Is this true?

So I understand that all the academies are much much more strict (obviously) compared to civilian colleges, but is "Mids cannot listen to music or watch television and are under strict schedule 24/7." this true? One of the candidates who visited USMA and USNA for cvw said this about usna. He/she posted it on the USMA discussion page and I was just curious, so i brought it over onto this page for some insight.

Plebe year, depending on the company, you may or may not rate media. Of course you're under strict schedule, it is the military after all.

Seriously? That is just the tip of the iceberg of the restricted life of a cadet...especially a Plebe, Swab etc...

When my DS was on a CVW in January, the plebe who was hosting him said they could not listen to music and media was restricted.

DS did say he spent some time with another candidate and his host plebe, and the plebe and his roommate were playing guitar and ukulele. Might renew my son's interest in the guitar if that is how he'll have to get his music fix. LOL

Interesting that it might not be an across-the-board restriction.

There are lots of restrictions plebe year -- TV and music were the things when I was there; I assume now it is more along the lines of internet stuff.

The bottom line is that, most of the time plebe year, you're too busy to notice during the week. On WEs, you can go to your sponsor's home where you will have access to TV and music and computer games, etc.

Your schedule is obviously more filled -- and less flexible -- than at a civilian school. Formations and most meals are mandatory. Classes are mandatory. There is "mandatory fun" (i.e., pep rallies). Parades are mandatory. Football game attendance is mandatory. Athletic participation is mandatory. Company officer time is mandatory. Come-arounds are mandatory. Evening study time is mandatory. And most of the above are at set times so you get the idea . . .

Again, once Plebe Summer is over, there is free time on the WEs. And, as you become more senior, you have somewhat more control over your life. But in the end, as the above poster said, this is the military.

At my CVW the plebes (6th Company) didn't rate media -- they mostly still were able to watch youtube videos, listen to music etc. They had some relaxed restrictions because of us, I watched Gran Torino with a few other plebes and drags. Seems like they mostly don't have a ton of time to watch tv or movies but listened to music while studying.

I know this must be an elementary question, but what does it mean to "rate media" ?

Rate means have earned or are allowed to have. Media is media so rate media means they are allowed to use, listen to or watch media. If you don't rate media, then you're not allowed.


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My question is how would they enforce it? All mids have computers, so its really not that hard to pull up spotify or really anything. I cannot believe that they would have a rule like that and if they do, I highly doubt anyone would enforce it, because everyone probably thinks it's stupid anyways. So I'm pretty sure you shouldn't base your decision on that.

It's about trust. That's why there's an honor code.


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Seal, you beat me to it!

Armystrong, If you are ordered not to...you don't.

Yeah, easy to get away with likely...and if you don't get caught. But WHEN you get caught, it's a gonna hurt.

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Per MIDREGS, plebes may not rate any media (to include TV shows, music, movies, the news, etc.) at any time. The only time this restriction is lifted is during the weekends, where plebes are allowed to play video games from noon to midnight on Saturday. Those are the "rules".

Are they enforced? Yes and no. All companies will enforce "no-media-ever", and a few (like two or three) even take away the plebes' earbuds and headphones. But plebes rate media anyway. It's very, very easy to get away with. Turn the music down low, or turn your screen away from the door, or go to the library, or watch your favorite TV shows after 10pm when you can close your door. And during second semester it gets even more relaxed. When I was a plebe I set one of my mouse buttons to automatically mute my music.

Again, it depends on the mentality of the company. In my company, the only people who ever"enforce" anything are the training sergeants, and there's only two of them. Other companies it seems like the entire second-class and joe youngsters are out to get the plebes.

When the upperclassmen catch word of plebes rating media, the entire plebe company is usually punished. So at Blue and Gold some random Sunday, the training sergeant might be like "I found two people rating media this week. You guys are constantly slacking. You are plebes; you dont rate that. You are failing to meet standards so you're put on punishment XYZ" ... And punishment XYZ might be carrying two covers, 1-way p-ways (i.e. you cant turn left), loss of backpack privileges, 24-hour uniforms, or anything else creative. In the long run, it's really silly. The training staff only does it because they're expected to by their own classmates. It's part of the job.

So are you supposed to rate media? No. Will you? Yes. Does anyone care? Usually not. We did it as plebes, so why should we be hypocrites?

I posted this! Haha when I did my CVW, my midshipman used me as an excuse to be lazy and watch TV/stream Netflix. This is only for plebe year, of course. A senior at Navy was playing GTA V on his computer when we went to sign off for TAPS. At West Point, there was a similar rule but not as strictly enforced. If an upperclassman came into your room and you were streaming netflix or listening to music at Navy, however, you were screwed.

Shawn said:

Rate what you skate.

Click to expand...

I like it