internal debate: Study reef points?

christian4bk

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2011
Messages
15
Alright, so ive talked to my dad about this numerous times. Ive had some contact with current midshipmen and theyve advised me to study reef points. But i alsmost feel like this is an unfair advantage and that i wont get the full experience of plebe summer. What are your thoughts on this?

Incoming plebes and midshipmen please indicate whether or not you are going to (or did) study them.
 
I'm not going to study Reef Points. The point isn't knowing the information in that little book, the point is establishing an efficient mental process for memorizing large amounts of information in a short amount of time under a lot of pressure.
 
This gets discussed every year, so if you do a search back about this time each prior year, you can see what has been said both pro/con.

For sure you don't want to come off as a know it all and start out plebe summer acting like you are better then your fellow plebes. The PTR report package contains information on things you SHOULD know before I-day. That might change from prior years, so inspite of the advance you might get here, always read and follow the official instructions provided by the academy for the CURRENT incoming class.
 
That might change from prior years, so inspite of the advance you might get here, always read and follow the official instructions provided by the academy for the CURRENT incoming class.

Most definitely. Currently, 2016 will be expected to know the Mission of the United States Naval Academy, the first three General Orders to the Sentry, and the Administrative Chain of Command when we report on I-Day. So start with those.
 
As a former detailer (and former plebe before that), I'd say the "study or not to study" decision depends on two things: (1) is it a way for you to manage your stress before you go, or are you just doing it thinking you'll have an easier ride or stand out or because you think you have to?; and (2) how you would handle your "advance knowledge" once you're in Bancroft as a plebe?

Let's start with (1). I wasn't too nervous about USNA before plebe summer -- I had a few healthy butterflies but I knew I was in good physical shape and I was from a big strict Irish Catholic family and was used to getting yelled at! (Sorry mom) One of my roommates, however, was really stressed out -- terrified on I-Day so much that he almost quit just out of nerves before he chilled out. (He did chill out, eventually, and did great at USNA.) In his nervous stage, he was prone to clutching a little bit and having everything he memorized magically fly out of his head. Had he "studied up" in reef points a little it might have given him a little bit more comfort that he'd be able to take what was going to be thrown at him with less risk that he might have quit before discovering he could hack it.

Let's move to (2). As a detailer we had a glib son-of-a-gun in our Company who had quite clearly memorized Reef Points cover to cover and wanted everybody to know it. Target was identified and neutralized quickly. (Nothing too bad, just making it clear to Mr. Big that he wasn't . . . at all. We enjoyed making the laddie memorize some interesting supplemental information. :wink: He'll probably be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs someday -- dude was pretty smart once he stopped trying to prove it to everyone.) Don't be That Guy. However, if you keep your "advantage" to yourself and help your roommates and squadmates and company-mates out, it doesn't have to make you a target.

So, think about those two questions. In the meantime, go out and enjoy senior year (responsibly) already!
 
So, think about those two questions. In the meantime, go out and enjoy senior year (responsibly) already!

Ain't there truth to that one! I've really enjoyed all of the opportunities I've been given as a cadet, but it's nice to have some off time.
 
Most definitely. Currently, 2016 will be expected to know the Mission of the United States Naval Academy, the first three General Orders to the Sentry, and the Administrative Chain of Command when we report on I-Day. So start with those.

You'd be surprised at how many people think they know the Mission and first three General Orders, until they're hot, sweaty, stressed, and a detailer is demanding they produce that information at top volume. Lots of not-quite-civilians-any-more spend some quality time on the Red Beach bellwoing out the Mission of the Naval Academy over and over to an audience of bemused parents.
It all seems funny later, I promise.
 
Ain't there truth to that one! I've really enjoyed all of the opportunities I've been given as a cadet, but it's nice to have some off time.

Hope you've got some fun summer leave activities planned -- those were short but sweet.
 
If I was going to study them, how would i get ahold of them before I day anyway? are they online?
 
If I was going to study them, how would i get ahold of them before I day anyway? are they online?

You can buy a copy of the 2011-2012 Reef Points online.

*edit: Scratch that, the USNA online store has removed it for some reason. You can probably find enough excerpts of it from a Google search to do some good (Laws of the Navy, Qualifications of a Naval Officer, etc.).

The "Required Rates for I-Day" sheet is posted online at http://usna.edu/PlebeSummer/iday.htm
 
You can buy a copy of the 2011-2012 Reef Points online.

*edit: Scratch that, the USNA online store has removed it for some reason.

Lol -- maybe because they've figured out why they were getting a rash of orders in April and May over the past couple of years. :wink:
 
Chill. Seriously. In the "old" days, we didn't have access to RP. We survived.

If you never see RP before I-Day, you'll do fine. No one expects you to have it ahead of time. And, as noted, showing up your classmates is not a good idea. You can learn a few things ahead of time, but there are so many other things (e.g., menus) that you can't learn in advance . . . everyone will be challenged.

The BEST thing you can do before I-Day is ensure you're in great shape. Seriously.
 
you will be staring at that little blue book for countless hours during plebe summer, you will have plenty of time to learn what you need to know. and if you need a little help, well, that is what writing assignments are for!
just know the required rates for plebe summer and maybe look over the officer/enlisted ranks if you are unfamiliar with them, just so you know what a chief wears and don't call him "Sir" when you check in.
 
And if you master Reef Points....Ships & Aircrafts has enough information to keep you busy throughout your entire stay at USNA.
 
And if you master Reef Points....Ships & Aircrafts has enough information to keep you busy throughout your entire stay at USNA.

Oof, that's just cruel.

Anyway, don't bother studying anything more than you're required to know on I day. Know that stuff cold though: I was surprised how many people hadn't bothered to even look at it. Also: you're deluding yourself if you think you'll only be asked stuff in Reef Points.

I was second set detail last summer and it made absolutely no difference who learned extra. My first set friends confirm.
 
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