Plebe summer

Appreciate the quick answer.

DS has one year of ROTC under his belt. He is coming to the realization that an SA is not the same as 3 mornings of PT per week, one military science class per week and the occasional weekend of field training of ROTC.

I'm hoping he does not get moved - not sure at this point. He's a good kid and a smart kid. Hoping he finds his way and has the epiphany.
 
Appreciate the quick answer.

DS has one year of ROTC under his belt. He is coming to the realization that an SA is not the same as 3 mornings of PT per week, one military science class per week and the occasional weekend of field training of ROTC.

I'm hoping he does not get moved - not sure at this point. He's a good kid and a smart kid. Hoping he finds his way and has the epiphany.

The overall odds are about 98% make it through plebe summer. At this point plebe summer is close to being half over. Chances are if a plebe has not put in for Tango at this point they will not. Don't freat about it to much.

The one thing we learned as parents over the last 4 years was that if something is upstetting your Mid, you are one of the few places they can vent. You are the safe place to complain and recieve some sympathy and advice. About 30 seconds after talking to you your Mid will have moved on to something else. If you ask them about the "problem" a week later chances are they have completely forgotten about it and moved on to what is important at this moment.
 
Appreciate the quick answer.

DS has one year of ROTC under his belt. He is coming to the realization that an SA is not the same as 3 mornings of PT per week, one military science class per week and the occasional weekend of field training of ROTC.

I'm hoping he does not get moved - not sure at this point. He's a good kid and a smart kid. Hoping he finds his way and has the epiphany.
Provides an interesting insight that it's not always a simple, good, or necessarily "right" move going from ROTC to USNA simply because one can. Especially after seeing "Paris." As slacker notes ... these 2 experiences are apples and oranges, worlds apart. ROTC is NOT merely a Whitman sampling or mini-SA. And an SA is not college w/ uniforms and mess halls in lieu of a dining hall, refectory, or cafeteria.

They are fully disparate opportunities to get to a similar end, as slacker's inkling reveals. All those dancing their last tango or already gone, might well be highly successful running on a different track. Commissioned officers from both might quickly confirm that neither has much resemblance to serving in the Fleet.
 
Although it is interesting to discuss Tango and Plebes not making it thru the summer, as MIDNDAD points out this is a very small percentage and the focus for parents should be on keeping the morale and spirits of their Plebes positive - many are probably having some doubts or at least a rough time and most will eventually be happy they stuck it out.
 
Agreed on keeping spirits up...one last question, most are 18+ now...if they get moved to Tango, will parents be notified?
 
My understanding is that once in Tango they are not participating in the regular scheduled activities and are not subject to the same rules. I believe they can contact parents, etc. But someone else may have better insight into this.
 
My understanding is that once in Tango they are not participating in the regular scheduled activities and are not subject to the same rules. I believe they can contact parents, etc. But someone else may have better insight into this.

You are correct. In Tango, they do not do the regular training. They have access to chaplains and other officers to discuss their situation, and they do have significantly more opportunities to call home. IOW, they have an opportunity to take a deep breath, think things through, and talk things over with parents before carrying through with a decision to leave.

Going to Tango is NOT irreversible. (At least) One of the current detailers Tangoed when he was a Plebe, and I don't mean the dance.
 
Going to Tango is NOT irreversible. (At least) One of the current detailers Tangoed when he was a Plebe

Thanks, This is something new. Let say if a Tangoer changes his /her mind after 2, 3 weeks and want to reverse, then what's happens since he/she already miss most of the Plebe Summer training part.
 
I'm guessing that most who decide to return make that decision relatively quickly - probably within days - after taking a break, talking to family, counselors, etc they may decide to return and at least give it a chance thru Plebe Summer and maybe the first semester or two. I would think that the longer you are out the tougher it would be to return. Maybe someone on these forums with more knowledge or experience can provide better insight into the process.
 
Thanks, This is something new. Let say if a Tangoer changes his /her mind after 2, 3 weeks and want to reverse, then what's happens since he/she already miss most of the Plebe Summer training part.

As I understand it from discussions with my Mid, the situations can be pretty flexible. For instance, the person coming back from Tango can choose to go back to the original company, or (more often) go to a different company to get a clean start.

As for the training they've missed, it all depends on what they've done/missed. things like weapons qualification occurs on one day per platoon. If their new platoon has yet to qualify, they would go then. If not, they probably (my guess) just miss out. The specific training evolutions for the Plebes are not nearly so important as the general concept of preparing them for survival during Ac year. And, keep in mind that, even though it's called "Plebe" summer, it's more about developing the Firsties as leaders than anything else. This time next year, quite a few of the 2012's will be in charge of a division on a ship, and they need this experience.
 
And, keep in mind that, even though it's called "Plebe" summer, it's more about developing the Firsties as leaders than anything else. This time next year, quite a few of the 2012's will be in charge of a division on a ship, and they need this experience.
LOL. Never heard that one before. I take it your S/D is on Plebe detail? My other question is what about the majority of the firsties, who don't participate in Plebe detail? Will they not have the necessary experience to be branch/division officers out in the fleet next year?
 
