Are there any things I should bring to/ have my parents send me during Plebe Summer that wouldn't normally be thought of that are helpful?
Ask your doting parents to tone it down a bit. Don't be that guy who gets four boxes of stuff a night. You should be able to bring up packaged snacks and Gatorade from King Hall; usually that is enough. .
A small (desktop, in a stand) American flag confers immunity against "charges" of mutiny in the case that cadre find more occupants in a room than assigned to that room. If the occupants are "charged" with mutiny, they may be "dumped in the drink" (doused in the shower in full uniform) - often, conveniently, right before a formation.
Is this still a tradition?