Fun with Naval Midshipmen

[Geoff Withnell]

Saturday, I was in downtown Annapolis, Maryland, home of the US Naval Academy. Being Easter weekend, the streets leading down to the waterfront were quite crowded, and a large number of "middies" of both sexes were out in uniform, ehjoying the nice day. For reasons that have nothing to do with this post, I was in my Scottish American Military Society uniform. It was quite amusing (for an old corporal) to watch as a middie would approach coming the other way, see the uniform, look wildly for some sort of rank insignia (there is none on the SAMS uniform), and visibly decide "Better safe than sorry", and pop a crisp salute and "Good Afternoon, Sir" at about 3 paces. I of course returned the salute and greeting, saving my chuckles for after they had passed.

[duke_19_62]

As a SAMS Member and Annapolitan, may I ask why you were so attired in My Fair City?

[Holcombe Thomas]

Geoff, having been on the other side, quite a few years ago at The Citadel, the "better safe than sorry" approach recommends itself strongly to those in the middie position. You rarely get in as much trouble for saluting someone as for not saluting someone.

Holcombe

[Geoff Withnell]

As a SAMS Member and Annapolitan, may I ask why you were so attired in My Fair City?

I was having a few with some friends in celebration of one comrade's safe return and promotion later that evening, and the uniform seemed appropriate. Unfortunately, it being Passover, I could not partake of any whisky, but had to settle for brandy. We were in Annapolis because of the size of the mall. Michele is in full recon mode looking for the right dress for our son's wedding.

[Really a McQueen]

Obviously those middies remember the sage advice:
"If it moves; salute it. If it doesn't move; paint it".
At least you didn't wind up colored Navy Gray.

[Geoff Withnell]

Obviously those middies remember the sage advice:
"If it moves; salute it. If it doesn't move; paint it".
At least you didn't wind up colored Navy Gray.

One reason it is best to keep moving!

[Mel1721L]

I got extra duties for failing to salute an officer when I'd just waved at his wife.

[Pleater]

I remember that - almost 60 years ago we went to Gosport -just across the harbour to Portsmouth in Hampshire. Every day when we drove to and fro from the ferry across the harbour we went past a navy base and the two guards on the gate presented arms. I got to go down to the bottom of the ladder of the engine room - a beautiful steam engine with a huge cog wheel to hold the massive chain it rode on, and watch it work its way across to the other side.

Only much later did I realise it was because our old fashioned gun metal grey Triumph motor car was the same colour and make as many of those parked outside the Admiralty building, and on the first morning I had tied a little flag - as used for sandcastles - onto the radiator cap.

Every time we passed my father would acknowledge the guards, and every morning I would be at the window behind him. As I was a pretty little thing just six years old with long dark ringlets tied with red ribbons they often smiled at me as they un-presented.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Calgacus]

When I was younger my father was a keen yachtsman and owned his own yacht. One of his friends with whom we also sailed always flew a small red ensign from a staff on the transom of his yacht. Every time we saw a naval vessel, this gentleman would dip his ensign, and without fail the naval vessel would dip theirs.