"We are the Girlfriends Club," said Kristyna Partain, of Arnold, whose boyfriend, Midshipman 4th Class Gary Beier, also of Arnold, is one of the plebes. The two have been a couple since eighth grade.
Ms. Partain stood under a shade tree as she waited for Midshipman Beier to emerge from the academy's massive dormitory, Bancroft Hall. She was accompanied by about five other young women who called themselves "the girlfriends."
Members of the Girlfriends Club said they have had a few phone calls from their plebes, and received some letters from behind the academy's walls.
"We have all been running to the mailboxes everyday," Kelsey Larson, from California, said of those letters.
All of the young women agreed it has been a lonely summer, but said that belonging to the Girlfriends Club has been a great help.
"We talk every day - crying," Victoria Szczesniak, from Ashburn, Va., said of the sisterhood.
Nicole Thomas, of Fort Myers, Fla., girlfriend of Midshipman 4th Class Jon Branch, said of her new friends, "Without them, I don't think I could have made it … It's been a loooong summer."
Upon arriving in Annapolis for Plebe Parents' Weekend, 19 of the girlfriends got together Thursday night, and went to dinner at Rams Head on West Street. It was the first time many had met face-to-face.
The Girlfriends Club has about 35 members who, through the Web site Facebook, have been sharing personal biographies and photos of themselves and their mids.
While they're using modern technology, these young women are doing what warriors' families have done since the beginning of time, banding together for mutual support.
The Girlfriends Club started last year, when plebes' girlfriends found each other over the Internet.
This year, the group has made up shirts to wear at today's parade. On the back is the individual plebe's name followed by "lets me rock his cover," speaking of midshipmen's hats, or covers.
As the group settled in yesterday to wait for their plebes, one topic of conversation was how the guys have fared this summer.
"All of them have 'plebe plague,' a hacking cough," one young woman said of her boyfriend's experience.
"Chaffing," another threw in, when listing the afflictions plebes have had to endure during boot camp.
"He said it was really intense," another added, describing Plebe Summer in general.
"Nick was really excited about being able to shoot guns," Ms. Larson said of her plebe, Midshipman 4th Class Nicholas Carver. "But he is very homesick."
One club member, Cassie McKee, from Aiken, S.C., arrived a bit late, dressed in an attention-getting blue summer dress.
"If you haven't seen your boy in a whole month, you have got to look good," she said with a southern accent. "The hardest part for him has been 'missing me,' and that's a direct quote."
Ms. Partain, a student at Anne Arundel Community College, laughed and said, "We get consumed being 'a girlfriend.' But, once school starts, you can get your own schedule."
For now, though, Ms. Partain seemed quite contented to talk about her plebe.
Midshipman Beier applied twice to enter the academy, and attended Virginia Tech for a year before being admitted, she said.
"He wanted to be here so bad, on I-Day he smiled all day long," Ms. Partain said, herself smiling and tearing up at the same time as she recalled the day.
"Everyone else was crying and here he was, smiling," she said. "We thought he was going to get into trouble for smiling so much, but his mom said, 'Everyone should feel that way one time in their life, to accomplish what they really want.'"
As time passed, the girlfriends became more nervous, shifting from one foot to another, hugging each other and looking toward Bancroft Hall.
"This is awful!" one said of the waiting.
"I have butterflies," another said.
"I'm going to vomit," still another added. "The last five hours have been the worst of the summer, worse than the last five weeks."
Most of the girlfriends said they didn't want to join the military themselves, but one, Mekko Fojas, was an exception. She is an Army ROTC cadet at Kent State University in Ohio, and wants to be a nurse.
"I didn't know that about you," one of her new friends said.
Some young women who were waiting for their plebes yesterday stood alone, not part of the Girlfriend Club.
Elisabeth Freeman, from Boone, N.C., was waiting for her boyfriend, Midshipman 4th Class Chris Wehner.
"It's been his goal as long as I've known him," she said, noting that Midshipman Wehner attended another college while waiting to get admitted to the Naval Academy.
Now, she also is enrolled in college, and wants to attend the Naval Academy. Both hope to become doctors.
"He said it is mentally fatiguing, but he is one of the strongest people I know," she said, confident that her boyfriend would succeed.
On July 2, Induction Day, 1,261 freshmen entered the academy, and as of yesterday only 23 have dropped out, according to the Naval Academy.
