Posted on 05/26/2010 6:05:57 AM PDT by JustSurrounded
Naval Academy upperclassmen call greaseless climb a 'joke'
The Naval Academy's annual Herndon Climb had hardly begun yesterday before it was over.
Midshipman 4th Class Keegan Albi, from Eugene, Ore., scaled the 21-foot-tall obelisk in two minutes, five seconds.
Academy officials decreed this year that the Herndon Monument was not to be greased with lard, as is customary, and that the freshmen, or plebes, were not to be sprayed with garden hoses, as in most years. Also, the hat that the plebes were to remove from the top of the monument could not be taped or glued down.
The climb marks the traditional end of plebe year. The sophomore class usually coats the monument with up to 200 pounds of lard, and it normally takes the freshmen between one and three hours to complete the climb.
Albi's time is the second-fastest on record, according to the Naval Academy. Larry Fanning climbed the monument in one minute, 30 seconds in 1969; the monument was not greased that year, either.
Superintendent Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler said recently he is concerned about plebes being subjected to unnecessary injuries during the Herndon Climb, and that it may be time to abolish the tradition altogether.
(Excerpt) Read more at hometownannapolis.com ...
I recommend they continue the march and ban football, basketball, croquet and any other possible activity that might incur a hangnail or sprain.
Nah..just slap the ship with a purse.
If I am correct Superintendent Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler is in the last year of his tour at the Academy. He WILL NOT be missed and many at the Academy consider him a disaster. Among the WORST things he has gone is lowered academic standards in the name of “diversity”!
Exactly so. Can’t leave soon enough for many of us.
This is a huge deal, this is part of a rite of passage.
Challanges met and conquered are what give us the inspiration to persevere in the face of adversity. It is what gives us the “measure of a man.”
Taking away a tradition like this can only severe to diminish the sense of pride from this institution at a time when our country needs men and women who are willing to stand up and be counted.
Actually, as I think about it, this is why I worry when Obama says his military leaders agree with him about some social policy (such as don’t ask, don’t tell). We see all too many of them acting on a political agenda with an eye toward positioning themselves for the next job, rather than working to build the best military force.
He was to stupid te even buy the hull molds for the new 44’s when the company went out of business. Now we only have half the new boats we need!
I understand “Fowler” never sailed on one of the old 44’s and has never more than set foot on one of the new and much improved 44’s.
That’s why Real Sailors are made at Kings Point. Annapolis only make gentlemen. Wouldn’t want to get any of those NADs hurt or their uniform dirty.
The only thing nautical about the Navy is that they own ships and the cute little unitforms they wear.
I could go on and on...
Of course, I went to Kings Point - The only Federal Academy to be allowed to carry a Battle Standard for students actually lost in war time - WW II.
I do have a lot of respect for the USNA, but it’s hard to let a chance to rib them go by :)
lol...since I sponsor 8 mids, I take it a bit more personal but I can’t argue with your observation.
Now THAT is absolutely true.
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