academy

Structured, controlled and not very fun, but some great, and not good memories.


I didn't like it while I was there (at an academy), but I would do it all over again.
 
What's it like living in one of the academies?

A more specific question would help. I can only speak for USNA. You room 2-4 to a room. Have a sink and shower in your room; bathrooms down the hall. Must keep room clean at all times -- gets less restrictive the more senior you are. Must fold your clothes a certain way.

There are no parties; there is no alcohol (or shouldn't be). You wear uniforms or PT gear (bathrobes at night) 24/7. Men and women room next to each other. You have no choice of roommates plebe summer; after that, you have some choice based on folks of the same gender in your company (about 40 people, men & women).

Also agree w/what Line in the Sand said -- although I didn't hate it when I was there.

As noted, if you have specific questions or concerns, you're best off raising them.
 
gets less restrictive the more senior you are.

Ideally, but not when I was there. In a lot of ways my plebe year was the least restrictive and I thought the most fun.
 
I think each mid/cadet have their each opinion of life in the "hall"

I personally liked it, despite the restrictions, which you should be well aware of from the beginning (referring to the structred life and inspections, etc.).

Life in the "hall" is unique, it's hard to explain unless you've been there. Because you don't have weekday liberty, mids (I can only speak of life as a midshipmen) have a great sense of imagination and can find some entertaining ways to pass the time - between 8th Wing Players (if they still have this), carrier landings, and a myraid of other things that you wont find at a normal college, it's an interesting life in the hall.

You make some good friends and have good memories, and there certainly are some not so good memories...I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Females don't have much of a choice for roommates since you are usually in 2 or 4 man rooms, obviously the guys have more selection for who their roommates would be and as plebes you may or may not get to choose who your roommate is depending on your company.
 
Our mid is in a 6-man room. By choice.

It's really a two 3-man rooms that are connected because they have TWO showers and TWO sinks - right? Even 4-man rooms have only ONE shower and ONE sink. That makes a big difference because you are frequently in a hurry. Waiting for all your roommates to take a shower can sometimes really slow things down.
 
Hi,

My daughter is in a three person room and is most likely transfering to a five person room for the fall semester, hopefully with .roommates of choice.

The plebes have a warm suit which they were wearing on the yard this weekend during down time.

There was a free movie on Sunday night. They do a lot of take out.

GoNavyMom
 
Ideally, but not when I was there. In a lot of ways my plebe year was the least restrictive and I thought the most fun.

Huh? Your plebe year was "least restrictive?" That cannot possibly be true.

You had many more responsibilities as a plebe than you did as a youngster. I would have to say youngster year is probably the least restrictive year at the academy - mostly because they get many of the perks of an upperclassmen without the inherent responsibilities.

By the time you are a 2nd class you are getting much more liberty and over-nights. And yet, you are not burdened with the responsibility of running the Brigade as the firsties are.

OK, sure, some firsties have significant responsibility, but it is just different than the responsibilities of a plebe - but no less time consuming. Even with that, there are some firsties whose responsibilities are almost nonexistent. The Wardroom Officer? C'mon! And some firsties are nothing more than a Man-in-Ranks, they're not even a squad leader!

There is no question about it - plebes are significantly more restricted. You said "in a lot of ways my plebe year was the least restrictive." It might be fair to say "in a few ways," but certainly not "in a lot of ways." And to characterize plebe year as "the least restrictive" I do not think gives a very accurate view of the overall academy experience.

Chopping, squaring corners, sounding off, always in uniform, chow calls, plebe rates, reading newspaper articles, taking Plebe professional quizzes, come arounds, less liberty, higher standards and more frequent inspections of room and uniform condition, no TV, oftentimes no music, restricted media privileges, maintaining bulletin boards, can't use this ladder, can't use that door, can't walk on this sidewalk, still eating with a stiff back and using only 3-inches of your chair, "request permission to shove off, sir," standing more watches, overall closer scrutiny, etc ...

There's a reason there is such elation when Herndon is conquered.

Along these lines, I sometimes found the academic year to be such a grind that, even as an upperclassman, I occasionally found myself looking back fondly on Plebe Summer as the "good 'ol days." But that doesn't mean it was less "restrictive." Usually it means, "I'd rather have to memorize the Laws-of-the-Navy and learn to march than to write a 15-page research paper that is due in one week or study for my Thermodynamics final." :)
 
Last edited:
Three to a room in Mother-B. Daughter had the same roommates for three years. One is TDY West Point so they have two for a 3.:thumb: Five???
 
Memphis, a lot of it had to do with administration changes, for example I had as many weekends plebe year as I had firstie year, and those weekends were significantly longer. As for chopping and squaring corners, etc..., yes I had to do those but I didn't consider those big restrictions. Mainly it just came down to the general and significant atmosphere changes at the academy from my plebe year to the other three.
 
Back
Top