Back at the Girlfriends Club, the young women continued to wait, until suddenly, the Class of 2012 was dismissed, free to meet their parents and boyfriends and girlfriends and little brothers and baby sisters, and fill the restaurants of Annapolis.
Midshipman Beier eventually emerged from the crowd, and his first stop was to pick up Ms. Partain and give her a long embrace. His next stop was to hug his mother, Nanci Beier.
"I've been interviewed by the newspaper," Ms. Partain told him.
"Oh, God," he said grinning, indicating some nervousness at what secrets she might have revealed.
Meanwhile, hundreds of plebes strolled across the Yard with their loved ones, smiling and laughing, and telling about the challenges of Plebe Summer.
It was obvious that these plebes were a different bunch from the civilians who entered the academy just five weeks ago.
Midshipman 4th Class Caitlin Schemenski, from Woodbury, N.J., for example, stood rigidly at attention when speaking even to civilians, and served up all her answers in what midshipmen sometimes call a "sir sandwich," such as "Sir, yes, sir."
"I really haven't found the worst part yet," Midshipman Schemenski said.
She added that she "absolutely" likes being at the academy, and "loved - absolutely loved" - training on Yard Patrol boats, the 108-foot, twin-engine boats used to teach seamanship and navigation.
"It is challenging, but you can get through it one step at a time," she said. "Anyone who wants to come here has to do their best every day … I am definitely in the top physical shape of my life."
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Baiteus Squideus - March 20, 2009
Jean R. This is a very intriguing and stimulating story about gender roles and the military and deserves an in-depth follow-up. Don't you agree? Has the squid bait been swallowed, how much of it was spit out by the intended prey, how much bait decided it would rather no be eaten ? These are the questions for which I seek answers. Also, are men stupid enough to be bait ?
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Tina Schubbie - annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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WHY? - March 20, 2009
You morons do realize this article was from last August don't you?
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Jean R. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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So Liberating really - March 19, 2009
This group of squid-bait should put on a performance of The Stepford Wives.
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Tina Schubbie - annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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So Liberating really - March 19, 2009
This group of squid-bait should put on a performance of The Stepford Wives.
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Tina Schubbie - annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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OOPS! - March 19, 2009
Better correct my spelling before someone turns it into an insult towards the men and women of the U.S. Navy: *hateful
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Jacob C. - Mims, FL - Karma: Bad
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Wow. Really? - March 19, 2009
I am currently seeking an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and I can not believe this! By insulting these young women (not girls), you all are insulting the men they support. I attended the summer seminar and the midshipmen taught me that not only do you need a mental and physical backing, but a moral and spiritual backing as well. This moral and spiritual backing comes from the friends and family, the ones you love, supporting you. With out people like these young women and family members many more young men and women would have dropped out. I can not believe the ignorant, inconsiderate jerks that waste their stupidity writing hatefule comments when they could be out picking up trash.
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Jacob C. - Mims, FL - Karma: Bad
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Wow. Really? - March 19, 2009
I am currently seeking an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and I can not believe this! By insulting these young women (not girls), you all are insulting the men they support. I attended the summer seminar and the midshipmen taught me that not only do you need a mental and physical backing, but a moral and spiritual backing as well. This moral and spiritual backing comes from the friends and family, the ones you love, supporting you. With out people like these young women and family members many more young men and women would have dropped out. I can not believe the ignorant, inconsiderate jerks that waste their stupidity writing hatefule comments when they could be out picking up trash.
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Jacob C. - Mims, FL - Karma: Bad
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Comment disabled due to community reporting. - August 23, 2008
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Seven! - August 23, 2008
This is just way too easy!!!! Get your panties out of a bunch. You all are the ones who started jumping all over me in the first place after my first post. After that it just became fun watching you all get all flustered. Insecurity perhaps? Like I said, this is way too easy.
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jean r. - bowie, MD - Karma: Bad
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Larson, - August 23, 2008
I AM an English major, and I can tell you with the utmost confidence that you don't have a single run on sentence in any of your comments. And Jean, I AM a legitimate human being, and I can tell you with the utmost confidence that you are a sad, lost soul. Maybe instead of bashing on young girls, you should be focusing on your SECOND wedding, and trying to make this marriage better than your last one. You know? The one that ended in divorce? Kind of like you're saying these military relationships will. Well isn't that the pot calling the kettle black...
