<p>Bill - the tongue lashing came from another parent. The point is USMA Plebe Parents were specifically asked NOT to try to go to West Point during CBT. After A-day, it is perfectly acceptable to visit as much as possible. I don’t know, maybe USNA likes parents to hide around trees and sneak up and spy, but USMA does not. The parent who got the tongue lashing on the plebe net apologized to all for admittedly “breaking the rules”. There was even a story posted about a parent who did just that a few years ago and the cadet told the parent how hard it was to see them. There are plenty of pictures available on West Point’s website and plenty of opportunity to see the cadets after they go through this most stressful time. I am going through the same thing as every one of you, but I respect West Point’s wishes and do not visit now. This is the longest time I have not had communication with my New Cadet and every day, I check to see if I get a letter. I don’t have as many as I did last year. (My new cadet was at USMAPS last year and was able to write more often). Trust me, I’d like to run right over there and play tourist too, but I won’t. West Point has plenty of tourists too. There is a difference from a tourist and a parent. Any parent could go there and blend in. I know there are a lot that do, but how do we expect our kids to follow the rules when the parents don’t?</p>
<p>I am not sure that I would characterize it as sneaking up and spying.
I think if a parent acts the same as any other tourist [admittedly a challenge for some parents] then there would be no problem. Even at WP.
Nonetheless, I don’t remember specific admonishments from USNA to not visit other than “no contact.”
I do agree, however, that this is a special time for them to grow and they should probably be left to their own devices, i.e. w/out hovering moms. [Even dads.] On the other hand, had I lived closer, I probably would have walked around a bit to see what was going on.</p>
<p>USNA seems to have really tried to involve families more and more. [1a] I-day ceremony certainly seems to be geared towards familes more than other Acadamies. [1b] Goodbye in the evening is longer. [2] Saturday overnight at PPW in the last three years. [3] PPW lunch in King Hall. [4] Parents invited to Sea Trials and Sea Trials BBQ [5] Dinner for rising Plebes, parents invited. [6] Parents “up front and center” at Herndon.
After that, however, the next two years are nothing special until Firstie Parent’s Weekend and Commissioning Week.</p>
<p>I’ll leave the merits or demerits of such a policy for others to discuss. I am just darn glad that administraiton has chosen to invite parents to be a part of the process.</p>
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<p>How lucky are we! And how reasonable and realistic the adminstration to realize that family support-now and going forward- is as important as ever! Letting go is tough…for everyone…inevitable and necessary as it must be…and there is not a doubt in my mind that there are lots of parents strolling around USMA with a camera in tow as well!!! (BTDT)…(and they certainly have lots more trees!!!) ;)</p>
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…ah, the voice of reason! Like everything in life, moderation is key!! </p>
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<p>2010 Dad…would LOVE to take you up on your offer, as I am just too far away to come down and “Hover,” “Spy,” “blend” or otherwise…and, alas, I don’t think I stand a chance of hiding behind any trees despite this south beach diet…oye!!!</p>
<p>Have not been able to spot our Thorpedo on any of the drop shots or other sites despite hours of searching…and thornton still has nothing…swear I spotted him on a few shots but his sister says my eyes are going and that the kid I see is “definately not him”…but I am claiming whoever it is as my own! Finders keepers!</p>
<p>Seems everyone takes lots of pics of companies 1 through 9, but by the time they get to the 20’s they are out of time, film, patience or whatever! </p>
<p>So if you are on the yard touristing around, and happen to see <strong><em>O company- 27 Platoon</em></strong>- I would sure appreciate any pics that you can capture! </p>
<p>Look for a 6’2" mid with no hair, good tan, broad shoulders and dark eyebrows…dimple in his chin…190 lbs with his pants falling down (he definately did not get my butt!)…I would be FOREVER GRATEFUL!!!</p>
<p>(and if you need a better description, PM me!)</p>
<p>Our family has lived in California since 1906, and though Ive spent a fair amount of time on the East Coast I wouldnt want to live there (especially after PPW in Annapolis last August, phew!). I would like to see some sympathy and support for the stoic parents living west of the Mississippi who cant just “mosey down” to the Yard on a whim! On the other hand, living on the West Coast near a major airport definitely has its advantagesnon-stop flights to BWI are reasonably priced and its only 4-1/2 hours eastbound! </p>
<p>I would imagine that Admiral Rempt believes limited parental involvement with midshipmen boosts morale and supports the mission of USNA. I pray that he remains Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy for years to come. Were so lucky to have such gifted leadership at USNA.</p>
<p>p.s. Anyone see any cute female mids at Larchmont Yacht Club, NY, this week?</p>
<p>“Like everything in life, moderation is key!”
