Plebe Sponsor Program

[blueplate99]

Are all plebes assigned sponsor families? Is it usually one plebe per family or do families sponsor multiple? Are you sponsored all four years at USNA or just plebe year?

 

[Capt MJ]

It's a voluntary program. If plebes sign up, they get one. Can be 1 to a sponsor or up to 4-5. Plebe sponsor program is officially just for plebe year, but the relationship can informally continue through the other 3 years, and often leads to lifetime friendships.

We have been sponsoring since 1996, 4-5 plebes a year, resulting in Saturday night dinner tables of 10-12 mixed years, and often with visiting alumni thrown in.

There are many threads on sponsors to read. It's not for everyone, and sponsors have different styles.





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[falconchic88]

Once you are appointed, you will receive a Permit to Report package that contains a form to fill out to request a sponsor. It asks questions to help find a good sponsor match. Most times, your original sponsor will be a great match, and form a life long bond, but sometimes the matches don't work out. If this is ever the case, you can request your official sponsor be changed, or in some cases, plebes end up finding "unofficial" sponsors through tagging along with friends or roommates.

 

[Capt MJ]

We usually lose 1-2 a year to another sponsor where the fit is better, and gain a few adoptees. It works.


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[falconchic88]

USAFA does.

 

[Blondie1]

This year my understanding was there was a shortage of sponsor families, so they asked some sponsors to take more. Our sponsor family had three plebe's, and one 3/C (last year's plebe). One of the plebe's just didn't fit the others are all doing great. Love our sponsor family!! In the information you file there is a questionnaire for you regarding sponsor family. Thought it was done online this year. (Someone will correct me if I'm wrong). Plebe's meet sponsors before parent weekend. Then parents have the chance to meet the sponsor family during parent weekend.

 

[Vista123]

Sponsor Parents dont 'officially' meet the midshipmen parents unless the sponsor and the plebe want to. In fact sponsor parents are not given the plebe parent's contact information. They do typically meet but not every plebe has a relationship with their parent so it is up to the plebe to decide if there will be a meeting.
Each year my son's sponsor parent signs up for one mid but gets two mids. (as a surprise)
Sponsor Parents are a blessing.