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C. Sullivan - Palm Desert, CA - Karma: Bad
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Seriously!? - August 23, 2008
Come on people. I can't believe this article has caused such controversy to lead to such replies. Go spend time with your family and or find another article more worthy to gripe about on your Saturday morning.
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T. Jackson - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Jean - August 23, 2008
Like I said in my previous statement, it's so apparent that you thrive from the exhilaration of putting other people down. You've come back to write on this board 6 TIMES. Isn't that saying something? And as for your remarks about run-on sentences, maybe you should learn what they are before you go criticizing my grammar? A run on sentence isn't a long sentence. It is one that isn't properly punctuated or not punctuated at all. I do believe I have the commas in the right places, though I am not an English major, so I'm sure there are a few mistakes here and there. No matter, I am human and we all can't be perfect like you. But that is beside the point. It seems to me that your one argument to all of OUR replies to your immaturity is that we have poor grammar and that our men are going to cheat on us. How cynical do you get? And you're telling me that you're a mature adult? Yet you sit there at your computer screen psycho analyzing and putting down these girls for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON AT ALL. I hope someday you realize that there is no point to your pessimism. Honestly, do something more productive with your time than badger these girls. But if you really want the last word, be my guest. If seven sounds like a good number to you, knock yourself out.
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K. Larson - Fresno, CA - Karma: Bad
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Please Stop - August 23, 2008
Some of these remarks are absolutely ridiculous. This is not only offensive to the plebe girlfriends, but to anyone in military relationships. I am currently dating a mid and have never been any happier. Yes, we have had rough points, but it has only made us stronger. I have also seen many realtionships fail and watch people get hurt. I am quite aware that not everything will end up like a fairy tale. But I know that I cannot compare my relationship with others, because everyone is different. My experience with dating a mid has made me a much more independant person. I do not need him to take care of me or send me flowers. He is not always there to show that he cares, and cannot always be there when I am in pain. I can take care of myself. But we love each other, and that's why we stick together. If it doesn't work out in the end I am prepared. But right now I am happy. I am just so sick of reading these posts. I know we are young, and of course a little immature. So thank you everyone for clarifying that. But that does not make us stupid. We are learning new things and making mistakes. So please leave us alone, and let us grow in our own way. People have every right to express an opinion, but it does not have to be offensive or completely one-sided. And I don't mean to be rude, but if you have never really been in a military relationship, then you do not have the right to say that these girls have no idea what they're in for. You don't even know what it is like yourself. (and I am quite aware of my grammatical errors. I just didn't bother to change them. sorry for being young and stupid)
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g. howe - annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad
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To K. Larson - August 23, 2008
First of all, the two posts you made were the LONGEST run on sentences I have ever read in my life. It only goes to show that you need to 1) stop writing when you are drunk, and 2) get the education that so many of the of the other people have already stated. As I said before, you, or some of your friends, will remember what I have said in ten years. Then we will have a mature conversation about life, perhaps after you have lived a bit more of it.
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jean r. - bowie, MD - Karma: Bad
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Part 2 - August 23, 2008
There is no point to your ridicule other than to prove society that there are just some spiteful people in this world, for absolutely no reason at all. It is incredibly evident that those of you who have returned to ?give your two-cents?, or just flat-out bicker, thrive to simply irritate people. You?ve obnoxiously and incessantly checked back to see if anyone has replied to your posts just so you can add fuel to the fire. But to demean how much we miss our boyfriends for the sake of argument is outrageous. If you?ve never experienced a long-distance relationship, then it would be an insult to your intelligence to even attempt to give your input. And if you were to argue that you have experienced one, and it failed, that?s not our fault either. All of US hope to avoid that fate, despite your hopes that we all fail. So please, why don?t you refrain from your pettiness and go find another article to waste your precious words on. Not only are my fellow girlfriends intelligent, but they are beautiful and the most caring people I?ve ever met, traits that you might not have yourself, but I don?t know, because they didn?t write an article about YOU that I could judge you immediately by, right? Bottom line; we are proud of our boyfriends and found support through this group and have made lifetime friends. Oh, and by the way, our boyfriends are pretty damn proud of us too. Some of us in fact are doing great things with our lives, contrary to your beliefs that we sit at home while our men cheat on us. I still cannot fathom how ridiculous your claims are.
