Attending PEP on Friday of PPW

Personally, I've seen enough pictures of PEP and runs on Dropshots, Thornton and USNA Facebook to help me make my decision to sleep in on Friday morning. Besides, I think that it will detract from the suspense of waiting to see my Plebe walk down Stribling in those eye-blinding whites - if I can see through my teared-up eyes!
 
Someday I hope to learn to control it but as of now, I cannot. When making a decision especially, and often on other occassions, my mind , uncontrollably, it seems, just wanders to all the possible conclusions of a decision. Presently, the following scenario is dancing through my head. So, I am a brand new plebe parent determined to see Friday morning PEP. The gate is open. I find a nice seat. Wow, that was easy. About halfway through the morning evolution, totally absorbed, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around. It is a bright shiny new Ensign in whites sporting the red name tag. "Excuse me sir, are you the parent of a member of the Class of 2014?" "Of course", I respond, unable to contain my pride. "Did you not get the PPW package?", he asks. Suddenly realizing the gravity of the question, I stammer out a "Yeah. Yes, but.......". "Sir, I am going to have to ask you to leave", of course, is his response. I gather up my things and depart quietly thinking how lucky I was that it was a very quiet private low key request to leave and no one else seemed to notice. Later that day, I meet up with my new Plebe and we have a wonderful reunion. Of course he is full of stories and cannot wait to show me his room. After about a half hour in his room, meeting all his roommates and their parents, listening to all the tales of Plebe Summer, I could not be happier. Or more proud. A chip off the old block. I am beaming. Son suddenly looks over and says "Dad, I almost forgot. My Company Officer is in his office. I would like for you to meet him." "Of course", I reply excitedly. We walk down to the office, Son knocks on the door, and, when invited in, we enter. Guess who the Company Officer is? Of course it is. The only thing I could imagine being more embarassing would be if I were wearing my shiny well-worn class ring. Oh well, it could really never happen. Could it? Is there a 12 step recovery process for a wandering overactive mind?

Mongo! That wasn't fair - creating the "Perfect Storm." :smile:

1. Company Officers are never Ensigns.

2. No Plebe in his right mind would want his parents to meet his Company Officer - nor any firstie.

3. And what would that Ensign say if, in fact, the person on whose shoulder he was tapping was not a parent of a Plebe from the Class of 2014?

4. Is this encounter happening in the bleachers at Rip Miller Field, or just somewhere in the Yard, within view of PEP?

5. Company Officers have little impact on a Plebe's life during Plebe Summer.

I'm a smartass and would probably tell that Ensign, "So, you drew the short straw, heh? You got stuck with morning PEP Parent Monitor? Is the Yard closed as well? Was that also in the memo?"

Remember that scene in "A Few Good Men" ...

LCdr Joanne Galloway (Demi Moore): "Colonel, this past February, you received a cautionary memo from the Naval Investigative Service, warning that the practice of enlisted men disciplining their own wasn't to be condoned by officers."

Eventually Colonel Jesup (Jack Nicholson) says, "I submit to you that whoever wrote that memo has never served on the working end of a Soviet-made Cuban Ml-Al6 Assault Rifle. However, the directive having come from the NIS, I gave it its due attention. What's your point, Jo?"

That's what I would say to that Ensign. "I read the packet. I have given it due consideration. Thank you, Ensign. Carry on." :smile:

* * * * *

In fact, my sons wanted to dispense with the customary PPW room visit, altogether. They said, "C'mon, Dad. You've seen it all before. Let's just go."

To which I said, "Oh no! I want to see your room. Sure, I know what Bancroft Hall looks like. I know what a midshipman room looks like. I could care less about that. I just want to see clothing in a closet that has actually been folded ... by you. That - I want to see."

* * * * *

The scenario you have described has never happened. Would likely never happen. And if it did - I'd have a good chuckle over it.

Perhaps, being a grad, I'm not very intimidated by stuff like this.

I can see where it might make somebody else feel uncomfortable and guilty, however.

If Mongo's scenario sends shivers up your spine - you better stay in your hotel room - and lock the door!

* * * * *

Like I said before, personally, I had no burning desire to wake up that early and watch PEP. But there was no stopping my wife. Now - she scares the hell out of me. Much more than some new Ensign.

In fact, I want to change my answer. If that Ensign would've tapped me on the shoulder, I would've pointed to my wife and said, "She made me! I told her we weren't supposed to be here, but she wouldn't listen. Put her in the brig!"

