Questions for a Plebe

Not that I don't trust my Plebe, but I'll ask one that has no vested interest in my decision. I have been told that there is gaming (PS/ Xbox) that occurs in the rooms on the weekends. Are there a lot of rooms that have a system? Just upper class? While home for Tgiving, my Plebe hinted at wanting to bring his system back with him after Xmas. His grades are good so I am not worried about that, but was wondering if it's commonplace?
Suggest he should research the regulations and perform an operational risk analysis, and let him make his own decision and own any consequences. That's good practice for all the "should I/shouldn't I" situations he will face as an adult in uniform.

If you ever wonder what classic military-ese looks like, try this little tome-ette on Operational Risk Management.
http://www.netc.navy.mil/sobt/web/encl1.docx
 
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Perhaps I misspoke. He would never sneak in anything he is not supposed to have or jeopardize his standing with the Academy. I was just wondering if it's as common as he made it seem.
 
One of those things that is probably company dependent. Things can change semester to semester also with company staff change over. In upperclass rooms my guess is there is at least 1 console in 90% or more rooms. As far as Plebes probably near to none unless their companies let them (and my guess is that its only weekends when allowed).
 
Thanks Hoops. I am sure we will talk about it over Xmas break. Like most teens he sometimes has selective hearing, so we will make sure he checks and is getting accurate info from his superiors before he does anything ;)
 
Perhaps I misspoke. He would never sneak in anything he is not supposed to have or jeopardize his standing with the Academy. I was just wondering if it's as common as he made it seem.
You didn't misspeak. There is often a wide disparity between what Midshipmen Regulations say and what companies decide they will enforce or tolerate, and mids navigate the grey areas with an eye to risk management. The starting point for the analysis is knowing what's officially allowed for a plebe. Once he determines whether it's officially allowed - or not - he can decide next steps. Then he can evaluate impact on his time management if he decides to go ahead. It's all in his hands.
I expect there are plenty of gamers on the Yard, same as any college campus. On a dark and dreary weekend, short on money, getting together for some Call of Duty can be a way to blow off steam and step away from the grind for an hour or two.
 
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Thank you so very much, that was very helpful and informative. I will pass this information onto my Rook at Norwich. I think that he will be very pleased to hear this information. He only dreams of these liberties, lol. A couple more questions, lol: when do you become a youngster? How often and how long can you call home? Can you email anytime? Hopefully you guessed that these questions are possibly even more for me than for him, lol.

Your son is at Norwich? We live in Vermont...do you?
 
For the record, per Midshipmen Regulations, plebes are authorized media and video games on town liberty.
 
Thank you so very much, that was very helpful and informative. I will pass this information onto my Rook at Norwich. I think that he will be very pleased to hear this information. He only dreams of these liberties, lol. A couple more questions, lol: when do you become a youngster? How often and how long can you call home? Can you email anytime? Hopefully you guessed that these questions are possibly even more for me than for him, lol.

Your son is at Norwich? We live in Vermont...do you?
Vtmom. no, we live in PA. But I make the PA to VT/Northfield trip pretty regularly. 4 times in the past 3 months...and counting. It's a haul, for sure. But VT sure is beautiful!!
 
I wonder how many plebes got a black "N" this year. We have had only 2 plebes get it. Several upperclass have gotten their's. I thought they were to phase it out officially or unofficially.
 
Black Ns are unofficial. They are given by your classmates and company. I would be surprised to ever see them be phased out unofficially as it's something Midshipmen maintain. I had plenty of restriction in my time, but never a Black N, several of my buddies had them.
 
There is the the N* worn on varsity jackets for all the right reasons.
Then there is the unofficial Black N, "earned" for misconduct above and beyond, with accompanying numbers of demerits. It's been around a l-o-o-o-n-g time. I know a 1950's era flag officer who had one sewn on his unofficial varsity sweater.
 
Unless I am mistaken, there is a famous father/son would both did it as well or in this case "infamous".
 
Thank you so very much, that was very helpful and informative. I will pass this information onto my Rook at Norwich. I think that he will be very pleased to hear this information. He only dreams of these liberties, lol. A couple more questions, lol: when do you become a youngster? How often and how long can you call home? Can you email anytime? Hopefully you guessed that these questions are possibly even more for me than for him, lol.

Your son is at Norwich? We live in Vermont...do you?
Vtmom. no, we live in PA. But I make the PA to VT/Northfield trip pretty regularly. 4 times in the past 3 months...and counting. It's a haul, for sure. But VT sure is beautiful!!
 
Also wanted to just mention that many privileges are company specific..meaning the company your Plebe is in may or may not allow certain things or may or may not make them do things other companies do not have to. Some companies are known for being more...how shall I say...ridiculous...than others when it comes to making Plebes suffer..and no..I will not mention which ones. My point in all this...if your Plebe goes expecting to have no real life beyond the academy..they will be pleasantly surprised for any small extras they get. If they get the misconception that this is going to be a cake walk where they will be playing xbox all night..they may be in for a rough road depending on who is in charge. My Plebe first attended NAPS and was much better prepared for the bs than some others so that does help a bit. Good luck on his journey!!
 
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