General Questions for 2021

kp2020mid

Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2017
Messages
16
Hi there! I'm a current 2020 at KP and I'm here for any questions you may have.

Just a few things: I'll be on here when I can since life here is pretty packed, I'll try to answer questions to the best I can or get the answer if I don't know, and lastly this is for 2021 candidates/parents NOT a place for current parents/alums/others to start arguments or criticize this great institution.

Thanks and I hope I can help out!!
 
Hey! I really appreciate you taking the time to do this especially with your strict time schedule.

My question is: how is it looking right now for midshipmen who want to commission into AD armed forces? I understand the numbers are based on the needs of the military, but what about in the coming years?

Thank you!
 
Hey! I really appreciate you taking the time to do this especially with your strict time schedule.

My question is: how is it looking right now for midshipmen who want to commission into AD armed forces? I understand the numbers are based on the needs of the military, but what about in the coming years?

Thank you!

No problem, I know I had questions before I came too. Right now the outlook for AD commissioning is very promising. 2017 has a significant amount of the class commissioning into every branch after graduation. 2018 also has a good amount in the pipeline for AD. If shipping continues to be relatively stagnant in the future, more midshipman will consider AD. Also, the presence of the branches on campus is becoming more visible with the reintroduction of Air Force and Marine Corps liaisons, and strong almost ROTC-like "ops" programs for the branches.
 
Hey! I really appreciate you taking the time to do this especially with your strict time schedule.

My question is: how is it looking right now for midshipmen who want to commission into AD armed forces? I understand the numbers are based on the needs of the military, but what about in the coming years?

Thank you!

No problem, I know I had questions before I came too. Right now the outlook for AD commissioning is very promising. 2017 has a significant amount of the class commissioning into every branch after graduation. 2018 also has a good amount in the pipeline for AD. If shipping continues to be relatively stagnant in the future, more midshipman will consider AD. Also, the presence of the branches on campus is becoming more visible with the reintroduction of Air Force and Marine Corps liaisons, and strong almost ROTC-like "ops" programs for the branches.

Thank you for answering questions! My DS, incoming 2021 class, hopes to go AD following graduation and it is great to hear that it continues to be a strong, viable option. Do midshipmen who want to go AD opt into the "ROTC-like ops programs for the branches"? Or, does everyone participate?
 
Hello, I'll be going for 2021- what's does the average week look like for a midshipman? Weekend leave or sports meets?
 
Hey! I really appreciate you taking the time to do this especially with your strict time schedule.

My question is: how is it looking right now for midshipmen who want to commission into AD armed forces? I understand the numbers are based on the needs of the military, but what about in the coming years?

Thank you!

No problem, I know I had questions before I came too. Right now the outlook for AD commissioning is very promising. 2017 has a significant amount of the class commissioning into every branch after graduation. 2018 also has a good amount in the pipeline for AD. If shipping continues to be relatively stagnant in the future, more midshipman will consider AD. Also, the presence of the branches on campus is becoming more visible with the reintroduction of Air Force and Marine Corps liaisons, and strong almost ROTC-like "ops" programs for the branches.

Thank you for answering questions! My DS, incoming 2021 class, hopes to go AD following graduation and it is great to hear that it continues to be a strong, viable option. Do midshipmen who want to go AD opt into the "ROTC-like ops programs for the branches"? Or, does everyone participate?

No it's completely voluntary which is a huge benefit since everyone participating has the same mindset as you. Also, you aren't locked in to only one branch. For example- you may start out being interested in the Army but after time the Marine Corps seems like a better fit, you have the freedom to choose.
 
Hello, I'll be going for 2021- what's does the average week look like for a midshipman? Weekend leave or sports meets?
So Monday-Friday is the same routine for the most part:
0545-wake up
0600-morning muster
0605-0635-breakfast
0635-0655-cleaning stations
0720-colors
0745-1200-morning classes
1210-1300-formation and lunch
1300-1600- afternoon classes
1600-1830ish-sports/working out/clubs
1730-1930-cafeteria style dinner
2000-"Tattoo"-meeting for plebes in company
2200-doors close/taps

Then Saturday and Sunday vary depending on your activities/sports/homework but are usually a good time to catch up on sleep or just hang out with your friends. This year plebes have liberty every Sunday from 0800-1800, and can apply for more through "long weekends" or "special liberty". You will also have to factor in that you'll probably have watch-4 hour tour- around once a week.
 
Hey! I really appreciate you taking the time to do this especially with your strict time schedule.

My question is: how is it looking right now for midshipmen who want to commission into AD armed forces? I understand the numbers are based on the needs of the military, but what about in the coming years?

Thank you!

No problem, I know I had questions before I came too. Right now the outlook for AD commissioning is very promising. 2017 has a significant amount of the class commissioning into every branch after graduation. 2018 also has a good amount in the pipeline for AD. If shipping continues to be relatively stagnant in the future, more midshipman will consider AD. Also, the presence of the branches on campus is becoming more visible with the reintroduction of Air Force and Marine Corps liaisons, and strong almost ROTC-like "ops" programs for the branches.

