After the events at the Academy these past few weeks, and my pending graduation in 53 day, I feel compelled to write this to the prospects of the Academy and their parents.
Do not worry about the “state of the Academy” as it is today, and certainly do not let these events taint your image of the Academy or sway your decision on coming.
I entered the Academy in the summer of 2009 with the Academy under the “leadership” of Rear Admiral Worley. During that Indoc, we ran around in white t-shirts because there was no money to buy our PT shirts, but the Admiral promised that we would be “his class”. He left before a single member of 2013 had obtained one sea day. Since the sudden departure of Rear Admiral Worley, we have had four addition changes in the position of Superintendent, three different Commandants, and two Regimental Officers. The appointment of Rear Admiral Greene and then sudden and quite unfortunate relieving of his command was again another low point for KP during my tenure. Currently, I would say the general attitude of my class, and what has been the focal point of most of the issues lately, is that the leadership does not understand the industry or what KP is truly about. For instance, the bell ringing ceremony has become quite a point of contention in my class. This is because many feel being told to form up and be congratulated by someone who is not a Kings Pointer and has not achieved the position of 3rd mate/ engineer himself is a slap in the face.
But yet, as of this week the class of 2013 is 203 Midshipman strong. 203 Midshipman motivated to succeed in license in 33 days. We are motivated to move on in our success as 3rd mates, 3rd Assistant Engineers, Ensigns, and 2nd Lieutenants. We have been through a lot together, a death of one of our own, Midn. Marisa Sanchez, the death of our former RTOA 2nd LT. Scott Heilman, USMC, inconsistency in leadership, and of course the daily grind of the Academy. But all of this made us stronger both as we bond and as individuals. I personally have had experiences far above and beyond my counterparts at any other school in the country. I’ve been to the Middle East, the Far East, and the Caribbean during my sea year and I have made friends that will surely last a lifetime. If I had the chance to do it all over again there is no doubt in my mind that I would and I would recommend this place to anyone.
The Academy is in a rough patch right now, but the Academy isn’t defined by those appointed to leadership positions at this school. The Admiral isn’t at the Helm of this ship when it comes to the legacy and the spirit of the school. The Midshipman past and present are what make this place what it is. Ultimately, the leadership of the school will not change who Kings Pointers are at heart and what this place is about. We will persevere, as we always have since World War II, and become the best mariners we can be. After all, this Academy has never had an easy year since its creation and yet it still survives and succeeds, stately strife-born Alma Mater indeed.
Do not worry about the “state of the Academy” as it is today, and certainly do not let these events taint your image of the Academy or sway your decision on coming.
I entered the Academy in the summer of 2009 with the Academy under the “leadership” of Rear Admiral Worley. During that Indoc, we ran around in white t-shirts because there was no money to buy our PT shirts, but the Admiral promised that we would be “his class”. He left before a single member of 2013 had obtained one sea day. Since the sudden departure of Rear Admiral Worley, we have had four addition changes in the position of Superintendent, three different Commandants, and two Regimental Officers. The appointment of Rear Admiral Greene and then sudden and quite unfortunate relieving of his command was again another low point for KP during my tenure. Currently, I would say the general attitude of my class, and what has been the focal point of most of the issues lately, is that the leadership does not understand the industry or what KP is truly about. For instance, the bell ringing ceremony has become quite a point of contention in my class. This is because many feel being told to form up and be congratulated by someone who is not a Kings Pointer and has not achieved the position of 3rd mate/ engineer himself is a slap in the face.
But yet, as of this week the class of 2013 is 203 Midshipman strong. 203 Midshipman motivated to succeed in license in 33 days. We are motivated to move on in our success as 3rd mates, 3rd Assistant Engineers, Ensigns, and 2nd Lieutenants. We have been through a lot together, a death of one of our own, Midn. Marisa Sanchez, the death of our former RTOA 2nd LT. Scott Heilman, USMC, inconsistency in leadership, and of course the daily grind of the Academy. But all of this made us stronger both as we bond and as individuals. I personally have had experiences far above and beyond my counterparts at any other school in the country. I’ve been to the Middle East, the Far East, and the Caribbean during my sea year and I have made friends that will surely last a lifetime. If I had the chance to do it all over again there is no doubt in my mind that I would and I would recommend this place to anyone.
The Academy is in a rough patch right now, but the Academy isn’t defined by those appointed to leadership positions at this school. The Admiral isn’t at the Helm of this ship when it comes to the legacy and the spirit of the school. The Midshipman past and present are what make this place what it is. Ultimately, the leadership of the school will not change who Kings Pointers are at heart and what this place is about. We will persevere, as we always have since World War II, and become the best mariners we can be. After all, this Academy has never had an easy year since its creation and yet it still survives and succeeds, stately strife-born Alma Mater indeed.