<p>There is another facet to the concept of “Face of the Navy” that doesn’t seem to be addressed here. Most Americans don’t have direct ties to anyone in uniform. Unfortunately, because of this lack of understanding, most Americans can’t tell the difference between solder/sailor/airman/marine/etc. Thus, when midshipmen make the news for inappropriate behavior on a cruise ship or for an alleged sexual assault scandal, those same sordid stories are appearing right alongside those of heroes who are serving in harm’s way, and in some cases, dying. Those who make the ultimate sacrifice shouldn’t have their service degraded by unfair comparisons to those shenanigans.</p>