President speaks at USNA graduation (to unarmed grads)

[HeyJoe]

No swords in sight

090522-N-1026O-002 ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 22, 2009) A newly commissioned ensign celebrates after receiving her diploma at the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2009 graduation and commissioning ceremony. The Class of 2009 graduated 785 ensigns and 233 Marine Corps 2nd. lieutenants in front of an audience of nearly 30,000 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. (U.S. Navy photo by Shannon O'Connor/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

President congratulates unarmed USNA grads

090522-N-1026O-003 ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 22, 2009) U.S. President Barack Obama congratulates a newly commissioned Navy ensign during the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2009 graduation and commissioning ceremony. Obama delivered his first graduation speech as Commander-in-Chief to an audience of nearly 30,000 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. (U.S. Navy photo by Shannon OíConnor/Released)

090522-N-0593C-696 ANNAPOLIS, M.D. (May 22, 2009) U.S. President Barack Obama congratulates a new Marine Corps 2nd lieutenant on his commissioning into the U.S. Marine Corps during a graduation and commissioning ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Obama delivered the commencement address to more than 1,030 graduating Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Croft/ Released)

 

[Gatordev]

So how many times does the Academy get MUCs? And how does, what is essentially a training command, get MUCs? Who do they compete against? That's always baffled me.

 

[HH-60H]

So how many times does the Academy get MUCs? And how does, what is essentially a training command, get MUCs? Who do they compete against? That's always baffled me.

The President said, during his commencement address, that this the 2nd time USNA has gotten a MUC.

What do you mean who do they compete against? Isn't that like saying who are you competing against for a NAM, COM, etc?

As far as getting it as a training command, it helps that the training command is commanded by a VADM, and the last time it got one it was commanded by an ADM, who I think was senior to the CNO (by TIG and TIS, not position obviously)

 

[Gatordev]

The President said, during his commencement address, that this the 2nd time USNA has gotten a MUC.

I didn't realize they had just been awarded it. I just saw the pics of a bunch of mids wearing it and I knew they weren't old enough to have been around for the first one.

What do you mean who do they compete against? Isn't that like saying who are you competing against for a NAM, COM, etc?

I was getting my awards rules mixed up. Now that you say that, the light-bulb went off. I think for some reason I had Battle E in my mind when I wrote that.

As far as getting it as a training command, it helps that the training command is commanded by a VADM, and the last time it got one it was commanded by an ADM, who I think was senior to the CNO (by TIG and TIS, not position obviously)

At the end of the day, that's probably the most accurate answer. I know the joke about the previous MUC was that no one cheated or raped anyone, so they were awarded a MUC. I'm not saying I subscribe to that mindset, but it is kind of an amusing thing to say.

 

[CommodoreMid]

Random USNA uniform question- I noticed all the females in these pictures are wearing shoulder boards on their dress whites, but on officer female dress whites you don't wear shoulder boards. Does the academy specially make jackets with epaulets and do all the academy females have to cut them off once commissioned? Because that would look kinda weird.

 

[a-6intruder]

It's being reported that a directive was issued to prohibit Navy and Marine Corps officer from carrying any kind of sword during the POTUS visit/graduation address.

Hmmm warriors with weapons... and they can't be trusted?

Story here:

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/21/inside-the-beltway-97423759/

This is a non-story. Prescribed uniform was Service Dress White (chokers / ribbons), not Full Dress (chokers / medals / gloves / swords). THere was no reason to have a sword. Not sure its always been that way or not, but a quick scan of several years showed neither the Mids nor any of the key players on the podium in Full Dress. Didn't matter if it was POTUS or SECNAV as the guest speaker. Conspiracy theorists back in your cage...

The directive is probably SOP whenever POTUS (regardless of whether he's Republican or Democrat) comes to visit, either @ USNA or another military installation.

 

[HH-60H]

This is a non-story. Prescribed uniform was Service Dress White (chokers / ribbons), not Full Dress (chokers / medals / gloves / swords). THere was no reason to have a sword. Not sure its always been that way or not, but a quick scan of several years showed neither the Mids nor any of the key players on the podium in Full Dress. Didn't matter if it was POTUS or SECNAV as the guest speaker. Conspiracy theorists back in your cage...

The directive is probably SOP whenever POTUS (regardless of whether he's Republican or Democrat) comes to visit, either @ USNA or another military installation.

It's been SDW for the mids for at least the last 10 years, probably much longer.

 

[HH-60H]

Random USNA uniform question- I noticed all the females in these pictures are wearing shoulder boards on their dress whites, but on officer female dress whites you don't wear shoulder boards. Does the academy specially make jackets with epaulets and do all the academy females have to cut them off once commissioned? Because that would look kinda weird.

Yes, and if you look closely you will see the masking tape that covers their ENS stripes.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Thought it was interesting that the Marines are wearing their blues to commencement now, not coming in chokers and changing afterward like they've done since Marine choker whites went away.

 

[TheBubba]

Thought it was interesting that the Marines are wearing their blues to commencement now, not coming in chokers and changing afterward like they've done since Marine choker whites went away.

I think they started that with my class (2005). I can't remember how they did it for '04.

 

[wingsB4rings]

Thought it was interesting that the Marines are wearing their blues to commencement now, not coming in chokers and changing afterward like they've done since Marine choker whites went away.

They started it with the class of 2004.

 

[HeyJoe]

The swords now are.... no good for really doing anything more then cutting a cake, looking cool in dress unifrom or hanging on a wall.

You left out the most common use of swords in both services...wedding arches!

 

[Jim123]

You left out the most common use of swords in both services...wedding arches!

Followed of course by hitting brides in the rear and occasionally chasing feral cats and other such tomfoolery at wedding receptions (this last one is probably not anywhere in the Naval Officer's Guide...).

 

[TheBubba]

Followed of course by hitting brides in the rear and occasionally chasing feral cats and other such tomfoolery at wedding receptions (this last one is probably not anywhere in the Naval Officer's Guide...).

And allowing for multiple kisses as the newlywed couple walks under the arches... all while your best friend's new father in law cringes and looks at you like he wants to kill you each time your buddy kisses his new wife. And then you rejoice at the look of pure fury on his face as you give his daughter a nice hearty smack on the rear (with the sword, of course) welcoming her to the Navy.

I wonder why my former roommates father in law doesn't like me...