Plebe summer 2027

severn said:
... 1000 yards---> 914 meters. I take it there's a scope. Good shooting. Ever since I can remember, think my SF instructors drilled this on my head, focus on breathing and correct sight picture. I started to pass this to DS prior to IDay. Mostly dry fire-dime drill, inhale, exhale, release-hold, squeeze. I've always zeroed with three rounds in a 25m target; six rounds to confirm.
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Total thread jack here .....

Yup. Vortex Razor 5-20x50, MRAD reticle. On a 6.5 Creedmoor Ruger Precision Rifle. Scope retailed more than the rifle. :p I zero at 100 yards with a 5-round group. Best group I've shot at 100 was .32 MOA. All shots fit within a dime circumference. ;)

I zero'd my AR at 50m with a holographic (EOTECH). Going for that mythical 50/200 zero.

I think I've actually gone out to about 1200 yards or so. But my DOPE wasn't great, so I got my first shot within a meter or two, and adjusted in real time to get on target. Nothing like ringing steel 3/4 of a mile away and getting the sound back when you hit a few seconds later. The gun and the round are amazing. 300 - 700 yards is almost automatic with correct DOPE, even for someone with little experience. And with things like the Kestrel wind/weather meter with ballistics, it makes it almost plug and play.

Focus on the reticle, not the target. Cleckner's book is awesome for those getting started in the sport:

Long Range Shooting Handbook: The Complete Beginner's Guide to Precision Rifle Shooting: Cleckner, Ryan M: 9781518654725: Amazon.com: Books

Long Range Shooting Handbook: The Complete Beginner's Guide to Precision Rifle Shooting [Cleckner, Ryan M] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Long Range Shooting Handbook: The Complete Beginner's Guide to Precision Rifle Shooting
www.amazon.com

RPR.jpg
 
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... lost interest (as in suppressed not abhorred) in shooting completely after leaving military service... followed a beat of a different drummer. Most likely will pickup again if recalled for active duty. It's a tremendous skill set, shooting, that needs to be passed to the next generation of warriors, DS in particular. I know a former team member who hunts deer with just a kabar... just saying.
 
NavyHoops said:
Saw it was Bowie Baysox day. Big milestones for the Plebes. A lite break from the routine. Most realize they are going to make it now!
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You can also see the pride in their smiles. In new uniforms. Escorted by police through town on buses. It’s also the first time they see themselves (a bit anyhow) in the local community (my guys said this took a while to get used to). Their ‘celebrity’ status.

Back to the grind, today!!
 
justdoit19 said:
You can also see the pride in their smiles. In new uniforms. Escorted by police through town on buses. It’s also the first time they see themselves (a bit anyhow) in the local community (my guys said this took a while to get used to). Their ‘celebrity’ status.

Back to the grind, today!!
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... cliche now when a civilian say, "thanks for your service." During PPW, several civilians told DS just that. He was enamored by it.
 
severn said:
... cliche now when a civilian say, "thanks for your service." During PPW, several civilians told DS just that. He was enamored by it.
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I remember going to DC with my ‘22, plebe year. It was also my first experience both in DC, and out and about with him in uniform (dark suit). It was quite the experience! Kids wanted pictures with him (it at least their parents did lol). We all got moved to the front of lines. Lots of the ‘TY for you service’ comments. Some pointing, whispers and stares. It was weird.
 
DD was big smiles at the Bowie Baysock game . I would be lying if I said I didn’t tear up a bit seeing her in the new uniform . The plebes stood up and sang “Anchors Away” while the fireworks were going off, took my breath away. I know there has been some brouhaha about parents on the yard and taking pictures and videos, but I am very grateful for them . Some of the best pictures and videos I have of her is from other moms who now recognize her . Can not wait for the phone call tomorrow and also to see her next week !
 
newtonsapple said:
Some years ago I got four Yankees tix from my employer. It was Fleet Week in NYC. I was happy to give three of them to sailors who were in the ticket line at Yankee Stadium.
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That was awesome for you to do that.. my 2026 DS had YP cruise to NYC during Zero block and he said he didn’t take his wallet out once for a meal. “Someone kept picking up the check for us” to include a Yankees game..
 
Slower. Usually an extra hour of sleep. Church services then power hour or whatever its called. Basically donuts and some time to chat with your classmates. For those who don’t do services they can usually spend time shining shoes or other items. Plebes try to get out of the hall. Some are also in the choir. Then once lunch hits its back to it.
 
Any stories of plebes not returning after parents weeknd?

