‘25 PS so far

Part of the wisdom being imparted is that no one can “make” a plebe feel anything except the plebe him or herself, that the plebes can learn to manage their feelings, believe in their self-worth and strength of mind, mentally withstand a verbal onslaught and perform under pressure.
Being able to function in chaotic situations and compartmentalize feelings, reactions and emotions so as to focus on what has to be done in the moment to survive - these are life-saving skills in a cockpit with multiple alarms going off, in a firefight, in a fire at sea, in an underwater collision, etc. The detailers can’t kill them, but feelings of discomfort, incompetence, uncertainty, and others are all part of the strategy to shake the plebes out of their past and bring them together in the present.

There will always be those who attract undue attention for whatever reason. They will either do what it takes to ride it out or correct the problem, gaining confidence and pride of accomplishment. Plebes have to learn to follow first, then lead.

I’ve spoken with a few former Vietnam prisoners of war over the years. The ones who were USNA grads, pilots all, said their Plebe Summer/Plebe Year experience toughened them up and taught them rudimentary mental discipline. It also taught them the value of bonding with others, holding up others when they were feeling down and in turn being supported.

I went to OCS, not USNA, and I was just as shocked and upset and wondering what-the-heck-have-I-done when people yelled at me, when I felt belittled and incompetent, until I realized I could just pick out what I was required to do from the verbal torrent, get that done, block out the rest, work hard at what I was responsible for, help others, focus on each day, or hour at times, as it came. They couldn’t kill me, and I knew who I was inside. Once I got that, it was all cool, just a royal PITA.

PS is designed to suck.
 
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Oh most wise SAF's, your many pieces of advice and insight given after my post on Monday has proven true once more. We received THREE notes yesterday from my DS and his Grandpa received one as well. After the dark valley he was in last week, within three days he was back on top. On top of the notes, my DW was able to find on FB a great picture that another mom took of him while they were in the MidStore and he a big smile on his face! Apparently this week, they were able to shop for the first time and today they get to go to a ball game. DS mentioned as well that they got to wear a "nicer" uniform for church this past Sunday. Additionally they have been able to start asking questions of their "squadmates" during meal time. So privileges are starting to be given.

One other item he mentioned was changing Detailers next week. I assume that is because of the Summer block schedule of training and leave.

All focused now on Aug 1 phone call and PPW in 3 weeks!
 
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LT360 said:
Oh most wise SAF's, your many pieces of advice and insight given after my Monday has proven true once more. We received THREE notes yesterday from my DS and his Grandpa received one as well. After the dark valley he was in last week, within three days he was back on top. On top of the notes, my DW was able to find on FB a great picture that another mom took of him while they were in the MidStore and he a big smile on his face! Apparently this week, they were able to shop for the first time and today they get to go to a ball game. DS mentioned as well that they got to wear a "nicer" uniform for church this past Sunday. Additionally they have been able to start asking questions of their "squadmates" during meal time. So privileges are starting to be given.

One other item he mentioned was changing Detailers next week. I assume that is because of the Summer block schedule of training and leave.

All focused now on Aug 1 phone call and PPW in 3 weeks!
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Told ya so ♥️

If they can make it to the next day, they often can make it period. Some won’t. But those that don’t, it’s not an “I quit” situation. There is period of discernment. Counseling. And lots that goes on behind those USNA gates that allows for a non-emotional, knee jerk “I quit” reaction.

CaptMJ really hit the nail on the head, in ways non-military can understand. That post was awesome!! And I recall as well, at an athletic dinner for recruits the evening before Iday, Coach stating that John McCain attributes his survival during his imprisonment to ‘skills he learned during plebe summer’. I should actually read about that.

Does it make It easier on parents? Hopefully. It’s all by design. It is pressure with a purpose. And it’s giving them skills to succeed. I’ve seen that with both of my guys, in different situations.

BTW…2nd half of PS goes even quicker. They start to see ‘the end in sight’. Towards the end, sponsors are assigned and met. Classes assigned. Roommates. Of course their new uniforms. They start to see/feel glimpses of belonging to the Brigade. Forward thinking and peeks into it. And of course PPW on the horizon.

Already (almost) halfway done ✔️!!
 
