thoughts from new Plebes

peskemom · 07-12-2006, 02:19 PM

Maybe some of us new Plebe parents can share the kinds of things our Plebes are writing us about - which might help those considering application to the Class of 2011.

The following came this week from our daughter, after 2 weeks of Plebe Summer

"It's been almost a month since I graduated, wow, all of that seems like a
lifetime ago. Every morning I wake up and when we're doing stupid stuff I
always think that there really is no other place I'd rather be. No matter
how much this is awesome or how much something sucks or how bad I hurt, how
much pain I feel, how sore I am, there's no place I'd rather be....

I've come to the realization that people who never fully experience the
United States Naval Acadmey will never fully understand those who have -
even after just one week, it is impossible to decribe what happens. It is
an experience that must be lived to be understood."

So I'm encouraged that the choice our child made really does seem to be where she belongs....a Midshipman of the Class of 2010. GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!

sistersunnie · 07-12-2006, 02:25 PM

Or as mine says(She's always been a young woman of few words-takes after her father!)

"Alot of yelling, but we can deal...."

3106 · 07-12-2006, 02:34 PM

On Sunday we were able to talk to our son for 40 minutes. He sounded great. I asked how his cadre are and he said "cool". He stated the food was good, he gained 4/10ths of a pound, and that he was playing lacrosse. He also indicated that every morning they are woken up with airhorns. As a result, his room would try to get up 20 minutes earlier to avoid this pleasurable moment. All watches and clocks have been taken away. As a parent it was very reassuring to hear the tone of his voice because I now know he is doing well.

Zaphod · 07-12-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

"I've come to the realization that people who never fully experience the United States Naval Acadmey will never fully understand those who have - even after just one week, it is impossible to decribe what happens. It is an experience that must be lived to be understood."

Told ya!

beachmom · 07-12-2006, 03:40 PM

OK, if I wasn't already convinced that my DD is a bit nuts, this should seal the deal. She thinks plebe summer is fun!

Gives you some idea of what her childhood must have been like...

Zaphod · 07-12-2006, 04:18 PM

You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney...

jadler03 · 07-12-2006, 07:45 PM

3106,

How is your son getting 40 minutes to speak? I have read they are allowed 5-10 minutes on 3 designated days throughout the summer.

peskemom · 07-12-2006, 07:57 PM

I've talked to a lot of parents and while most of us got 4-5 min. at least in L Platoon and K Platoon, some got 30-40minutes. That's just the way it was and while some of us might wonder why - I came to the conclusion that Cadre, like future Senior Officers and bosses - are all going to have different standards - and it doesn't keep one free of ulcers or migranes to get all upset about the 'unfairness' or 'unbalance' of it all.

In our case, I think our daughter, who has never been much of a talker, would have not liked a 30 min. long chat with us - and it probably would have been harder on her in the long run to continue to engage us while we were 3000 miles away.

So for our family - I think what occurred was in all of our best interests.

beachmom · 07-12-2006, 08:15 PM

DD told us that K company got 30 minutes as a reward for being the best at drills that day (week?) I imagine it is passed around to different companies on their call days.

jadler03 · 07-12-2006, 10:03 PM

Very well! I am glad that they are being taught that good performance equates to rewards!

"It pays to be a winner!"

I am sure Zaph had the last "real" plebe summer?

Sacto Mom · 07-12-2006, 11:04 PM

We got our first "real" (non-mandatory) letter Today. Very upbeat...I wouldn't say he thinks it's FUN, but it seems to be going better than he feared.

He stole a moment here and a moment there over a week to compose a very thoughtful and funny letter. His closing comment: "I know plebe summer is working because I find all this extra time in a day now."

Zaphod · 07-12-2006, 11:47 PM

Quote:

I am sure Zaph had the last "real" plebe summer?

No, we had the ONLY "real" Plebe Summer.

gypsycl · 07-13-2006, 01:12 AM

Okay, my son's i L ompany snd when he called he said he had 40 minutes to talk... we talked for 20 minutes and since I had'nt prepared anything, thinking we would just allow him to talk and vent if need be, we closed and told him to call his good friends... figured that would be cathartic.

He sounded fantastic, a little hoarse, but seemed happy! He loved the food (I probably never cooked as much as he would have liked) and had not lost weight. He said he never left the table hungry.

His favorite thing was sailing... and least favorite, the morning wake-up call. One thing I never had to do... he was always good about rising and shining... thank goodness because I am not!

All I know is that since he phoned, our family is sleeping a little easier! And thanks to all the photos on the internet... although it is a bit overwhelming at times. I find myself stalking him day and night... oops, it's time for bed right now.

I feelblessed that his dream came true... let's hope it keeps up!

Zaphod · 07-13-2006, 07:25 AM

Quote:

feelblessed that his dream came true...

Madam, his dream has only BEGUN. He has only taken a few steps on a 50,000-mile hike.

Good to hear he sounded OK, though.

boston usmc · 07-13-2006, 02:16 PM

To make it easier for my friends to respond, (I'm writing to 6 plebes at USNA, 1 at USMA, and 1 at USAFA), I made a survey of questions that they could circle the answers to. It was cool because the survey only took them a few minutes to fill out, and send back to me in self-addressed stamped envelopes I sent them. I got responses pretty quickly. One of them asked me to save the survey(s) though, which I thought was a good idea, because she wants to "remember these silly things" (i.e., her answers to my funny questions), after Plebe Summer. So save those letters! I'm sure your plebes will want to look back and see what they were thinking.

(The funny part of this is that my bf is cadre, so I hear things from both sides of the spectrum, lol!)