> Yep, sounds pretty normal to me.This brought Plebe Year back to me.
Very true...but they really do go or are forgotten after 39 years !Not to be too negative, but I'd say about half the things you're "tired of" don't go away after plebe year
Sorry not going to get a lot of sympathy from old grads here !P.S. PLEASE turn on the AC ASAP. We're dying here. Not even the mice want to live in here right now.
This is such a great honest look at plebe year!! You are doing great. Hang in there and know we are all so proud of you!! Every year at Usna gets better! Yes some things still are hard and you will be tired of them but remember nothing that is hard to accomplish comes easy! I have a 2C getting ready to have surgery next week and she is really trying to stay positive and in the right frame of mind. Everything at the academy is your mind set. Make the decision to find positives everyday just like your list of “I love” and you will be just fine!!!As a foreword for those '28 and beyond hopefuls, I do not regret my choice. I cannot see myself anywhere else. Do not let this deter you from pursuing USNA. The positives of this place heavily outweigh the negatives.
I'm a plebe at USNA and I am writing this out because I've been feeling down lately. To be honest, I've been feeling down for most of this school year. In the beginning, right after Plebe Summer, I had a place. I was part of a team and I was doing really well. The final cut for the team was a few months into the academic year and I did not make it. Since then I've been floundering about trying to find my way and a new place in this whirlwind of a school. This school year has come and gone, yet I can't say that I have truly found that place yet. I feel a bit empty and it feels like I'm just going through the motions so that I can finish the year, climb Herndon, and get on to PROTRAMID. I have no intention of leaving, but I need support and some words of encouragement or anecdotes would be great. Youngster year just can't seem to come soon enough. I'm feeling tired of quite a few things about this place and need to vent a bit. Hopefully this is the right place to do that.
Here goes:
Now on to things that I enjoy about this place. Maybe this will help give me some perspective:
- I'm tired of not being able to choose my workout at 0530
- I'm tired of usually having 15 minutes or less to hygiene and get to chow calls after said workout. Plebe Summer never ends.
- I'm tired of having morning quarters formation and mando meal
- I'm tired of having 10 minutes to eat lunch before needing to scamper off to some “training” or event
- I'm tired of noon meal trainings that either waste time or aren't considerate of my time
- I'm tired of not utilizing my free time between classes as well as I could (this one's on me)
- I'm tired of sitting in gen-ed classes that I don't care about (thank goodness I'll never take plebe chem or any English class ever again)
- I'm tired of doing moboards
- I'm tired of having my door open to 90 degrees and not being able to shut out the noise of Bancroft Hall until after 2100
- I'm tired of wearing some sort of uniform all day every day
- I'm tired of imposter syndrome. I know that I'm not inadequate, but that doesn't stop the feelings of being behind or worse than the rest of my classmates.
- I'm tired of eating at King Hall (honestly the fod isn't terrible, but it's getting repetitive and it's hard to eat healthily. Thank you to the awesome King Hall employees who somehow manage to put up with all of the brigade’s shenanigans)
- I'm tired of the constant outward cynicism and sarcasm that some people project
- I'm tired of not being there for my family and people that I care about as much as I want to
- I'm tired of not having found MY people yet. I ave some close friends, but I still feel like I'm going through the motions or that I don't spend as much time with them as I'd like to. I wonder if they feel similarly.