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I have something weighing on me -- our plebe is in SIQ for an upper respiratory infection. She writes she has been given very few fruits and vegetables in the meals brought to her. Is this normal? I wonder how she will get well by eating only meat and white rice, and I feel so helpless. Advice?
 
LT360 said:
Oh most wise SAF's, your many pieces of advice and insight given after my post on Monday has proven true once more. We received THREE notes yesterday from my DS and his Grandpa received one as well. After the dark valley he was in last week, within three days he was back on top. On top of the notes, my DW was able to find on FB a great picture that another mom took of him while they were in the MidStore and he a big smile on his face! Apparently this week, they were able to shop for the first time and today they get to go to a ball game. DS mentioned as well that they got to wear a "nicer" uniform for church this past Sunday. Additionally they have been able to start asking questions of their "squadmates" during meal time. So privileges are starting to be given.

One other item he mentioned was changing Detailers next week. I assume that is because of the Summer block schedule of training and leave.

All focused now on Aug 1 phone call and PPW in 3 weeks!
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Great update!
My DS is a second set detailer and is going through extensive training and transition briefings now. He said the first set detailers are exhausted and ready to hand over the plebes. Second set are well prepared to take over. From DS experience, I remember the let down when the first set left and second arrived. It wasn’t long before plebes adjusted to new detailers and notched a successful transition.
The ball game is a great outing for plebes and DS is sad to miss it as it’s a bit earlier than usual. You’ll likely be rewarded with your first picture of your son in whites! Enjoy the moment! Still one of my favorite pics of DS.
 
LT360 said:
Apparently this week, they were able to shop for the first time and today they get to go to a ball game.
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If they attend a Bowie Baysox game donning summer whites for the first time, then normalcy is indeed around the bend. (Now having said that, I’ll knock on wood.)

The new detailers (DD will be among that group) are indeed the closers, as @Capt MJ terms it. Yes, some privileges are emerging, but the second-set detailers are there to ensure things don’t get too lax and that plebes don’t get too comfortable. Be assured, the second set will turn up the heat.

PPW is indeed a light, but not the end of the tunnel. More like a false summit. DD said the day after her PPW was not pleasant — at least for the plebes. Parents, of course, reveled in their short but sweet reunion.

DW and I will be on the Yard the weekend before PPW. I can’t wait to see the 4th Regiment parade by on Worden Field, line up for noon formation in T-Court, and belt out rousing renditions of “Anchors Aweigh” and the “Marine Corps Hymn” with their rather hoarse voices. Again, a turn toward normalcy.
 
blue_bird said:
I have something weighing on me -- our plebe is in SIQ for an upper respiratory infection. She writes she has been given very few fruits and vegetables in the meals brought to her. Is this normal? I wonder how she will get well by eating only meat and white rice, and I feel so helpless. Advice?
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Advice?

And I don’t mean to sound unkind or snarky but my advice——stay out of it.

This is no longer your issue to deal with


your DD is now in the USN. By definition an adult.

she will do fine as far as the URI. Many if not most of us developed URI during our initial training. You get it then you get over it.

Navy medicine is actually pretty good and they normally know what they are doing.

This for you is just the beginning of the very beginning. As the months go on its not going to get easier for you.

You have four years of school and at least five years of AD at a min, if she sticks with it, to worry.

You need to pace yourself. And realize this is for your DD to deal with.
 
blue_bird said:
I have something weighing on me -- our plebe is in SIQ for an upper respiratory infection. She writes she has been given very few fruits and vegetables in the meals brought to her. Is this normal? I wonder how she will get well by eating only meat and white rice, and I feel so helpless. Advice?
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One never stops being a parent and it's normal to feel helpless at times. Please don't let this portion of plebe summer turn into needless worry. Rest assured that your mid is being well taken care of my classmates and the entire chain of command at USNA. There will be other things that would be worried about but your child won't tell you about them. Have faith that the Navy family has your child's best interests at heart. It's what they do.
 
