“What do they call the Anchor Man at USNA?”
Bobby Rashad Jones was the midshipman with the lowest grade-point average in the Naval Academy Class of 2001, known as the anchor — so when he walked across stage at graduation, he was so overcome with emotion that he gave then-President George W. Bush a bear hug. After overcoming the embarrassment, Jones soon took that experience and transformed it into a successful Navy career.
“Ensign” if he can keep it. The link and story was forwarded to me by a member who wishes to remain anonymous. So in acknowledgement of the season, here’s a “hometown lad does good” feel good story.
Whatever happened to the Navy midshipman who gave President Bush a bear hug? Discipline — then redemption.By BROCK VERGAKIS | The Virginian-Pilot
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Tribune News Service) — Bobby Rashad Jones couldn’t help himself.
He was the midshipman with the lowest grade-point average in the Naval Academy Class of 2001 – known as the anchor – and was overwhelmed with joy to receive his commission after spending years on academic probation.
President George W. Bush was the commencement speaker in Annapolis and cordially shook hands with each graduate. But as Jones walked across the stage at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the crowd roared in support for the “anchor.”
Jones was a football player who was well known on campus, partly because tradition calls for each graduating midshipman to pay the class anchor $1.
He could’ve chosen a more glamorous life and played football at a powerhouse program like Florida. Or he could’ve done without the stress of military life by going to an Ivy League school. And he could’ve left the academy when it all seemed so overwhelming after his first semester to join friends at the University of North Carolina.
But he stayed because he wanted to be part of something bigger than himself – and he had made it.
As he walked toward Bush, the excitement was too much to contain.
He jumped up and down. His head shook. He pumped his right fist in the air.
A presidential handshake simply wouldn’t do.
The former linebacker grabbed Bush’s hand, pulled him in and hugged the commander-in-chief. And not just any hug; a bear hug that briefly lifted Bush off the ground as part of what Jones would later describe as an “out-of-body experience.”
“I’m thinking it’s not a serious hug, not realizing I just got through playing football. The president is not that heavy. I didn’t realize I picked the man up,” Jones said in an interview this week at his office at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.
The academy’s sports information department said he was listed as 6-foot-2, 235 pounds when he played football.
“My sister thought I was going to get shot, my mom was trying to take pictures and my dad was like ‘What the hell is he doing?’ ”
A lot of people laughed. Navy leadership did not. An officer on stage physically pulled Jones off the president by his uniform.
The article goes on to describe how Bobby began with a rocky start, but through perseverance and hard work overcame the challenges, and succeeded. It’s a bit lengthy, but worth the read. Find it here at The Stars and Stripes.
Category: Navy
Well done young man, never quit.
Love it, just love it. He also has quite an array on the left side of his chest. This guy has done some stuff and seen even more stuff. Hat tip to you, Sir.
I read this the other day. One thing I like is that he uses his experiences to encourage others going through tough times. A fine officer.
Hell yeah, he can look at someone and say “DON’T ever give up, look at where I was and I made it!”.
Ironically, the last man/woman to graduate from West Point based on grade point average is known as the “Goat” (USNA)…and at Graduation, each Cadet contributes $1.00 to go to that Graduate. So if the Class has a 1,000 graduates, that Cadet not only gets a Diploma, but also $$$$$.
Standards are high in the Military Academies. The Graduate may have a B average or A- average…compare that to other nonmilitary college averages.
Salute to this Officer.
goarmybeatnavy
Meant to say the last man/woman to graduate in their class based on grade point average.
It’s probably not irony. I like to think it’s a message, that the graduating cadet with the lowest GPA should have joined the Navy. (Try the veal.)
West Point ended its goat 40 years ago by changing the reading of the names from class ranking to alphabetical order. Years before that, West Point actually had a screw-up incentive. Those with lower class standing were assigned to infantry and cavalry while the brains (on paper) went to engineers. Six goats were at Gettysburg, three for the North and three for the South. Among those were Custer and Pickett.
They still have a Goat every year…the Corps knows who it is and cheers like mad when his/her name is announced. I was ranked in the bottom 10 cadets in 1987…with a 2.19 GPA (not a B or A-, more like a C– or D+ on a curve). Our Goat was a guy named Zane Wood, I’m William Woods–our class cheered for him, then re-cheered for me as I was announced alphabetically after him. My poor academic record was even more famous than his worse record, as I had an equally famous poor attitude to go with it. 🙂
Sounds like he learned some good lessons. How to persevere and, more importantly for his choice of profession, how to be a leader! BZ, Commander.
I love this guy.
I’m still going to use this pic to submit an entry on DuffelBlog.
But I love this guy!
My first instinct is to say we should not celebrate mediocrity, but that instinct is then tempered by the realization that the “Anchor” or the “Goat” graduates from institutions like our service academies are head and shoulders above the crop of politically correct graduates of most American institutions of supposedly higher education.
I admire this young man for his perseverance and his willingness to dedicate his life to service to his country rather than to pursue a more lucrative career in professional sports.
We need more, many, many more, like him.
There’s mediocre and then there’s “outstanding” in a reverse sense of what we consider the word to mean. The high C and low B students were mediocre in that they just did the least required and skated. This kid and others who “Don’t get it” worked as hard to pass if not harder than the ones who made straight A’s.
Just my theory and sorry to split hairs, Poe.
P.S. I fucked up making it look like I’m shitting on what you said. I whole heartedly agree. Sorry again, brother.
The total lack of non-verbal cues on posts can result in reversed/amusing/WTF interpretations.
Plus I swore to reading it thoroughly until I stopped and finally did again with my think-bone.
What do you call the man with the lowest class standing at a service academy? “Sir”!
When you think about it, someone HAS to be the last man! But my hat is off to any academy graduate!
Two of the more famous goats were Pickett and Custer. Gallant but not exactly leaders you survive. I read that 12 of yhe USNA anchors became admirals. Learn something new every day.
Wish I had said that.
Good for him! BZ! I like it!
Considering everything, including the fact that he was happy to have graduated, I think I’d call him ‘Sir’.
Frankly, he seems smarter than several ossifers I’ve run into.
I’m certain he’ll never be working in Civil Affairs.
Actually CRS squadrons have a small CA mission set, along with VBSS capability.
I just hope he does a better job keeping his Squadron up to date on all the training and his equipment and weapons green as he can. He better do a better job than CRS 3 did a couple years ago and not let his units get into a situation in Iran. Just saying.. Good luck Sir.
I think that was a dig at the infamous MAJ Commissar, CA, USAR, whom many here would never accuse of high mental acumen.
One of the best Os I ever had (platoon OIC in my 2d platoon) was USNA grad and Anchor Man.
Well done Sir. Looks like he used adversity not only to HIS advantage but to the advantage of those around him as well. Cant do much better than that. Sounds like he has had a HELL of a career.
Wonderful story. Always keep fighting for your goal.