LOL. Never heard that one before. I take it your S/D is on Plebe detail? My other question is what about the majority of the firsties, who don't participate in Plebe detail? Will they not have the necessary experience to be branch/division officers out in the fleet next year?

DD quoted the Supe as saying (during their many briefings) that the summer is 85% about developing 2012 as leaders, and 15% about indoctrinating the Plebes.

Presumably, the rest of 2012 (and some repeats from summer detailers) will have leadership positions (squad leaders, company commanders, Brigade, Regimental, and Company staffs, etc)throughout the Ac year.
 
DD quoted the Supe as saying (during their many briefings) that the summer is 85% about developing 2012 as leaders, and 15% about indoctrinating the Plebes.

"Fact checking" a motovational speech is not necessarily a good idea. Plebe summer is really about plebes.
 
DD quoted the Supe as saying (during their many briefings) that the summer is 85% about developing 2012 as leaders, and 15% about indoctrinating the Plebes.

Presumably, the rest of 2012 (and some repeats from summer detailers) will have leadership positions (squad leaders, company commanders, Brigade, Regimental, and Company staffs, etc)throughout the Ac year.

Plebe summer is not the real leadership these detailers will actually be providing in the fleet. Now plebe year on the other hand. MIDREGs actually states that the development of the 1/C is equally, if not MORE important than the development of the 4/C. If I were energetic enough, I would go get the exact quote.
 
Encourage, encourage, encourage. There are only 24 hours in a day and the Plebes should be sleeping in their racks for at least 6 of those. Each day is a new opportunity to start fresh - detailers will not remember who screwed up the day before unless the Plebe has received the dreaded 'slacker' label for consistent slacker behavior. Detailers appreciate and reward effort during Blue & Gold each night. During those precious phone calls and more so in your letters to your Plebes, be positive. Absolutely do not ask about Tango company or whether they have had anyone in their company/platoon/squad DOR. If your Plebe volunteers such information, quickly move onto another subject. Ask them about sailing, damage control, speakers that they've gone to hear in the evenings at Alumni Hall. They will go to a minor league baseball game shortly so you can ask them about that. Don't dwell on the negative and they won't. One thing that I did last year was to send my Plebe a "Congratulations" card toward the end of each week of Plebe Summer congratulating on making it through another week. Also sent cards 'from' family pets that drew laughter from my Plebe and roommates. So many things you can do to keep them motivated - be creative!
 
Agree with fishbowl. I had 6 USPS flat rate boxes ready to go and I added things that I read about or heard from my DS that was needed. Mailed them every Monday afternoon. Always included something homemade. And a musical card with a fun song. Figured that they might be so starved for music that it would be appreciated. His company was very easy going about what was sent. They liked the cards and the goodies. But it's funny that his focus shifted from what he wanted (like chocolate chip cookies) to the end of Academic year it was all about what was needed.... personal steamer, desk organizers, monitor, etc etc.
 
Freaking out (as i did) at home helps no one especially your plebe. Mine can read me like a book just as i can read or could read him. They are changing they are growing and growing pains hurt. For everyone. Tango was mentioned on my phone calls more that once. DS talked to the chaplains a time or two was on the bottom of the pile most of the summer and had other issues. but ------he never Tango-ed out and never gave up. Its a rough ride for some of us and a blast for others. That's what makes the process so hard. They have to become a team think alike be equal to each other and that is so hard for these top of the line smart successful kids. It isn't what you have done who you are or who your Daddy is they don't care. Its them and them alone and for the first time they aren't the best. Rough you bet on all of us. One thing i did was encourage DS no matter how much he wanted out no matter how bad i wanted to drive to Annapolis and take him home. The members on this forum can attest to that trust me! but HE made it HE is happy He is successful HE now has a stripe on his sleeve. does he still admit he HATED every minute of plebe summer ---Lord yes/ but he can laugh now and knows why it is what it is. Tango is not irreversible and most plebes choose another company for a fresh start. DS said the first year you are lucky to even see anyone from another company unless you have class with them.. Be patient and don't read too much into the "how many" game . companies will be different when AC year begins ----hold on the the handle bars and let the ride go -you can not stop it it will be over when its over. Trust the process. Did i just say that?!
 
thanks

Thanks for all these encouraging words...I am soaking up every word from you all that have been down this path called "plebe summer"..it is so emotionally draining...one minute I will fell strong and proud of how well I am handling myself and the next minute I will be crying about how much I miss my DS!! It helps to hear from you all that these are somewhat normal emotions and I better get use to them because they certainly won't end once plebe summer is over...this is my new normal!! Thanks for taking the time to help us newbies out!!!
 
Do you know how many do reverse after they have entered tango? I realize that's a tough answer but for how many in there do more reverse or do more end up leaving?
 
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