Patriots47
Member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2018
- Messages
- 17
Please tell me some kids at the end of Plebe Summer say something other than “It’s TERRIBLE”....anything????
There is lots of positive... the transformation, working as a team, growing as an individual, pushing yourself, sense of accomplishment when it’s done, and the humor (it is dang funny), doing military things (range, obstacle course, endurance course). And to those reporting this week, this part won’t make sense until September or October... life is fairly simple. As hard as Plebe Summer can be... it isn’t the academic year. It’s the sole thing to focus on. You are told where to be, when and what to wear. Yes, you fail at it a lot. But in the scheme of things, life is simple Plebe Summer. The academic year is harder is many ways.
There is no one in uniform, going back to Phoenician galleys, the Chinese treasure fleet and Zheng He, and before, who hasn’t complained. No doubt Noah’s crew groused.
It’s a cultural thing.
Um - “The chaplains’ donuts were awesome.”
“Parade practice got rained out.”
“It’s over, and OMG, the ac year is crushing me, so much worse. I got more sleep during PS. I have 4 more years of this?!”
Plebe: I don’t have a car. I can’t ride in anyone else’s unless it’s permitted for 4/c. I am so stuck on the Yard.
Youngster: I still can’t have a car, and I have to run around looking for rides.
2/c: I have a car, but I hate having to park at the Stadium, and pay for it, and walk back to the Yard if I can’t get a ride.
1/c: I have a car. It is such a pain to park way out on Hospital Point on the Yard when I get back from my weekends.
Ensigns: I can’t believe how far I have to park from the ship, and the line to get through the gate every morning.
Captains: I’m not working as a principal EA at the Navy Staff at the Pentagon, so no parking pass for me, I have to walk 4 blocks to the Metro.
1-Star Admiral: I’m at the Pentagon with a general pass but no assigned slot, so I have to leave home 45 minutes early to get anywhere near the building.
3-Star Admiral: I have a numbered slot, but my classmate Jerry had a higher Order of Merit than I at USNA, so he is technically senior. He’s 4 slots closer to the door.
4-Star Admiral: I never get to drive anymore.
Suck it up boot camp. That's called paying your dues. Someday because you put up with the suck, you will be able to be making monumental decisions in the world's greatest Navy or whatever slightly inferior branch you wind up in. [emoji3] Go Navy........Beat Army !
Truth of the matter though, it's a process that is time tested to make you the best that the nation has to offer to enable the country to maintain it's position in the world and maintain the best political experiment yet seen. Embrace the challenges ahead. Go forth and do great things.
It's all positive! Plebe summer is chock full of experiences very few others in the world get. Physical training at 0530 (while difficult at times) makes you a stronger person both physically and mentally. Damage control, obstacle courses, weapons training, sailing, drill, marching, rate memorization, are all unique experiences that make you a more rounded, educated and mentally stronger individual. And while plebe summer may be taxing or overwhelming at times, it is a summer of experiences... and experiences make a person who they are. Remember, while many of your peers are sitting around the rest of the summer doing nothing, you are gaining experience each and every day! It's all about frame of mind!
My Mid (Plebe Summer 2017) did fine. He enjoyed the variety of experiences, bonded with his company-mates, and quickly learned that each person brings their own set of strengths and weaknesses. They feel a great sense of accomplishments by Plebe Parents Weekend and are proud to wear their new Whites. It truly is a formative experience - embrace it!
When we left the Yard on PPW my Mid commented on how slowly everybody in the real world walked!
Good luck to your Mid!