What does the star on top of the anchor on the SDB mean?

As a current mid, I find this thread pretty interesting. IMO, if you earned it, you should wear it; it’s a uniform item. However, some of my friends and I have been mocked or confronted for wearing Supes/Dant’s stars. Many see it as bragging. I see both sides of the argument, but I think people who don’t wear them are also making somewhat of a negative statement. People who do wear them get looks because of the people who chose not to and make themselves seem better for not wearing it. I wear mine because I worked really hard to earn it, and it’s too bad that people look down on wearing it/not wearing it.
 
Devil Doc said:
When you get to the Fleet nobody cares what you did in Annapolis.
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^ Needs to be repeated here frequently (and extended to nobody cares whether you went to Annapolis). Peformance is what counts -- I do think that USNA does provide some experiences and training that helps, at least during initial assignments, but many JO's have fallen on their swords thinking that their USNA record carries over to the Fleet.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
^ Needs to be repeated here frequently (and extended to nobody cares whether you went to Annapolis). Peformance is what counts -- I do think that USNA does provide some experiences and training that helps, at least during initial assignments, but many JO's have fallen on their swords thinking that their USNA record carries over to the Fleet.
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Yes. I try to keep a temperate attitude here and not comment too much on Academy issues and for that matter officer stuff. I like it here and want to be a good citizen but feel the need to provide counseling from the CPO Mess on occasion. Chiefs like their ensigns to show up humble but intelligent and with a closed mouth and open ears. That happens for the most part aboard ship except for only a small number who need extra attention from the division LCPO.

I've seen chiefs who tell their Div-Os to not talk to the sailors but that is a ludicrous policy. Leadership for junior officers is learned at the deck plate and communicating is obviously key. Junior officer training is a main tenet of the CPO's job and most of us take it seriously. Some CPOs I guess worry that the officer will become popular or more of a friend-type-figure, and sailors will go to them before going through the chain of command. I have seen that happen. The Marine Corps for some reason doesn't have that problem.
 
One of the best changes they made at USNA since my time was adding a Chief or Marine NCO at the Company level. That didn't exist during my time. I saw a briefing by a Company Officer/Marine NCO team at one on of my BGO training sessions years ago, and their coordination was outstanding. I think that goes a long way to improving the Midshipman understanding of the Division Officer/Chief relationship. On the other hand, I suspect the Midshipman don't appreciate having a second set of eyes on them at the Company level; we had a HTCM as Asst Company Officer at NAPS, and he had done it all, seen it all, and we never got anything past him !

My favorite Chief (well Master Chief ) story was my check in at my Squadron in the Mid 80s. (I have probably told it before, as I repeat it often) -- The Command Master Chief was on everyone (officer and enlisted) check in list, and as I was waiting to to meet with the Master Chief, I noticed an eval on his wall ... it was as an AB2, and dated within a month of the day I was born. I commented on it the date when Master Chief Gray walked in, and he smiled and replied that when he started getting good evals... another Master Chief who had done it all and seen it all....before I was born !
 
Old Navy BGO said:
One of the best changes they made at USNA since my time was adding a Chief or Marine NCO at the Company level. That didn't exist during my time. I saw a briefing by a Company Officer/Marine NCO team at one on of my BGO training sessions years ago, and their coordination was outstanding. I think that goes a long way to improving the Midshipman understanding of the Division Officer/Chief relationship. On the other hand, I suspect the Midshipman don't appreciate having a second set of eyes on them at the Company level; we had a HTCM as Asst Company Officer at NAPS, and he had done it all, seen it all, and we never got anything past him !

My favorite Chief (well Master Chief ) story was my check in at my Squadron in the Mid 80s. (I have probably told it before, as I repeat it often) -- The Command Master Chief was on everyone (officer and enlisted) check in list, and as I was waiting to to meet with the Master Chief, I noticed an eval on his wall ... it was as an AB2, and dated within a month of the day I was born. I commented on it the date when Master Chief Gray walked in, and he smiled and replied that when he started getting good evals... another Master Chief who had done it all and seen it all....before I was born !
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And by the same token, I had just been frocked to CDR as I came into an O-5 XO billet as a newly-selected O-5, and I met the Command Master Chief. For the first time in my career, I was older than the CMC. I knew I was gettin’ old then. By definition, Master Chiefs sailed with either Noah on USS ARK or Moses on USS BULRUSH and know absolutely everything. It was disconcerting.
 
Capt MJ said:
And by the same token, I had just been frocked to CDR as I came into an O-5 XO billet as a newly-selected O-5, and I met the Command Master Chief. For the first time in my career, I was older than the CMC. I knew I was gettin’ old then. By definition, Master Chiefs sailed with either Noah on USS ARK or Moses on USS BULRUSH and know absolutely everything. It was disconcerting.
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As an Ensign I was the Defense Counsel at a Chief's initiation at NAS Norfolk. Very large event with chiefs from many commands at the NAS and many of the defense counsels were senior officers, one a RADM. The first time I got up, the judge - a VERY salty Master Chief looked at me kind of strangely and for the rest of the event, he ran me pretty hard - I won't divulge secrets here but lets just say, I was somewhat initiated as well. Afterward, he told my command's Master Chief that he recognized the name and that my father had been the "Prosecutor" when he was initiated.
 
OldRetSWO said:
As an Ensign I was the Defense Counsel at a Chief's initiation at NAS Norfolk. Very large event with chiefs from many commands at the NAS and many of the defense counsels were senior officers, one a RADM. The first time I got up, the judge - a VERY salty Master Chief looked at me kind of strangely and for the rest of the event, he ran me pretty hard - I won't divulge secrets here but lets just say, I was somewhat initiated as well. Afterward, he told my command's Master Chief that he recognized the name and that my father had been the "Prosecutor" when he was initiated.
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That was a huge honor as you know to be treated that way. If you had been immediately dismissed, it would have been a total show of disrespect toward you. Also a very cool story with the family connection.
 
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