- I'm tired of chopping and squaring corners. I just want to walk around like a normal person for crying out loud
- I'm tired of thinking about how easy I would have had it if I had gone to Air Force instead
- I'm tired of not having air conditioning and sweating up a flood when just sitting in my room
- I'm tired of being treated like a child
- I'm tired of not being able to talk to upperclass like a normal human being
- I'm tired of paperwork (this one's not going away)
- I'm tired of using two-half-ply toilet paper that you can see through. Sandpaper would be a nice change
- I'm tired of hearing Pipes and Drums practice the Top Gun theme outside my window for hours on end
- I'm tired of having a burnt-out firstie as a squad leader
- I'm tired of having a small closet and little/no storage
- I'm tired of proknow
- I'm tired of tucking in my shirt all of the time
- I'm tired of wearing SDBs in DTA
- I’m tired of the way some people treat you when wearing SDBs in public
- I'm tired of not being able to drive
- I'm tired of sleeping on top of my covers so that I don't mess up my rack
- I'm tired of having to sign TAPS before bed
- I'm tired of climbing up into my rack to sleep instead of having a bed on the ground
- I'm tired of not having the freedom to go where I want when I want
- I'm tired of calling upperclass Mr./Ms. _______
- I'm tired of getting millions of emails every day
- I'm tired of procrastinating (this one's also on me)
- I'm tired of never having clean NWUs because we often use them for workouts, beatdowns, and SMTs
- I'm tired of plebing my cover
This was honestly quite therapeutic and in the process of writing, I realized that there are a lot more things that I love about this place than things that I dislike. I still don't know where I'm headed right now and some perspective would be nice, but just writing this is helping me stay optimistic to some degree. The saying that the Academy is not a great place to be at, but it is a great place to be from is ringing true right now. At the end of the day, most of the things that are getting on my nerves stem from being a plebe and they are soon to end. I just need to maintain as much of a positive outlook on this as I can for the next month. I am certain that there are quite a few things that I missed on either side, but I'm just going to post this for the sake of time. I do have homework after all. We're almost there.
- I love walking down Stribling to and from class
- I love the people, most of the time
- I love having amazing professors
- I love/hate Forrestals.
- I love hitting my rack tired
- I love working hard with other mids
- I love Navy football even though we are not good at all
- I love Annapolis
- I love saluting officers that I know and respect
- I love being complimented on how shiny my shoes are
- I love wearing the uniform
- I love the sunrise by the Farragut seawall when running early in the morning
- I love the sunset outside my window
- I love the blossoming trees and the green of Spring on the Yard
- I love MOs
- I love responding to Gunny at parade practice IYKYK
- I love all of the broken stones on red beach
- I love having a schedule
- I love doing cool things
- I love weekends
- I love rain
- I love the sun
- I love the smell of King Hall on the weekend
- I love Army/Navy week
- I love Air Force/Navy week
- I love getting Shipmate emails
- I love receiving goofy brigade-wide emails
- I love getting up early to go put in work
- I love sleep-ins
- I love drinking cold water after getting beat on Hospital Point
- I love getting honked at when running off the Yard with the rest of the plebes for an SMT
- I love jumping off of the 10-meter
- I love Summer Whites (except when eating)
- I love shenanigans
- I love making someone's day
- I love beating Army
- I love the cold breeze through my windows
- I love having potential for an awesome career
- I love being with my friends
- I love watching people fall asleep in class (and doing it myself on occasion)
- I love messing with upperclass (professionally of course)
- I love walking through Dahlgren Hall
- I love finding the perfect route to my room with minimal chopping
- I love smoking and joking
- I love being told that lunch will be provided at something and then receiving MREs
- I love Ledo pizza, however terrible and greasy
- I love getting mail
- I love doing things that matter
- I love running outers
- I love bridge runs
- I love days with no homework
The Days:
13 Days til Finals (Less than two weeks!)
27 Days til Herndon
30 Days til Ring Dance
36 Days til Graduation
P.S. PLEASE turn on the AC ASAP. We're dying here. Not even the mice want to live in here right now.
