Parking in the garage was a mess. Next year, please just hire a couple of students to take money at the entrance instead of using the automated ticketing system.

Thanks and gig 'em.

Great point, Trident. Will add that to our AAR for next year's event. For what its worth, our team tried to do just what you recommended, but someone apparently said NO. I'll ensure that gets fixed next year.

Thanks for your comment, and Thanks for your support of our Corps! Gig 'em!

Good luck getting transportation services to change or do anything

It was not that bad considering all the facts, especially the traffic I used to endure commuting into the the Pentagon from Frederick, MD on a daily basis for work in National Security.....

Nonetheless, the simple options are 1) no charge for parking, 2) pay flate rate $5 when entering, or $5 flat rate pay when exiting. Options 2 ans 3 require people at exit gates collecting e fees and are a bargain....

To Commamandant 79 ' The Final Review was Fantastic! Thank you for your Leadership. The students of our Corps of Cadets are inspirational and they are the keepers of the spirit of Aggieland. Keep up your outstanding work!!

Getting out was even worse.

Thanks, Commandant79. I agree with GAP76 that Final Review was certainly impressive. It was great to see such a large number of folks showing up for the ceremony.

Another suggestion:
Let everyone know that they can turn left from the right lane on Coke Street (as some cars were doing), or control traffic as it enters Coke Street from George Bush Drive and keep everyone in single file in the left lane.

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It was not that bad considering all the facts, especially the traffic I used to endure commuting into the the Pentagon from Frederick, MD on a daily basis for work in National Security.....

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look at me, look at me

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Parking in the garage was a mess

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We parked in the west side garage with ZERO issues; had a nice walk from the garage to the MSC and then on to the drill field.

When we left we just exited the garage and were on our way.

So what was so different about parking this time than the other times at Kyle?

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So what was so different about parking this time than the other times at Kyle?

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Recency bias

Really enjoyed Final Review. It has always been an impressive event, but watching for the first time as a parent, it was even more special.

Any chance that the location of the seniors be moved next year for the second pass? Not being in Kyle, their position effectively blocked the view of all of the spectators along the reviewing stands side since everyone was at ground level.

Possibility of placing the seniors ten yards of so further out in the field with barriers on both sides so that the ranks can march south of the seniors and go BETWEEN the seniors and the spectators instead? This way the seniors still get their moment of celebration, senior parents still get to witness the celebrating, and the rest of the spectators still get to watch their newly promoted sons and daughters marching in review....

The point of having the dead zips in that location is because the second pass in review is paying honor to them, not the reviewing stand as during first pass. If the seniors were moved north, the Corps would have to execute an eyes left salute, which is a very rarely used drill command.

Sorry PetroAg, Second Pass is for the Zips.

As a non-Reg, that hadn't occurred to me Ryan & Rabid. Makes sense though.

Gotta admit that, as much as we enjoy seeing our son marching with his unit, watching the seniors just prior and during the second pass was a lot of fun. The shirts, the cigars & pipes, and the pure joy and celebration that they were enjoying was great.

One additional question/suggestion: Why isn't final review streamed online (or even filmed from a prime spot for later posting online)? I know that there are plenty of people unable to attend who would love to be able to watch remotely.

Use what influence you can to help keep Final Review at Simpson (where it's always belonged).

The Corps master plan includes construction of bleacher-style seating at Simpson flanking both sides of the reviewing stand.

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watching the seniors just prior and during the second pass was a lot of fun. The shirts, the cigars & pipes,

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I'm not against having a little fun, but some of them take it too far in my opinion, basically trying to outdo the class before them in how unprofessional you can be.

2nd pass needs some dignity displayed by departing Zips.

Seems it's denegrated beyond repair.

Zips have taken the Elephant Walk antics to 2nd Pass at Final Review. NOT GOOD BULL !!!

[This message has been edited by bebopag1 (edited 5/7/2014 11:44p).]

Have to agree with Bop on this one. Zips should stay in uniform and act as reviewing officers should act when receiving their final salute from their old unit. This T-shirt BS and cutting up during the 2nd pass needs to stop.

DevilD...

One year some drunk Final Review Zips are gonna moon their old outfit and perhaps THAT might be the final turning point...or Trigon's Epiphany.

[This message has been edited by bebopag1 (edited 5/10/2014 12:57a).]

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2nd pass needs some dignity displayed by departing Zips.

Seems it's denegrated beyond repair.

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Maybe we were sitting in different sections, but I'm going to have to disagree with you.

This year's 2nd pass seemed to be very professional. Appropriate nicknames, no hats (with a couple outfit exceptions, probably pre-approved), no obnoxious seniors. A bit surprised by the cigars, but ultimately that's pretty bad*ss. Compared to stuff witnessed in previous years, this year was extremely tame.

Hopefully this Tradition can continue to be carried out in this manner.

Appreciate all the comments about Final Review. I enjoyed having it back on Simpson Drill Field, and I think the majority of those who attended did too. We'll work to get more bleachers for next year, but overall it was a great Final Review on Simpson Drill Field.

