From owner-usna-net@usna.org Wed Jan 30 20:43:32 2008 Received: from navy1.usna.org (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m0V2hWEw011306; Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:43:32 -0600 Received: (from root@localhost) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1/Submit) id m0V2hWs8011305; Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:43:32 -0600 Received: from Orion (cpe-76-189-59-89.neo.res.rr.com [76.189.59.89]) (authenticated bits=0) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m0V2hV7c011301 for ; Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:43:31 -0600 Message-ID: <1d2201c863bb$4a0fe910$0402a8c0@Orion> From: "Mike Zets" To: "" Subject: usna-net Commandant's Letter to Parents... Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:42:22 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138 Sender: owner-usna-net@usna.org Reply-To: "Mike Zets" A special message from your USNA-Net Moderators... ================================================== For those of you who may not have received a copy from your local parents club or who may not be members of a local club, we are forwarding the Commandant's Letter to Parents of 15 JAN 2008.... 15 January, 2008 Dear Parents, Happy New Year. I took the opportunity to meet with all midshipmen upon their return for spring semester 2008. I summarized my comments in my message to the Brigade delivered on 03 JAN for this letter. Additionally, I've provided notable events for your planning purposes. "I have three goals to help focus your efforts during 2nd semester 2008. Commissioning: Be Prepared 2008 - You have 140 days until you receive your commission in the Navy or Marine Corps - are you ready? You will each take a commission into a Navy/Marine Corps at war. Some of you will go to school for a short time; many of you will head directly to the front lines of our defense. Are you doing everything in your capacity to be prepared for the privilege of leading the Sailors and Marines under your charge? I encourage you to enjoy your final semester at the Naval Academy; I also encourage you to strive to be the best officers you can be on commissioning day. 2009 - In 140 days you will bear the mantle of Brigade leadership for the Naval Academy. Will you be ready to assume the leadership role expected of you on May 23rd? I encourage each of you to challenge yourselves throughout this semester and start leading your underclassmen now - consult your First Class, your Company Officer, you SEL, and learn to lead from the front now - do not wait until next semester. Additionally, challenge yourselves during this coming summer and make informed decisions about your service selection. Reduce Alcohol Offenses: I challenge each of you to figure out how we can reduce the number of alcohol offenses committed by the Brigade. If I can offer any advice to those of you of legal drinking age: 1) Before you go out, have a plan. 2) Drink responsibly. 3) Drink with a friend or companion (someone who you know will take care of you if you need assistance). My goal is to not have any DUIs or ARIs (Alcohol Related Incidents) this semester. Use Summer Training to Learn: Second, Third, and Fourth Class - work with your Company Officers and SELs to develop a summer training plan that best fits your professional development goals. In order to maximize our summer training effect, SELs, Company Officers, and Battalion Officers will have a more active role in assigning summer training programs - help them help you. Overall, we had an impressive Fall semester last year, but we certainly have areas that require improvement. I encourage you to focus on your studies and challenge yourselves to meet and exceed my goals." Notable upcoming events: 2008 Orders Assignment Night: 21 February, 2008 Spring Break: 8-16 March, 2008 Last Day of Classes: 28 April, 2008 Sea Trials: 13 May, 2008 Herndon: 15 May, 2008 Commissioning Week: 19-23 May, 2008 Induction Day for the Class of 2012: 2 July, 2008 1/C Parents Weekend (date TBD) will be expanded to include 2/C Parents. Beat the Dark Ages! Margaret D. Klein Captain, U.S. Navy Commandant of Midshipmen *** USNA-Net List message from: "Mike Zets" ========================================= This Message may not be shared with any non-member! Remember, your Mid is NOT a member of this list. ========================================= Unsubscribe? Send an email to Moderator@usna.org From owner-usna-net@usna.org Wed Jan 30 20:49:00 2008 Received: from navy1.usna.org (localhost.localdomain [127.0.0.1]) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m0V2n01L011397; Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:49:00 -0600 Received: (from root@localhost) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1/Submit) id m0V2n0QO011396; Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:49:00 -0600 Received: from Orion (cpe-76-189-59-89.neo.res.rr.com [76.189.59.89]) (authenticated bits=0) by navy1.usna.org (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m0V2mxcW011392 for ; Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:48:59 -0600 Message-ID: <1d2e01c863bc$0dc9f580$0402a8c0@Orion> From: "Mike Zets" To: "" Subject: usna-net Commandant's Letter to Parents 30 JAN 2008 Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:47:48 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.3138 Sender: owner-usna-net@usna.org Reply-To: "Mike Zets" A special message from your USNA-Net Moderators... ================================================== This is the second letter from the Commandant (dated 30 JAN 2008) which we are forwarding for those who may not have received a copy through other channels... 30 January 2008 Dear Parents, Welcome to the time of our school year midshipmen affectionately deem "the Dark Ages." Longer nights and shorter days, cold weather, and the length of time between reform and spring break make this time of year especially arduous for many of our midshipmen. While First Class midshipmen are often focused on tackling the obstacles in their path to commissioning, now might be a good time to send your mid a kind letter or care package to make him or her smile on a dreary Dark Age day. Our Beat the Dark Ages Concert on 25 January was a huge success. Campus Magazine nominated magician Justin Kredible for "Entertainer of the Year" and "Best Live Novelty Performer". Comedy hypnotist and mentalist Joshua Seth performed a fast-paced, high energy show that kept the midshipmen on the edge of their seats from start to finish. These two acts have been performing at the Academy for years and have proven to be a conversation piece for weeks after their shows. Additionally, our Food Service Division hosted a special Beat the Dark Ages Surf and Turf dinner with an ice cream bar for dessert. Our Superintendent, Vice Admiral Fowler, is hosting casual dinners for the First Class midshipmen by service assigned community. Naval Aviators and Surface Warriors have had their dinners allowing time for new community members to interact with each other, staff, and faculty in a casual community specific setting. Wearing civilian clothing and taking an evening to enjoy polite dining, the positive feedback has been overwhelming. This Thursday the midshipmen selected for Marine Corps will have their dinner shortly followed by the remaining service communities in the coming weeks. The Naval Academy will host its annual Leadership Conference from 4 February to 6 February. Since 1984, the Naval Academy has hosted an annual leadership conference for senior cadets and midshipmen from each of the service academies. In 2002, the conference expanded to include students from civilian universities and broadened its scope to include leadership topics relevant to government, business, and academia, as well as the military. The conference theme of "Leadership Beyond Barriers" acknowledges the importance of diversity in organizations. It emphasizes the key role leaders play in building and maintaining a culture that accomplishes the mission and achieves goals, yet one that values and promotes the potential of all. On Saturday, 26 January, the Brigade of Midshipmen suffered a tragic loss. Midshipman Second Class Anthony J. Valliere, of Palatine, IL died of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. My staff and I are deeply saddened by this sudden loss and our most sincere sympathies and condolences go out to his family and friends. I encourage you to talk with your midshipman as loss affects us all differently; I appreciate your continued support throughout the Dark Ages. Some significant activities in February are: Six-week exams from 11-15 February, Orders Assignment Night on 21 February, Brigade Boxing Finals on 22 February, Women's and Men's Basketball at Army on 23 February, and our Black History Month Banquet on 24 February. Margaret D. Klein Captain, U.S. Navy Commandant of Midshipmen *** USNA-Net List message from: "Mike Zets" ========================================= This Message may not be shared with any non-member! Remember, your Mid is NOT a member of this list. ========================================= Unsubscribe? Send an email to Moderator@usna.org