Plebe Summer Contact

socalmomof3

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I would love to be able to communicate with my DS during Plebe Summer to know if there is anything in particular to put in the care packages I send to him. I know they won't have access to cell phones, so will they be able to email? Or will they have to write to us? Do we have to send them to I-day with supplies like paper/envelopes/stamps to be able to get a letter?
 
I would love to be able to communicate with my DS during Plebe Summer to know if there is anything in particular to put in the care packages I send to him. I know they won't have access to cell phones, so will they be able to email? Or will they have to write to us? Do we have to send them to I-day with supplies like paper/envelopes/stamps to be able to get a letter?[/QUOTE

They can write. I recall the first letter home was a whopping 2 sentence masterpiece on USNA stationery. Learned later that the detailers provided the stationery, stamps, ink and the "strong encouragement" to write home. Don't worry too much about what they may need. I discovered they literally have everything they need there. My son appreciated some extra granola bars and jelly beans and regular letters and post cards from family and friends. Sent lots of cards with a "hang in there" theme.
 
They are issued everything they need to write home. They also get a few phone calls home during the summer. Our first mandatory letter home we told our parents when our first call was, not sure they still do that. But you will usually see something on here from the parents. It's usually a week- 2 weeks into the summer. If he needs anything he can ask in a letter or when he calls. They honestly could show up with nothing on I Day and get by PS. If they need something they can always request it and the retailers are responsible for it. For instance they run out of deodorant. I use that as an example because for some reason that seamed to be the one item I was always getting at the mid store for them as a detailer. I was happy to oblige because Plebes smell bad!
 
Last summer they called 2, 4 and 6 weeks in on Sunday afternoons. It was all pre-determined right down to the minute and parents were told ahead of time-maybe on IDay?
The 6 week call was just after Parents Weekend but it was sort of an "I survived Plebe Summer" call.
I too received my first letter on USNA stationery and it was painfully brief. There were no requests until the following letters (which were longer, btw)but honestly, he didn't ask for much. I think there was some specific equipment for his sport and Mike and Ike's. Mostly he wanted me to remind his friends to write and to send pictures and letters, which we did.
They have access to almost everything they need. They don't have much time and are pretty restricted in the things they can have. Also, they usually open their plebe summer mail in front of the leadership of their company so better to keep it unremarkable for their sake.
 
Thank you all so much for your responses! It is good to know that they won't need much. I can imagine my DS will write very short letters as well. It sounds as though extra deodorant will be in one of my care packages!
 
I found an idea either in another forum or on facebook is to include a "fill in the blank" or "multiple choice" letter with a self addressed stamped envelope in one of their care packages. It seems that this is more likely to get a quick response.

For example:

Hi Mom & Dad,
I'm: great, fine, sore, hungry (circle one)
The food here as been: amazing, plentiful, gross (circle one)
The best meal has been: ______________
I really miss: my bed, my friends, the dog, sleep, tv, (circle one)

You get the idea !
 
I would love to be able to communicate with my DS during Plebe Summer to know if there is anything in particular to put in the care packages I send to him. I know they won't have access to cell phones, so will they be able to email? Or will they have to write to us? Do we have to send them to I-day with supplies like paper/envelopes/stamps to be able to get a letter?

This on the USNA Class of 2019 page:
Plebes in the Class of 2019 will make three phone calls home
during the summer.
  • Sunday, 12 July (1:15-1:45 p.m.)
  • Sunday, 26 July (1:15-1:45 p.m.)
  • Wednesday, 12 August (4:00-4:30 p.m.)
 
Parents,

Please remember your Plebe is under enormous new challenges and expectations. They don't have a single minute that is not orchestrated for them. Give them the freedom to focus on what they have to do, Don't add to their burden by making them feel obliged or guilty about communicating (Taking care of Mom & Dad's needs).

This process has only been going on for a number of years :) they will survive and so will you.

Tap into the parents networks they will really make you feel connected and a part of everything that is going on, and they put out a ton of pictures. There are several "Booklet" type web sites that lay out all the details about Plebe Summer, some are a bit dated ( as in talking about Fans when all the rooms have AC now) but the basic info is still great.
 
They are issued everything they need to write home. They also get a few phone calls home during the summer. Our first mandatory letter home we told our parents when our first call was, not sure they still do that. But you will usually see something on here from the parents. It's usually a week- 2 weeks into the summer. If he needs anything he can ask in a letter or when he calls. They honestly could show up with nothing on I Day and get by PS. If they need something they can always request it and the retailers are responsible for it. For instance they run out of deodorant. I use that as an example because for some reason that seamed to be the one item I was always getting at the mid store for them as a detailer. I was happy to oblige because Plebes smell bad!
It's those 1 minute showers that are the culprit--as well as Maryland's weather.... :)
 
And the exact same shampoo, soap, deodorant, and detergent by 40 people. Any time I was on the yard over the past few years, the smell of a platoon of Plebes instantly snaps you back to PS!
 
I sent SHORT letters/motivational cards everyday. Short because that don't have time to read long letters. My plebe told me to stop sending food after his 3/4 care package. I sent several small American flags and made USNA flag holders for them. Joke books and sliders he requested. Everything else he could possibly need was issued.

We actually mailed the first letters and care packages from post office in Annapolis--brought the stuff for that package with us from home.

My understanding is that plebe summer involves a bit of breaking their dependency on family and developing ties with other plebes. Honestly think it was harder for me than it was for him. As parents we have to now learn to step back and let them fly. As we were told on IDAY time to land that helicopter and walk away.

You did a great job as a parent; now as hard as it is let them soar.
 
My father wrote me every single day at USNA and every single day when I was deployed while on AD. As someone above said, it was just "stupid stuff" -- what he did (e.g., mowing the yard, barbecuing, running errands), what the dog did, what my mother did, what the neighbors were doing. The letters were something between "a day in the life" and a diary. Sometimes, if he knew I was having a rough patch, he'd write words of encouragement but mostly it was just . . . stuff. I have no idea how he managed to come up with something to write every single day, but he did -- without fail.

I can't tell you how much I looked forward to those letters and how much they meant to me. I now wish I'd saved every one of them.

My mother sent articles from the local newspapers (in the days when we got our news that way) -- all sorts of clippings about what was happening in the world, in the neighborhood, etc. They were great as well. Probably harder to do that today.:)
 
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