Last half of Plebe Summer...

I think we all agree that during PS, they break them down, so they can build them back up, etc etc.

I believe that in another week at the halfway point, they bring in a new set of detailers for the last 3 weeks. So how does that work typically? With fresh, new detailers in charge, does the rigor/intensity spike up? I would assume that it might, as these new detailers aren't as worn out as the first crew (admittedly the detailers for the first 3 weeks might be feeling a bit worn out from their own early rising, long days, and constant intensity).

Secondly, by the last week and a half or so of PS, the Plebes have certainly gotten into their routine, learned a ton, know the rules, have been broken down, etc. So now that they've been broken down and operate (hopefully) as one....do they for the final week and a half or so, begin to be built back up? Or does the breaking down go on through all 6 weeks of PS?

yes, a new set of detailers come in and back in my day they were "worse" than first set. I think a lot of it had to do w/ first set building up the idea that second set was going to kill us that made second set worse than first set. I certainly remember one of my roommates was literally scared about the change over...despite how "mean" first set has been you've come to know them (the detailers) as well and you do look up to them, you've proven yourself to them and now you gotta do it all over again.

Second set does the "building" there job is to prepare you for the reform of the brigade. The first few days after the turn-over is kinda like hell b/c second set most likely will want to test you, see how well first set did in molding them to become members of the brigade. The difference now is that you've bonded as a company/class and you don't want to let your first set detailers down by not performing well and you also want to prove yourself to them on how awesome you are so you'll be pushing yourself that much harder. You'll also probably get a new set of rates...you'll start learning, if you haven't already, who the team captains are for all the sport teams, start learning who your academic year company chain of command is, and many more things...so the amount of information they are having to memorize will not slow down, if anything they'll add more!!

Not sure how comforting that is to the poor, pathetic parents, but at least it's imformative. I really do appreciate all of the grads and current mids who give us insight! You guys are great!

USNA02 paints a very realistic picture.

The only point I'd like to add is right now both you plebes and the 1st set Detailers are very tired together. Your plebes are enjoying 18 hour days but the detailers are running on a 20-22 hour pace.

The 2nd set of detailers are comming off leave or another summer assignment and are overall relatively fresh and energized. They will spend a day or 2 silently evaluating your plebes while the 1st set of detailers remain in place. The plebe anxiety levels will go up and when change over comes the 2nd set will hit the plebes like a ton of brinks. Overall they will not be doing anything different than the first set but their energy levels are so much higher they ramp everything up and the first couple of weeks do suck.

Do not be surprised that your plebes tell you that they actully miss their 1st set detailers, no matter how tough they were on the plebes. My Mid refered to it as like a "Stockholm Syndrom Effect" when she was a plebe.

I did notice that on the first 2 letters we received from our son, on the return address he had listed himself as "Plebe Candidate ____. On the letter we got this week, he had listed his return address as 4/C MIDN ______. That kind of bolstered my spirits as it seemed more permanent. Maybe I am reading too much into it.....

Some of second set are coming back from Leatherneck and the DI's gave them some heads up. Like how to yell at a tree for hours so you don't lose your voice.

Also, once plebe summer is over it doesn't mean that things get easier...in reality they'll be meeting "3rd" set at the end of plebe summer. What I mean by "3rd" set is...THE BRIGADE...up until now they've only met the 1/c (seniors) and a few 2/c (juniors)...they will soon be introduced into the ENTIRE Bridgade...so, there are about 60 new faces they will be introduced to come reform week. Not sure what they do for "Hell" night but back in my day it was complete chaos...it's all dependent on the company and how they want to "introduce" the plebes to their company.

My experience in our company was like this: we were all lined up against the bulkhead (walls) in the main p-way (hallway) w/ our face against the bulkhead. The lights went out in our company area...it was quiet and eery for a few minutes, then all of a sudden "Welcome to the Jungle" started blaring and strobe lights...then the uncomprehensible yelling began...not sure how long this went on...then all went silent (still dark) and one upperclassman yelled "turn around" and when we did the lights came back on and in our faces where groups of upperclassman, usually the 2/c who are the "trainers" during academic year, who just started yelling and asking us rates...i always laughed when they would say who am I??!?!?! Of course my response was "I'll FIND OUT SIR" but my inner monolog was saying I don't know I've never met you!?!? Then it was just mass chaos as we were all running around heading to the nearest plebe room to congragate and find out what each of those people who were yelling at us were asking so we could report back w/ an answer. Of course we never made it back b/c ALL the upperclassmen where in the p-way and we were required to greet them, and of course by name so it was a futile effort b/c the list of "find out and report back" just grew longer and longer...until lights outs basically...