Disclaimer: I am not an alum. I have a son Class of 2020. While at USNA he was always appreciative of his experience while recognizing the pain. He and his team went away for grueling spring break training late February 2020, but never returned to Bancroft. That was it. He spent the remainder of the semester at my dining room table, taking classes online (new and not very sophisticated systems) to include Practicum for his upcoming service. It was tough. One day after class he was having a call with his 3 roommates, all of whom were at home doing the same. The convo turned to recalling their last night together in Bancroft, and that at the time they had no idea that would be their last night together. Acknowledging their deep connection and the sadness that their time together was over was so poignant and heartbreaking. Everyone has their story of the spring of 2020 and I only share this to remind you that your time and experience there is a gift and it will be over before you know it. Hang in there. Good luck with Sea Trials and Herndon.Here's the crazy part, which I've learned from folks I know who graduated from USNA and USMA and USAFA: All those things you're tired of now? Those are the same things that you'll look back on years from now with great pride and satisfaction and nostalgia. You'll wear them like a badge of honor. SA grads are celebrated and admired because they survived -- even thrived -- amid all those things that they were so, so tired of. And that, strangely enough, is the point. At least that's what my alumni friends tell me: A terrible place to be, but a wonderful place to be from.
.Disclaimer: I am not an alum. I have a son Class of 2020. While at USNA he was always appreciative of his experience while recognizing the pain. He and his team went away for grueling spring break training late February 2020, but never returned to Bancroft. That was it. He spent the remainder of the semester at my dining room table, taking classes online (new and not very sophisticated systems) to include Practicum for his upcoming service. It was tough. One day after class he was having a call with his 3 roommates, all of whom were at home doing the same. The convo turned to recalling their last night together in Bancroft, and that at the time they had no idea that would be their last night together. Acknowledging their deep connection and the sadness that their time together was over was so poignant and heartbreaking. Everyone has their story of the spring of 2020 and I only share this to remind you that your time and experience there is a gift and it will be over before you know it. Hang in there. Good luck with Sea Trials and Herndon.
- I'm tired of having morning quarters formation and mando meal - you will likely conduct quarters for your division as an ENS/LTJG and then have daily meetings as a Department Head as a LT.
- I'm tired of having 10 minutes to eat lunch before needing to scamper off to some “training” or event - you might have 10 minutes to eat lunch in order to get your next meeting on time OR you might be having a working lunch, but this should be the exception not the norm
- I'm tired of noon meal trainings that either waste time or aren't considerate of my time - guarantee you will have to attend meetings that will "waste your time"
- I'm tired of sitting in gen-ed classes that I don't care about (thank goodness I'll never take plebe chem or any English class ever again) - replaced by General Military Training
- I'm tired of doing moboards - don't go SWO because there are more MOBOARDs to come!
- I'm tired of wearing some sort of uniform all day every day - when you are underway/deployed same will apply
- I'm tired of eating at King Hall (honestly the food isn't terrible, but it's getting repetitive and it's hard to eat healthily) - likely to be similar when underway/deployed
- I'm tired of the constant outward cynicism and sarcasm that some people project - this is called salty Sailors
- I'm tired of not being there for my family and people that I care about as much as I want to - when underways/deployments call, same will apply
- I'm tired of not having air conditioning and sweating up a flood when just sitting in my room - A/C and hot water often can break underway or while deployed
- I'm tired of paperwork (this one's not going away) - as an officer part of your job will directly entail with admin/paperwork
- I'm tired of using two-half-ply toilet paper that you can see through - same toilet paper used in the Navy ship or shore
- I'm tired of hearing Pipes and Drums practice the Top Gun theme outside my window for hours on end - just wait until the 1MC announcements at inopportune times
- I'm tired of having a burnt-out firstie as a squad leader - you will have good and bad leaders in the Fleet, burnt-out or not burnt-out
- I'm tired of having a small closet and little/no storage - if stationed on a ship or deployed you are likely to have the same issue
- I'm tired of proknow - in your first few years of the Navy, PQS and qualifications will be something you have to get after - which will include written and/or oral qualification boards
- I'm tired of wearing SDBs in DTA - good news is you don't really wear dress uniforms very often in the Fleet
- I'm tired of climbing up into my rack to sleep instead of having a bed on the ground - hopefully you don't get the top rack in a stateroom if you are ever stationed afloat
- I'm tired of getting millions of emails every day - hate to say it, but you will be getting a million emails when you commission; command and control via email
I remember the stories from you and my other internet friends. Moldy meat, running out of food, etc. Not a good time..