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K. Larson - Fresno, CA - Karma: Bad
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Part 1 - August 23, 2008
As a USNA girlfriend of a plebe myself, I can honestly say that there have been some very confused and sadly judgmental people replying to our little article. Who knew that a group of girls that simply supported their boyfriends could stir up so much hatred? It?s sad that some of you don?t seem to understand that you are solely reading a little over 1,000 words of our lives and still seem to make your judgments about us, yet you know little to nothing of who we are, our accomplishments, and all of our educational aspirations. Despite nearly all of us seeking a form of higher education, somehow we turned into these self-pitying girls that supposedly ?live vicariously through our boyfriends.? Does being incredibly proud and yes, MISSING our plebes entail this fate? Absolutely not. To judge us based on an article that goes no more in-depth than what we?ve experienced these last few months and how we?ve found support through each other is childish and ridiculously foolish, not to mention unnecessary. You literally have to go out of your way to put us down. Do you not have better things to do with your day than to criticize girls that in fact did absolutely nothing to you? I have only come to the decision of actually replying to these absurdities out of sheer frustration with some of you ignorant readers. What is the resentment you hold against these girls, honestly? What have we done to offend you? If your answer was nothing to either of these questions, and you posted this ?hate-mail?, I would personally like to apologize for nothing.
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K. Larson - Fresno, CA - Karma: Bad
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Sorry, Mark - August 22, 2008
Wrong about me too. What the hell is a ring dance? Sounds pretty lame, but I'm sure the girlfriends are already on pins and needles. I'm not jealous, bitter, old, or antimilitary. (When my dad was buried at Arlington with full honors, I was so proud.) I just felt that, at such a pivotal time in their lives, the girls' time would be better spent focusing on their own accomplishments instead of living vicariously through their boyfriends' experiences. That's all I'll say on the matter. Feel free to have the last word.
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M. MacK - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad
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Mark, learn to read! - August 22, 2008
I didn't bad mouth them, I bad mouthed you since you decided to stir the whole pot up again. I said they were not my cup of tea and then I insulted YOU!!! You obviously need to learn to read a bit more carefully.
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jean r. - bowie, MD - Karma: Bad
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Jean = Jealous - August 22, 2008
"Well, I never dated a mid, I had many offers back in the day but I found them BORING. I actually went on one date with one and pawned him off on a friend, he was a nice enough guy but, not my cup of tea. My high school and college friends loved to chase them. So, in reply to your post, no there is NO jealousy here." LOL! Yeah, right - you state you have always held the common Midshipman in disdane growing up (if we can really call you grown up - based on your comments) in the area, but you are now strangley infatuated with bad mouthing a bunch of girls who have expressed their interest and desire to date some of America's best and brightest. Certainly no jealousy there - yeah, right. LOL! Try again.
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Mark G. - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Mark D./No ring dance? - August 21, 2008
Well, I never dated a mid, I had many offers back in the day but I found them BORING. I actually went on one date with one and pawned him off on a friend, he was a nice enough guy but, not my cup of tea. My high school and college friends loved to chase them. So, in reply to your post, no there is NO jealousy here. Only a kind warning to these girls not to make these guys, or any man, the center of your life to the point that when things do not turn out to be the fairy tale you expected, you can still move on. By the way Mark D. maybe you were the one who had his heart broken by a Mid at the ring dance when your Mid went back to his hometown girlfriend. Don't ask don't tell right? By the way, my parents are military, Mom was Army, Dad Navy, Grandmother Navy, Grandfather Army. All officers, If you want to see a battle be at their house during the Army-Navy game!
