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Perception of USNA Grads...

BRM21o

New Member
What is the perception of Academy grads in the fleet? I've recently heard from more than a few people that they hide the fact they graduated from here. Doesn't it seem like a lot of bull$hit to put up with and not recognize your accomplishments?
 

Herc_Dude

I believe nicotine + caffeine = protein
pilot
Contributor
You might get some $hit for not going through OCS, and you will try to compare your 4 years to OCS and we will always think its not as hard ... but its all in good fun. We all know you had plenty of BS thrown at you during your 4 years there .... we just had it condensed into 10 weeks. Some others might have different opinions, but as far as the cirles I run in, we are all the same.
 

phrogdriver

More humble than you would understand
pilot
Super Moderator
They don't hide it, but they don't advertise it, either. When asked, they will sheepishly say,"...I went to the boat school," or "....I went to a small trade school in Maryland." Ring knocking gets one nowhere in the Corps--no one holds it in any higher regard than OCC, PLC, or NROTC. On the flip side, no one looks down on it, just don't start on stories from Plebe Summer or Leatherneck when your buddies talk about OCS. They will look at you strangely.

You should go to USNA because it's something you want to do, not because you think gets you ahead of your compatriots. If that's the case, good on ya.

Oh yeah--squids, note that this is in the Marines forum, so I'm guessing the originator wants Marine input. I'm sure the Navy still regards USNA as the best thing since light beer.
 

Brett327

Well-Known Member
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
What is the perception of Academy grads in the fleet? I've recently heard from more than a few people that they hide the fact they graduated from here. Doesn't it seem like a lot of bull$hit to put up with and not recognize your accomplishments?

Honestly, nobody gives a rat's a$$ what your accomplishments were in college - especially not me. All of you, regardless of commissioning source, start out as a blank slate when you pin on those Ensign bars. Similarly, nobody in the fleet cares what you did in flight school. Your first opportunity to start establishing a reputation will be in the RAG. At the end of the day, people will care more about how good you sound on the radio than where you got your degree. Your accomplishments, while worthy of personal pride, are no different from any of your shipmates, so try to keep that in mind. ;)

Brett
 

wrk

Member
I'd say after TBS no one really cares either way. In my personal opinion, I think going to a normal college and doing NROTC or PLC/OCC is a better way to go, but if you want to go to the Academy, go for it, it's one of the best educations you can get.
 

Herc_Dude

I believe nicotine + caffeine = protein
pilot
Contributor
I'd say after TBS no one really cares either way. In my personal opinion, I think going to a normal college and doing NROTC or PLC/OCC is a better way to go, but if you want to go to the Academy, go for it, it's one of the best educations you can get.

That is a great point ... there is a lot to say about doing the OCC/PLC/NROTC thing at a state school and being able to do all the retarted fun stuff that college is all about (give me a moment to reminisce) :icon_zbee ... On the other hand, if you want to run for congress someday the Academy sure would look good and Im sure you will learn a lot more ...
 

Sly1978

Living the Dream
pilot
I have no problems with Academy grads. In fact, some of my best friends went to the Academy. I just wouldn't want my sister to marry one, is all...

Actually, in all seriousness, you make take crap as an Academy grad, but there are plenty of them to spread the wealth so no one takes too much. As far as hiding it, lately there's been a new trend at HSC-3 for all the graduates of the Annapolis Finishing School for Boys to wear their school crest as their right shoulder patch.

edit: I did forget to mention that when a big grey ship goes by, it's nice to have a ring-knocker there to tell me what kind it is.
 

MrSaturn

Well-Known Member
Contributor
What is the perception of Academy grads in the fleet? I've recently heard from more than a few people that they hide the fact they graduated from here. Doesn't it seem like a lot of bull$hit to put up with and not recognize your accomplishments?

Im a USNA grad at Corpus in Primary.

I simply dont care cause no one else really does either. If you ask me where Im from I say my home town. Ask me my school its the academy.The only other way to tell is that I have a water bottle with the seal on it that is always in my bag or from my ATJ.

However, I do wear my ring because it helps me focus when im studying. Why? It means something to me. If you still feel disgruntled about academy life send me a private message Ill help you sort it out.
 
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