Our DD finished the Spring semester of 2020 in “lockdown” at NAPS … then headed for Plebe summer 2020 (Class of 2024) wearing a mask …. It’s all bitter sweet … I’m crying tears of Joy right now.
.
Back in my day our lack of AC was the worst lack. I think we had double lack. It was awful.I read that OP and thought to myself "said every Plebe, ever."
You sound like an impressive Plebe. More likes than dislikes is a win in my book. I can't say I've ever been in your shoes, but it seems like you're getting to the finish line. You will one day look back at this and in my opinion, you should be very PROUD of what you have accomplished and you will find your people. Just know that you are not alone and I would bet that many are going through feeling this way. It's okay to feel sad, mad, and frustrated, but also take time to be proud of putting yourself out there, asking for support, and all that you have accomplished to get there, to be there, and to move forward! You got this!As a foreword for those '28 and beyond hopefuls, I do not regret my choice. I cannot see myself anywhere else. Do not let this deter you from pursuing USNA. The positives of this place heavily outweigh the negatives.
I'm a plebe at USNA and I am writing this out because I've been feeling down lately. To be honest, I've been feeling down for most of this school year. In the beginning, right after Plebe Summer, I had a place. I was part of a team and I was doing really well. The final cut for the team was a few months into the academic year and I did not make it. Since then I've been floundering about trying to find my way and a new place in this whirlwind of a school. This school year has come and gone, yet I can't say that I have truly found that place yet. I feel a bit empty and it feels like I'm just going through the motions so that I can finish the year, climb Herndon, and get on to PROTRAMID. I have no intention of leaving, but I need support and some words of encouragement or anecdotes would be great. Youngster year just can't seem to come soon enough. I'm feeling tired of quite a few things about this place and need to vent a bit. Hopefully this is the right place to do that.
Here goes:
Now on to things that I enjoy about this place. Maybe this will help give me some perspective:
- I'm tired of not being able to choose my workout at 0530
- I'm tired of usually having 15 minutes or less to hygiene and get to chow calls after said workout. Plebe Summer never ends.
- I'm tired of having morning quarters formation and mando meal
- I'm tired of having 10 minutes to eat lunch before needing to scamper off to some “training” or event
- I'm tired of noon meal trainings that either waste time or aren't considerate of my time
- I'm tired of not utilizing my free time between classes as well as I could (this one's on me)
- I'm tired of sitting in gen-ed classes that I don't care about (thank goodness I'll never take plebe chem or any English class ever again)
- I'm tired of doing moboards
- I'm tired of having my door open to 90 degrees and not being able to shut out the noise of Bancroft Hall until after 2100
- I'm tired of wearing some sort of uniform all day every day
- I'm tired of imposter syndrome. I know that I'm not inadequate, but that doesn't stop the feelings of being behind or worse than the rest of my classmates.
- I'm tired of eating at King Hall (honestly the fod isn't terrible, but it's getting repetitive and it's hard to eat healthily. Thank you to the awesome King Hall employees who somehow manage to put up with all of the brigade’s shenanigans)
- I'm tired of the constant outward cynicism and sarcasm that some people project
- I'm tired of not being there for my family and people that I care about as much as I want to
- I'm tired of not having found MY people yet. I ave some close friends, but I still feel like I'm going through the motions or that I don't spend as much time with them as I'd like to. I wonder if they feel similarly.
