THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, February 3, 1997 TAG: 9702020016
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 29 lines
As a Naval Academy grad ('83) and a member of the staff (1992-94), I was personally offended by the presumption (letter to the editor, Jan. 20) that the Naval Academy needs to get serious about ``making changes to eliminate the ugly elements of murder, drug use, pedophilia and car theft.''
A panel with a woman or the master chief of the Navy is not required. Close examination of most of the scandals will present you with examples of what's right at the institution. In many cases it was a midshipman, embracing the ideals of duty and honor, who brought the problem to light. In others, the administration promptly disclosed as much information as possible while protecting the rights of the people involved.
The Naval Academy is not immune to illegal drug use. However, compare the anti-drug programs of all U.S. colleges; the Annapolis program is the model of success.
I am fed up with the ``What's wrong with your academy?'' questions. Mids routinely devote their few hours of personal time doing volunteer work in D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis.
As for the academy being worth the bucks, the top three lieutenants in my last command were all Naval Academy grads.
D. E. BRASWELL
Norfolk, Jan. 22, 1997