I guess what I wanted to hear was that there are plenty of fruits and vegetables available for those that want them, and when she's well enough to go down to King Hall herself she'll be able to get them. I know there is nothing I can do, but I would like to know that USNA is offering something more than meat and rice. Does anyone know if this is the case?
 
blue_bird said:
I guess what I wanted to hear was that there are plenty of fruits and vegetables available for those that want them, and when she's well enough to go down to King Hall herself she'll be able to get them. I know there is nothing I can do, but I would like to know that USNA is offering something more than meat and rice. Does anyone know if this is the case?
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Fair question. Perhaps @MidCakePa's DD or any first or second set detailer can weigh in on the fruit/vegetable availability. They are where the rubber meets the road. Hope you get a quick response.
 
blue_bird said:
I guess what I wanted to hear was that there are plenty of fruits and vegetables available for those that want them, and when she's well enough to go down to King Hall herself she'll be able to get them.
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No one, except maybe for her parents, is more greatly vested in your DD’s health than USNA. No one knows the value of fruit more than the Navy. Remember, they dealt with scurvy back in the day!

Rest assured, regardless of the reports you may be getting, your DD is not receiving only rice and meat. It’s the Yard, not the Rock. She’ll have access to fruit and veg — maybe not the way her mom makes it, but fruit and veg nonetheless.

My DD has had her share of SIQ. And she was locked down last year, like all upperclassmen. She’d occasionally send photos of her takeout meals in clamshell containers, or show us during FaceTime calls. There was always something colorful included. Whether she ate them or not, I don’t know.
 
www.usna.edu

King Hall

King Hall page for Public Affairs Office at USNA.edu. Updated Fri Jul 14 13:14:14 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu

you can read for yourself what a typical eating day is like at King Hall.

veggies at lunch and dinner.

you really did not think the navy was only serving white rice and meat did you :)
 
Yes, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables available for those who want them. I expect that with the gradual return to "normal", there will be some of the "things they used to have" (like a salad bar, for one) coming back for the MIDNs in King Hall.
 
Small Team Bacsi said:
www.usna.edu

King Hall

King Hall page for Public Affairs Office at USNA.edu. Updated Fri Jul 14 13:14:14 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu

you can read for yourself what a typical eating day is like at King Hall.

veggies at lunch and dinner.

you really did not think the navy was only serving white rice and meat did you :)
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No, she reports she got scrambled eggs and waffles, too. I appreciate your help. I have a background in plant based nutrition, so my plebe's diet, especially while she's sick, is concerning to me. Please have a wonderful day.
 
MidCakePa said:
If they attend a Bowie Baysox game donning summer whites for the first time, then normalcy is indeed around the bend. (Now having said that, I’ll knock on wood.)

The new detailers (DD will be among that group) are indeed the closers, as @Capt MJ terms it. Yes, some privileges are emerging, but the second-set detailers are there to ensure things don’t get too lax and that plebes don’t get too comfortable. Be assured, the second set will turn up the heat.

PPW is indeed a light, but not the end of the tunnel. More like a false summit. DD said the day after her PPW was not pleasant — at least for the plebes. Parents, of course, reveled in their short but sweet reunion.

DW and I will be on the Yard the weekend before PPW. I can’t wait to see the 4th Regiment parade by on Worden Field, line up for noon formation in T-Court, and belt out rousing renditions of “Anchors Aweigh” and the “Marine Corps Hymn” with their rather hoarse voices. Again, a turn toward normalcy.
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My son is second set too. I was considering a trip down around that time.
 
blue_bird said:
No, she reports she got scrambled eggs and waffles, too. I appreciate your help. I have a background in plant based nutrition, so my plebe's diet, especially while she's sick, is concerning to me. Please have a wonderful day.
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Thanks and you as well.

Your post did bring back memories of getting sick and boot camp years ago.

Getting my URI in boot camp may have been the single worst week of my first 8 months worth of military training. Clearly I was not a Marine :cool:

But what this thread does make me realize is how blessed my parents were ,that there was no regular phone for the very most part, no cell phone or texting or email when I was in VN. And no blogs or forums.

I don’t believe how wired, scared, worn out , bitter, how changed we were , ever came through in letters to the parents like they would today with the tech that is available.

in that case ignorance really was bliss

good luck
 
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blue_bird said:
No, she reports she got scrambled eggs and waffles, too. I appreciate your help. I have a background in plant based nutrition, so my plebe's diet, especially while she's sick, is concerning to me. Please have a wonderful day.
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Give some tips!

I have been eating more fruits and vegetables lately.
 
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