Go Navy (and by extension USMC), Beat Army!

[Grendal_71]

Yeah, it's a little early for the saturday game, but not too early!...Cause a decade of winning just isn't enough!

[Tomato]

Speaking as former air force, I have no interest in this at all. That said, isn't beating the army on anything the equivalent of beating the dumb kid in class on a math test?

[BWPS]

Speaking as former air force, I have no interest in this at all. That said, isn't beating the army on anything the equivalent of beating the dumb kid in class on a math test?

Well yeah, that's who they are, the underprivileged kids who have to join the Army and risk their lives at age 17 because they didn't grow up in an environment that taught them to value math grades. If they were good at football, they'd be grabbed by a college before the recruiters got them. Just sayin.

[Grendal_71]

Well BWPS, I think your point certainly has merit on the enlisted side, in that enlisting in the service provides opportunities to some young folks who may not have excelled in school, but have a natural intelligence.  I say that with no disrespect, having been an enlisted NCO myself, and I think our enlisted ranks contain some amazing young folks. 
However, the young men and women who go to any of the service academies are amongst the best and brightest our country has to offer IMHO.  While the cadets, middies, etc may play sports while there, few (if any) ever go pro.  They are there to earn commissions as officers in their respective services, and upon graduation become ensigns or 2ndLts (dang butter bars).  Typically none of the service academy teams ever have great success compared to other college teams, but they do well enough considering their primary focus. 
I've been around enough West Point and Annapolis EE majors to feel quite inadequate around their brain power, for that matter.
Lest I be misunderstood, while I love the friendly rivalry between the service academies, I have nothing but respect for the cadets and midshipmen from all four academies (Navy, Army, Air Force Coast Guard).  They compete for a seat at these elite academies knowing that upon graduation they will enter into active duty.

[BWPS]

I get the rivalry thing, but making fun of "dumb" kids (meaning bad at school, which I don't see how anyone wants to blame kids for) who are more likely to enlist rubbed me wrong. I'm sure that wasnt the intent and it was probably just some branch rivalry culture I don't understand, so I shouldn't have said anything. If it were just a football thing, yeah, I'm sure I've said worse about Alabama fans in the past week.

[Tomato]

grendal, don't take bwps seriously. He was just building off what I said.

For the record, if you want the default "make fun of branch ___ by..." guide, here it is:

Spoiler

Army: The phrase "Army-Proof" basically means making instructions clear enough that even an Army member can understand it. Seriously, our MREs have instructions that include leaning heat pouches on "a rock or something"

Navy: Dozens of men in a confined space for months at a time. Jokes about the Navy write themselves.

Marines: Marines are considered to be muscle bound oafs with little to no brains.

Air Force: Chair Force. Air Force is considered to be lazy by the other branches, due to a combination of several factors (lower pt requirements, less time in combat zones, etc.)

[Mr. Hamrick]

I'm definitely cheering on Navy and have for years.  I have at least two good friends who are Marines (one just left the service but is still a Marine) and have other family members (who are not friends necessarily) who served in both the Navy and Marines. 

That said, I have a pick on the branches joke that I am fond of:

Spoiler

"Why are there so many Air Force Jokes?" Because they are so easy to make.
"Why are there so few Marine jokes?" Because they'd never get them.
"Why are Nay jokes so old?"  because how many tailhook jokes can you tell, really?
And well... I don't know any Army jokes because who do you think was sitting around telling me the other jokes.

Interestingly enough, both my Marine friends got the joke.

Navy is a safe bet to win though as they have won the past several annual meetings.

[Grendal_71]

Very good Mr. Hamrick and Tomato (I'm resisiting the urge to call you 'Mater)! 
Am laughing as well.  As "jarheads" we are used to such jibes, and return in kind, especially with our brothers and sisters from other services.  My personal fav IRT MARINES are:
My A__ Rides In Navy Equipment

and

Muscles Are Required, Intelligence Not Essential

As the son of a BT1 and a dude married to a former CT2, I have to constantly be on my guard as the big dumb jarhead of the family.  The funny thing is I've got ten times the sea time as my former Navy wife!  

I didn't got to Annapolis, and am a mustang with state-level education all the way, but I dream that one of my three kids may want to go to a service academy if they so desire (their choice of course).  I would offer that anyone who hasn't ever watched the game take some time this weekend and do so.  ESPECIALLY the pre-game stuff.  There are a lot of neat tradtions such as an "exchange of hostages", the POTUS spending one half on the Navy side, one half on the Army side, and the singing of the school songs....and yes, the Navy has won the last (11) games with the Army, and also beat Air Force earlier this year too. 

I'm excitied about making some chilli, pulling a jar of our home-grown garden salsa out of the freezer (only three jars left), having a good excuse to open a Blue Moon, and enjoying it with the wife, kids (no Blue Moon for them), and some friends!  Good times.

[Tomato]

I have rl friends who call me 'mater, so it doesn't bother me too much. My first boss called me "Johnny-be-good" the whole time I worked there, thought he was a genius for coming up with it too... after enduring that, I'm pretty much ok with anything.

[Grendal_71]

Fair enough, I've answered to all sorts of monikers, some of which I can't post on this family friendly forum.  Chilli is cooking, beer is in the fridge.  Come on 1500!

[Grendal_71]

There we go!  7-0 and we're still in the first half.

[Grendal_71]

Wow, that was a nail biter.  Congrats Navy, good game Army!