reef points - what to memorize?

T

thatoneguy...

5-Year Member
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Jun 28, 2011
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Hello! Just finished up my week at Summer Seminar, I love it ten times more than I did before (and that is saying something)!

As per the recommendation of an acquaintance, I picked up a copy of reef points. Since it reads like a textbook, and doesn't clearly define what needs to be memorized verbatim, I was wondering if anyone on here could help give me an outline to help prep for plebe summer.

Thank you!
 
EVERYTHING.

On a more serious note, don't worry too much about trying to "get ahead" and memorize stuff before you show up. Part of the "deal" is that you're supposed to learn how to commit things to memory and learn while under pressure. Also, while it's officially standardized, different companies learn different things at different times. For example, we never learned any of the stupid songs, but had to learn "Qualifications of a Naval Officer" early.

I don't know if they still do this, but my year they sent out a packet with some things to know by I-day (mission, general orders of a sentry, chain of command) and the rest was assigned over the summer. Show up knowing that and you'll be golden.
 
Awesome! I already have two of those memorized along with most of the ranks, thanks for the rapid response!
 
As per the recommendation of an acquaintance, I picked up a copy of reef points. Since it reads like a textbook, and doesn't clearly define what needs to be memorized verbatim, I was wondering if anyone on here could help give me an outline to help prep for plebe summer.
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thatoneguy....recommend you re-read Hurricane12's post. Memorizing reef points verbatim defeats the purpose of plebe summer. If your goal is to "prep" by knowing everything in RP ahead of time -- there are plenty of other things to memorize not found in Reef Points. The point is you are suppose to FAIL and learn how to deal with yourself under pressure/stress.

BT

Hurricane12, do they still issue Ships and Aircrafts over Plebe Summer? That is a book of endless questions.
 
My goal wasn't to memorize the book in its entirety. I just wanted to know what items I had to have down before I-day, should I be lucky enough to be selected
 
jadler03 said:
thatoneguy....recommend you re-read Hurricane12's post. Memorizing reef points verbatim defeats the purpose of plebe summer. If your goal is to "prep" by knowing everything in RP ahead of time -- there are plenty of other things to memorize not found in Reef Points. The point is you are suppose to FAIL and learn how to deal with yourself under pressure/stress.

BT

Hurricane12, do they still issue Ships and Aircrafts over Plebe Summer? That is a book of endless questions.
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Oh yes they do...obviously not sure yet for 2015 but they definitely did through 2014. Unfortunate is the plebe who forgets Reef Points and gets to study from Ships and Aircraft.
 
thatoneguy... said:
... I just wanted to know what items I had to have down before I-day, should I be lucky enough to be selected
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Free advice (and worth every dime you pay for it) put first things first. Get your application package complete, do your absolute best on the SAT/ACT, arrange for your BGO interview, apply to all nomination sources, ace those interviews too, max out the CFA, stay out of trouble, don't get seriously injured...and, enjoy your senior year in HS. Then next April, when you've earned an appointment, then and only then reread this thread and heed Hurricane's advice.
 
It doesn't necessarily defeat the purpose of plebe summer, but it will definitely make it easier for you. You don't want plebe summer to be easier, you want to be tested mentally and forced to memorize random things extremely quickly and while under stress.

That being said, I recommend knowing your basic military knowledge. General orders, ranks/insignia, chain of command and the mission are good things to know.
 
even if you memorized everything you'll be looked at as the plebe who didn't help his classmates...they'll want to know why you know something and your classmate(s) don't...it's not all about YOU...your class, your company, your platoon, your squad are all a team...if one fails you all fail...
 
Hurricane12 said:
EVERYTHING.

On a more serious note, don't worry too much about trying to "get ahead" and memorize stuff before you show up. Part of the "deal" is that you're supposed to learn how to commit things to memory and learn while under pressure. Also, while it's officially standardized, different companies learn different things at different times. For example, we never learned any of the stupid songs, but had to learn "Qualifications of a Naval Officer" early.

I don't know if they still do this, but my year they sent out a packet with some things to know by I-day (mission, general orders of a sentry, chain of command) and the rest was assigned over the summer. Show up knowing that and you'll be golden.
Click to expand...

This is one of the biggest differences between how Plebe Summer operates today as compared to years past. There used to be an actual syllabus, of sorts, for the entire 4th class regiment. We knew what we were doing every hour of the day, every day of the summer. The required rates were part of the syllabus. ALL PLEBES had to know the same things at the same time. If you were a Hotel Company Plebe who wandered into Bravo Company's area - you could expect to hit a bulkhead and recite the rates that the firsties KNEW you had to KNOW. Things were much more standardized.

That standardization continued into the academic year. There were seldom individual company policies. Either ALL the plebes were chopping or NONE of them were. Privileges doled out on a Brigade-wide level and were taken away in the same manner. The plebes in one company had pretty much the same requirements as the plebes in any other company.

I'm not saying it was better or worse. It was just different.
 
This thread is nearly 5 years old. Their last post was 2012. Doubt you get a reply. Seriously don't worry about Reef Points. Go have fun. Even if you memorize them it all, then your Detailers will nail you for something else. Go workout and go have fun.
 
^^ I agree. There are tons of older post debating 'reef points' and how to prepare for plebe summer. Better to review those and then start a new post if you actually have additional questions. Most who posted back in 2011 are probably not even active on here anymore. Things can change overtime so might have been true then may not be current practice.
 
I didn't know what Reef Points was until I-Day and came through just fine. It would be good, however, to practice drinking a whole bottle of Tabasco at once or eating 12 cannonballs and a bowl of hard sauce in one sitting. Might come in handy for some needed carry-on....
 
Or chugging a bottle of A-1 sauce commonly known as "Truth Serum" for random guessing as to what an Ontos was.
 
USNA89 said:
I didn't know what Reef Points was until I-Day and came through just fine. It would be good, however, to practice drinking a whole bottle of Tabasco at once or eating 12 cannonballs and a bowl of hard sauce in one sitting. Might come in handy for some needed carry-on....
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Wow, were you there my probie year on the fire department? All you left out was rigging the toilets to squirt you after cleaning them, or the IV bottle under the pillow rigged to nail you when you laid down,or.........
 
USNA89 said:
I didn't know what Reef Points was until I-Day and came through just fine. It would be good, however, to practice drinking a whole bottle of Tabasco at once or eating 12 cannonballs and a bowl of hard sauce in one sitting. Might come in handy for some needed carry-on....
Click to expand...
I gotta say, haven't thought of "Cannonballs and hard sauce" in many years! Great memories. Hmmm, firsties during my plebe year were the Class of '89...
 
Being familiar with Reef Points and what is where is a good thing. No matter how much you memorize there will be other things the Upper Class get you on. You aren't going to one up them if they want to test you. Definitely knowing ranks of all the Services is a must. Good luck.
 
Military Ranks - free iPhone app.

Handy reference with names, pay grades, pictures of all military ranks. Icon is "RANKS" on a camo background.
 
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