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jean richards - bowie, MD - Karma: Bad
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Behind the Girls - August 20, 2008
I normally do not respond to article comments, as generally what is said is mindless chatter. However, today I feel compelled to comment. My husband and I are members of the USNA 2% club. Like many of the girls in the article, I also met my husband in high school. He was enlisted before USNA and despite our time apart, I found plebe summer to be one of the more challenging aspects of our early years. Like anyone entering a military relationship, not one of these girls knows fully what to expect over the course of her boyfriend?s military career. However, please do not underestimate these girls. These are intelligent, self-motivated, and resilient girls. Through their group they have come to rely on each other for information and support. Though situations will be challenging, they will survive and they will learn as they go along. Accuse these girls of ?not knowing what it?s like,? but if the love exists then the relationship will survive regardless of the hardships. These girls, while simply showing their dedication and support on Plebe Parent?s Weekend, are embarking on a life-long journey, one in which their support and love will constantly be tested. As my husband is now deployed, I find several similarities between plebe summer and my life now. Though these girls have a rough road ahead, please do not knock their enthusiasm. Do not discourage them, do not insult them, do not criticize their decisions. For when you insult them, you insult me and every other military wife, fianc?, and girlfriend who has ever stood behind their plebe, wide-eyed and scared. And as for Annapolis residents who have been over-exposed to the situation, please don?t respond with cynicism. After all, these girls and their families will be aiding your local economy throughout the next four years until they watch their mid graduate. Go ahead girls, you and all of your friends and your group. Stand behind your plebes. Myself and all of the TRUE military wives are standing behind YOU.
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Andrea J. - Jacksonville, FL - Karma: Bad
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Richards-Mack et al .... - August 20, 2008
After reading the anger and jealousy in your posts concerning this innocent article, the first thought that came to mind was how similar your reactions are to all those Annapols girls who dated Mids only to be replaced by the hometown girlfriend during the Ring Dance.
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Mark G. - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Neutral
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yikes - August 20, 2008
The girlfriends are allowed to have their little club. However, the girlfriends are probably still in high-school or college. They are surrounded by friends and having a great time. The only thing they really have to worry about is if their man is gonna find someone else while they are away. The spouses of the people serving in our military are the ones making a sacrifice and dealing with true hardships and loneliness. Have your little club and think you have grief because you miss your man. However, don?t even think you compare to or know what it is like to be the wife of our military men.
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Brian N. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Thank you M. MacK - August 19, 2008
First of all, I am a far cry from an "old hag". I am not even close to 40, which isn't old either by the way. Who is the name caller now? I was simply trying to warn these girls that living your life vicariously through your boyfriend/husband is no way to live. Trust me I know, as do several of my friends. The pain of being cheated on and betrayed I do not wish upon anyone. I am lucky enough to have met the man who will soon be my second husband (yes I misstyped in my post the other day, don't start) I certainly hope this one works out, but if it doesn't I have the life experience to deal with it. I wish someone had spoken the "evil truth" to me before I married my college sweetheart, I may have thought twice and saved myself a lot of pain, money and wasted time. These poor girls are encouraged to stay in these relationships by friends and family and too many movies like "An Officer and a Gentlemen" and "Top Gun". Considering the last few years of sex scandals and cheating (academic) at the USNA, life does not imitate art. I have found it is usually the opposite. If these relationships work, good, but if not it is best to have your own life to fall back on so it is easier to move on. Laugh at me and name call now. I'm sure a decade from now one or more of these girls will remember my posts and agree.
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jean r. - bowie, MD - Karma: Bad
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pathetic - August 19, 2008
It is beyond pathetic that some of you old hags are harrassing these young ladies. M MacK- i don't know who broke your heart, but you need to stop being a bitter old idiot and leave these girls alone. if you "want to barf" at the article it's very simple- don't read it. Nobody tied you down and forced you to read it. I find it sad that you have nothing better to do than comment on something you obviously disagree with. Get a life. As for those of you who say that military relationships won't last- get a clue. You will never know what a military relationship is like unless you are involved in one. You can "know" millions of mids and thier spouses, but unless you are going through the same thing, you will never completely understand. And by the way, leave blue dress alone. Just because you're insecure about yourself does not give you the right to pick on others. She was simply giving her opinion on something, as everyone else clearly did. The fact that you have to comment on her specifically shows how immature you are. It's not her fault that you obviously have no life. The truth is that unless you are a part of this group of girls, you have no right to say anything about them. You don't know them, and therefore should learn to but out. They didn't ask for this publicity, they were simply excited to see their boyfriends that they hadn't seen in weeks. if you can't understand that, then i pity you. Because you are obviously so self absorbed that you can't empathize with how others are feeling.
