even there . . . better to be busy than sitting around complaining that you can't go out on liberty.

Also, if NAPSters don't like the situation, they are free to walk out the door at any time. Just like the mids.
 
sanman said:
They are still working extremely hard but giving them homework that consumes that vast amount of their liberty time just because they can’t leave base is a bull**** move.
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You should really temper your response to perceived slights against your son/his class/the brigade or you are going to have a miserable next 5 years (or less).

Come to grips with the fact that they will do lots of things that don't make sense/you don't agree with, you have zero control or input, and their decisions will throw a monkey wrench in your plans. The sooner you come to accept these facts as irrefutable and inevitable, the sooner you can relax, shake your head and laugh, and enjoy the journey.
 
Printed on apparel worn, apparently, with great pride: N*OT COLLEGE.

To flip a certain recruiting slogan from years ago: “It’s not just an adventure, it’s a job.”
 
Sure enough, the scuttlebutt was correct. Dant confirmed modified liberty this weekend. 1st Reg gets 12 hours Saturday and 2nd Reg gets 12 hours on Sunday. All in Whites, detailed plan required, and no alcohol. Essentially it’s plebe liberty for everyone, but hey it’s a step in the right direction for sure.
 
For context, the fleet is only authorized to leave place of lodging to purchase items from a store or pick up take-out food. Enforced by a page 13 administrative remarks threatening UCMJ action for all ranks.

I'm sure 2020 is about to learn a 3-4 weeks of pre-deployment isolation/ROM in ship berthing prior to an 6-8 month deployment during which there may be zero port calls sucks so much more than Bancroft Hall.

Find the bright side. You'll have the best grades you've had, because of all that extra time to study.

Fun fact, all NAPSters were enlisted in the Navy when they matriculated. Their service record will reflect "prior enlisted service" even if they came from high school. The year at NAPS does count toward active duty retirement (ironic, as the four years at USNA does not).
 
nuensis said:
I'm sure 2020 is about to learn a 3-4 weeks of pre-deployment isolation/ROM in ship berthing prior to an 6-8 month deployment during which there may be zero port calls sucks so much more than Bancroft Hall.
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This the new deployment normal...no real (safe haven only) port calls...I know from personal experience. A lot of resilience is required and reliance on your friends from the wardroom. You only get through it together as a team.
 
usnabgo08 said:
This the new deployment normal...no real (safe haven only) port calls...I know from personal experience. A lot of resilience is required and reliance on your friends from the wardroom. You only get through it together as a team.
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While I know most Mids missed out on summer training having Ensigns who are just 1-2 years ahead of the current Mids coming back and talking about these deployments I think could go a long way. One, learn about life as a young JO on their first deployment from folks who they once passed in the hall. Any of this kind of stuff is great learning. Two, how leadership in the fleet and challenges they are facing there is working. 1/c Mids who go SWO are 9 months or so away from being that Ensign. There is so much that can be learned from one another if we just take the time to pause and listen.
 
NavyHoops said:
While I know most Mids missed out on summer training having Ensigns who are just 1-2 years ahead of the current Mids coming back and talking about these deployments I think could go a long way. One, learn about life as a young JO on their first deployment from folks who they once passed in the hall. Any of this kind of stuff is great learning. Two, how leadership in the fleet and challenges they are facing there is working. 1/c Mids who go SWO are 9 months or so away from being that Ensign. There is so much that can be learned from one another if we just take the time to pause and listen.
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Our DS just shared with me last night about a great conversation he had with a firstie regarding SWO. He really appreciates the time the upperclassmen take to mentor younger mids. He has met several who have taken the time to discuss some of their experiences to date and what they gleaned from them. That type of mentorship is invaluable.
 
justme said:
A couple weeks in at our k-12 district, and it appears the complaint of the spring being too lenient/easy/wasted, etc was taken a bit too much to heart. For the remote days (on a/b schedule) the amount of homework assigned is definitely above what was done in past for same teacher/class with older child(ren).

Doing extra work just for the sake of doing extra work absolutely sucks. Going faster, diving deeper into a subject, great. Assigning 40 math problems for the day instead of 10 so they can justify their educational hours doesnt make sense to me.

I am confident the pendulum will swing back and forth until they work out an appropriate level.
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My district did the opposite. Teachers can assign only 60 minutes of homework a week and 72 minutes for AP/IB students.
 
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