What is not provided by Uncle Sam?

Brawny77

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Jun 9, 2015
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So I know most things are paid for. Tuition, Room, Board, Clothing, Laptop...so what is not paid for? What about textbooks? How much monthly do parents send them? I was kind of thinking maybe an additional $100 or so to go with the $100 they net from their pay. Is that enough? Too much? Obviously it will need to be more if the books aren't paid for.
 
We haven't sent any money to our cadet (USMA). He lives on what he makes or the gov't. provides. He doesn't want us to send him anything; I think it's a source of pride with him to be self-sufficient.
 
http://www.usna.edu/2CParentsWeekend/documents/2013-2014-Budget-Book.pdf

This may not be the most up-to-date link, but it was a quick find on the fly from my phone. Mids get the ACE loan to cover things mids need to get upfront, but Govt doesn't pay for. The loan is painless, with payments coming out of monthly pay. I think some scholarship money is eligible to be placed against that, but I don't have a supporting link handy.

Room and food, paid for.

Grads and current mids can comment on the book purchases. I think mids have to buy them, but can later sell, and buy used ones for upcoming courses, from what I overhear at our house. I will defer to posters with more direct knowledge.
 
They could literally show up with just the clothes on their back and they would be ready. Their books are paid for with funds taken out of their monthly paycheck. Plebes start off with about $1100-$1200 per month and get $100 per month after the extras are taken out. Items like uniforms, haircuts, tickets, laundry service, computers etc. If they don't spend it all, they occasionally get some back.
 
The only big expense is TRAVEL/VISITS Mid's and Family. you will be responsible for all travel to a from Academy except for the first trip there. (Be sure your Plebe hangs on to all his tickets and receipts for travel there.) Mine lost his in all the excitement, and never did get reimbursed for that first leg.

Anyway, there are Sooo many fun events that the family will want to attend, and accommodations are expensive. If you are are USNA bound I encourage you to check out Southwest (incredibly lenient change policy and very reasonable flights) also Jet Blue is expanding their service area. Make reservations for housing EARLY.

The Items they provide are top Quality, Name Brand, Back packs, running shoes, deck shoes, , underwear etc... my Plebe thought he had hit the Jackpot, never got anything that nice from his "Frugal" (Cheapskate) Mom.

There are all kinds of sites that give tips, but really all they need is a Cell Phone (Which will be locked up till that first call home) and some pre-broke in running shoes. I think USMA uses Boots?
 
And then I saw this......On I-Day, there will be a woman, a civilian government employee, who has just supervised you stuffing the last of your issued gear into that white canvas bag..towering over you and saying "that's a few thousand dollars of government owned equipment in that bag....try to take better care of it than some of things you've owned". Amen.
 
Books come out of their pay. Mids get a good chunk of their money taken back to pay for the ACE loan, uniforms, books, haircuts, laundry, tailor, cobbler shop, football tickets, alumni assoc, class rings. Some of these items come out regardless of how much they use them like haircuts, laundry and cobbler. Other items like books and extra uniform items (usually upkeep items like a new belt) can be given back to the Mid in something called Held Pay. Sometimes extra training gear for summer training is needed and that can eat up Held Pay. Usually twice a year a Mid gets a chunk of the not spent money back. Sometimes this can be a few hundred to over a 1000. It's why Mids will shop around for text books and look at rentals.

My parents used to send me $20-$50 here and there. They bought a few airline tickets, but I rarely got to go home due to basketball. It honestly was to pay for eating out, movies, etc. My parents during summer leave before I headed back would stock me up on new socks, white tshirts, new running shoes and white work shoes, etc. When civies came around I bought some new ones or asked for Xmas presents to supplement some of my high school stuff. A lot of the stuff Mids ask for now is more data for cell phones, tablets, etc. An Amazon prime account is always nice to buy stuff if needed too. Let your Mid set the pace when they get there and they ask if it's needed.
 
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DS mentioned that there are a couple of uniform pieces he bought used instead of new (I think it was his parade uniform - it still had Upperclass stripes on the sleeves that had to be removed and his winter coat). He said they were barely worn and cheaper that new uniforms. He also bought used books. Just a suggestion if your plebe is the frugal type and wants to control some costs. Also, Mids can buy stuff from the Midstore, school supplies, toiletries (that's where you buy all your c/o 2020 swag) - you can load $$ on your plebe's yard card. DS does not ask for $, but care packages of his favorite snacks.
 