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sara cable - columbia, MD - Karma: Bad
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Disappointing - August 19, 2008
To read all of the negative comments on here. At least the girlfriends are supportive. Sounds like a bunch of old bitties hating on the younger girls. Typical. Girlfriends I am personally proud of you and dont let a bunch of pessimistic old hags ruin a good thing. Support our troops INCLUDES naval academy students. Seperation is harder than most people realize. Dont try to make it worse by posting negative comments about the student's girlfriends/families. At least they are trying to keep in contact and provide support instead of turning their backs on the plebes.
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M D. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad
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I Agree with Jean - August 18, 2008
My first reaction to this article was BARF, and, after wasting five minutes reading it, I was content to forget all about these silly girls and their inane gushing--until I read a few of the comments. Did Blue Dress expect to impress us with her intelligence and maturity by posting a comment in which every other word was misspelled? She writes like a fourth grader. Perhaps she should concentrate on her own education and personal development instead of obsessing over her plebe.
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M. MacK - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad
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Preparing for the Future - August 18, 2008
Who would have thought that a pleasant article would set off a verbal firestorm. I grew up in a military family. My father, grandfather, and uncle were all Naval Aviators, who love and respect their wives. My mother, aunt, and grandmother are anything but soap opera watching, romance novel reading, bonbon eating, trophy wives. It takes a strong woman to be the wife of a Naval Officer. Not only do you support your husband but you also support the wives of the men who are under his command in their absence; as well as hold a job, volunteer, and run the household. The Girlfriends Club provides a similar support system for these young women. It is easy to pass judgment when you have lived in the same area all of your life with an established network of friends and family. Those who move every two years and live in foreign countries do not have the same sort of network at the ready. Therefore, you reach out to others who are in the same position. That is what these women are doing now and if they do become the wife of a Naval Officer, the ability to make new friends and depend on people they have recently met, will prove to be invaluable. I wish them all the best.
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D B - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad
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appreciate the moment - August 17, 2008
It is very sad to see the way the older readers are treating these girls. The scorning and name-calling is really unnessecary, and quite immature. The article was written to express a happy reunion between the midshipman and his girlfriend, and how proud the girls felt. It also wanted to show the friendships and support formed between all of the young ladies. It was not intended to stereotype them of being wannabe "Trophy Wives" These girls were just enjoying a moment of they're lives. There's nothing wrong with that. Yes, they are young, but they are learning to grow in they're own way. no one knows for sure what will happen in the future. All we really know is that some relationships will fail and others will last. Not everyone is cut out to be with a military man, but there are many who are very capable. Any type of relationship involves a risk. And when you go into one you are deciding to take a chance on something. If you don't believe in taking chances, then you do not belong in a relationship. These girls are simply just taking a chance. What's wrong with that?
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l. brown - annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad
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Jean. - August 16, 2008
I really feel as though the negativity you're attempting to instill in these girls is entirely unnecessary. You're welcome to you're opinion, but if they want to be young and in love... LET THEM BE. I don't really know how it's hurting you. I'm sorry about your friends and their divorces, and find it rather intriguing that you know so many people who have married Mids, but who am I to say, right? I think everyone should just let this go. So girlfriends, enjoy dating a Midshipman, and hopefully spending the rest of your life with him, and Julia, try seeing the glass half full for once. Not every Navy marriage ends in divorce. Ok?
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C. Sullivan - Palm Desert, CA - Karma: Bad
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Get a clue/reply - August 16, 2008
I never said it was me, I am happily married. Learn how to read, I said my girlfriends idiot.
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jean richards - bowie, MD - Karma: Bad
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - August 16, 2008
Staff message:
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- Karma: Bad
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Gag me Please! - August 16, 2008
These girls need to get a life and get a clue. Stop sitting at home watching Lifetime and reading romance novels ladies!! I was born and raised in Annapolis, I was in several Naval Academy weddings as a bridesmaid. ALL of them are now divorced because their husbands/Naval Officers cheated on them. These guys get off on having their women sit at home "waiting" and bragging on them.
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j. richards - bowie, MD - Karma: Bad
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The girlfriends - August 16, 2008
better not post pictures of themselves drinking on their website. The C(x)apital may slander them, and start rumors that they are ruining their plebes careers.
