tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post7160143488299114720..comments2024-01-03T05:18:54.650-05:00Comments on CDR Salamander: The last fish from the stern tubes ...CDR Salamanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981221786954902349noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-888075714715979262010-06-15T16:18:15.000-04:002010-06-15T16:18:15.000-04:00<span>That was thinking and the application ...<span>That was thinking and the application of specifics to make a point. CDR Salamander, I love your free-thinking repertoire and your calling out of Fowler's dirty secrets, but I've noticed some very selective posts that cast a negative light on Annapolis. Just a friendly observation. My respect for you still remains.</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-17788321872181353842010-06-11T13:27:05.000-04:002010-06-11T13:27:05.000-04:00Adam,
Never did I say that it was the fault of th...Adam,<br /><br />Never did I say that it was the fault of the Midshipmen that this nonsense went on. The Middies specifically mentioned are symptoms of the disease, but not the disease itself. <br /><br />Yes, I have served with the products of this crap. I have seen guys who were outstanding officers from USNA, good ones, mediocre ones, and poor ones. What the system there gave us, however, was a number of men who would have been fine Marine Officers but for the attitude of elitism and privilege that set them out on the absolute wrong foot with their Marines and brother Officers. <br /><br />Some figured out the score in a hurry and did fine. Others never recovered and saw promising careers shortened. That is a product of a system that needs fixing. The Fowler shenanigans made an already seriously flawed system many times worse.UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-88430980225696624822010-06-11T13:04:31.000-04:002010-06-11T13:04:31.000-04:00Byron,
I'm not saying that CDR or commenters ...Byron,<br /><br />I'm not saying that CDR or commenters are posting purely negative things about the Academy. I was only trying to get across that former midshipmen are serving to the best of their ability and I for one love my job and wouldn't give it up for the world. My close friends, including my wife, are all graduates and I have not seen/heard of one of them not giving 100% in their training or their billets. Sal has always been fair in his posts, and I was merely pointing out that gross generalizations of academy grads' competence are innacurate.<br /><br />Ultima,<br /><br />I completely agree with your first paragraph in that the "leadership" has affected many more than 5 mids. I serve with plenty of sh*tbags daily, and guess what, most of them are ROTC or OCS. Bad eggs come from everywhere, brother. As a side note I suppose I should mention that I pay taxes as well, since that seemed to have some bearing on making generalizations. I'm 23, so now you can tell if I was born or old enough to read during all your trying times serving with the products of this "crap." Your posts message, aside from the rampant patronization, was correct in that it only takes a few deficient leaders or leadership decisions to give an institution a "bad name" or lower the standards for all.Adamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-2761215935850029932010-06-11T05:54:06.000-04:002010-06-11T05:54:06.000-04:00Adam,
If you think that dual-track (read: discrim...Adam,<br /><br />If you think that dual-track (read: discriminatory) admissions and academic standards, and the "color" guard incident, and the subsequent lack of forthrightness out of the mouths of "leadership" affected four or five Mids, then you have been dragging off of the same blunts that Curry has. <br /><br />The above sh*t sandwich is a reflection of the "leadership" at USNA. Precisely the point of the post and the comments. I have to serve with the products of this crap, probably have since before you were born or learning to read. I am also a taxpayer shelling out my part (or more than my part) for the hundreds of millions that Annapolis costs every year.<br /><br />So save the lectures, and learn that, yes, when the few in question are in leadership positions, they are guaranteed to give that "bad name".UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-30467948604984394722010-06-11T04:26:28.000-04:002010-06-11T04:26:28.000-04:00Perhaps you should browse back through the article...Perhaps you should browse back through the articles the good CDR has written under the USNA tag at the bottom of the article. There you could see replies from a goodly amount of mids who are disgusted with them. And this same educational system produced a group of Marine officers who were caught cheating their land nav course, MARINES for God's sake! Personally, I could give a rat's ass about the scholarly education they receive; I'm more interested in seeing the mids come out as Ensigns and 2cd Lt.s who deeply understand military history and the crushing responsibiliy of the honor bestowed on them to lead sailors and Marines whose lives will depend upon the decision making of these newly minted officers.Byronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-8072806609252392772010-06-10T23:22:22.000-04:002010-06-10T23:22:22.000-04:00So out of the 4-5 thousand midshipmen that were cl...So out of the 4-5 thousand midshipmen that were classmates of those you named Ultima, you determine that a poll of 5 mids is a good cross-section? I didn't like Fowler's double-talk, nor did I enjoy Klien's tenure there. Although in Klein's defense she did a good Soulja Boy impression... Not every midshipmen can be thrown into the same category because of the failings of the few, especially since they have no direct control over the policies that have allowed the few in question to give us a bad name in the first place. If you are dead set on parroting the same old topics that have been discussed ad nauseum, just copy and paste, it's faster. Anyone with the power of reason and a moral compass that points anywhere close to north see that Ballard is clearly in the wrong, that bending the rules for a pregnant midshipman to graduate, etc., etc. is complete horseshit. I'm certainly not arguing against that, but I am opposed to the generalizations that are becoming more prevalent as to the competence and/or moral standards of current and former midshipmen. Adamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-58589903789179488662010-06-10T17:47:09.000-04:002010-06-10T17:47:09.000-04:00Dual track discriminatory admissions standards. D...Dual track discriminatory admissions standards. Dual track academic standards. USNA "color" guard fiasco. Eckel, Ballard, Curry, Washington, pregnant Middie graduating, Fowler's forked tongue. <br /><br />Specifics. Gag.UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-22231266332868977322010-06-10T16:22:35.000-04:002010-06-10T16:22:35.000-04:00Generalizations.
