It's summertime which means: Invasion of the Mids (to the fleet)

[HeyJoe]

100807-N-7605J-380 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 7, 2010) Midshipmen observe flight operations as part of their visit aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The midshipmen are onboard gaining experience and deciding which career path to follow. Ronald Reagan is underway conducting training operations in the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Benjamin C. Jernigan/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100731-N-6582H-060 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (July 31, 2010) Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Kevin Neatrour, from Johnstown, Penn., explains the responsibilities of boatswain's mates to a group of midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Twenty-one midshipmen embarked Harry S. Truman for a two-week training and orientation opportunity. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jared Hall/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100715-N-5346R-002 SAN DIEGO (July 15, 2010) An ROTC midshipman prepares to take a ride in a T-35C training aircraft as part of Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen Aviation Week at Naval Base Coronado. The four-week program is designed to introduce college and academy midshipmen to various career fields in the military including surface, submarine, and aviation warfare. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class A.C. Rainey/Released)

100715-N-5346R-005 SAN DIEGO (July 15, 2010) An ROTC midshipman prepares to take a ride in a T-35C training aircraft as part of Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen Aviation Week at Naval Base Coronado. The four-week program is designed to introduce college and academy midshipmen to various career fields in the military including surface, submarine, and aviation warfare. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class A.C. Rainey/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100712-N-3066M-001 Annapolis, Md. (July 12, 2010) Approximately 100 U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen get underway in four yard patrol (YP) crafts from Annapolis, Md., en route to Newport, R.I., as part of summer training evolutions. While in Newport, the midshipmen will learn damage control skills in damage investigation, pipe patching, shoring, structural damage repair and the importance of these skills in a shipboard damage control environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Midshipman 3rd Class Dominic Montez/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100623-N-0775Y-053 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 23, 2010) Gunner's Mate 1st Class Dylan Lay, from Borger, Texas, coaches a midshipman during a live-fire exercise aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104). More than 20 midshipmen were aboard for their summer cruise while the ship was underway for a weeklong training evolution. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Carmichael Yepez/Released)

100623-N-0569T-273 SAN DIEGO (June 22, 2010) Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy participate in a swim call with Sailors aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71). Midshipmen and ROTC cadets will experience a wide range of surface warfare activities, including demonstrations, ship and shore command tours, and an underway embark. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel J. Taylor/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100610-N-0569T-074 SAN DIEGO (June 10, 2010) Naval Surface Forces 2010 Shiphandler of the Year, Lt.j.g. Billy Griffin, right, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), tutors Naval Academy Midshipmen at the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Shore Based Training Facility in San Diego. Midshipmen toured and manned the simulated bridges of the littoral combat ships USS Freedom (LCS 1) and USS Independence (LCS 2) as a part of summer training piloting in and out of simulated harbors. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel J. Taylor/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

East meets West: International Mid get together at sea

100611-N-0000H-020 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 11, 2010) United States and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Midshipmen aboard the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JDS Hiei (DDH 142) observe the sea-bearing movement of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89). Mustin and Hiei are participating in the 2010 U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Foreign Exchange Training for Midshipmen. The underway exchange will culminate in a bilateral port visit in Kure, Japan. (Photo Courtesy of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100603-N-0000X-053 USS WEST VIRGINIA, UNDERWAY (June 3, 2010) Midshipmen learn to pilot the submarine by training in the duties of the helm and planesman while underway aboard the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN 736). The Midshipmen are embarked with the crew as part of Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID), a summer program that gives future naval officers experience in the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100609-M-6770H-039 CAMP PENELTON, Calif. (June 9, 2010) Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy climb into the turret of an LAV-25 as Marines assigned to 1st Marine Division introduce them to different equipment at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Midshipmen are learning about the different vehicles and their capabilities as part of Protramid, a program designed to educate them about the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Albert F. Hunt/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100607-M-6770H-053 MIRAMAR, Calif. (June 7, 2010) U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen practice room clearing techniques with mock M-16A2 rifles at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Albert F. Hunt/released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100602-M-6770H-159 CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (June 2, 2010) Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy watch as a U.S. Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter takes off during Protramid, a three week series of exercises to educate midshipmen about the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Albert F. Hunt/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100602-M-6770H-140 CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (June 2, 2010) Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy carry their packs and board a bus after participating in the Protramid program, a series of classes and exercises taught by Marines to familiarize the Midshipmen to the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Albert F. Hunt/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

100604-N-0569T-113 SAN DIEGO (June 4, 2010) Midshipmen work together to fight a fire at the Fire Fighting Trainer at Naval Station San Diego. Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy and ROTC programs conduct an 8-week series of weeklong training exercises in surface warfare activities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel J. Taylor/Released)

 

[Birdog8585]

An ROTC midshipman prepares to take a ride in a T-35C training aircraft...

This must be the upgraded Turbo-Weenie, you know, the one with few more ponies under the hood and an iPod jack on the victor radio...

 

[CommodoreMid]

100623-N-0569T-273 SAN DIEGO (June 22, 2010) Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy participate in a swim call with Sailors aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71). Midshipmen and ROTC cadets will experience a wide range of surface warfare activities, including demonstrations, ship and shore command tours, and an underway embark. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel J. Taylor/Released)

ROTC cadets. Fail. Does anyone fact check these things? Considering the standard set by the media today anyway I'd say no.