Do you have a college graduation ring? Why or why not?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:05:31 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 4:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:05:50 -0400

Trailblaze = false

Response by SPC Nate Lamphier made Sep 7 at 2016 4:08 PM

SPC Nate Lamphier — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:08:52 -0400

I never bought one and to be honest, not sure I know anyone who has. That doesn't mean that I think they are a waste....just not my cup of tea.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 4:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:15:56 -0400

I don't like jewelry. If I thought it wouldn't end up in my divorce I wouldn't wear my wedding ring.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 7 at 2016 4:21 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:21:55 -0400

I had three but they were all stolen one of the several times that my home was broken into when I lived in Houston.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 4:26 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:26:23 -0400

I do have one because it is a reminder of the hard work that I put forth to earn the degree.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Sep 7 at 2016 4:35 PM

Sgt John Steinmeier — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:35:08 -0400

Nope. Same reason I do not have a High School one either. I am not a jewelry wearing type person. Only wear a watch when I absolutely need one.

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made Sep 7 at 2016 4:39 PM

Sgt Christopher Wenzel — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:39:06 -0400

Because I have commitment issues.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Sep 7 at 2016 4:42 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:42:47 -0400

Nope. Besides, what's more important, the degree or a ring?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 5:12 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 17:12:22 -0400

I have always felt that knocking is inappropriate unless I am at a friend's house and asking to enter.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Sep 7 at 2016 5:18 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 17:18:25 -0400

I do not have a high school ring, nor did I desire to get a college ring from both undergrad and graduate school. Many other rings I enjoy wearing that mean more to me.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 7 at 2016 5:20 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 17:20:03 -0400

Yes. Not sure why I bought it but it seemed like a good idea fourth some years ago. Never wore it after I graduated because you don't wear rings while flying.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 7 at 2016 5:28 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 17:28:29 -0400

Bachelors - No. Didn't want to spend the money.
Masters - Yes. Regretted not getting one for my bachelors degree.
Doctoral - No. Regretted getting one for my masters degree.

Call me indecisive.

Response by SSG Drew Cook made Sep 7 at 2016 5:58 PM

SSG Drew Cook — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 17:58:40 -0400

Not a fan of jewelry or watches, too expensive, and I don't need to tell everyone I meet what my ring is for.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 6:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 18:24:21 -0400

I have 2 degrees from 2 different universities and never thought to get one from either.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Sep 7 at 2016 6:31 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 18:31:03 -0400

Only wanted the diploma

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 7 at 2016 6:42 PM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 18:42:46 -0400

Yes ...
The From the School of Hard Licks and Knocks ...
Regimental Class Ring from U.S. Army Special Forces....

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 7:16 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 19:16:53 -0400

I have a wedding ring, thats it. Never wanted one from my bachelors. Never wanted one from my masters and never wanted one from my doctorate. Why? They are expensive, gaudy, and I knew I would never wear the thing.

I see them like gold and diamond crusted Rolexes; a way for insecure people to show off.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 7:26 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 19:26:27 -0400

I do not, but that is because I enlisted prior to graduating. I may get one once I graduate, however it would not be as important as a military service ring. I was too poor to afford a HIghschool Class Ring. I probably wouldn't wear my college ring either (unless my alma mater had a distinct place in my heart - SUNY Geneseo definitely did, but again, I enlisted prior to graduating). Once I have established myself in the career path I am confident I will stay in, I will probably end up getting a Navy ring. Sad thing is, I like silver and platinum significantly more than gold, but as an Officer (pending selection), I might have to 'bite the bullet' and get a gold ring. It isn't easy being an Officer, sacrifices like that have to be made. ;) <- I jest!

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Sep 7 at 2016 8:02 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:02:42 -0400

No, but I do have a SGM academy ring.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 8:10 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:10:06 -0400

Yes, my dad really wanted me to get a college ring. I didn't want one, so I told him I'd get one if he wanted to buy it. He politely told me that I was going to buy it but I didn't have to wear it if I didn't want to.