Gag.Generalizations.<br /><br />Gag.Adamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-82071388227532205112010-06-10T10:23:21.000-04:002010-06-10T10:23:21.000-04:00There's nothing new about the effects of '...There's nothing new about the effects of 'politics & politicians' on the military. As long as the CIC is the determining factor in the advancement of the "upper ranks", most of the upper ranks will bend to his will. God Bless those of firm backbone - hopefully they will outnumber the 'boot lickers'!<br />GO NAVY!!!!!brian3321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-82353652883867985032010-06-09T20:34:41.000-04:002010-06-09T20:34:41.000-04:00VADM & grads, get over it. Nice location with ...VADM & grads, get over it. Nice location with honest mil-wierdness 24x7xforever, doesn't produce incrementally better Navy leadership. <br /><br />Post anonymous, be real, whatever, but it doesn't change the equation. of D1 football+marginal leaders producing rancor, fleet confusion, and taxpayers giving USNA the 'ol hairy eyeball.DM05noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-15075831020664433412010-06-09T18:26:28.000-04:002010-06-09T18:26:28.000-04:00... and I am arguably the nation's premier blo...... and I am arguably the nation's premier blog.<br /><br />Think - don't emote. Blinkered devotion is not attractive in a free thinking culture.cdrsalamandernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-63972644272834786222010-06-09T18:12:33.000-04:002010-06-09T18:12:33.000-04:00way to point out 2 events and deem the USNA worthl...way to point out 2 events and deem the USNA worthless.. If I point out the Marshall Scholar in the Class of 2010 and the two Truman Scholars in 2011, does that bring the total to +1 for Navy and warrant that they keep the doors open? <br /><br />I agree NAPS should close the doors, but USNA remains arguably the nation's premier institution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-4696662321676199442010-06-09T18:02:55.000-04:002010-06-09T18:02:55.000-04:00I'm guessing you got denied from USNA, huh?I'm guessing you got denied from USNA, huh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-26041832760322978112010-06-09T15:09:16.000-04:002010-06-09T15:09:16.000-04:00<span>Loved and couldn't agree more with...<span>Loved and couldn't agree more with the comment..."I do know officers who do not know how to engage with the community they serve; they and their families rarely venture outside base or the Navy social contacts - because they are socially awkward outside the lifelines."</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>Reminds me of the ads in the MOAA magazine for retired military communities. Just what I want (not)...living only among military members who could never let it go. The last thing that I would want is to live in a community with my ex-rank on my lawn and cut-thriat competitions for lawn-of-the-month.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>FYI...I'm very proud of my service, loved every duty station, but equally as proud of what I am doing post-AD. I just don't and never did want to live it 365-24-7 from a social standpoint. Support for the troups is different...that was a 365-24-7 honor!</span>Navy Supponoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-40685010408252258602010-06-09T12:04:35.000-04:002010-06-09T12:04:35.000-04:00and now the comments dissolve into Academy hate.
...and now the comments dissolve into Academy hate.<br /><br />I agree with most of this post, but caution haters to consider their motivations.<br />I'd imagine most state-school lawyers spend a lot of time whining about Harvard Law grads.anonymoosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-81837971921131712862010-06-09T08:54:28.000-04:002010-06-09T08:54:28.000-04:00I love the comment about Naval Academy pukes spend...I love the comment about Naval Academy pukes spending 24/7 living "military" lifestyle. Whatever you say, Admiral. Then, when they get to the fleet, they are "burned out" and sit in their staterooms all day for the first six months of their tours and have excuses made about how hard life was for them in the Academy.<br /><br />Gag.Salty Gatornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-23600046234732998282010-06-09T01:09:01.000-04:002010-06-09T01:09:01.000-04:00I watched this guy's product.
