Plebe points to ponder....
We recently held a state parents club gathering for our new Plebes. Here are some thoughts expressed by several current Mids and a couple of brand new Ensigns:
1. (Unless you're a smarta$$) Don't worry about the "fly under the radar" advice you sometimes get. Be yourself. It's fine to stand out for the RIGHT reasons - being a good friend and teammate.
2. Even if you're normally shy, work to make friends with your company mates. You're NOT all alone, you're part of a new team/family.
3. Homesickness will happen at some point to most Plebes. Expect it, but plan ways to get through it. See number 2!
4. It's not personal. Really. You will not really understand why things are done the way they are until you're the detailer.
5. NEVER throw anyone under the bus. Ever.
6. You WILL experience some form of failure, something you probably have not experienced before. Someone will be better than you are at something. You will be better than your company mates at something. Find each other's strengths and weaknesses, then use each other (in the good sense) to all grow stronger together. "The chain is only as strong as the weakest link."
7. Get involved in some team or ECA.
8. Take comfortable running shoes, a lighter, your cell phone+charger, and most importantly, a good attitude on I-day.
9. Every time you think you have it tough, believe it or not, the detailers are having it tougher. Really. They get up before you, go to bed after you, they are responsible for all the same things as you (being in shape, room inspections, etc.), but they also have responsibility for you as Plebes. They as being trained as leaders just as you are being trained to be followers. Observe them. Find the really good ones AND the (hopefully not too) bad ones, then see what they do - or don't do - that makes them good or bad. Start thinking about effective leadership styles.
10. Don't think about the next 4 years. Focus on manageable time chunks: this week, or this day, this hour, or maybe just the next 5 minutes. Then do it again. Repeat ad nauseum
11. Promise yourself not to make a decision about whether this whole thing is right for you until the first academic semester is complete, no matter what happens. I know quite a few current officers who were going to quit - some made that decision several times, and some even put in paperwork to leave, yet they made it through. You have spent a tremendous amount of time and energy to get through the gates. Give the whole thing a real chance, even if you have serious doubts.
12. OTOH,
DO NOT enter your junior (2/C) year at USNA unless you are there for the right reason: because you still want to be Commissioned as an officer in the US Navy or Marine Corps to serve for a minimum of 5 years. Pleasing your parents and your family, or "not letting them down" is NOT a good reason
at that point.