Supplies issue

NavyHoops, you are my best info source. Thank you ma'am from the bottom of my heart. Note to self : Over-indulgent mom stuff not necessary. He already knows what underwear he wants sent and already owns it.
 
NavyHoops, you are my best info source. Thank you ma'am from the bottom of my heart. Note to self : Over-indulgent mom stuff not necessary. He already knows what underwear he wants sent and already owns it.
Anne99, even if you never sent your plebe a care package, he would still get care packages. The chaplains reach out to plebe parents and others to send extra, generic packages so no plebe goes without. Last year, they received so many, they had to ask people to stop sending them! You and your plebe are about to become part of an amazing family.
 
The only thing that I would say I immediately got use out of as a Plebe was the extra compression shorts. My parents sent care packages later, and I appreciated them, but compression shorts are the one thing that I made use of right away besides the running shoes I brought. If I'm not mistaken you only get around 8 pairs to start out, which doesn't actually last that long given the amount of sweating that happens.

It would be helpful to send a few white colored pairs in addition to any black compression shorts you send as they are good to wear under summer whites.

Also, males are issued briefs in addition to compression shorts, so if you're more comfortable in boxers/boxer briefs, then that might be something to have sent to you

As mentioned above, plebes will visit the mid store once around the middle of plebe summer.



Sports teams have their own tables at most meals during the academic year, so I'm confused as to how they hoard food from your plebe. In fact, at most meals you can ask for an extra food tray for your table if everything gets eaten. Or you can ask around other tables for extra food, most people are pretty receptive to that. I can understand if your plebe didn't feel comfortable as a 4/C speaking up to get more food, but usually there is enough for everyone as long as you are proactive about asking for it.

Yeah. If that was the problem, he'd have food. They run out and he eats side dishes and snacks when they get back to the room. The staff in King Hall tell him there is no more when he asks. The food is gone because some take too much. Same thing happened during PS. They didn't get Gatorade drink mix and we had to send it in care packages. It's left where they can get it, but if a few take more than their share, someone gets none. It's not an infinite amount. They run out when some overindulge. That's just how it works. I have spent a lot of time and money sending staples to eat and drink powder all year.
 
Yeah. If that was the problem, he'd have food. They run out and he eats side dishes and snacks when they get back to the room. The staff in King Hall tell him there is no more when he asks. The food is gone because some take too much. Same thing happened during PS. They didn't get Gatorade drink mix and we had to send it in care packages. It's left where they can get it, but if a few take more than their share, someone gets none. It's not an infinite amount. They run out when some overindulge. That's just how it works. I have spent a lot of time and money sending staples to eat and drink powder all year.

In the four years I spent at the academy plus this past summer working with plebes as a TAD, I have not heard of a single person consistently, or really ever, not getting enough to eat. No, they don't get the gatorade powders from King Hall. They are the actual bottles of gatorade. So if your plebe was asking you to send drink mix, it isn't because others were taking too much, he just wanted it instead of the bottles of it. During the AC year they do not supply gatorade to anyone. As far as food goes, sometimes KH will serve skimpy portions for the entree, but there's still plenty of options to get a full, balanced meal in KH for every single meal.
 
In the four years I spent at the academy plus this past summer working with plebes as a TAD, I have not heard of a single person consistently, or really ever, not getting enough to eat. No, they don't get the gatorade powders from King Hall. They are the actual bottles of gatorade. So if your plebe was asking you to send drink mix, it isn't because others were taking too much, he just wanted it instead of the bottles of it. During the AC year they do not supply gatorade to anyone. As far as food goes, sometimes KH will serve skimpy portions for the entree, but there's still plenty of options to get a full, balanced meal in KH for every single meal.

I'm glad you always found enough to eat. That's nice. That has not been our DS's experience.
 
Yeah. If that was the problem, he'd have food. They run out and he eats side dishes and snacks when they get back to the room. The staff in King Hall tell him there is no more when he asks. The food is gone because some take too much. Same thing happened during PS. They didn't get Gatorade drink mix and we had to send it in care packages. It's left where they can get it, but if a few take more than their share, someone gets none. It's not an infinite amount. They run out when some overindulge. That's just how it works. I have spent a lot of time and money sending staples to eat and drink powder all year.

I'm quite aware of how "it" works. I eat there every day.

There is a protein bar with cold cuts and the like open at every lunch and dinner.

There is plenty of bread at the head of KH (literally never run out of bread). There is peanut butter on every table. There is jelly on every table. I know people that make themselves a PB&J after every meal.

There are huge crates of cereal that line the sides of KH that are refilled daily.

There are crates of yogurt and milk that are refilled daily.

Every breakfast, there is an eggs to order bar and an oatmeal bar in addition to the mail meal.

Every lunch, King's Court now has either a hot-dog bar or a pizza bar (!!!!!!!!!!!) in addition to the main meal.