So, what I'm saying is that after plebe summer there's the longest phase of plebe life and that's Academic year...

The first set detailers have to work a little harder. They have to teach the Plebes all the fundamentals. By the time the second set detailers arrive the Plebes already have the basics down. They can march, handle a rifle, salute, stand at attention, know all their proper responses, and they have the day-to-day routine down.

Back in my day, first set was usually the tougher group. That created better shock effect with the Plebes. We told the Plebes that the second set would be much worse only to scare the hell out of them. But, the fact of the matter was that the second set was always easier.

MIDNDAD said:

The 2nd set of detailers are comming off leave or another summer assignment and are overall relatively fresh and energized. They will spend a day or 2 silently evaluating your plebes while the 1st set of detailers remain in place. The plebe anxiety levels will go up and when change over comes the 2nd set will hit the plebes like a ton of brinks. Overall they will not be doing anything different than the first set but their energy levels are so much higher they ramp everything up and the first couple of weeks do suck.

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Is that how they do it these days?

In our day - you never saw the first set and the second set at the same time.

They did the changeover in T-court. You would form-up, as usual, with the first set detailers in their usual positions. And then they marched off - never to be seen again. While the plebes remained in formation - all alone, the second detailers marched into position and assumed their new posts. Just like that! And then the Drum & Bugle Corps started in as we marched off to the wardroom for our first meal with the new set.

That's the way we did it when we were firsties, also. The second set stayed completely out-of-sight until they were in full control. The night before the changeover, after the Plebes were tucked into bed, the second set was briefed by the outgoing first set. This briefing was particularly important for the squad leaders who had the closest contact with the Plebes.

The way they did the changeover was kind of spooky and ominous - especially after the 1st set told us how much meaner the second set was.

From talking to a firstie who will be a second set detailer - they are due back Thursday at 6pm and will get their plebes first thing Friday morning - no observation period or turnover parade that she knew about. I thought this was interesting - she said she is very nervous!

Profmom2 said:

From talking to a firstie who will be a second set detailer - they are due back Thursday at 6pm and will get their plebes first thing Friday morning - no observation period or turnover parade that she knew about. I thought this was interesting - she said she is very nervous!

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So, they just swap them out - much as I described?

That's the cool way to do it. Great drama and tension. It "adds" to the Plebe experience.

We will find out for sure what happens in the change-over this weekend:

When my Mid reported for the 1st set, they had 2 days of briefs and then saw the NAPS/Plebes arrive. I'm speculating here but I do not think they will let the 2nd set at the plebes until they get those same briefs. However, I am just a parent and could be wrong.

2nd Block ends Friday the 23rd and 3rd block begins on the 24th. 2 months ago my Mid was told she could not leave until the afternoon of the 26th as there was a change-over ceremony on the 26th, for the 1st to 2nd set of detailers.

In a lot of activities sometimes the Mids are the last to know or get incorrect information for events that are a couple months out. However I do recall my former plebe telling me about the 2nd set sitting down at one of the meals and just watching the plebes eat. 2nd set detailers never said a word, and the 1st set were still in charge and in place. As I recall from what my Mid told me, this just scared the hell out of all the plebes as they just did not know what to expect. Now that was 3 years ago, durring her plebe year.

Semper Gumby has worked for the past 3 years and no matter what the final details are, all I know is on the 26th we have our Mid home for 3 weeks of leave. We have not seen her since Christmas. Sleep, Eat, Sleep More, Eat more, watch TV, sleep, and eat will be the main activities for at least the first week. My wife will be in super mom mode and will mom the heck out of her.

It seems that each year is different as for the Class of 2010, they never saw the second set of cadre until the change over parade. The parade was something else, just as the change over started the sky let loose, with thunder, lightening and intense rain. What a way to get your second set of Cadre!

What included in the Bluejacket's Manual? I saw a picture of it today on the Naval Academy's official website included with the Damage Control pictures.

jbel said:

What included in the Bluejacket's Manual? I saw a picture of it today on the Naval Academy's official website included with the Damage Control pictures.

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It's essentially the a sailor's bible of professional lore and history, in use for a long time, updated every few years. Check it out - The Bluejacket's Manual - on amazon or other book site. I still have my copy from the last century...

Click on each year and you will see the Table of Contents:

http://bluejackets-manual.com/file-BJM/bluejacketsmanual.htm

Interesting to see how the required knowledge has changed over the years.

Got a text from my Mid:

Change-over between 1st and 2nd set detailers takes place Monday the 26th at 12:00.