Birthday during Plebe Summer

popeyesmom

popeyesmom

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What, if anything, should we do to acknowledge our son's birthday during Plebe Summer? He, of course, said to do nothing as he doesn't want to "stand out". However, I don't know how to let the day pass without acknowledging his 18th birthday. Any suggestions?:bounce1:
 
summer birthday

We sent our birthday boy a musical card. And- when we saw him at the end of Beast for A-day weekend, we celebrated. He did say that his squad leader gave him an extra orange and said "Happy Birthday".
 
LISTEN TO YOUR FUTURE MIDSHIPMAN! FOLLOW HIS LEAD, IT'S HIS LIFE NOW.

Nice card and a couple extra letters will do the job. Do not do something that will draw unwanted attention to him.
 
popeyesmom said:
What, if anything, should we do to acknowledge our son's birthday during Plebe Summer? He, of course, said to do nothing as he doesn't want to "stand out". However, I don't know how to let the day pass without acknowledging his 18th birthday. Any suggestions?:bounce1:
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Hahaha, doing nothing would probably be a great gift for that time in his life...:biggrin:
 
Keep in mind that care packages are opened publicly during plebe summer. If he wants no attention, then give him none. You can celebrate during PPW.
 
popeyesmom said:
However, I don't know how to let the day pass without acknowledging his 18th birthday. Any suggestions?
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Hey, me too!
I expect the gift from most of my peers to be a dawn dunking in the Severn haha
 
MIDNDAD said:
LISTEN TO YOUR FUTURE MIDSHIPMAN! FOLLOW HIS LEAD, IT'S HIS LIFE NOW.

Nice card and a couple extra letters will do the job. Do not do something that will draw unwanted attention to him.
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Thank you! I will follow his lead. Absoluely!!
 
My 18th BD was on "Hell Night" (the last night of PPW after the parents leave). During the day, my parents took me to a local ice cream parlor near the stadium (no longer there). I had a chocolate sundae. Nothing fancy or special but, to this day, I remember it. It was heaven!

After about an hour of "Hell Night," our firsties let us have swim call. Another thing that I remember. Today, I can't remember one second of Hell Night -- only the "good" stuff.

The one thing you learn as a mid is to value little things. A letter (real mail), maybe a small gift -- that means a lot more during plebe summer than at any other time in your life, other than -- probably -- combat.

Whether or not your plebe's roommates/classmates celebrate is something you can't control, so don't worry about it. Just let your son/daughter know you didn't forget but also recognize that BDs aren't as important as they used to be . . .
 
usna1985 said:
...but also recognize that BDs aren't as important as they used to be . . .
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This reminds me of something my older brother says. It is something along the lines of, "There comes a time in every man's life when he needs to grow up, get over himself, and realize that birthdays aren't that important. This should happen around age 12." :shake:
 
usna1985 said:
My 18th BD was on "Hell Night" (the last night of PPW after the parents leave). During the day, my parents took me to a local ice cream parlor near the stadium (no longer there). I had a chocolate sundae. Nothing fancy or special but, to this day, I remember it. It was heaven!

After about an hour of "Hell Night," our firsties let us have swim call. Another thing that I remember. Today, I can't remember one second of Hell Night -- only the "good" stuff.


What is "Hell Night"? Is it chaos & confusion, lots of physical stuff, and no sleep? I thought that the beginning might have some of that but why so late in plebe summer? Do they make sure the moms are long gone before they start?
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"Hell Night" is what I recall as the term used for the night PPW ended. We came back into the hall after the glow of PPW and dealt with being plebes again. We were yelled at, did uniform races, etc. for about 1.5 hrs. Then they announced we had "swim call" for about 30 mins.

Hell Night wasn't as bad as they made it out to be. But, after a WE of seeing parents, watching TV, eating real food, etc., it was a bit tough.
 
Laying low is always the best advice in this type of military situation. Imagine having your 19th birthday as a recruit at the USMC RD, Parris Island depot back in the early 1980's, mums the word....
 
Concur with MIDNDAD. Sending a birthday card with encouraging words and nice thoughts from family members would go more of a long way than any "care package" item.

I had an envelope addressed to me with a nickname my teammates gave to me in college (nickname was jarule) and I had to sing a few songs by the artist "Jarule" in front my squad at dinner. It was embarrassing and in today's world it would be considered hazing.
 
My plebe celebrated his 18th b-day a few weeks into Plebe Summer last year....I had bought several musical cards to send him but decided (in his best interest) to deliver them in person during PPW......We actually celebrated with a cake, special dinner, cards and a few special presents over PPW.......much better for the plebe's peace of mind and keeping "below the radar" as cadre tend to open most care packages sent during Plebe Summer.
 
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