What to expect from Indoc

TBoro

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Mar 20, 2017
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Hello,

I haven't been able to find a whole lot of info on the "plebe summer" for USMMA. If someone can let me know more or a place to find out more, I'd appreciate it!
 
Hello,

I haven't been able to find a whole lot of info on the "plebe summer" for USMMA. If someone can let me know more or a place to find out more, I'd appreciate it!

Although the videos were short, I learned a lot from watching the USMMAAF's Youtube videos, which showed some of the things the incoming plebes would be doing each of the days of Indoc.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEAlMWhUpaNdXBwOYBGrQ3g
 
Well, it wasn't pleasant in my day, nor is it supposed to be. . . it IS survivable, and it IS short, with classes starting after two weeks. Lots of Plebe responsibilities after Indoc, however.
 
You will be doing a bunch of stuff - long days - probably less sleep than you are used to - and if you are lucky and your company has some goof balls in it and they screw off - you could have the fun and pleasure of extra PT/Marching at 2300 and then up bright and early for some more fun. But based on my DS - many of the M/N working Indoc have longer days and possibly less sleep than you - they made it and so can you. Remember - keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut and its, yes sir/ma'am, no sir/ma'am. Best to you and all of the incoming Plebe Candidates - keep your eye on the early prize - Recognition Day next year and before you know it you will be, M/N 3C and off to sea.
 
There are only four proper plebe responses (Sir/Ma'am are interchangable as appropriate)
1. Sir Yes Sir
2 Sir No Sir
3 Sir I don't know Sir
4. Sir I will find out Sir

Popular past times during indoc are PT, marching, eating (you will learn a whole new way of eating), squaring corners, drill (drill is an art), repeat. This will be broken up by classroom and waterfront time. Sleep and hygine will be at a minimum. Our showers consisted of a conga line under the six shower heads and that was all you got.

Sunday consisted of a break from most of the above and was taken up mostly by a long nap and a hot shower.
 
There are only four proper plebe responses (Sir/Ma'am are interchangable as appropriate)
1. Sir Yes Sir
2 Sir No Sir
3 Sir I don't know Sir
4. Sir I will find out Sir

Popular past times during indoc are PT, marching, eating (you will learn a whole new way of eating), squaring corners, drill (drill is an art), repeat. This will be broken up by classroom and waterfront time. Sleep and hygine will be at a minimum. Our showers consisted of a conga line under the six shower heads and that was all you got.

Sunday consisted of a break from most of the above and was taken up mostly by a long nap and a hot shower.

In my day, there were three responses. . . No. 3 being, "No excuse, Sir!".
 
There is a parents group on social media for 2021 parents. You will have to search it. There are over 100 members and growing. If your DS or DD is on hold or appointed join it. You will find it helpful.
 
There are only four proper plebe responses (Sir/Ma'am are interchangable as appropriate)
1. Sir Yes Sir
2 Sir No Sir
3 Sir I don't know Sir
4. Sir I will find out Sir

Popular past times during indoc are PT, marching, eating (you will learn a whole new way of eating), squaring corners, drill (drill is an art), repeat. This will be broken up by classroom and waterfront time. Sleep and hygine will be at a minimum. Our showers consisted of a conga line under the six shower heads and that was all you got.

Sunday consisted of a break from most of the above and was taken up mostly by a long nap and a hot shower.

In my day, there were three responses. . . No. 3 being, "No excuse, Sir!".
DOH!!!, you are right ... sir.
 
There are only four proper plebe responses (Sir/Ma'am are interchangable as appropriate)
1. Sir Yes Sir
2 Sir No Sir
3 Sir I don't know Sir
4. Sir I will find out Sir

Popular past times during indoc are PT, marching, eating (you will learn a whole new way of eating), squaring corners, drill (drill is an art), repeat. This will be broken up by classroom and waterfront time. Sleep and hygine will be at a minimum. Our showers consisted of a conga line under the six shower heads and that was all you got.

Sunday consisted of a break from most of the above and was taken up mostly by a long nap and a hot shower.

They just eat meals normally now. PT wasn't really hard in the morning, and there was a lot of drill. Showers are still basically the same. Sleep wasn't really at a minimum, we slept like 2130-0445 every night, bit longer on sunday after the first week. Sundays aren't really a break anymore though, except the part where you go to church.
 
But get this, guys. The commandants department wants to recognize the plebes right after indoc is over this coming year, so they would be 4/C Midshipmen right off the bat.
 
There are only four proper plebe responses (Sir/Ma'am are interchangable as appropriate)
1. Sir Yes Sir
2 Sir No Sir
3 Sir I don't know Sir
4. Sir I will find out Sir

Popular past times during indoc are PT, marching, eating (you will learn a whole new way of eating), squaring corners, drill (drill is an art), repeat. This will be broken up by classroom and waterfront time. Sleep and hygine will be at a minimum. Our showers consisted of a conga line under the six shower heads and that was all you got.