We have also worked hard to "reel in" some of the unprofessional behavior we saw at Final Review in recent years. This years was the best yet, and I was proud of the way the seniors conducted themselves.

Is it like Final Review when I was in the Corps? NO. And it probably never will be. The ceremony is similar, but the seniors view it completely differently than we did way back when. We've done our best to make Final Review more "ceremonial" and less party like, and believe we have made great strides the past few years. But Final Review is NOT going to be viewed the same way we viewed it by this generation of seniors, and as long as its conducted in a profession manner, I'm ok with that. Its THEIR Final Review - not ours.

As with everything we do, we will do our best to make things better next year, and I feel confident we will. We will reinstitute the senior "boot line" walking across the field arm-in-arm next year, and hope that will help make it more ceremonial and more reminiscent of Final Reviews of the past.

Thanks for your support of our Corps! Gig 'em!

Simply take a good video of 2nd pass Zip anitcs
then show it to the new sophomore class (class meeting)and ask the class...
..."Do you want your Cadet Class to be remembered like this or one with military bearing and dignity ?"

Don't ask the Sergebutts since they seem to always want to eventually out do their direct upperclass Zips.

[This message has been edited by bebopag1 (edited 5/14/2014 5:44p).]

RE: "Unprofessional Antics"

Who cares what the hell they do? They're done with the Corps - let them enjoy it. Much bigger things to worry about then what dead zips do at second pass of Final Review.

Completely agree with Thelmp. Who cares. They have earned it.

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They have earned it.

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Curious as to what about spending 4 years in the Corps means they've earned the right to act like fools while in uniform, while acting as reviewing officers for the Corps, and getting pictures of such actions posted on the internet for all to see? Do you think soldiers in the actual military have earned the right to act like fools when in uniform during a memorial day parade that honors them? Surely they've done more to "earn" something than cadets.

I'm not saying I want to see robots on the sidelines, or a recreation of We've Never Been Licked. But I think they should carry themselves with a little more dignity, remember that other people are watching them, and save the shenanigans (aside from a little underclassmen heckling of course) for later that night at the Chicken or something.

^
^
^
This.

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They have earned it.

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Curious as to what about spending 4 years in the Corps means they've earned the right to act like fools while in uniform, while acting as reviewing officers for the Corps, and getting pictures of such actions posted on the internet for all to see? Do you think soldiers in the actual military have earned the right to act like fools when in uniform during a memorial day parade that honors them? Surely they've done more to "earn" something than cadets.

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Holy hyperbolic strawman argument, Batman. Comparing active duty Soldiers to students who are no longer in a specific student organization is retarded. And a Memorial Day parade can never be held in the honor of living Soldiers, so your jump to hyperbole doesn't even make sense. The former cadets are no longer in uniform because they're... former cadets.

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getting pictures of such actions posted on the internet for all to see?

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Example please? I haven't seen any of these pictures.

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Do you think soldiers in the actual military have earned the right to act like fools when in uniform during a memorial day parade that honors them?

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Last time I checked, Memorial Day honors those who died serving our country. Do you understand the difference between a holiday honoring fallen soldiers, and a day to celebrate some college seniors completing their time in the corps?

I'm not saying it's ok for seniors to act like animals, but if they get a little rowdy, who cares? Besides, at that point, what is the corps going to do to them? They can't exactly be punished... final review is supposed to be fun, let's keep it that way.

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Holy hyperbolic strawman argument, Batman. Comparing active duty Soldiers to students who are no longer in a specific student organization is retarded. And a Memorial Day parade can never be held in the honor of living Soldiers, so your jump to hyperbole doesn't even make sense. The former cadets are no longer in uniform because they're... former cadets.

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No longer being a cadet doesn't really cut it as an excuse in my book. I haven't been in the Army for almost 25 years. That said, if I was to wear an Army uniform again, I would comport myself appropriately, and wear it proudly--according to regulation.

What do the academies and other SMCs do for similar "passing on the baton" ceremonies? It seems like there ought to be a way to signify that you have finished your time in the Corps...without turning it into a farce.

My $0.02...and about what my opinion is worth.

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Simply take a good video of 2nd pass Zip anitcs
then show it to the new sophomore class (class meeting)and ask the class...
..."Do you want your Cadet Class to be remembered like this or one with military bearing and dignity ?"


Don't ask the Sergebutts since they seem to always want to eventually out do their direct upperclass Zips.

[This message has been edited by bebopag1 (edited 5/14/2014 5:44p).]

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As a member of that new sophomore class.... could not care less. Pretty sure no one is going to remember '14 because of how they acted during 2nd pass, if that's all people remember about what your year did while in the corps you have bigger problems.

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What do the academies and other SMCs do for similar "passing on the baton" ceremonies?

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USAFA, formal, full-dress parade. The whole wing forms up, then the seniors march to the opposite side of the field, leaving the wing behind. Followed by the wing passing in review by the seniors.

Inverse of the fall ceremony, where the new cadets form on the near side, and march across the field to join the wing. Then all review together.

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I'm not saying it's ok for seniors to act like animals

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Easy, now!

Haha ok I'm sorry, animal!