Response by SMSgt Roy Dowdy made Sep 7 at 2016 8:10 PM

SMSgt Roy Dowdy — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:10:44 -0400

Have three degrees, I felt the diploma on the wall was enough of a reminder.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 8:38 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:38:43 -0400

Yes. My ex bought it for me.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 8:42 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:42:34 -0400

I went to ASU with a group of 33 Air Force folks in the AECP program. #0 completed their degree. I am proud to be part of that group and that is an excellent completion percentage.

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 7 at 2016 8:54 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 20:54:20 -0400

At USNA they tell you its optional. And it is, until you say you don't want one. I had a cousin who was undergoing very expensive medical treatment for a potentially terminal condition. I was sending every penny I could home. I kept $10 per pay check for health and hygiene and school supplies. To make matter worse gold was at an all time high. When I indicated that I was not going to purchase a ring, I had to justify that decision to the Midshipmen chain of command and then the Commissioned Officer Chain of Command. They were not pleasant or "understanding" conversations. I was required to justify every dime I spent. The end result was that I paid for it against my will via payroll deduction. I still have it, and know where it is, but I did not wear it once since graduation day. Instead of pleasant memories of my time at the Academy, it reminds me of a time I hated the chain of command, and of the early death of a relative.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Sep 8 at 2016 9:28 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:28:07 -0400

Yes, I did get one. However I never wear it anymore. Also, back in my college days gold was around $35.00 per ounce so a ring was reasonably affordable. Not sure I'd want one given what they cost today. Additionally think the attitude towards class rings has changed considerably. Have a granddaughter who is a senior in college and she didn't get a high school or college ring; same with grandson who is a high school senior, he has no desire to get a class ring.

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Sep 8 at 2016 4:04 PM

SGM Billy Herrington — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:04:02 -0400

Yes I purchased a class ring when graduated from Alabama. The reasons I did were personal and a way to remind myself of my accomplishment no matter where I am.

I was accepted in 1996 to Alabama just before I graduated high school. I was offered a scholarship for academics. I wanted very badly to take it but I couldn't. My girlfriend and I just had a son in Nov of 1995. I was 16 when he was born. I knew I couldn't run off and leave them. She was still in high school.

I joined the guard. Tried to go to school nearby, nope. Didn't work out well.

I deployed to Bosnia and returned, she had moved out and was pregnant by someone else. i entered into a slight tail spin.

I found someone new. We married in 2003, I was also hiring AGR in Nov. I was mobilized for Iraq in Aug 2004. I arrived in Iraq in Jan 2005. In sep 2005 I received divorce papers in country. In Jan 2006 I returned. Met someone new, she called me and said in Aug 2006 she was pregnant. We married. In 2007 had our son. I was TDY long and often.

After master gunner school I realized I needed to get my degree. This was late 2008. In May 2009 I again was mobilized for Iraq. Went over in June. My wife deployed with me as well, no, it's not as nice as you think it is, well, maybe a little.

While in Iraq I started going to grantham university. I was trying to bring my GPA up to transfer to Alabama. I found out grantham is worthless. They aren't regionally accredited and credits will not transfer to a real school.

I went to ashford university since they were accredited. I got my GPA where it needed to be and in January 2012, 14 years later, I started at UA.

My dad passed while I was in Bosnia in 2001. It was the most important thing to him for me to graduate. I was going to honor his wishes and fulfill my promise if it killed me.

I worked for two years, everyday, my last semester I took 17 hrs while working on a BDE staff full time. My GPA when I transferred in was 2.01. I graduated magma cum laude with a 3.87.

I ordered my ring one year before I was done. The tradition at UA is to wear it with the script A facing you until you graduate to remind you what you're working for. As goofy as it sounds, I used it a few times for motivation.

Then when you graduate, turn the ring around to show the world the script A and your accomplishment.

Inside my ring I had the enscription, For My Dad. No matter where I go I'll always have him with me, and proof that I can accomplish anything, even if it takes 18 years, that I want to.

Roll Tide!!!!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2016 1:56 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 13:56:28 -0400

I do have a High School Ring...but I never did get one for any of my college degrees...never really was big on rings anyway...plus...they always seemed to be too pricey for a starving student...