First call home is in the books

Brawny77

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Got our much anticipated first call today. DS was excited and very chatty which is not his usual stoic self. He is doing well. He said he was sore and he felt sorry for a few who had shown up out of shape because they were really sore. He said food was good and there was a lot of it. Apparently he is in a small minority who wasn't that crazy about the buf chick (buffalo chicken sandwich).
He talked fast and used a lot of new terms. Squaring corners, bulkheads, buf chick, pep, double sir sandwiches, damage control... My favorite was when he referred to eyeglasses as " birth control"
That one cracked me up.
His favorite thing thus far- sailing...I found that amusing for a kid from Texas lol
 
It's because sailing is run by brand new Ensigns. No Detailers around. No yelling, no rates, it's quiet. It's usually 2-4 hours of quiet which is rare for PS. Glad to hear He is doing well!
 
referred to eyeglasses as " birth control"

The term in my day for issued glasses was "BCGs" -- birth control glasses. The concept, for those who haven't guessed, is that the glasses were so ugly that they alone would deter folks of the opposite sex.:)
 
We had a good call too. Got the opposite report on food quality, though. But I guess there is a lot of it. Said his feet always hurt. Also said new ensigns were nicer than firsties. Also said he felt sorry for the kids who weren't in shape and that there were more of them than he expected. Plenty of injuries too. Also told us drill was boring and harder than it looks.
 
One other funny thing he said was that the Mavy has somehow managed to make even sitting down uncomfortable for them.

Thanks for the morning chuckle, @HopefulDad3210! It's been 27 years since my plebe summer, but somehow the edge of a chair always finds what I think is a permanent crease in my derriere, precisely aligned at three edges from the front of the chair!
 
Yes Ensigns are very 'chill'. It's not their job to yell. They only would if it's a safety matter. Most Ensigns are just waiting for flight school days and live out in town with buddies. It's a great gig, they get paid to sail for a few hours of the day, don't get hurt to put their flight spots in jeopardy and stay out of trouble. It's sort of the dream job while they get tan.

BCGs are horrible. They are much improved to years past but still bad. Luckily only needed for the summer then they can go back to their contacts or other glasses.

Glad to hear phone calls went well for most. For those that didn't, hang in there. They will make it thru.
 
Yes Ensigns are very 'chill'. It's not their job to yell. They only would if it's a safety matter. Most Ensigns are just waiting for flight school days and live out in town with buddies. It's a great gig, they get paid to sail for a few hours of the day, don't get hurt to put their flight spots in jeopardy and stay out of trouble. It's sort of the dream job while they get tan.

BCGs are horrible. They are much improved to years past but still bad. Luckily only needed for the summer then they can go back to their contacts or other glasses.

Glad to hear phone calls went well for most. For those that didn't, hang in there. They will make it thru.

I will say this for those who maybe heard something discouraging. DS said he had second thoughts about staying on I-Day, so I'm sure attitudes ebb and flow.
 
Great phone call for us as well. Loves squaring meals but is tiring of sitting on the edge of his seat! Said that detailers are tough but fair and that you can tell how much time and effort has gone into training them to be great leaders. Squared his fruit snacks I sent him when sitting alone in his room :). Loves his roommates. He said it is mentally and physically challenging, but he is embracing it as a time he can focus intensely on his training with out other responsibilities (AC year classes!).
 
My son said, "it sucks" but added, "I can see some of the good things I'll be doing." Has already had encouraging words from a music & choral audition and a workout for the Sprint Football team. I think he's going to be mostly unhappy for the summer, but he'll make it. And, frankly, that's about all I was hoping for - get to the academic year!
 
Sounds like the assessment of the majority of Plebes. Get thru it. Not gonna lie, AC year is harder. As a Plebe when the Detailers tell you that you think, 'No way.' But it is in a totally different way than PS But we all make it thru and become better for it. Sounds like he is developing his niche and will be a great member of the brigade.

When is next call home?

Just a heads up the next call can sometimes be a little hit and miss. They are tired and aren't quiet far enough to see the light of Parent's weekend. They also are a little nervous for second set detail. If their first set detailer is really hard, they may be looking forward to it. The biggest thing is at that point they know what to expect from their first set detailer and are nervous for the unknown.
 
They are tired and aren't quiet far enough to see the light of Parent's weekend. They also are a little nervous for second set detail.

I remember last year DD was concerned about second set detail. Ended up being no issue at all. I think it was a good lesson not to worry about things you have no control over and might not end up being an issue anyway. The reform of the brigade was another nervous time which ended up fine. I'm sure she's had that lesson several more times over the past year.
 
I think during last year's second phone call, many parents heard from Plebes who had Plebe Hack. Mine had it the first phone call, got over it, then had caught something else by the time PPW rolled around. If your Plebe happens to sound horrible next phone call, try not to worry too much. The fact they got sick won't be held against them. While they are confined to their rooms, they will have time to write you nice, long letters. They all seem to get it eventually, so just be prepared. Pink eye also made its way through the ranks last year. I'm not sure how mine avoided catching it even though his roommate had it.
 
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Plebe Hack! They all nearly get it. Everyone survives it. Detailers get it too and watch the Plebes closely. Medical is there to help out and watch Plebes also. Agree, if they sound horrible, don't worry. Might also sound bad Parents weekend. They have access to drugs and cough drops. If they run a fever they will watch them closely and prevent it from becoming a sinus or upper respitory infection.
 
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