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

The other side of the coin could be that it represents more things to buy at the uniform store and more things to keep track of on your uniform for inspection. Are the stars in the right place? Are they straight? Multiple uniforms...more work.
That’s about right. Although as @usna1985 mentions, they are technically part of the uniform. I’d say the majority of mids don’t wear stars on their blues every day because it’s a bit tacky and kind of like bragging (not really, but that is how it’s perceived). However, there is a time and place. I’m sure everyone has a set of blues with all applicable awards pinned on for situations where it would matter. Same for SDBs. Adjudications and IPO interviews are notorious for annihilating mids who aren’t wearing proper stars/awards.

Interestingly, PRT max pins are worn almost universally by those who max the test. There’s a weird dynamic here that it’s ok to struggle academically, but not ok to struggle physically. Similarly, it’s ok to wear a prt max pin, but not ok to wear a pin commending grades (among other things).
 
PRT max pins and Dant’s stars didn’t exist for us. The little pins on working blues are a pain in the tail. But like you said every Mid has an inspection ready set. The one universal pin all Mids wore were service selection pins when we got our assignments (we used to get them in late January... I am a fan of you guys getting them earlier now).
 
Locally known among some as a “nerd star.”
LOL..when I first saw the title of this thread, that (or something similar ) was my first reaction. Will admit I got to wear stars one semester at USNA . I never thought it was an option to wear or not.
 
PRT max pins and Dant’s stars didn’t exist for us. The little pins on working blues are a pain in the tail. But like you said every Mid has an inspection ready set. The one universal pin all Mids wore were service selection pins when we got our assignments (we used to get them in late January... I am a fan of you guys getting them earlier now).
Service Selection pins didn't exist when I was a mid and nor did PRT Max, there were only two, the Stars and the N pin. I certainly wore my N Pin and still have it.
 
My son doesn't wear his. I don't even think he bought them. He said he feels the same about it as people getting an LOA. Nobody really needs to know. If he was required to wear the stars, of course he would.

Same goes for the published lists. I noticed up until last year, USNA published current and archived lists. That's no longer the case. I asked my son if he knew why. He said no, and it didn't matter to him. He knows he made it. He doesn't need anyone else to know.
 
DD made the Dant's list and Dean's list 5 semesters but the Supe's list eluded her until last year, 2/C. Don't know if she wears the pin but she does wear the sweater.
 
Was there a published Supe's list? I have only been able to find the Dant's list. Thanks! BTW - I think the Mids are being "encouraged" to wear them now, although the feel I get is a many still do not. As proud parents DW and I ask DD to wear it. She is indifferent.
Same here!
 
Gold=Supe’s list
Silver=Dant’s list
Bronze=Dean’s list
Always asked our mid to wear his stars, but he was very reluctant as his company generally didn’t wear them.
 
When I worked on the Joint Staff, we had to wear this HUGE insignia that indicated we worked on the Joint Staff. It was big and ugly and dwarfed meaningful things like warfare pins, etc. We all hated wearing it. However, it was part of the uniform and, when you're in the military, you wear the uniform of the day.

The following may not be a popular position and reflects only my personal opinion. . . . Stars should either be a uniform item or not be a uniform item. This is the military, not high school. If the stars are part of the UNIFORM, then those who are entitled to wear them should wear them. I must admit that I'm not impressed with mids who decide they don't want to wear the stars they earned. What if they didn't want to wear black socks and instead wanted to wear red socks? What kind of example does this set for the men and women they lead? Should the person selected Sailor of the Quarter not accept that great achievement?

It's clearly some sort of "statement." Perhaps they're saying, "I'm no better than my classmate who doesn't wear stars." But they are -- in certain areas. Under this theory, varsity athletes shouldn't wear their "N" Sweaters b/c that signals they're better athletes than their peers. And people who earn jump wings shouldn't wear those. And SEALs shouldn't wear their insignia b/c that could offend someone who didn't make it. Some mids would probably love to be able to wear stars and would wear them proudly. Not b/c they are "better" than others but b/c they have worked hard to get good grades, good PT scores and stay out of trouble.

For those who think they are somehow "better" b/c they're not wearing the stars they earned -- get over yourselves.

[Again, sorry if this is an unpopular opinion -- also realize it reflects my views, which are a product of my generation and not necessarily today's young folks.]
 
