<p>Some thoughts as you start counting down the “Days” (hours and minutes) to I’Day!</p>
<p>Three key things:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Relax. Enjoy for time at home. Have some fun with classmates before they all scatter. NO drinking, NO trouble, NO injuries. </p></li>
<li><p>Sleep. The biggest complaint is lack of sleep. Start changing that circadian rhythm now. Up early- 0530. Lights out: 2300. NO naps during the day. Constant MOVEMENT- no TV, no X-box, no lounging. Start adjusting now.</p></li>
<li><p>Attitude. Don’t let an academy appointment go to your head. Bad enough it gets to your parents head, but don’t let it get to yours. You are flying high now, but in the weeks ahead you will feel like there is not a thing in the world you can do “right.” All I can tell you is that it will pass. The biggest obstacle to the process is “you” - the attitude you bring to the table. No doubt you do not “think” this applies to YOU- ahh, but it does. YOU are accustomed to doing things for YOU. YOUR way. On YOUR schedule. When YOU want it. Things that reap YOU the rewards you seek. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>In the weeks ahead, you will learn that it is no longer about YOU. It is about SHIP, SHIPMATE, and then- and only then- about SELF. It doesn’t matter how fast YOU run- it matters how fast your TEAM runs. It doesn’t matter that YOU make your rack perfectly, the room will fail if your SHIPMATES are not squared away. Oh- and here is the kicker- it will be YOU taking the heat because you let your SHIPMATES fail. It doesn’t matter that YOU know your plebe rates, can rattle off your chow calls, report to formation on time (aka “Early”)- all that matters is that the person standing next to you is doing the same, and that you have their back and they have yours. There is truth behind “the chain is only as strong as its weakest link”- so it is not about YOU- you are but ONE LINK- one of MANY- it is ALL about SHIP, then SHIPMATE, and then self. And there is a reason why the last is in lower case. </p>
<p>Why bring this up? Let’s just say it is hard to learn the lesson when your well-intentioned, and very proud parents, are intent on YOU being the best. How is “my plebe” doing, look at “my (son, daughter)”, “look honey, Johnny is out front!” What mom and dad have not yet trained their eyes to see are the ones in your team falling behind- and you not there to help them along! They do not yet realize that the one up front setting the pace has to make sure that those that are following can keep up with it- and if they can’t, that someone is helping them do it. SOME of your parents will get it- some never do. What matters is that YOU get it. Those of you coming from a military family have a huge leg up- priceless. For those of you who have parents that lag behind, learn to practice tolerance. Again, it doesn’t matter if they ever get it, as long as you do. So attitude- park egos at the door, and do what you can to shift the focus from you to ship and shipmate. </p>
<p>Now the truth about plebe summer.
In many aspects, more “hype” than reality. Back in the day- a different story. But plebe summer has undergone a dramatic change in how the 4th class system is administered and applied. You will not be the “last class to have a real plebe summer.” The last class has already happened, and there is no way to bring that back. Nevertheless, it will be a challenge, but not one you can’t meet. </p>
<p>First 3 weeks- the hardest. Next 3- life gets better. Then PPW, then 2 weeks that seem unremarkable. Baseball game and so-long to whiteworks. Then reform, and a rough week or so to adjust to real life inside Mother B, and then classes start and everyone hunkers down to the rhythm of academics. Town liberty. Throw in football games, a few 3-day weekends, and before you know, you will be packing your bags to go home for some Turkey. Blink your eyes and you are climbing Herndon, and enjoying your luau, or dipping that ring, or shaking someone’s hand to get that commission. Days drag, but years fly. Point? Embrace your time on the yard, for it will go far too quick. Almost every alumnus I speak to wish they could do it over again- well, not all of it, and not “all” of them, but more than not. Let’s just say they appreciate it more now than while they were there. So embrace it. It’s “OK” to “lock on.” </p>
<p>One final note, I promise.
TRIM your hair. Girls- get it cut now and styled the way you want it. Guys- get it cut short (NO BUZZ)- but well trimmed. Let some sun get on your neck and forehead so that it’s not stark white when all the rest of it comes off and you look really silly. On second thought, no one is going to care how you look other than your parents and significant other so don’t waste too much time worrying about it.</p>
<p>Significant other-
hmmmm…
will save that discussion for another time.
Lets just say if you can fly solo, do it. Your life will be a whole lot less complicated.</p>
<p>As of right now: 11:40am EST, here is your countdown:
I-Day: 17 days-18 hrs-50 minutes</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.usna.org/events.html[/url]”>http://www.usna.org/events.html</a></p>
<p>Enjoy every one of them!</p>