Plebe candidate computer usage

steha124

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
11
I know that our kids will be issued their laptops towards the end of Indoc and was wondering if anyone here knows when they will be permitted to start using email and Skype. Are limits put on when/how often they are permitted to communicate with the rest of the world with their computers? While I look forward to seeing and speaking with my son, I would hope that their access to chat with friends at home will be limited so as not to detract from their studies.I can't imagine that they would be allowed to access Facebook or any of the other social networking sites out there. Any insight on this subject will be greatly appreciated.
 
Email, Skype and the whole social network thing

Based on our experience, they have some computer access once indoc is over. They may lose the privilege once in awhile but for the most part, they have the ability to use the computer. My understanding is that skype is a not allowed but facebook, while frowned upon, is used.

However, having access and having time are two very different things! We were told that if your DS or DD is spending time every night on the chats and blogs, that is a bad sign and you can usually expect them to be gone from KP by Christmas. A bit harsh but there seems to be some truth in it. Once classes start, they will become busier than they can possibly imagine and chatting with the gang back home is going to be way down on their "to do" list. They will find time to chat and all, but don't expect it on a regular basis. Think of it as a good prep for when they are at sea.
 
Hi Baxted! Long time no hear/see. I agree with you. Social networking may be allowed, (as in permission may be granted, but not always and that changes according to how well the class and company are doing) but it can't be used as it was in high school. Only the kids who know how to break from it seem to do the best. I'd say go cold turkey. True friends back home will understand.
 
I've been reading through alot of these threads and noticed that the plebes are able to have their phones for a short period of time on Sundays to call friends and family. Is it like that even during indoc?
 
On Thursday, we were told one five minute phone call on Sunday 7/17 and again on the 24th. After that only at the RC's discretion.
 
Oh okay thanks! And do you know anything about the plebes recieving mail? I (plebe's girlfriend) already got his address and have been sending letters. Do you know when they get them?
 
We were told that there was already a bunch of mail waiting at the mail center last Thursday and that all mail would be handed out once per day.
 
Oh really?! Well in that case I should keep sending them, I've been keeping a journal and I was originally planning to send them to him every Thursday so he'd get them by Sunday. Thanks so much! :)
 
I understand that there is no mail delivery on Saturday or Sunday. Once they get their mail boxes I don't know if that will change.
 
Since the USPS made their departure from campus in 2009, no mail on the weekends-just M-F. If you are sending multiple letters during indoc try numbering your envelopes so your P/C will know what order to open them in. They have very little time for anything so don't expect a lot of mail in return. Keep those cards and letters coming though. It's a big morale boost for many.
 
Yeah thats what I did for him, they have numbers, dates and times. Hahaa, and I will thanks that was the plan to keep him motivated. :) And I figured they wouldn't have alot of time to write back anyway, that's what his dad told me and I expected that.
 
So, sending a big ol' Pink envelope, perfumed, with a musical card included... a big lipstick kiss on the outside, and "I don't think your DI is as big a jerk as you wrote" is OUT??? :shake:

Why, you'd certainly see one buff Plebe Candidate on Acceptance day :)

ok... don't do that. It's just a joke. I've heard of older brothers sending something like that to their younger brothers at bootcamp.

no, really... don't to it. Put that card down right now !!! :rolleyes:
 
Amen Zonker, but i gotta tell you, we did send a musical card but it was after indoc or nearer the end of it. Can't remember now. He never told us he got any flack for it. but I'd wait till indoc is over. Then let the humor rip. :shake:
 
As for mail, they are suppose to get it daily but it really depends on the DI and when they go the the post office. My DS said he didn't get mail for a long time and then the DI finally went to get it, he ended up with over 20 pieces of mail.
Just keep writing . . . Just keep writing . . . Just keep writing to your DD/DS.
They will get the mail and they will appreciate it.
Also, after 2 weeks into Indoc, we were told that we could send goodies but to make sure they were enough goodies for ALL the company as well as the DI's.
 
When sending goodies, your DD/DS will tell you how many are in his/her company. They should also tell you how many DI's to add to the number. If they do not, be sure to ask them. Then send enough of whatever you send to cover everyone. This will probably be done only once as shortly after that, school starts and then your DD/DS will find places to "hide" their goodies from everyone else and only share with those they want to share with. Try to follow the NCAA sports list of what to send and what not to send. We followed it and then we added stuff that he really liked and was not on the list. I will try to find that link again and post it.
 
We had the same request last year. The link is a long one, so I've included both the link and part of the list of approved snacks. The key is the snacks have to be low fat and low sugar.

Bagel
Muffin (low sugar)
Raw veggies
Popcorn
Juice box
Nuts
Dried fruit
Trail mix (without candy)
Low-fat cookies
Graham crackers
Raisin bread
Cheese sticks
Fresh fruit
Fig bars
Cereal (low sugar)
Granola bar
Pretzels
Peanut-butter crackers

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/ncaah...nutrition.html

Copied this from Navy 1981. Military Forum - NCAA approved snacks.

I know I used this for my DS cause he played sports. Don't know if this list is for everyone, even if they do not play sports. Maybe someone else can answer that.
 
You think i should also write to the ds/di? How would i go about addressing that?! :)
 
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