- I'm tired of chopping and squaring corners. I just want to walk around like a normal person for crying out loud
- I'm tired of thinking about how easy I would have had it if I had gone to Air Force instead
- I'm tired of not having air conditioning and sweating up a flood when just sitting in my room
- I'm tired of being treated like a child
- I'm tired of not being able to talk to upperclass like a normal human being
- I'm tired of paperwork (this one's not going away)
- I'm tired of using two-half-ply toilet paper that you can see through. Sandpaper would be a nice change
- I'm tired of hearing Pipes and Drums practice the Top Gun theme outside my window for hours on end
- I'm tired of having a burnt-out firstie as a squad leader
- I'm tired of having a small closet and little/no storage
- I'm tired of proknow
- I'm tired of tucking in my shirt all of the time
- I'm tired of wearing SDBs in DTA
- I’m tired of the way some people treat you when wearing SDBs in public
- I'm tired of not being able to drive
- I'm tired of sleeping on top of my covers so that I don't mess up my rack
- I'm tired of having to sign TAPS before bed
- I'm tired of climbing up into my rack to sleep instead of having a bed on the ground
- I'm tired of not having the freedom to go where I want when I want
- I'm tired of calling upperclass Mr./Ms. _______
- I'm tired of getting millions of emails every day
- I'm tired of procrastinating (this one's also on me)
- I'm tired of never having clean NWUs because we often use them for workouts, beatdowns, and SMTs
- I'm tired of plebing my cover
This was honestly quite therapeutic and in the process of writing, I realized that there are a lot more things that I love about this place than things that I dislike. I still don't know where I'm headed right now and some perspective would be nice, but just writing this is helping me stay optimistic to some degree. The saying that the Academy is not a great place to be at, but it is a great place to be from is ringing true right now. At the end of the day, most of the things that are getting on my nerves stem from being a plebe and they are soon to end. I just need to maintain as much of a positive outlook on this as I can for the next month. I am certain that there are quite a few things that I missed on either side, but I'm just going to post this for the sake of time. I do have homework after all. We're almost there.
- I love walking down Stribling to and from class
- I love the people, most of the time
- I love having amazing professors
- I love/hate Forrestals.
- I love hitting my rack tired
- I love working hard with other mids
- I love Navy football even though we are not good at all
- I love Annapolis
- I love saluting officers that I know and respect
- I love being complimented on how shiny my shoes are
- I love wearing the uniform
- I love the sunrise by the Farragut seawall when running early in the morning
- I love the sunset outside my window
- I love the blossoming trees and the green of Spring on the Yard
- I love MOs
- I love responding to Gunny at parade practice IYKYK
- I love all of the broken stones on red beach
- I love having a schedule
- I love doing cool things
- I love weekends
- I love rain
- I love the sun
- I love the smell of King Hall on the weekend
- I love Army/Navy week
- I love Air Force/Navy week
- I love getting Shipmate emails
- I love receiving goofy brigade-wide emails
- I love getting up early to go put in work
- I love sleep-ins
- I love drinking cold water after getting beat on Hospital Point
- I love getting honked at when running off the Yard with the rest of the plebes for an SMT
- I love jumping off of the 10-meter
- I love Summer Whites (except when eating)
- I love shenanigans
- I love making someone's day
- I love beating Army
- I love the cold breeze through my windows
- I love having potential for an awesome career
- I love being with my friends
- I love watching people fall asleep in class (and doing it myself on occasion)
- I love messing with upperclass (professionally of course)
- I love walking through Dahlgren Hall
- I love finding the perfect route to my room with minimal chopping
- I love smoking and joking
- I love being told that lunch will be provided at something and then receiving MREs
- I love Ledo pizza, however terrible and greasy
- I love getting mail
- I love doing things that matter
- I love running outers
- I love bridge runs
- I love days with no homework
The Days:
13 Days til Finals (Less than two weeks!)
27 Days til Herndon
30 Days til Ring Dance
36 Days til Graduation
P.S. PLEASE turn on the AC ASAP. We're dying here. Not even the mice want to live in here right now.
LOL what?
- I'm tired of thinking about how easy I would have had it if I had gone to Air Force instead