Ask Me Anything - Perspective from a Current Plebe

navymid19

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Apr 20, 2016
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Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have about what life is like during plebe summer or at the Academy! I am currently a member of the class of 2019, and am willing to share tips and tricks for preparing for and getting through the year that my classmates and I have found useful.
 
First of all, thank you for doing this. What should we bring to I-Day?
Not a problem - bring as little as possible. Bring your entire Permit to Report and all your other required documents in a small drawstring backpack or something akin to that. I also brought my Bible with me. Wear normal, appropriate clothing that won't draw attention to you. (i.e. don't wear a Navy SEAL shirt) Use common sense, and remember to eat breakfast before you report! Best of luck!
 
What is the one thing that surprised you the most?

Has anyone in your company left? If so, what was the reason?
What surprised me the most, quite honestly, is the diversity of people here. A lot of people think that everyone at the Academy is a 4.0 student, super athletic, and a natural born leader. There are so many people like that here, but it is surprisingly untrue in a lot of cases. Everyone here excels at something, but not everyone is good at everything. You have to learn to see the strengths in other people - it is not always evident on the surface what quality the Academy admitted them for. Respect that. Nobody in my company has left, but I have many friends who have. The main reason is simply that they do not want to serve in the military anymore or that they had a false perception of the Academy and entered in for the wrong reasons in the first place.
 
What are the toughest courses so far? And why?

Do you know what your major will be?

Do you know what you want to do after graduation? Has that changed from the time you were a candidate?

Can you give us a bit of your background as a candidate?

And of course: How's the food?

Thank you for your service and dedication to our Nation!
 
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Can you provide a sense of how you physically prepared for I Day?

What's been the most fun experience(s) you've had as a plebe?
 
Your meal during PS is perceived to be better than your meal during academic year. Partly because you are so hungry from all the activities, and partly due to the fact that they are only cooking for roughly one fourth of the brigade.
 
I'm wondering about the attitude the academy has in general towards minorities, including race minorities, people of different sexual orientations, females, liberals I guess, etc. I know the general assumption is that the academies tend towards the conservative side, but I wanted to see what a first-hand opinion is. So, how accepting is the academy towards minority demographics?
 
Does your company have a strategy or plan for engaging Herndon?
 
Are plebe allowed to go out on the weekends? And how is it with leaving and going home on a weekend if you live close?
 
In my view, minorities, liberals, gay, straight, man, woman, atheist, religious doesn't matter. What matters is your willingness to work as a team, help classmates and carry your share of the load. If you do that you will instantly earn credibility and trust with your classmates. Plenty of Mids come from all kinds of background, probably much more than most realize. Most Mids are very accepting of all others and just care about the kind of human one is first and foremost.
 
Are plebe allowed to go out on the weekends? And how is it with leaving and going home on a weekend if you live close?

In recent years, plebes have been allowed Town Liberty (can leave Yard) on Saturdays, until midnight. There are regulations on how far you can go, but if your family is close, that is something you can figure out with your chain of command once the ac year starts. When plebes get cut loose on Sat depends what has been scheduled for Sat AM, and anything pending the plebes have been tasked to do. If you have "the duty," you cannot leave the Yard. There are also restrictions on who you can be in a POV (privately owned vehicle) with: parents, sponsors, commissioned officers, etc. Not civilian friends.

Sunday, you have Yard Liberty. You can't leave, but people can visit you in designated areas.

Overnights/weekends away - you will learn what you rate and what you can earn.

Of course, during PS, you don't leave the Yard on Town Liberty until PPW.

During the ac year, you will have a lot on your plate, and to your surprise, will find yourself self-limiting your liberty so you can keep up.

The amount of Town Liberty increases each year.

I encourage you to browse through the USNA forum, where you can read about much of this.

It's all in USNA Midshipman Regulations, various editions of which can be found online. That's only if you are hardcore...

I am sure a current mid can amplify.
 
Plebes get Liberty on Saturday from 1200-2400, not sure on current times, might be slightly different. Plebes must submit a chit to go outside the radius of the tri-city area (DC, Baltimore and Annapolis). So depending on how close you are, you might have to submit a chit. Usually for Plebes who live close enough it's not an issue and they will sign a blanket chit to cover the semester as long as your leadership is aware.

If overnights are granted after a football win or you get a weekend pass things are slightly different. Your upperclass will advise.
 
What about selecting sports for a non-recruited athlete. Daughter has interest in crew, cheer, and crossfit. Clearly not all...so some decisions to be made. She was varsity crew in HS 3 years and did get one of those "you may be a good fit" letters from the coach. She was a competitive club gymnast and has advanced tumbling but no stunting, did competition cheer for HS one year, and has been doing crossfit and loves it. Would she have to pick just one--assuming likely yes if she's wants to do crew? Others? We understand there will be information availed about that at I day, but anything you can add might help with some advance decision making. Thanks!
 
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