* * * * *

It's easy to construct a scenario where just about any "infraction", however slight, could be made into an embarrassing situation.

Mongo - were you the Brigade Commander, or something? :smile:
 
1. Company Officers are never Ensigns.

My Plebe Summer Company Officer was the wimpiest little guy I had ever seen. Almost made me want to turn around and go home. Absolutely no inspirations to emulate him at all. His name was Ensign General. Battalion Officers were O-3s. Mine was Captain Jealous. Right off the recruiting posters. Don't ask me anything else about Plebe Summer. It is entirely blocked.

If Plebe Summer COs aren't Ensigns, there were sure a lot of them with red name tags running around up there weekend before last. But go ahead. Change my Perfect Storm to Captain Jealous. Guarantee you would "eat" your seat cushion, if you know what I mean.
 
As for the number of Ensigns running around - most of the Navy Pilots have not headed to P-cola yet. They all are TAD to the academy in odd jobs - admissions, within academic departments, helping with sailing, rifle range, etc. One poor Ensign (female) had to record all of the female tattoos on IDay.

Of course they are all having a blast living in Annapolis for the summer with a lot of disposable income - yes I have one of THOSE but he'd be of the 2LT variety! USMC held 60 of the 90 Pilot slots for TBS in the fall in hopes that the 36 week backup for API has been somewhat cleared. The Navy Aviators to be report to P-cola September 3rd. Some are going to be offered to go to Vance for API and Primary.

Luckily the meet and greet the Company Officers and SR Enlisted occurs at the end of the Supes Brief and Plebes are not in tow. Now my Son's Company officer for 2/C was a hit with my son - always wanted us to go to the tailgates after football to share a beer! He even came to the graduation party - and yes he was one of THOSE of the Major variety.

PPW we ran into Squad leader - Son was distraught and wanted out of there in a hurry, especially after he askes us how the GF is and we had no idea that son had started dating this girl about 3 weeks before IDay - ya the parents are always the last to know.
 
An ode to PEP

On Friday morning ‘bout dawn,
Parents wish to inspect mid’s new-found brawn,
They gather at Rip Miller with a yawn,
To find the past offer withdrawn.
As this activity was a priority,
They are not thrilled with current authority,
Though they had acted as a majority.
Had decided on the forum as a group,
That the issued regs they would dupe,
Rules that had been stated they would flaunt,
The good order mids must follow they would taunt.
USNA had issued their warning,
‘Do Not Appear’ on Friday morning.
Parents want to see PEP,
For this they made the schlepp,
To see their children exercise in step,
All sounding like they have strep.
As the mids appear in file,
For being admonished the parents get riled,
The young adults on the field just smile,
Because they know who is acting like a child.
 
Perhaps it can be stated more succinctly in haiku.

Parents wish to see
Mids in physicality
USNA says keep out

I am so enjoying the ultra-controversial PEP discussion. You all are a spirited and reasoned bunch of rule challengers, and I admire that.

For a number of years PEP was on the PPW schedule as an ‘official’ activity for viewing. And now it is not. Is this so difficult to comprehend? Do those of you who surreptitiously attend plan on being rewarded somehow for your slyness and daring? I am now miles away from my former Chesapeake home, so you all MUST let us know what goes down on that fateful Friday morning!

Going rogue so stealth
I am with you in spirit
Rule breakers unite
 
PPW

A lot of things changed after "Uncle" Rodney sailed off into the sunset!!
 
A lot of things changed after "Uncle" Rodney sailed off into the sunset!!
Among others, to treat the midshipmen with more responsibility. More like officers and less like children. Maybe that change should not be afforded the parents.
 
Getting up at 6:00 a.m. to watch 1,200+ Plebes do calisthenics is not my idea of how I want or need to support my Son and his decision to attend USNA.

I'll see you guys at the briefing at 11:00.
 
I'm going. I run in the am anyways. I'm traveling from CO and I will promise to be discreet as possible. Outside the gate or inside I will observe quietly.
 
C'mon, you've all said it before at one time or another ...

"They're not the boss of me!"
 
Go For It MaryMom:

If you time it right you can run alongside the water with the PLEBES as they leave the field. Wouldn't that be fun. :thumb: They are seventeen, eighteen and with exception nineteen and twenty. Give them a break. They are a long way from officers. But they will be some day.
 
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