Things to bring for Plebe Summer

USMC_2018

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Are there any things I should bring to/ have my parents send me during Plebe Summer that wouldn't normally be thought of that are helpful?
 
Are there any things I should bring to/ have my parents send me during Plebe Summer that wouldn't normally be thought of that are helpful?

Snacks are the biggest thing that I liked over plebe summer. My best friend sent me 30 packs of Fruit Gushers, and that made my week. Other things to include are insoles for running shoes (if you usually use them) and Shot blocks and/or protein bars. Candy is also acceptable (depending on the company you get), but a care packages shouldn't be completely filled with it. Thing is if you get food, share with your company mates cause there are some people that don't get packages.

THINGS NOT TO SEND: medication of any form (prescription or over the counter), flash lights, watches (or anything that can tell time), soda, and everything else that's on the list of not to send (I remember there was a list, but don't remember where)
 
Blister bandaids are a good idea. I went through the entire pack that my folks sent me during plebe summer. Moleskin takes too long to cut up. Carbon paper for copying menus down and handing them to your classmates. Extra combination locks. You or your classmates will definitely forget to lock your con locker or leave the combination in an easily accessible place. Either way, the detailers will take your locks and lock them all together.... Tell you the truth, I never got my two locks back.

Snacks are good. But as far as snacks go.... Don't expect to be "sharing" with the entire company. It's too much of a hassle and pretty much everyone gets care packages already. Maybe an extra bag of swedish fish (or some other particular snack) to share with your roommates in the evening, at most. There's simply not enough time to share food, nor is there the space to keep it all. You'll only have one tub (about 18"x12"x10") to store your food in. I ended up throwing alot of it away. I know of one guy who filled up three plastic tubs (which is technically against the SOP) and still had to pitch so much food that he probably could have fed a small village. So parents: snacks are great! Just dont overdo it.
 
A note on over the counter medication:

If you get sick (which you will) or get shin splints (which you probably will), you'll probably go through the issued bottle of Advil like nothing.

Don't bother buying over the counter medication from the Mid Store (which you will have the opportunity to visit over the summer). The pharmacy counter will give it to you for free if you ask nicely. Cough drops, Motrin, etc. That's for plebe summer and the ac year.

Ask your doting parents to tone it down a bit. Don't be that guy who gets four boxes of stuff a night. You should be able to bring up packaged snacks and Gatorade from King Hall; usually that is enough. You really only have time to sit around and eat on Sunday mornings anyway.
 
Ask your doting parents to tone it down a bit. Don't be that guy who gets four boxes of stuff a night. You should be able to bring up packaged snacks and Gatorade from King Hall; usually that is enough. .

Not only did I send too much food but my son ending up getting mice in his con locker (even though I sent a mouse proof container.) when we got to see his room over PPW every bit of food I sent was still in his con locker, uneaten except by the mice...
 
What to send in first package?

First time poster....several month lurker
My son will be arriving with 1199 others on July 1 to start off his naval academy experience. He is our third child, but first at a military academy. I have read about care packages and suggestions about them but I still have a few questions. What would you suggest to put in the first one? Do people usually send more than one a week? Also, can the plebes have pictures?
His report time is 9 am. What time should we be at the stadium in order to take the shuttle and be sure to be on time or a little early before he has to report?

Thank you all!!!
 
Parents: Get in touch with the local chapter of the Naval Academy parents club; they typically have tons of information to share with you on virtually every question you could think of asking, and they want to share and make your experiences as a mid's parent much more enjoyable and trouble free. Seriously! Check with your Area Coordinator to get a steer to your local club.
 
I have contacted the parent group, but the president, who replied, did not really remember what they sent nor did they have a good idea of what to send first. So, any suggestions from this group would really be appreciated.
 
KidsPT,

You will get varied responses to your question because it's very mid-specific. I didn't really care for sweets (they made me nauseous in the heat and humidity) but I did appreciate things like band-aids, extra blue rims (the PT T-shirts) and athletic socks, shoe inserts, and foot powder. Now, they are issued band-aids and foot powder. As Shawn mentioned upthread, OTC meds would be confiscated as contraband.

Here is a dated but thorough response about what to send and what not to send (chocolate). You can ask your plebe-to-be what s/he'd like to receive as far as snacks.
 
Flag?

I cannot remember where I read this, but something about an American Flag being sent witht he first package?
 
A small (desktop, in a stand) American flag confers immunity against "charges" of mutiny in the case that cadre find more occupants in a room than assigned to that room. If the occupants are "charged" with mutiny, they may be "dumped in the drink" (doused in the shower in full uniform) - often, conveniently, right before a formation.

Is this still a tradition?
 
A small (desktop, in a stand) American flag confers immunity against "charges" of mutiny in the case that cadre find more occupants in a room than assigned to that room. If the occupants are "charged" with mutiny, they may be "dumped in the drink" (doused in the shower in full uniform) - often, conveniently, right before a formation.

Is this still a tradition?

Reliable rumor from summer 2013 says "yes." Only one flag per room is necessary, but a back-up couldn't hurt.
 
Boxer briefs and waist band color

Two more questions. The packing list says to pack more white socks and boxer briefs. Can the boxer briefs have a black or another color waist band or do they have to be all white? For the socks, can they have a black nike swoosh? Thank you all for the help.
 
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