4.1

CAMPUS

The Norwich Guidon
Feb. 12, 2004

Golden Anchor Society seeks to strengthen membership

By Dave Armeson
Norwich Guidon Staff writer

For many Midshipmen, Navy ROTC can be a very challenging and tough experience, but thanks to the Golden Anchor Society there is a way to alleviate the stresses of Midshipman life.

"The Golden Anchor Society is a club primarily for the Midshipmen who are in the Navel ROTC battalion to relax together, learn about the Navy, and do things related to the Navy, so you can learn more about the Navy," said Greg Sivers, 22, a senior history major from Ft. Worth, Tex.

The Society, which was strong until about three years ago, fell into a slump, with very low membership and activity, until last year. Midshipmen Sarah Davis and Stephanie Thompson came to Norwich with an interest and brought the struggling club back to life.

"We started up the club because it was dying out when we got here, and now we are just trying to keep it alive" said Davis, 19, a sophomore communications major from Bay Head, N.J. "But it is hard, because we are sophomores, and we need a senior to help get things done."

The club focuses on subjects and activities the actual Navy classes do not and will help the students in their studies and improve their ability to be effective Naval officers. Subjects such as knot tying and terminology are discussed, as well as class topics that are important to class performance.

"I have been in the Naval battalion for three years and have never heard of half this stuff," said Jason O'Neil, 20, a junior environmental science and geology major from Woburn, Mass.

In addition, the society is also trying to reach out to the local community.

"We are trying to have more volunteer work, working with children and the community and basically any other volunteer work we can get," said Stephanie Thompson, 20, an environmental science major from Sandwich, Mass.

Members also participate in events such as working the Penguin Plunge and visiting the USS Constitution last year in Boston. This year, a trip for Midshipmen is planned to the USS Buttercup, a simulator to drill the technique of patching leaks on a Naval vessel. The club has also been allotted some of the Navy battalion's $14,000 to help fix the Navy area in the bottom of Plumley Armory.

"We are going to build a Navy rec room, so we are looking to get some sofas and a big screen TV and a pool table," O'Neil said. "We are going to set it up in that room under the weight room."

"We try to make better leaders that are more knowledgeable about the Navy," said Davis. "It is a work in progress; we are not where I want to be, right now, and hopefully we will get there before I leave, and will keep going."

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.