I'm a Firstie ('20). Ask me anything! (Corona ed.)

[cihper]

Hi, I'm an incoming plebe and I have a couple questions. Overall, how is the coursework plebe year (like are there any classes I should be cautious of). Also, how well do you have to do academically to branch Navy Aviation? Thanks in advance

Academics on its own is not hard. But the Midshipman + Plebe life will hit you like a freight train going at Mach 1. Many people get Ds and Fs for the first time in their life and it hits them hard. The common fear among Plebes is usually Plebe Chem and Calculus.

Naval aviation does care about academics. For a good shot, being in the top 50% of your class is great.

 

[cihper]

How important was Herndon to you? 2023 is going to do some kind of virtual thing (find something in your yard and climb it). KInd of like their own private Idaho.

In retrospect, not that important. At the time, VERY important. I screamed like no other when I saw that cover being placed on top of the monument. I have no idea how 2023 will do their Herndon climb, but it's interesting how the Supe will handle all of this. Very interesting times.

 

[cihper]

Wondering if you had any insight into the graduation / commissioning plans. I am SO immensely sorry for you and your class, you deserve a fitting celebration.

All we received from the Supe was the fact that he cancelled commissioning week.

The Dant did a live Q&A on Instagram the other day, and he expected our commissioning to be virtual.
I have no idea what that means. Am I going to be in my Marine Dress Blues at home and they're going to FaceTime me to swear me in? I sure hope not.

 

[cihper]

Thanks! I was also wondering if the Academy still uses situps in the PRT, or if they’ve moved to the plank yet?

The plank was an anomaly. Big Navy often uses USNA PRTs as "guinea pig trials" to see if they want to change the PRT. No one liked the plank, and if I recall correctly it dropped many people's PRT scores.

That being said, expect to do situps when you show up.

 

[cihper]

Hi, once we get fitted for clothes on I-day is there any way for us to change their sizes afterwards? Or if your body shape changes throughout plebe year/the Academy in general

Something interesting happens during Plebe Summer and any Mid reading can attest to this:

For some reason, you come out of Plebe Summer with a stress eating habit. You shove food down your throat like no other time in your life. My best guess is that food is the only pleasurable thing that you can experience in a given Plebe Summer day so you do everything you can to indulge in that pleasure. You're also constantly pushing yourself physically throughout the day in the hot Annapolis summer.

The problem is you carry this habit into the Academic year, which is far less physically strenuous. "Calories in" start outweighing "calories out". I've seen classmates gain 15-20lbs because they were unable to control this habit.

Your body composition, in general, improves as the years go by. You can visit the tailor shop at any point in time and get your pant sizes changed as you see fit.

 

[DKTKT]

How important was Herndon to you? 2023 is going to do some kind of virtual thing (find something in your yard and climb it). KInd of like their own private Idaho.

My Plebe told me this idea was squashed. He said the student leadership had come up with the idea and the admin nixed it, not totally sure why (concerns of mids getting hurt by climbing something random around them? potential exposed to virus? liability?)