Plebes often find a minute or two to scribble a note on Sundays, and on days when their platoon is doing things like going to the shooting range or the O-course or E-course. Other than those times, detailers like my Mid work hard to keep them busy.
At PPW, or in their notes, you will start to hear them talk about "gray space." That does not mean "free time." It means "time my platoon spent with our detailers."
If you do hear discouragement, here a few things you can remind them:
- Set small, attainable goals (I can get through this day/hour/minute)
- Focus on your squad, not yourself. Among other things, misery loves company
- Even if you already think you've made a huge mistake in going to a SA, give it a fair shot. Very few people regret sticking through to Commissioning, or even just to the end of Plebe year. Lots of people regret leaving without giving it enough of a chance. One new 2011 Ensign I know swore he wasn't going back 2nd semester of Plebe year. One current detailer I know actually submitted resignation papers before deciding to stay.
- The detailers cannot stop time. PS and Plebe year will pass.
Here are a couple of things that they don't want to hear now, but they will agree to whole-heartedly three years from now:
- As detailers they will
swear that (1) THEIR Plebe Summer was MUCH harder, and (2)there is so much more to do/take care of/less sleep/less food as a detailer than as a Plebe