Steps to Recognition

jamzmom

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Starting a new thread as there are questions pertaining to how this works.

To become 4th Classmen, the class as a whole must prove to the first classmen that they are united as a class in Spirit, Knowledge, and Pride in the school. This is usually accomplished not only through the daily duties but also by accomplishing a list of "Steps to Recognition" set by the Regimental Training Officer. When the First Class believes the class as a whole is ready, they are accepted into the Regiment of Midshipmen by the upperclassmen and "recognized" as fourth classmen.

http://www.usmma.edu/life/indoc/2008/steps.htm

The Candidates have been, or will be given a list of steps they will have to achieve in order to become recognized as Midshipmen & to say, "Plebes no more". They must come up with a design for their class rings and their class motto. They must complete several objectives. They will do a 9/11 ceremony, PKT (Plebe Knowledge Tests), ect. Spirit missions are considered fun and they do tend to get very creative in trying to out do each other. I think they should take a canoe on up to the Coast Guard Academy and paint their field KP colors this year but thats just me. :biggrin:

The Class of 2010 is working hard to get recognized before Winter Leave by organizing spirit missions every week and knocking out recognition steps. To meet the goal, the Class of 2010 must fulfill fifteen recognition steps as well as demonstrate that they are ready to be recognized by being professional, responsible, and courteous Midshipmen of honor and integrity that will represent the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy well. They have already passed eight Plebe Knowledge Tests, created a class song, presented all seven cadets who have earned the U.S. Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal, and they have shined the War Memorial Bell and Binnacle. The Class of 2010 is motivated and dedicated to be recognized by Winter Leave and with the leadership of Class of 2007, it will happen.

Plebe Rebekah Schuppel
Plebe Class Representative

Hoping more KP add to the list as I gotta fly.
 
With credit to KPMarineopsdad, who posted this list last Spring:

This information is obviously dated but....For the class of 2011
1. Pass ten PKTs with a 90% collective average. Each PKT is to consist of 10 questions from the appropriate section of the Bearing’s Book.

2. The class must honor and pay tribute to the 142 to the RC/RTO/RTOA’s approval.

3. The class must honor the victims of 9/11 to the RC/RTO/RTOA’s approval.

4. The class must spend three Saturdays performing three community service projects approved by the RTOA – this need not be done all on one Saturday. (ie. Henry Viscardi School, Soup Kitchens, Cleaning Great Neck Train Station)

5. The class must march a drill card to the RTO/RDCO/RTOA’s approval. Each company will compete against the rest.

6. The class must pay tribute to the armed services by singing each service’s hymn at lunch from memory.

7. The class must shine the War Memorial Bell and Reg Row Binnacle to the RTOA’s approval.

8. Each company will paint a merchant marine related mural approved by the RTO/RTOA.

9. The class must give five presentations on historical leaders with focus on each leadership style (RTO/RTOA to give first presentation as example).

10. The class must present a historical story of the seven cadets who earned the Merchant Marine’s Distinguished Service Medal.

11. The class must obtain a letter from the Superintendent stating that the plebe class has performed well and are deserving of recognition.

12. The class must draw the 1/c ring on Barney Square the Thursday night before Ring Dance.

13. Attend five Leadership Reaction Courses as designed by the RTO/RTOA to instill critical thinking, teamwork, and character development.

14. The class must pass three surprise, objective uniform inspections with a class average of 90%. The purpose of this is to create in the class a habit
of always maintaining a clean and professional uniform.

15. Each company must hold 10 debates, during tattoos, on current events/legislation, to encourage critical thinking and discussion.

- Spirit missions are to be done with the RTO/RTOA’s knowledge and explicit approval (in writing) and 85% of the class is to participate.

- The following are items that the class must complete their plebe year but do not count as recognition steps:
o Design class shirt
o Design class ring
o The class must support all athletic teams and have each team captain sign off when they are satisfied with the class’s performance. All home events against USCGA must be attended.
o The class must return to their school and take part in the visitation program or work in Admissions by Christmas Break.
As you can see there is a lot more to being recognized than simply passing 10 PKTs. The cooperation and approval of the first class is essential. without their help it will not happen.

As you can see, Recognition is a long way off, with much to accomplish along the way. Good luck to 2014!
 
Thanks to you veteran parents for all this great info. I believe PKT's are Plebe Knowledge Tests?
 
Thanks KPMum! Good find!

KP8114, you are correct. PKT test are done on Sunday evenings & tend to be rather stressful. If you happen to catch a photo of the Candidates holding a small book in their hand attached to that arm that is straight out, that is the Bearings Book. They will learn it front to back.
 
What is in the book? What kind of information, for example.
Thanks for all the info, it really helps.
 
Bearings Book: a small blue book containing all the "plebe knowledge" a student must learn as part of their regimental training.
It helps promote attention to details.
(e.g. The Flagpole is made of hydraulically swaged steel, is 172 feet above ground, 10 feet below ground, and sits in a 10 foot by 10 foot by 12 foot slab of concrete, etc.)

http://www.usmma.edu/life/indoc/2008/glossary.htm

Wish I could recall the one little section about "Cow". It pertains to milk. Any Mid or veteran KP parent remember how it goes? Its pretty funny to hear it in that crazy Plebe scream when it is recited.

