Answers

pleber16

pleber16

USNA 2016
5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2012
Messages
238
Hey all,

Just here to offer up answers to questions people might have. I've been around on this forum for awhile, just under different names, so I know how great of a resource this place can be. I came here for answers to many a question so I am hoping to return the favor.

I graduated high school in 2011 after I got the TWE for my first application. I was lucky enough to have gotten the NROTC scholarship, so I went to a different school for a year of self prep. Reapplied for the class of 2016, was accepted, and now I'm all finished with Plebe year.

So, if anyone has any questions about applying, reapplying or life at the academy in general, I'll answer them the best I can or find someone else who might be able to give you a better answer.
 
pleber16,

We just returned home from I day. Our DS is now a Midshipman. He talked about 32 stations in Alumni Hall that the plebes went through on I day. We know about the hair cut, blood samples, vaccinations, and uniforms, but what else did they have done in there?

Thanks!
 
navydad17 said:
pleber16,

We just returned home from I day. Our DS is now a Midshipman. He talked about 32 stations in Alumni Hall that the plebes went through on I day. We know about the hair cut, blood samples, vaccinations, and uniforms, but what else did they have done in there?

Thanks!
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From what I remember that is about it. There were some stations dealing with paperwork turn in and signing more forms. They did a brief medical exam. Weight and height checks. At least half of it was probably uniforms and initial gear issue. Uniforms was not just one station if that was how you were trying to add them all up. It was broken up into many.
 
What classes did you take when you went to college? How many credits did you have in your schedule and what kind of grades did you get in your first semester? I'm reapplying this year as a college freshman and I want to get an idea of what I have to shoot for to get in the Naval Academy my second try. Thanks!
 
baseballguy23 said:
What classes did you take when you went to college? How many credits did you have in your schedule and what kind of grades did you get in your first semester? I'm reapplying this year as a college freshman and I want to get an idea of what I have to shoot for to get in the Naval Academy my second try. Thanks!
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I didn't go to a typical college, so the classes I took were not the norm for someone reapplying. I had 18 credits in the first semester and ended with a 3.64. Honestly not as well as I probably could have done, and I'd recommend shooting for higher than that. Definitely try to take Chemistry if at all possible. When they talk about Plebe Chemistry being the Plebe killer they aren't kidding. And take the highest Calculus you can while still being able to do well. You will have opportunities to validate courses and it will make your life much easier if you try to gain a good understanding of the material now.
 
^ everything I've read over about three years here confirms that... take Chemistry, and Calculus. Those are the two critical academic verification barometers for USNA. I suppose you could throw in Calculus-based Physics, but that isn't usually a freshman level course.
 
I had a tough time trying to figure out the Mid badges (and ranks) on I day. I saw some Mids in uniform with black badges (like the Plebes) and other Mids had red badges. I need to look at Wikipedia to figure out the ranks but what is the story on the badges? BTW, if it's a secret, I won't tell anybody...

Thanks,
bandad
 
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Bandad: The mids with red name tags are midshipmen assigned to plebe summer detail (the people who will be yelling at the plebes all summer). There are a few mids with black name tags assigned to plebe summer as well, but for the most part, they are prob in summer school or doing summer seminar.

As for the ranking structure, the titles for mids during plebe summer and during the year vary. For the summer whites uniform, seniors will have straight thin stripes on their shoulder boards, juniors will have 2 diagonal stripes, sophmores will have 1 diagonal stripe, and plebes will have no stripes.
Some seniors will have more stripes than others which will indicate their title and position (squad leader or battalion commander etc.) but in reality, it doesn't really mean anything. Its just extra responsibility and good experience.
 
Yellow Shirt and detailer is all they have to worry about,:shake:
 
What will the Plebes do for the 4th of July? Same as any other day or a little break in the action?
 
They might get a bbq/picnic out on a field and get to watch the fireworks. Otherwise, what holiday?
 
Last year while watching fireworks, Plebes got to eat Popsicle and depending on the company, they were asked to say something like "Wooo" for the Blue fireworks, "Ahhh" for Red, and "Boo" for Green. The class of 2016 Plebes in his company had to say "Beat Army" when they saw the green fireworks last year.
 
Capt MJ said:
They might get a bbq/picnic out on a field and get to watch the fireworks. Otherwise, what holiday?
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WHAAAAAAT!?!?

Army Strong.... Navy Soft?



I remember at CGA, as a swab, marching down to "Lower Field." I was 100% sure we were going to watch the fireworks. Just 3 days into Swab Summer, I looked forward to the patriotism enducing moment.

Instead, as we got to lower field, we started doing push ups as the fireworks from New London went off. I don't remember seeing the flashes, as I was wimpering through too many push ups... hoping the show would be over and we could finish.

Needless to say, I did not finish July 4, 2002 feeling very patriotic.
 
My 4th of July certainly had no ice cream or BBQ. We watched 30 minutes of fireworks and then went inside and got PTed for an hour. We weren't allowed to sing Blue and Gold that night because we were the worst class in the history of the Naval Academy, and it took us two weeks to "pay back" the 30 minutes of relaxation.
 
Quick question about academics. In general, is USNA on a 10 point scale? 90-100 A, etc. I am guessing some classes may scale grades (like my Engineering Physics a few years ago at State U) but are most classes on a 10 point scale?

Thx,
bandad
 
bandad said:
Quick question about academics. In general, is USNA on a 10 point scale? 90-100 A, etc. I am guessing some classes may scale grades (like my Engineering Physics a few years ago at State U) but are most classes on a 10 point scale?

Thx,
bandad
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As far as I know all classes are on that type of scale. However, some classes will curve tests to raise grades.
 
CSGuy said:
My 4th of July certainly had no ice cream or BBQ. We watched 30 minutes of fireworks and then went inside and got PTed for an hour. We weren't allowed to sing Blue and Gold that night because we were the worst class in the history of the Naval Academy, and it took us two weeks to "pay back" the 30 minutes of relaxation.
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Yeah I definitely don't remember ice cream. Definitely no BBQ.
 
Yes, USNA is on a 10 point scale. Some tests do get curved but not many. If you pursue a physics or engineering major, some of your exams (at least in the junior and senior yrs) will get curved.
 
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