Sea Trials
From: Kief55
Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2002
Subject: Link 50 - Sea Trials
To: usna55
From Class President: Denny Sullivan
LINK 50 - SEA TRIALS
The Plebes of the Class of 2005 are getting ready to finish up their year of
training in a day-long event emphasizing endurance and teamwork called Sea
Trials.
The goal of Sea Trials is to provide 12 hours of physical and mental
challenges that create intense teamwork under a stressful environment. The
action-oriented event is modeled after the Marine Corps 54-hour "Crucible"
and forces plebes to use skills they have learned since Induction Day. The
training evolutions will be in 5 phases at different venues (including across
the river).
Last summer, as part of "Another Link in the Chain" (let's call it "Link 50"
for short), a group of '55ers watched the '05 Plebes at Induction Day and
participated at their Reaffirmation Ceremony. I am confident that everyone
who attended would say that it was a very close and satisfying experience.
Now we will be invited to see how they have come together and developed over
the course of the year. This year's Sea Trials will take place on Tuesday,
May 14. Members of the Class of 1955 will be invited to:
(1) attend and observe the events during the day (0500-1830) at times
convenient to us (a meeting place will be designated, and we'll be taken to
appropriate locations and given escort to answer questions).
(2) participate in the Recognition Ceremony (casual dress) at 1900 on Rip
Miller Field where the plebes will receive their 3rd Class uniform Anchors in
anticipation of their "promotion" to 3C at graduation (assist in presenting
anchors), and
(3) attend an informal reception (pizza and sodas will be served) following
the ceremony in Dahlgren Hall commencing at approximately 1930.
This is another great opportunity to give something back by bonding with and
supporting the Class of 2005. A chance to tell them how it was in our day!
It should be an extremely interesting day. For those of you who are able to
ENGAGE on 14 May and witness/participate in this event, please indicate this
to Tom Kiefaber by Friday, 10 May at kief55@aol.com or 703-758-1077. Let him
know what hours you would be available. More information will be
forthcoming.
Incidentally, in the current issue of Shipmate, George Watt, President of the
USNAAA, reflected on the support shown by the Class of 1952 to the Class of
2002. "I can't go much further without first recognizing the "caring and
generous" Class of 1952, your 50 year seniors. These gents (and they are all
gentlemen) have given their time, guidance, and necessary moral support to
you throughout your four years on the Severn."
Attached is a link from our Association www.usna.com website (under What's
New/Archives) that gives background and Great Photos on what occurs on Sea
Trials day. http://usna.com/Features/2000_2001/SeaTrials/SeaTrials.htm
This messages goes out to all '55ers who we have email addresses for (direct
mail to some others), although participation is more likely from classmates
who live locally within driving distance.
From: Kief55
Date: Tue, 7 May 2002
Subject: LINK 50 SEA TRIALS SITREP #1
To: usna55
From Class President: Denny Sullivan
LINK 50 - SEA TRIALS - SITREP #1
The Plebes of the Class of 2005 are getting ready to finish up their year of
training in a day-long event emphasizing endurance and teamwork called Sea
Trials.
The goal of Sea Trials is to provide 12 hours of physical and mental
challenges that create intense teamwork under a stressful environment. The
action-oriented event is modeled after the Marine Corps 54-hour "Crucible"
and forces plebes to use skills they have learned since Induction Day. The
training evolutions will be in 5 phases at different venues (including across
the river). There will be continuous rotation between venues throughout the
day. The phases (approx. 21/2 hrs in duration) are at:
1) Lejeune Hall - challenge plebes in an aquatic environment
2) Farragut Field - modeled after USMC combat conditioning
3) Hospital Point - teamwork and unit cohesion
4) Naval Station (West) - land/water obstacles and endurance challenges, and
5) Naval Station (East) - Same
We are invited to observe/participate whenever and in whatever manner we can.
The USNA staff encourages us to check-in at the Press Box between Ricketts
Hall and Rip Miller Field (lacrosse field) to receive identification tags and
meet escorts. Transport will be available to Hospital Point and NS.
Preferred time to check-in is between 1300-1400 (but anytime is OK!).
The Recognition Ceremony is scheduled at 1900 at Rip Miller Field. We are
asked to muster at the seaward end of Dahlgren Hall at 1830. Following
ceremony/remarks (Superintendent & Denny Sullivan), all attending '55ers will
assist in presenting 3rd Class anchors to the Class of 2005. Hopefully,
there will be 30 of us (one for each company). A portion of the invitation
letter from Commandant to Class President of 1955 reads: "We consider it
extremely important for the Class of 1955 to participate in the Sea Trials
Recognition Ceremony at Rip Miller Field at 1900." Informal reception
following remains the same.
Contact Tom Kiefaber at kief55@aol.com or 703-758-1077 if you have questions
and/or can attend. Please indicate participation by 10 May. Some wives plan
to attend. Dress is casual (jacket and tie not required).
ENTERING THE YARD. For those attending, who do NOT have a DOD sticker on
their car, provide Tom with the following information by 10 May: Name,
Vehicle Make, Model, and License Number. One day passes will be available at
the front desk of Alumni House for pickup until 1700 on 14 May. After 1700,
there will be an envelope marked "55" taped to the front door of Alumni
House, 247 King George Street. Even if you are retired, you cannot drive
onto the yard in a vehicle that does not have a military/DOD sticker.
From: Kief55
Date: Wed, 15 May 2002
Subject: Sea Trials
To: usna55
Fantastic event! "55 was represented by: John Adams, John Camp, Tom Cann,
Bob Freeman, Herb Gamache, Ray Hine, Don Kellerman, Tom Kiefaber, Tom Lapham,
Ed Lull, Tom McIsaac, Hank Mustin, Charlie Senn, Tom Stallman, Denny
Sullivan, Fred Tolleson, Bill Kennington, and Mary Gale Buchanan.
Click here:
HometownAnnapolis.com, Naval Academy - Plebes run, crawl and
grunt through a rite of passage
Date: Fri, 17 May 2002
To: np55
From: Bob Freeman
Subject: Pictures from Sea Trials
Norm,
I have ten jpg's from Sea Trials. ......
Bob