Tip: The page link above contains other valuable information. Learn this stuff as it will serve you well.
 
Thanks jamzmom. I read the link you provided and it is very helpful. And here, I just thought they went to class! hahaha. Boy, is my son going to be surprised! That is so funny, if only you knew my son. hahaha
 
Wow ---

Questions about recognition this early? Before recognition comes Acceptance which will occur on Parents Weekend when the Plebe Candidates become Plebes after they take their oaths and become Midshipmen USNR.

Far be it from me to push back on ambitious/hard chargers but once this whole discussion starts it always seems to take on a life of its own and sooner rather than later some First Classmen start to get a little ticked and chime in... With an entering Class of 343, I've got to believe it will take them all a while to sort things out and begin to feel like and more importantly act like a unified class of Kings Pointers so talking about recognition is, IMO premature. Of course I "recognize" the basic question seems to be out of curiosity as one of understanding what points of interest we might stop and see along the way to wards our ultimate destination on a long car trip.

My 2 cents: if Graduation is the ultimate destination then the upcoming acceptance day is probably like "the world's largest ball of string" and recognition is the "really cool hotel with the great water slide in their pool'. My point is that as these things and discussions all start and will build anticipation, when the intermediate destination is arrived at it will likely be interesting and somewhat enjoyable, however, their will also be a little bit of unmet expectations until you finally get to the Grand Canyon and view one of the true wonders of the world.

I'm not trying to be a buzz kill here but in anticipation of how these discussions tend to grow and take on lives of their own, I figured I'd offer some perspective before that happens.
 
jasperdog, you have such a great way of putting things into perspective. I, too, thought it was a bit early to worry about recognition, but went on the theory that accurate information up front was better than misinformation and speculation.

Folks, don't expect Recognition until the Spring. It could easily be April-or even later. Don't try to interfere! Whatever you do, don't try to encourage the First Class to recognize the Plebes.:thumbdown: Enjoy the fun stories about Spirit Missions. Be supportive when they complain about the PKTs. And let them sort it out.

Now, what would a year at KP be without all of the posts about how awful the new class is? It's tradition! :biggrin:
 
Now don't go all sassy mad on me Jasperdog. Might have to give ya a hug a little too hard there buddy. One of those that makes you scream for help kinda hugs. Don't be so hard on poor Jamzmom. Just tryin' to help out. Its mah job. Dang. You KP guys are always so serious all the time. Geez, stop being so scary! Its Saturday. Let your hair down. :biggrin:

Seriously, the questions were asked on a very simplistic, basic level of what "recognition" actually meant. Just a definition was asked for. Not when or if. I just thought to share it out in the open in case any others were left to wonder. It is all a little bewildering to new folks, especially if this is their first experience with anything service academy related. Some folks are just learning what a DI is not to mention PKT. Its all relevant. (Eventually)

Sorry Jasperdog, couldn't help myself. I lost my bearing there for a minute. *Jamzmom palms the smile off her face* Won't happen again, Sir. I maybe promise.
 
jamzmom - no issues here but watch how this thread now takes on a life of it's own and evoplves....

really I find the whole thing about recognition, etc. pretty fun to watch just about every year....
 
Jasperdog, I would lose money if I bet you so......

You win! :shake:
 
Here's what I remember from a post last year about setting goals for plebe year:
First goal: Make it through Indoc
Second goal: Make it to Acceptance Day
Third goal: Make it to end of first trimester
Fourth goal: Holidays (first time coming in contact with those who pursued a more traditional education:rolleyes:)
Fifth goal: End of second trimester (second tri is known as the "dark ages." It's cold, there are limited waterfront activities, and the academics tend to be particularly difficult.)
Sixth goal: Recognition. For 2013, it was the end of March.

Recognition is important, but there are a lot of steps to go through to get there. Once you get to recognition, though, what a change.:thumb:

Slightly off topic: Does anyone have 2013: ring design? Just curious.:wink:
 
Last year on this forum, we were told that 2013 was the worst class ever- over and over by upper classmen, who honestly believed themselves; yet accepted no responsibility for not shaping 2013 into the "best class ever". It became a sore point for many 2013 parents.

DS is at sea but he has friends in summer school at KP this summer. One of DS's friends texted his mom on the first day of Indoc for 2014 and said 2014 has to be the WORST class to ever set foot on campus.
I told his mom to tell him that I might have to come up there to KP and personally smack him if I ever hear he say that again. His response was, "well, they are".
And so it goes on, Jasperdog, just as you assured us it would last year...
 
2014 WORST CLASS EVER!!!!! I can't believe that. My son is there. It has to be good. hahahahaha
And so the Mama Bear has spoken. : )
 
every class is the worst class ever, they all forgot what they were like, some traditions are hard to fight.
 
"How's the cow?"

She walks, she talks, she's full of chalk. The lacteal fluid extracted from the female of the bovine species is highly prolific to the _____ degree. Insert your class in the blank.

After 26 years I still haven't forgotten this tidbit of "useful" information.
 
That is so funny that they would have information like that in their book for them to memorize. Why? and what other "useful" information like that is in there?
 
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