navy2010</p>
<p>Our mantra too!</p>
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<p>no- but rumor has it there were a few strolling around Greenport on Long Island! Something about a fleet of YP’s making landfall… ;)</p>
<p>Yep, six YPs were in Greenport. Last sighting of my mid was in Barney’s at their summer sale…;)</p>
<p>LOL!!! </p>
<p>True but funny story- </p>
<p>when our son was making his list of “pros and cons” between his final 2 choices, included was the following:</p>
<p>USMA: Con: march to Fredrick Lake, eat MREs
USNA: Pro: march to Norstroms, buy cashmire socks for march back</p>
<p>(that list made it to the scrapbook!) :)</p>
<p>That was my daughter’s comment last summer–if we keep marching in Annapolis we’ll end up at Nordstroms in Annapolis Mall! You’re too funny! However, in order to get to New York my mid had to spend two days making charts of the Chesapeake because she was navigator on her sailboat. Truly a Renaissance woman!</p>
<p>LOL! Good for her! We need more women on the water! </p>
<p>I am the “boater” in our family- take it out all the time on my own or with friends- while the hubby golfs- you should see the look of fear (that quickly turns to AWE) as I dock with a well-practiced finess that others can only hope to duplicate! (at least on calm days that is!) LOL! </p>
<p>Glad to see I am not the only one up at this hour…was hoping for a letter or “something” today but no luck- maybe tomorrow! This empty nest thing is for the birds- and even though my 22-year-old graduate is temporarily back at home, she is out so much that I might as well not even change her sheets! This bf of hers has got to go!!</p>
<p>Our son loves the boat- he was the one that found it and got us into boating in the first place, and the first one to earn his boaters license- so it warms my heart to think of him out in a sailboat down at USNA- I just know he is eating up every minute of it (especially if he gets the thing going- he is a speed junkie!..as in fly-over-the-water that is!)</p>
<p>Well at least your Mid found her way to Greenport! What a great town! Now if she is smart she will divert the boat to Martha’s vineyard or Nantucket for some much needed supplies! (talk about shopping opportunities…Vineyard Vines all the way!!!)</p>
<p>She’s up there for race week with VOST, not on the YPs.</p>
<p>How wonderful! Hope they do well! I would think navigation will be key!</p>
<p>The Supe is also a huge supporter of the sailing program at USNA, and his goal is to make it the best in the world because “good sailors make good naval officers!” Maybe your son can take you out on the Colgates during PPW. Being on the LAX team is a good respite from plebe summer. Good luck to your mid and his family! :)</p>
<p>I think Supe has been there two years, more or less. I suspect this will be his last year before retirment.</p>
<p>Funny . . . I compared his photo [USNA supe] with that of the AFA Supe when I was at USAFA last week. Grandfather versus pure business. Parents have been lucky this past year. [Son was injure during sea trials; Mrs. Supe made a point of coming up to him and asking if he was okay, how did he feel, etc. ]</p>
<p>My eyes kept me from an Academy during the late seventies, I shudder to think what it must have been like during that time re: plebe isolation, lack of phone calls, “hazing,” etc.</p>
<p>Just back from rock-climbing and river-boarding [think the Nissan commercial where they jump into a whitewater river], the Son is so strong and confident. Amazing! [2010 parents: Keep your chin up, it gets better. Just keep encouraging your kid.]</p>
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<p>yes, Yes, and YES!!!</p>
<p>Actually found a pic of him today on dropshots- sailing away- and whoever posted it said there was a nice comment to be had for that boat! hope I find out what that is! </p>
<p>Bill- sounds like your son is doing spectacular! Best of luck!</p>
<p>So far so good for us as well!</p>
<p>Hey…the 70s were not that bad at USNA. There was no hazing, just lots of yelling, chair throwing, etc but no physical contact. Lots of pushups and running, the same as it is now. We had no cell phones, no canteens (took salt pills), fewer tourists (mostly noon meal formation), no a/c (not a big advantage now because they still sweat 24/7 and an open window with a breeze is mo’ bettah anyway), less care packages but probably more letters, and no pretty girls to flirt with. It’s all relative. I thought my firsties were Gods and was really impressed with their character, sense of mission, honor, integrity and humour and felt like that the whole year. Now the 2/C, I stll despise most of them…a real deep hatred brewed back then…I kept a Plebe journal for half the year and when I have looked at it, boy, did I ever dislike the inner workings of Bancroft Hall. But, not enough to leave (it is harder to quit then you might think. </p>
<p>While we had to memorize a great deal, I think the one thing that was harder for us is that we not only had 10 and 5 minute chow calls, inside AND outside formation (now it’s 12 and 7 for outside), but we also had 4, 3, 2, and ONE minute chow calls. The last was short and sweet but if you couldn’t hustle to formation in a minute you were dooomed and late. We also had to know the movies in town. We also didn’t stand around reading Reef Points with our arms held up. I don’t ever remember reading Reef Points in formation but I know we carried it almost everywhere. Otherwise, I bet Plebe Summer is just as difficult now as then. PEP was hard but fun as we had Heinz Lens who was great at motivating us in the wee hours of the morning. You just loved the guy. </p>
<p>I think the Plebe summer of this year is just as hard as the previous years. It changes with improvement but these Plebes have as little free time as other classes and it seems to be just as demanding. </p>
<p>I would still rather be rock-climbing…unfortunately, I haven’t been in a few years. The last place was Red River Gorge in Kentucky and I’ve never been river-boarding, have done some board, boogie board, and body surfing and lots of rafting but not river-boarding. Sounds like a blast especially in the summer.</p>
<p>Sniff…</p>
<p>You really brought back some memories, mvl. It was almost exactly the same for me, except we had canteens (no salt pills though).</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Tell me, did they have “Meals on Wheels” back in your day? ;)</p>
<p>My Plebe wrote us that it’s official: She hates Reef Points! She mentioned that there’s a lot of good information in there, but she hates it. That’s the only thing she’s mentioned that she’s hates–so that’s pretty good! She also noted that she’s been on a medical chit for a sprained ankle–nice of her to mention it… ;-)</p>
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<p>And in related news, Generalisimo Franco is still dead! :D</p>
<p>I have no idea where my OLD Reef Points went, but since I graduated I have picked up two or three other copies and eventually gave them away. I just bought a new one on Induction Day. It looks virtually the same with a few new quotes to remember. As a Plebe when you believe you had all the Company Officers/Commanders and most of Reef Points memorized, I remember they then threw in the Laws of the Navy just around the same time as the Cadre switched over (new memorization of staff). Its definitely a bear but just like then as now, many have worked through it and it will amaze all of them just how much they accomplished at the end of the summer.</p>
<p>The KEY is to find the humour in each situation whenever you can and remember why you showed up on I day in the first place.</p>