Once our DS reported to R-Day, we haven't sent him any money, per se. We did take him shopping for "school supplies" during A-Day weekend. We got the typical paper, pens, pencils, some toiletry items, etc. We paid for his plane ticket for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break. Other than that, we don't send him any money. He gets paid $200/month as a Plebe.
 
If all happens as it has in the past, Wednesday classes start very early, so all periods are done by midday. That's a leave period, as opposed to liberty. (You will learn about the difference.) Mids, all classes, may depart the Yard and not return until Sunday. Return times have varied between 1800 and 2400 over the last several years, with those returning by air required to have flights landing a specified number of hours before end of leave, to allow for delays.

Unless a mid has sinned grievously and is on restriction, everyone goes.
 
A possible large expense is the summer NOLs program. But this program is optional.

I refill the yard card for my DS once in a while. not much $100-$150.

Personal items such as running shoes, club sports equipment, and contact lenses are out of pocket. The mountain of stuff issued during plebe summer is amazing.
 
Plebe year books are issued. Not sure how it works for other years - I know they can buy used/from other sources (the backup in the mailroom is significant at beginning of the semester, btw, so plan accordingly) and they can sell books back, but I'm not sure where the intersection is with pay/held pay. We give DS $100 a month but he hasn't spent it - he rarely goes out (academics, team obligations and duty all cut into weekend time) and we live close enough that we can go to Annapolis and take him out if he wants different food. He is saving the money for an overseas team trip over spring break and for spending money during the summer.
 
In my opinion…

Supplemental funds provided by a parent depends on the "maintenance" level, high or low, of your child. They are issued a standard set of items that they pay for out of their loan and ensuing salary. Theoretically, a person can exist on the issued items, services, and remaining pay they receive.

Although, there may be plenty of other things that can be categorized as "must have" or "nice to have". For example…

1) Alternative food, i.e. Iron Rooster, Sofi's Crepes, Annapolis Ice Cream, Federal House, ACME, Chick and Ruth's.

2) Alternative travel, i.e. Visits home, Spring Break, Uber, airport shuttles, car expenses (upperclass).

3) Alternative recreation, i.e. PlayStation, X-Box, movie tickets, sports gear.

4) Alternative style, i.e. Spirit wear, Under Armor swag, hair care.

5) Alternative energy sources, i.e. Caffeinated beverages, workout supplements.

I believe that this is where the concept of fiscal responsibility comes into play. That is, living within your means.

Being a Mid is the first step to becoming self sufficient. Essentially, it's a job. They are paid and have responsibilities. Other than their USNA responsibility of being satisfactory or "SAT", their personal responsibilities should include…

1) Securing financial and personal enrichment, i.e. barter and trade of acquired goods (issued items), making alliances (friendships).

2) Taking care of personal belongings, i.e. decreasing the risk of damaging or loosing acquired goods.

They will start making their own choices. These choices will guide their future.

As a parent, I believe there is a delicate balance in the support you give your child. They will need emotional and financial support throughout their lives, whether it comes from you or elsewhere. The actual amount you provide may vary based on ability, personal preferences and stages in life.

Awhile ago, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger noted that, "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you might just find, you get what you need."
 
The only big expense is TRAVEL/VISITS Mid's and Family. you will be responsible for all travel to a from Academy except for the first trip there. (Be sure your Plebe hangs on to all his tickets and receipts for travel there.) Mine lost his in all the excitement, and never did get reimbursed for that first leg.

Anyway, there are Sooo many fun events that the family will want to attend, and accommodations are expensive. If you are are USNA bound I encourage you to check out Southwest (incredibly lenient change policy and very reasonable flights) also Jet Blue is expanding their service area. Make reservations for housing EARLY.

The Items they provide are top Quality, Name Brand, Back packs, running shoes, deck shoes, , underwear etc... my Plebe thought he had hit the Jackpot, never got anything that nice from his "Frugal" (Cheapskate) Mom.

There are all kinds of sites that give tips, but really all they need is a Cell Phone (Which will be locked up till that first call home) and some pre-broke in running shoes. I think USMA uses Boots?
The first trip to the academy is paid? So the R-Day ticket is paid by USMA?
 
You get reimbursed
This may not be true for international Cadets. They may not get reimbursed. International Cadets should check with their countries representatives.

Puerto Rican cadets might be covered. It depends on the US Code and DTR.
 
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