Thank you for answering questions! My DS, incoming 2021 class, hopes to go AD following graduation and it is great to hear that it continues to be a strong, viable option. Do midshipmen who want to go AD opt into the "ROTC-like ops programs for the branches"? Or, does everyone participate?

No it's completely voluntary which is a huge benefit since everyone participating has the same mindset as you. Also, you aren't locked in to only one branch. For example- you may start out being interested in the Army but after time the Marine Corps seems like a better fit, you have the freedom to choose.

Great information. Thank you!
 
Howdy, I'm excited to be heading up to KP this June.

I am wondering if you know of anyone using a MacBook for classes at the academy. I have read that laptops must run the Windows 7 software which shouldn't be an issue as I have both Apple's software and Windows 7 installed on my computer at the moment.
 

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We purchased the package available through the Navy Exchange’s Midshipman Store. Even though our 2020 DS had a compatible computer, it was nice to have everything show up and be properly configured right off the bat. It just made sense with the on-site support and accidental damage coverage. There's so much going on that futzing around with a computer and printer is the last thing you'll want to do.
 
Things change every year, but if you read past posts, it will highly recommend that you buy the laptop from the academy - it will come pre-configured. Your macbook will (again unless it has changed) be taken from you and cleaned and have the software the academy wants you to have/use installed. Also, if you bring your computer you will have to lug it around - if you buy it from the academy it will be delivered to your spacious new and luxurious accommodations already set to rock and roll - your best bet is to purchase it from the NEX
 
[QUOTE="Also, if you bring your computer you will have to lug it around..."[/QUOTE]
Here's the video from 2020 Indoc:
You can see if you want to "lug" anything extra around while checking in.
 
Looks like my DS's mode of going close cropped military hair will be the right thing to do before Indoc! ;)
 
Hey! I really appreciate you taking the time to do this especially with your strict time schedule.

My question is: how is it looking right now for midshipmen who want to commission into AD armed forces? I understand the numbers are based on the needs of the military, but what about in the coming years?

Thank you!

No problem, I know I had questions before I came too. Right now the outlook for AD commissioning is very promising. 2017 has a significant amount of the class commissioning into every branch after graduation. 2018 also has a good amount in the pipeline for AD. If shipping continues to be relatively stagnant in the future, more midshipman will consider AD. Also, the presence of the branches on campus is becoming more visible with the reintroduction of Air Force and Marine Corps liaisons, and strong almost ROTC-like "ops" programs for the branches.
Just realize that being "in the pipeline" has nothing to do with actually getting an AD slot.

The number of slots available are generated on a year to year basis and while historical trends can provide a rough guideline even the services themselves don't know what those exact numbers will look like for FY 2020 and 2021.
 
Hey, I'm a sponsored prep cadet here at Marion Military Institute. I had a few questions..
What is the cell phone policy for plebes during the school year?

What are the chances I will be placed in band company if I do not play an instrument?

I have yet to hear back from kp, but I believe they will be sending mine and 9 others appointments soon, I was wondering if you've heard any word about that?

Thank you for your help!
 
Hey, I'm a sponsored prep cadet here at Marion Military Institute. I had a few questions..
What is the cell phone policy for plebes during the school year?

What are the chances I will be placed in band company if I do not play an instrument?

I have yet to hear back from kp, but I believe they will be sending mine and 9 others appointments soon, I was wondering if you've heard any word about that?

Thank you for your help!
First, hang in there. My DS was a Sponsored Prep at MMI last year. He rec'd official word about this time last year. If you have the grades and "kept your nose clean," you should be good and hear any time. As for cell phones...don't count on having them available. During indoc, you'll get about 15 minutes once a week. After that, you'll get cell phone priviliges every so often. (We communicate via Messenger most of the time...and that revolves around classes, athletics, and studying.) If you are a recruited athlete, the coaches will probably try to get you into a different company. (I think because of time commitments.) If not, you've got a 1 in 5 chance of going Band Co. (There's not enough "musicians" to fill the company.) Good luck.
 
How do the sponsored prep kids generally do academically and regimentally?
I really don't know. I know that out of the 9 (my DS and other 8 from MMI), one plebe was set back. Academics are tough. You'll have to really study. As for regimental stuff, if you are mentally, physically, and emotionally tough, you'll be fine. USMMA (like the other academies) is trying to prepare you to do difficult jobs in stressful situations. Good luck.
 
How do the sponsored prep kids generally do academically and regimentally?

Academically you have an extra year of classes which is a huge help if you can exempt out of some of them here. Even if you take the class again, you'll have seen the material before. Remember a huge part is the effort you put in. Regimentally you've been exposed to things that definitely come in handy. But if your DIs in indoc know you're a prep, they'll expect a higher standard from you. As for phones, it varies throughout the year. At first we started with quick calls in Indoc, then a couple hours on sundays (your phone went in a box the rest of the week), to freely having them, to having to put them in envelopes, now we keep them on our windowsill (mostly). Whenever you go off campus you'll have your phone too.
All in all, one of my closest friends here went to MMI last year and they're doing pretty well in all aspects.
 
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