I will say, all the visits to Annapolis, and airport drop offs after visits home, that the goodbye and drop off Sunday of parents weekend was toughest. For plebe and for mom. And we both had some trouble holding back tears during that last goodbye hug. I cried a lot on that drive home.

As you get more used to the ‘see ‘ya laters’, it’s more familiar. And not so tough. But that PPW Sunday ‘see ‘ya later’ was tough.
 
justdoit19 said:
Any stories of plebes not returning after parents weeknd?

I will say, all the visits to Annapolis, and airport drop offs after visits home, that the goodbye and drop off Sunday of parents weekend was toughest. For plebe and for mom. And we both had some trouble holding back tears during that last goodbye hug. I cried a lot on that drive home.

As you get more used to the ‘see ‘ya laters’, it’s more familiar. And not so tough. But that PPW Sunday ‘see ‘ya later’ was tough.
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We found “see you in a couple of weeks” worked pretty well (for us anyway). Especially since we’re about a 4-5 hour drive and could space our visits to about once a month.
 
justdoit19 said:
Any stories of plebes not returning after parents weeknd?

I will say, all the visits to Annapolis, and airport drop offs after visits home, that the goodbye and drop off Sunday of parents weekend was toughest. For plebe and for mom. And we both had some trouble holding back tears during that last goodbye hug. I cried a lot on that drive home.

As you get more used to the ‘see ‘ya laters’, it’s more familiar. And not so tough. But that PPW Sunday ‘see ‘ya later’ was tough.
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I personally haven't heard of Plebes not coming back. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a thought or two to that effect. I also wouldn't be surprised if it has happened previously. The only stories I can remember hearing about are Plebes telling their parents they want to leave USNA when they get to see them. Most of it is a knee jerk though. Plebes become disillusioned with USNA since PS isn't exactly campfires and s'mores and they are (for a good amount of people) not consistently the breakout performer they once were. And with the detailer party line of "The Ac Year is even harder," some Plebes think that USNA and the Navy/USMC are PS every day and they are destined to fail.

That said, it wasn't too difficult for most to get back into the swing of things. The goodbye is painful, but after coming back to Mother B, the last few days of PS start right back up and then its moving and Reform. Not a lot of time to really focus on emotions.

I will say for the parents, it is exciting to see how DD/DS changes with each goodbye.
 
justdoit19 said:
Any stories of plebes not returning after parents weeknd?

I will say, all the visits to Annapolis, and airport drop offs after visits home, that the goodbye and drop off Sunday of parents weekend was toughest. For plebe and for mom. And we both had some trouble holding back tears during that last goodbye hug. I cried a lot on that drive home.

As you get more used to the ‘see ‘ya laters’, it’s more familiar. And not so tough. But that PPW Sunday ‘see ‘ya later’ was tough.
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They can’t just “not come back,” though there have been incidents where plebes have departed without telling anyone. Once they are found, they have to come back, and if their intention is to quit, they are active duty military and have to be properly processed out, CAC card collected, stuff handled, etc.

Over the years, the ones I immediately recall:
- Plebe drifted to the back of a formation run and slithered out Gate 3, somehow got to BWI, where he was spotted by an upperclass arriving at BWI coming back from summer training. The reg PT gear was a dead giveaway. The upperclass kindly corraled him, called Main O, stayed with him until they back to the Yard, just keeping him calm, and then the chain of command took over.
- Another plebe vanished on Sunday morning. GF had slipped him civvies, and he changed in Chapel bathroom. They walked out Gate 1 and went to her college in VA. Reported missing at lunchtime. Search did not produce him; roommates knew nothing. The decision was finally made to call the family. Thank God for mom. She immediately suspected the girlfriend, said they had an unhealthy attachment. She had the GF’s phone number and called, asking to speak to her son, no doubt in “mom voice.” I forget how that one ended, but he came back and stayed, but not sure how long. I think the company officer and SEL drove down to get him.


There are more. Most have the sense to leave in the normal way, not do normal request to be separated. Doing it in an u usual way demonstrates they really didn’t understand what they were taking on as part of an active duty service academy.
 
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Our Forum Plebe says hello. Dragonmir is doing well. In great spirits. Looking forward to spending time with his family next week, and met his sponsor family today!!

I’m excited to have a connection. DH is involved in some USNA activities that will take him back moving forward, and now I will be able to go along and have a Mid to spoil ♥️
 
justdoit19 said:
Our Forum Plebe says hello. Dragonmir is doing well. In great spirits. Looking forward to spending time with his family next week, and met his sponsor family today!!

I’m excited to have a connection. DH is involved in some USNA activities that will take him back moving forward, and now I will be able to go along and have a Mid to spoil ♥️
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Forum auntie.
 
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