There was the d...I watched this guy's product.<br /><br />There was the drug doing football player he refused to expell and there was the drug smuggling felon out here in San Diego on summer break caught crossing the border with a carload of drugs. There are the rapists and whores he had on his staff.<br /><br />This guy cannot just leave and say he was providing quality to the fleet.<br /><br />NAPS needs to be closed as part of the cost reduction demanded by Gates. I think we'd do very well without USNA. Probably give the Navy a billion $ right there and then we sell all that waterfront property......Curtisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-46697509900068163802010-06-08T13:33:00.000-04:002010-06-08T13:33:00.000-04:00Because command there perpetuates the self licking...Because command there perpetuates the self licking ice cream cone. They are the 3 chimps, hear no, see no, speak no evil. If they spent half the time and effort producing officers as they do patting themselves on the back and they would be ok. Instead they worry about the wrong stuff, teach via ppt in many of the professional development courses and the mids are allowed and expected to pump and dump. They try to practically reinforce the lessons, but truth be told, they are not really held to it. Additionally, during the legal fiascos of 2005/2006, I remember a Marine Colonel saying he was unimpressed w/ the midshipmen in that his Marines were held to a higher standard than these perspective officers. The large bulk of the student body just breezes through and the institution spends a great deal of time w/ the lower and upper portions of the population. One to push and further their credentials in the hopes they bring notoriety to the academy and the lower portion are pushed to avoid failing them. I am inclined to agree w/ the good Colonel.LT Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-13140717798391305132010-06-08T13:11:55.000-04:002010-06-08T13:11:55.000-04:00Phib:
The Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Naval, Ai...Phib:<br /><br />The Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Naval, Air Force, and "Military" (i.e. Hudson Prep) Academies should play in the same league, the same one as the U of Chicago.<br /><br />Stealing Prep seats from good sailors is below baseline behavior. The rest is unfortunate, and should be corrected. THAT is grounds for termination, of the football program at least.<br /><br />Sailing - fine; swimming or Scuba - Ok; fencing - sure; crew (rowing) - why not?; f-ball, round ball, b-ball, phooey. Let some other school be a finishing school for pro ball players, save the seats for people who want to be Navy and Marine officers.<br /><br />Why? War isn't a ball game. Graduates with no interest in active service do nothing to put ordnance on target, programs that attract such folk are rubbish.<br /><br />Take out the trash.<br /><br />But I repeat myself.Grandpa Bluewaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-80053456041558354902010-06-08T12:54:32.000-04:002010-06-08T12:54:32.000-04:00Byron:
Subtract one beer from the total you inten...Byron:<br /><br />Subtract one beer from the total you intend to buy me. I think I no longer owe you a keyboard either.Grandpa Bluewaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-85963551133399008502010-06-08T11:34:01.000-04:002010-06-08T11:34:01.000-04:00A junior officer I know met both Eckel and Ballard...A junior officer I know met both Eckel and Ballard at USNA. Eckel took a lot of heat (rightfully so), while Ballard was held up as a relative paragon of virtue. However, in the Ensign's opinion, the primary difference between the two was that Eckel made no bones about his desire to play in the NFL above all else, so he didn't even pretend to care about the Navy. Other than that, they were pretty much the same. Just a data point.QSPNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-23563278139156147162010-06-08T11:15:25.000-04:002010-06-08T11:15:25.000-04:00<span>>Across the board, the feedback we...<span>>Across the board, the feedback we receive is that recent academy graduates are performing superbly, and our Navy and Marine Corps are well served by these leaders. </span><br /><br />That is called "the race perpetuating itself." The Foreign Service seems to have a similar problem.Andrewdbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-47184807302677716052010-06-08T10:24:11.000-04:002010-06-08T10:24:11.000-04:00CDR S.,
Regarding this passage: <span&...CDR S.,<br /><br /> Regarding this passage: <span>"</span><i><span>That Ensign is performing so well because he is obviously from Annapolis and understands the military</span></i><span>." A Chief sure never said that.</span>" let me state on behalf of chiefs that is the truth. We don't care where he went to school. We do care that officers (particularly new ones) listen and understand they don't need to prove to us how smart they are. The best officers were the ones unafraid to admit they didn't know everything and willing to ask the questions that will fill in the blanks. When you see a real sharp, CO, XO or DH you are seeing someone who asked a lot of questions as an ensign. The opposite is also true. Consider one cruiser CO relieved earlier this year. A repeated comment about her was she didn't ask questions out of fear of betraying her own lack of knowledge on a subject. That is one area where the difference is in source of commission. Non-academy grads are less concerned with maintaining an all knowing facade. <br /><br />Talk to a few chiefs and you'll get a hundred anecdotes on this subject. I've seen exceptional officers from all paths to a commission. Best XO I remember was anchor man from his academy class. The most frustrating XO's/CO's were nuclear qualified because they needed to know every detail and tended to micromanage.Largebillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-81941698588374024452010-06-08T10:08:32.000-04:002010-06-08T10:08:32.000-04:00Fowler was, at one time, widely respected in the S...Fowler was, at one time, widely respected in the Submarine Force as a great leader and a helluva guy, too. He started his tour as supe with some good ideas. Too bad he lost his way. Seawolfnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-15146589717140751152010-06-08T09:49:12.000-04:002010-06-08T09:49:12.000-04:00I hear the same rumblings amongst the Midshipmen. ...I hear the same rumblings amongst the Midshipmen. They recognize the problem; why can't Command?pcssepanoreply@blogger.com