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Peter D. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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You're right, but.... - August 16, 2008
Julia, you're right. 5 weeks is nothing compared to what some women have to go through, and I admire their perserverance, BUT our time will come. In 4 years when the class of 2012 graduates, our OFFICERS, will be deployed on a ship for up to 18 months at a time. But when 5 weeks is the longest some of these girls have ever gone, of course its going to feel like forever. And the article never said they were "having trouble"..it simply says that they missed their mids. What else do you expect from "serious couples"? If they're really in love then one day apart even seems like an eternity. You would know that if you've ever been in love. The article also failed to mention the dozens of girls who couldn't make it to PPW and who won't see their mids til Thanksgiving. That's a long time, not even you will argue that. And there's no need to be concerned about the boys getting scorned; that happens every second of everyday. Many of the cadre already know who has a girlfriend and might even have a girlfriend in one of the facebook groups. And just as a side note...the article embellished some of the quotes. For example, we don't talk on the phone everyday crying to each other. This group has been a great way for all of us to share our new experience of being a USNA girlfriend. Not many people understand what's it like (obviously, from the comments you made) and how life changing it actually is. And, B.G., you're right too...many relationships don't last, at the academy or elsewhere. BUT who do you think you are to be so critical and judgmental of girls who were just ecstatic to finally see their boyfriends? Personally, my mid and I have already done a year of long distance and it has done nothing but make us stronger. I think anyone who would make such a comment has nothing better to do with their time than to judge other people's relationships. Seriously...get a life.
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P. Phipps - Farmersville, TX - Karma: Bad
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Bitter much? - August 15, 2008
Julia, any intelligent reader would have seen this article as an expression of gratititude and support. I don't understand where you came to the subservient conclusion that these girls are doing nothing be 'waiting on their men'. Do you truly believe that any man attending the Naval Academy would want to waste his time on the type of woman who does nothing but sit at home and wait for him? These are driven and dedicated individuals whom, I would assume, want to have relationships with someone of a similar character. And do you not realize that these plebes are going to constantly be scorned for one thing or another? The entire point of Plebe Summer is to instill a sense of humility into these lower classmen. I would think that they would rather be mocked for the a group of several faithful, attractive girls supporting them, than for anything else. Harassment is a given. Get on board. These young ladies obviously have. Oh, and as for you finding it astounding that they missed their boyfriends over this 5 week period... are you kidding me? Their loved ones were ripped from their lives for over a month. No phone, no computer... just a letter if they have time. You're obviously ignorant to the life of a Midshipman, but let me tell you, this program isn't easy. Are you under the impression that women who see their husbands off for deployment don't miss them? Do you think the first 5 weeks are any different than the rest of the time? It's not like these girls couldn't have known what they were getting into. Give them a minute to adjust, will you? And B.G., I don't know who broke your heart, but your comment is nothing but sheer pettiness. I'm sure these girls would love to keep you posted on how they're doing this Christmas.
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C. Sullivan - Palm Desert, CA - Karma: Bad
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reply. - August 14, 2008
I would just like to reply to Julia's and B.G.'s statments. Yes, you are each intitled to your opinion on the article and inreturn I will give you mine. These young ladies did not ask for this fate. They simply fell in love with young men who had the desire to study at the academy and in return serve their country. These girls serve as a support system for one another, they dont go critzing anyone and return they do not deserve your rude remarks. Half of the midshipmen at the academy would not make it through there without their girls back home. To sterotype their love for their midshipmen as "high school love" is plain immature. Love, is love, is love, wether you are 17, 40, or 60. True love is very rare and is capable of making it through anything. I would love to see you ladies at my wedding in 2012, because I know my plebe an I will make it through this. & ps. My midshipmen was very proud of the article.
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BLUE DRESS - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad
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Wait on their men? - August 14, 2008
These girls are either going to their own new college or still in high school. Everyone knows that high school loves don't usually make it past first Christmas break if not summer.
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B. G - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad
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A Hard 5 Weeks - August 13, 2008
It is interesting to me that these girls who are having trouble with 5 weeks away from their boyfriends are serious with them. In the military the families of soldiers and sailors alike are constantly asked to stay faithful to their men and women who go on deployments for months at a time. I think that this group can be a good and a bad thing. For instance, after reading this article I feel like the midshipmen whose names have been listed will be scorned for things that have been said about them. These girls also need to realize the profession that their boys are going into. They will be asked to wait on their men and should evaluate where things are going based on that.
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Julia K. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad
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