The sentiment that was alluded to earlier was the stars were seen as a sort of a demonstration of arrogance. I'd say that attitude remains present at school. I get it though: we are taught to be humble achievers, yet we are required to wear individualistic decorations. Right before I graduated ('20) there was a huge push for all pins to be worn. Two examples were a push to wear detailer pins and having to wear the stars to rate the privileges of whatever list(s) you were on (you only wear the highest list if you are on multiple though). At least amongst my firstie friends, I saw a huge uptick in people being forced to wear their Weapons, Plebe Summer, and/or NASS Detailer pin. Another fun fact is that the stars are technically supposed to be worn on Summer Whites and the Parade Uniform. However, my experience was wear on Summer Whites was less common than SDBs or Working Blues and wear on the Parade Uniform was pretty much non-existent.

The one pin that I found was most coveted was the Intramural Champion pin. It was ironically the biggest too.
 
It's clearly some sort of "statement." Perhaps they're saying, "I'm no better than my classmate who doesn't wear stars." But they are -- in certain areas. Under this theory, varsity athletes shouldn't wear their "N" Sweaters b/c that signals they're better athletes than their peers. And people who earn jump wings shouldn't wear those. And SEALs shouldn't wear their insignia b/c that could offend someone who didn't make it. Some mids would probably love to be able to wear stars and would wear them proudly. Not b/c they are "better" than others but b/c they have worked hard to get good grades, good PT scores and stay out of trouble.

For those who think they are somehow "better" b/c they're not wearing the stars they earned -- get over yourselves.

I think this permeates through all US culture, and isn't a military phenomenon. I dont know if it is the fear of appearing arrogant or of being labeled a nerd, lab geek, etc. My guess is that it is the latter.
 
^^^^

I'm very impressed with everyone who becomes a mid. I'm very impressed my most of those who try to become mids and don't succeed. I'm very impressed that your son has achieved so much at USNA. Perhaps I should say that I'm disappointed in his choice not to wear his pin and, if it's a statement of "arrogance" as others have said, I personally am not impressed by that.

But it's only my opinion. You definitely shouldn't lose sleep over it.:)

Finally, if mids don't want to wear their stars or pins or whatever, USNA should do away with them. There can be lists but there need not be pins. If there are pins, then they should be required uniform items, not a choice.
 
If there are pins, then they should be required uniform items, not a choice.
I agree. As I mentioned in my original post, if it were a required uniform item, he would wear it.

"Humility" is mentioned countless times when USNA is describing what they are looking for in a future officer. I just think many of these Mids want to stay humble.

But this does bring up the question---Why is it not a required uniform item? That would settle this whole thing.
 
@usna1985 Points well taken, and I really liked your post.

I think this permeates through all US culture, and isn't a military phenomenon. I dont know if it is the fear of appearing arrogant or of being labeled a nerd, lab geek, etc. My guess is that it is the latter.

I think this missed the mark. At least at USNA, its simply an arrogance thing. No one wants to wear a gold star if their roommate is a 2.0 and go kind of student. I don't think any lower-achievers are offended by mids wearing stars either.
 
I agree. As I mentioned in my original post, if it were a required uniform item, he would wear it.

"Humility" is mentioned countless times when USNA is describing what they are looking for in a future officer. I just think many of these Mids want to stay humble.

But this does bring up the question---Why is it not a required uniform item? That would settle this whole thing.
I do not believe it is an "Optional" uniform item. It clearly is not an ENFORCED uniform item.
 
I can only say that, if my roommate had worn stars, I would have been really, really proud of her. (As I've noted repeatedly, in my day, it was very, very rare to be on Supe's list, since only the top 50-75 in the entire class had a 3.4 or higher GPA). I would not have been offended or felt any less of a mid had she earned them and worn them.

To me, it's no different than your roommate being selected as a mega-striper. Or being chosen as a Rhodes Scholar (or other scholar). Under this theory, no one should accept those "honors/achievements" b/c not everyone is selected and some people might be hurt.

You can both be humble and take pride in your earned and well-deserved achievements. Hopefully, current mids will one day understand that.
 
At least amongst my firstie friends, I saw a huge uptick in people being forced to wear their Weapons, Plebe Summer, and/or NASS Detailer pin ***The one pin that I found was most coveted was the Intramural Champion pin. It was ironically the biggest too.

Way to many pins named in this post for my liking...In the day, we had Supe's List pin and ( I think) YP command , both of which were pretty significant achievements. I don't recall anyone who earned them not wearing them. I'm okay with the Service Selection pins for Firsties ..but awarding a pin for other activities sounds a little to much like participation trophies.
 
Way to many pins named in this post for my liking...In the day, we had Supe's List pin and ( I think) YP command , both of which were pretty significant achievements. I don't recall anyone who earned them not wearing them. I'm okay with the Service Selection pins for Firsties ..but awarding a pin for other activities sounds a little to much like participation trophies.
N pins were around in the 70's for wear on SDB
 
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