Sunday consisted of a break from most of the above and was taken up mostly by a long nap and a hot shower.

In my day, there were three responses. . . No. 3 being, "No excuse, Sir!".
DOH!!!, you are right ... sir.

BETTER TIGHTEN UP THAT BRACE!!!!!
 
But get this, guys. The commandants department wants to recognize the plebes right after indoc is over this coming year, so they would be 4/C Midshipmen right off the bat.

We heard something similar with 2020 last year, but here they sit, still Plebes. That said, we did hear that all signs point to being recognized this coming weekend. Fingers crossed.
 
Hello,

I haven't been able to find a whole lot of info on the "plebe summer" for USMMA. If someone can let me know more or a place to find out more, I'd appreciate it!
Plebe summer (3 weeks) is annoying. Academics is crushing (especially for engineers).
 
If you're planning to drop off your DS/DD for Indoc, buy a pair of inexpensive binoculars and bring them. Parents are staged quite a ways back from where all the action is taking place. You'll be glad you brought them. Plus, you'll make loads of friends letting others borrow them to see the DIs working over their newly minted Plebe Candidates. :)
 
For me, probably the hardest part of Indoc was dealing with the heat and humidity. Growing up on the west coast, there is really nothing comparable to July on Long Island. Without trying to be an old curmudgeon, we had no AC or fans, window or otherwise during Indoc. . . . The PT, yeah not extreme. I was a three season athlete in high school, so it wasn't much worse than any practice. The tension and heat of Plebe Beats were probably the worst. Not sure if they even do them any more. Oh, and all that pesky Plebe Knowledge. . . .
 
But get this, guys. The commandants department wants to recognize the plebes right after indoc is over this coming year, so they would be 4/C Midshipmen right off the bat.

We heard something similar with 2020 last year, but here they sit, still Plebes. That said, we did hear that all signs point to being recognized this coming weekend. Fingers crossed.

it is this weekend, most likely Saturday. But I've heard some people say they want to do it on Friday afternoon, so they can still have the weekend off.
 
For me, probably the hardest part of Indoc was dealing with the heat and humidity. Growing up on the west coast, there is really nothing comparable to July on Long Island. Without trying to be an old curmudgeon, we had no AC or fans, window or otherwise during Indoc. . . . The PT, yeah not extreme. I was a three season athlete in high school, so it wasn't much worse than any practice. The tension and heat of Plebe Beats were probably the worst. Not sure if they even do them any more. Oh, and all that pesky Plebe Knowledge. . . .
You don't have to try. Being an old curmudgeon just comes naturally.

Even without being a stud athelete, I don't recall the PT being overly difficult and even any averagely athletic person will adjust two within a week. Plebe beats went out years ... and years and years ... ago. When I was a senior drill instructors were fired for them. Yes, the July heat with no AC or fans in your room ... ugh. All we had was those 6' tall industrial fans and the worst sound in the world was one those slowing down during taps when we were all lined up in Pajamas, wool robes and leathers.
 
For me, probably the hardest part of Indoc was dealing with the heat and humidity. Growing up on the west coast, there is really nothing comparable to July on Long Island. Without trying to be an old curmudgeon, we had no AC or fans, window or otherwise during Indoc. . . . The PT, yeah not extreme. I was a three season athlete in high school, so it wasn't much worse than any practice. The tension and heat of Plebe Beats were probably the worst. Not sure if they even do them any more. Oh, and all that pesky Plebe Knowledge. . . .
You don't have to try. Being an old curmudgeon just comes naturally.

Even without being a stud athelete, I don't recall the PT being overly difficult and even any averagely athletic person will adjust two within a week. Plebe beats went out years ... and years and years ... ago. When I was a senior drill instructors were fired for them. Yes, the July heat with no AC or fans in your room ... ugh. All we had was those 6' tall industrial fans and the worst sound in the world was one those slowing down during taps when we were all lined up in Pajamas, wool robes and leathers.

We didn't get fan privileges until some time in November. . .kinda late for that. . . but, to me, the heat and then all of the obligations to time are what made Indoc difficult. It took be a bit to find my rhythm, too; but I did. I never went back to be a "pusher" as we called them at the time. But Plebe Beats were tough. . .no physical contact was allowed, but man, the intimidation was high. And that stifling heat. We would usually have at least one pass out each session. . .
 
Window fans at KP were my first lesson in a Naturally Aspirated engine. One fan blowing in and one blowing out would actually get a pretty decent air exchange going.

Thank you for clarifying for the uninitiated here ... "Plebe Beats" don't involve actual beating of plebes.

One advantage of being a plebe during indoc is wearing shorts in that heat (assuming they still do that :rolleyes:). It also had the added bonus that you never had to look up and make eye contact with any non-plebe around you. you could pick out the DIs and Officers in your peripheral vision because they were the only ones in long pants.
 
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