Anyone else have a 4/C that has vanished?

Thought I'd revive this thread now that we're halfway (?) thru the Dark Ages. How is your plebe doing?
 
VelveteenCadet has been sending us WP fashion show pics. Friday it was him in ACUs and a beret. Saturday it was him in a full-length overcoat/cape that made him look just like a hotel doorman. He's having a ball. He's fired up about his major, enjoying his new room/roommates, and looking forward to summer sessions where he gets to play soldier again. I don't think we'll get to have him home again, though, until the end of the summer. We are going to Plebe Parents Weekend next month, so at least I can get some hugs then.
 
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DS had a rough start at the start of the semester getting sick twice. This semester seems to be more challenging than the first - DS has less free time on Saturday and Sunday. I thought the "pressure" would ease up as the plebe year progresses but for DS it seems to have intensified. He is still living his dream - but a slightly different person from when he started his plebe year.
 
Not uncommon THS. Second semester is usually a jump with a larger class load second semester. The dark ages is also hard dealing with the dark, cold, windy days. It also seems like Plebe Year will never end. Once they hit spring break, the weather improves, they see the light at the end of the tunnel of Plebe Year ending. They will start to get their summer training assignments, class schedules for next year and planning for 3/C year. The good news is the grind is almost over!
 
Thanks NavyHoops, my thoughts exactly! He's looking forward to Spring Break. Belated congratulations as well.
 
Thought I'd revive this thread now that we're halfway (?) thru the Dark Ages. How is your plebe doing?

Just went there last weekend to see DS. I must say that going on a non-event weekend is the way to go! Parking on the Yard is great. He is doing really well. Had a quick minute where he was unsat (first time) because he failed a quiz/test and it was the only grade that counted so far. He has since fixed that issue and all is well. I am pretty sure that he wants to change major from his original idea due to the scare. I guess that choice has to be made in a few days. Other than Calc 2, DS is tearing it up! Sees light at the end of the tunnel, and says things are lightening up a bit as the 1/Cs are almost done. Still loves it and does not want to be anywhere else.
 
I'm looking forward to hearing from my son this weekend. He messaged me last night and told me it was his company's "dining out" night (whatever that means) and that it was so much fun. He said he's going to call me and tell me all about it. He's usually pretty laid back, so to hear that he had so much fun that he wants to tell me all about it is pretty surprising. He usually only calls once every few weeks, so I'm looking forward to our chat.

Otherwise, he seems to be handling the "dark days" pretty well. He has good teachers this semester, classes seem to be going fine, and he says his company has lightened up on the Plebes compared to last semester.

A few weeks ago, he called us to talk about his summer training. He mentions that he will need to change his NOLS trip from third block to second block because he will have required cheer team training during third block, then he continues talking about zero block, cruises, leave, etc.... I'm like, "wait a minute. Back up. Did you just say cheer team.?" A girl in his company talked him into trying out because they need some new guys to lift them, etc... next year. He made the team and is excited about it. He said he'll be forced to strength train with the team instead of relying on his own good intentions. (Last semester, he played intramural basketball and let the strength training slide half-way through.) He also said if he gets good enough, he'll get to go to away games.

It's ironic to me that he'll be on the cheer team. He used to have good-natured debate with one of his friends that cheerleading was not a sport. I couldn't wait to tell her he was going to do cheer. He missed PRT last weekend due to a sprained toe. The first injury of his military career happens while trying to learn a backflip. His friends are going to give him such a hard time.
 
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A Dining Out or Dining In is a formal dress mess night where the officers gather for formal toasts, a fine dinner, some wit, and lots of traditions. All the services have them, deriving from the British counterpart service. There is a guest speaker. The junior officer present serves as the emcee, known as Mr. or Ms. Vice. Cigars may play a role, as may fines/punishment for breaking a rule of protocol. An In has no external guests, and usually takes place on cruise or deployment. An Out allows guests.

These occasions are designed to bring the wardroom (group of Navy officers in a unit) together socially for fun and relaxation, while continuing Navy (or other service) tradition and culture. At USNA, it's part of the teaching experience.

Enjoy the stories your DS will relate.

Edit: For those not of age, there will be the Brigade favorite Martinelli sparkling cider or similar. Bad juju to toast with water.
 
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Lucky for you USNA 19 Dad to have a weekend visit and be with your DS.

Things seem to be getting better for my DS who called last weekend and has called twice since. The calls have been to have a leisure chat - which is weird. One sad note, his cell phone data use has been exceeding his allotment on the family plan. I asked him about wifi access in Bancroft and he said plebes in his Co don't rate wifi - I guess some things haven't gotten better this semester! The nearest wifi he said he can access is on the top deck of the library (?). He, too, has decided on a different major that he originally thought about last fall. Spring break starts next weekend!
 
That's awesome SDMom, hope your DS has a great time on the cheer team. My daughter was a 2 year varsity cheerleader in HS and coaches a pop warner and HS team ... cheer leading IS a sport!
 
Videos and photos from the "Dining Out" are starting to surface. I'm looking forward to explanations during the phone call. In one photo, several of them are dressed like Chippendales. In a video, my son is wearing a float around his waist while playing "Cripple Creek" on his mandolin in a group called the Sally Fiddle Girls with some other Mids. (There are no girls and no fiddles in the group.). It certainly looked like a fun night.
 
Wrapping up DS' spring break visit. I can't believe plebe year is almost over. Had some nice talks about his academy experiences, roommates, summer block, youngster year, etc, etc. The resources and opportunities available to Mids are incredible, I am amazed at what he has shared - even the crazy antics, the bets won and lost with upperclassmen. Hope your visits with your Plebes went well, moments to cherish to be sure.
 
We had a great time with VelveteenCadet over PPW last weekend, but it's never enough. He asked if we minded skipping the ball (after dinner ended) Saturday night so he could enjoy a cigar with his dad (and me, minus the cigar) on the back balcony of Cullum Hall overlooking the Hudson in the quiet of the night. We talked for almost three hours. It was one of the most insightful conversations we've ever had with him, and I'll remember it for a long, long time. I'm amazed at the adult he is becoming.
 
We had a great time with VelveteenCadet over PPW last weekend, but it's never enough. He asked if we minded skipping the ball (after dinner ended) Saturday night so he could enjoy a cigar with his dad (and me, minus the cigar) on the back balcony of Cullum Hall overlooking the Hudson in the quiet of the night. We talked for almost three hours. It was one of the most insightful conversations we've ever had with him, and I'll remember it for a long, long time. I'm amazed at the adult he is becoming.
Sounds wonderful. Would have been better if you too smoked cigars! :D
 
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