Don’t Get Hung Up On Lists

Fellow parents, (and I love that expression)

I wanted to chime in with my forty years of Naval experience and remind folks "do not get hung up on your child's class standing." Yes, my now four star admiral plebe roommate did have a 3.8 GPA and yes, he was a company commander (way back in the dark ages of the early 1970's). However, I can tell you of numerous one stars, two stars and three stars in the Navy and Marine Corps that were far below my roommate’s class standing. Performance in the fleet and the Marine Corps depends on the qualities you laid down as a foundation - the first four years of foundation bricks that the Academy imbues them with and their Execution of Outstanding Performance after they are commissioned.

Success is up to each of them. They demonstrate that starting for real the day they leave the Academy. Consider this as part of the warm up game. The Academy is not a destination; it is a short way stop on the way to defending this great nation of ours.

So, I know lists are important. The list that I like the best that comes out of the Academy is the Graduate List. On it will be a future President, a future Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, several Congressmen, hundreds of Government and Civilian Top Leaders, dozens of Commanders and Captains, Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels of Marines, and a couple of handfuls of individuals who will wear stars. All of them will be Patriots and Heroes for the rest of their lives because of this experience. And their children will be Patriots as well because of the way the Academy has touched and altered their souls. Hell, some of them may end up getting lucky and be back to teach at USNA, and have a great job like Linda Mallory (who keeps us distant parents in touch with the ebb and flow of that great place in America). Thank you, Linda, from a parent.

If your son or daughter is on the Graduate list, you can join me in patting them on the back (and giving them that parental hug which there is nothing better in life). Remember they are on a life-long voyage and this is but one port that they laid up in for four short years.

Enjoy the voyage, and don't get hung up on lists.

Tom Gutierrez CAPT (Ret) Seabees Class of 1970

Patrick 07/14th - Platoon Commander on the Pistol Range this summer/Leatherneck/Helo Training