Is the 10 meter tower jump required at usna

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fran090799

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My cousin told me that to graduate from USNA you have to complete the 10 meter tower jump. Is this true? I found no information online that gave me a straight answer.
 
Kid (current Youngster) just said he doesn't think it is anymore. He has others in his company that haven't done it since Plebe summer. He thinks lower heights are required, but to get higher marks, you need to do it during academic year.
 
I believe a 5 meter jump all that’s required to graduate. But the jump is part of the swim grade and a 10m jump will net you a better grade than the 5m.
 
IronmanDaremo said:
Kid (current Youngster) just said he doesn't think it is anymore. He has others in his company that haven't done it since Plebe summer. He thinks lower heights are required, but to get higher marks, you need to do it during academic year.
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Is it required during plebe summer?
 
It used to be a graduation requirement - you could be satisfactory in every respect but fail that and be ineligible to graduate.

Some years ago that changed. I think the thinking is now if you have to jump off a high ship deck into the ocean, you’re either going to do it or not, and the key is to have the swimming skills once you’re in the water. If you stay on the ship while whatever catastrophe is happening, you have other things to worry about.


www.usna.edu

Curriculum

Curriculum page for Physical Education Department at USNA.edu. Updated Mon May 15 10:32:51 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu
 
Capt MJ said:
It used to be a graduation requirement - you could be satisfactory in every respect but fail that and be ineligible to graduate.

Some years ago that changed. I think the thinking is now if you have to jump off a high ship deck into the ocean, you’re either going to do it or not, and the key is to have the swimming skills once you’re in the water. If you stay on the ship while whatever catastrophe is happening, you have other things to worry about.


www.usna.edu

Curriculum

Curriculum page for Physical Education Department at USNA.edu. Updated Mon May 15 10:32:51 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu
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Oh the stories from the olden days of doing that in McDonough Hall....
 
I have it on good authority that it’s no longer required to graduate. Rather, the height at which you choose to jump factors into your PE grade. I don’t think you can earn an A without jumping from 10M. Grades go down as do the heights. Someone decided it was a dumb idea not to graduate someone because they wouldn’t jump off the 10M. Probably right.
 
usna1985 said:
I have it on good authority that it’s no longer required to graduate. Rather, the height at which you choose to jump factors into your PE grade. I don’t think you can earn an A without jumping from 10M. Grades go down as do the heights. Someone decided it was a dumb idea not to graduate someone because they wouldn’t jump off the 10M. Probably right.
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We had to do the 10M at OCS a few times - while everyone was dithering at the foot of the stairs, I got myself to first or second in line and just blanked my mind, went straight up and off. If you let the lizard part of your brain start thinking too much about what you are doing - and look down - it paralyzes you. People you never thought would freeze at anything would get stuck, and the longer they waited, the more stuck they got.

It’s an easy way to pump up the PE grade.

Anyone headed to USNA who is worried about this should find a pool, a platform and supportive friends, and knock one out, getting some technique and safety briefings first from a swim/dive coach. It’s mental discipline plus a little technique.
 
I am terrified heights. But, I did the 10M with no issue. The worst part was climbing the stairs and then waiting on the platform. I stayed far enough back I could see the pool and waited until next was yelled. Stared straight ahead and never looked down. Rappelling, I volunteer to go first. Anything with a height, I just went as fast as possible to prevent the doubt settling in. I don’t remember anyone in my class having an issue with the 10M.
 
NavyHoops said:
I am terrified heights. But, I did the 10M with no issue. The worst part was climbing the stairs and then waiting on the platform. I stayed far enough back I could see the pool and waited until next was yelled. Stared straight ahead and never looked down. Rappelling, I volunteer to go first. Anything with a height, I just went as fast as possible to prevent the doubt settling in. I don’t remember anyone in my class having an issue with the 10M.
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Exactly!! Do not let me wait and think about it.
 
8th Wing Refugee said:
Oh the stories from the olden days of doing that in McDonough Hall....
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Climbing that rickety/flexible ladder while a couple of classmates hang off it in the pool to "anchor it" and
the ladder bends and moves as you climb it is a shared memory among the classes of that era. During my time at USNA,
the jump moved from 3/C year to 2/C year so my class had to do it twice (I think). I remember one of my roommates not
doing it right and having to climb back up over and over again until the coach approved his form.

For What its worth, someone "balking" and not jumping was really rough on the people behind them on the platform (2-3 people) and
the folks on the ladder which was probably 5 or so as you just had to hang there and wait and all the while see how high you were, etc.
 
Poor @fran090799 - OP and new member <24 hours - gets treated to 10M jump stories - welcome. I think your question has been answered. Don’t let this be a reason to not apply if that is where you are! Once you do it, the you can pat yourself in the back and feel great.
 
One of my favorite videos I have received from my daughter is of her doing the 10m. She walked off the platform, no fear, perfect form and the comments from her male classmates made it even better. “That was text book! , what the F?! Unreal”. Made this momma proud 🥹 💪🏼
 
Get in there Fran...the Academy needs you.
But just a little story first ...that a father carries with him.

My daughter and her squad were in a line at the base of the tower preparing to make that 10 meter drop. You get the idea... it was a little quiet; no one wants to make eye contact; the measured breaths...
when from the back of the line...a petite, demure young woman's voice is heard...
"Momma didn't raise no *****es."
The tension melted away with the laughter; my daughter said the entire squad went on to make the jump that morning.
 
I jumped off a bridge at 45'-0" once. It was quite a jolt when my feet hit the water, and I had already been made combat ineffective by my very good friend Don Julio.
 
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