Every weekend, meal is buffet style, so you can literally get a steak, two hamburgers, and make yourself a taco in the same meal. They even have a wall full of pre-wrapped sandwiches and uncrustables that you can take back and store in the company wardroom fridge for later.

I am sorry your son has had a negative experience, but I believe it's inaccurate to suggest to other parents on this forum that the Naval Academy has an issue feeding the midshipman.
 
I'm glad you always found enough to eat. That's nice. That has not been our DS's experience.

Almost cross posted with BDHuff09 so I'll make my post shorter. There's plenty of food for your kid to eat. And there are an unreal amount of options. If he's telling you he isn't getting enough to eat, my guess is he either doesn't like the food, or he isn't trying hard enough.
 
Dang King Hall has definitely stepped up its game. We never had that many options! I ate a few meals last year there, quality was a step up from what we had. My buddy was the King Hall Food Services Officer many years ago... that was not an easy job. Learned a lot about KH when he was there.
 
The only time DS complained about not having enough/anything to eat at KH was when he was a NASS detailer last year and was late to meals because of tasks, etc. He has mentioned eating steak and ribs at KH and the huge ice cream sandwiches - which he discovered when he attended a USNA summer sports camp when he was a HS sophomore. He has not shared any complaints about quality/quantity of food during the academic year, but I'm sure if he had the choice he'd prefer a meal outside the Yard.
 
Does anyone know the brand and style or model of the sport bras, underwear and compression shorts?
 
Does anyone know the brand and style or model of the sport bras, underwear and compression shorts?

Even if you know what brand they issued last year, there's no guarantee it will be the same this year. For women, it's worth it to bring a small number (6 used to be the recommendation) of bras with you and have parents send more after I-Day. That way, you know at least your will fit you well. In the unlikely event you prefer the ones you're issued, you can always get more of those.

For women (especially), stick to white and nude colored undergarments for PS. Anything else risks showing through the white stuff you'll be wearing most of the time.
 
Re Underwear and compression shorts: Two 2020 plebes DD and a shipmate report that extra white and off white bras and underwear were not taken away on IDay. Same for Socks and compression shorts. Blister pads and mole skin (if your plebe doesn't need-em someone in their platoon will. Send really good running socks, not the CostCo Pkg.. it will help protect their feet, (DD requested these early into PS).

Re Boxes for Care Pkgs: My wife made excellent use of small and medium US PO prepaid shipping boxes. One trip to the post office to buy 5 boxes. There is no weight limit on the box so you just fill them up and toss them in the mailbox----easy.

Yes to the body glide, Yes to the Jerky and we sent tablets that contained Vits along with salts better than Gator Aid, (just drop-em in your water bottle).

BTW, as I was looking for things to send DD, I was shocked and amazed at how many food items discreetly list caffeine as an ingrediant, (had to be sure not to send those).
 
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They are usually champion sports bras. That doesn't mean they will be this year. They are usually white. As mentioned if you have a preferred brand, bring them and have more shipped. White is preferred. You will need 1 regular bra for uniform fittings, that is it. You will be in a sports bra the rest of the time. You will go through a ton of them during PS. Underwear used to be Hanes plain white briefs, not sure if that is the same, but you get the picture. Pretty much as ugly and simple as they get. Not a fashion show. Bring others if you want. They issue tons and most chuck them Plebe parent's weekend with stuff from home or a mall trip. Socks, bring some. You can never have too many comfortable socks. They issue lots, bring a few, have parents ship the rest. Compression shorts... find a brand you like and buy a bunch. Some will only wear them for PT and others will wear all the time. Follow the color regs on those. Laundry at USNA is done in batches with mesh bags. So picture super hot massive washers and dryers. Things shrink and turn gray. After Plebe Summer you can do your own laundry and have more time to sort.
 
This is as good a post as any....
My dd wants to make care packages to send to "Any Plebe". Is it to late in the summer? I was figuring getting her some jerky, electrolyte tablets, Tide sticks, shoe polish tins, ect. Can they have candy? She wanted to put some Lifesavers but I didn't know if they could have those?

In regards to the food conversation, she got tons at STEM. Between their midshipman stuffing them and the cafeteria she was never hungry.
 
I don't think its too late. We were sending off care packages this time last year; they aren't halfway yet.

My Cl2020 DD made up packages for 4 plebes from our state that stayed in touch with her after she talked at a Plebe2b meeting in May. She put in two items that I hadn't thought of:
#1) She was putting a small cheap plug-in fan in each of the 4 boxes. She said a small fan blowing on your face is glorious in a Bancroft rack at night. I asked if a fan would be allowed? she said: "I don't know for sure; I think so, but what gets through is pretty random, and if it doesn't get through they will just hold it for them for pick up right after Hello-Night----they are still gonna want the fan then"

#2) She put Dry Samphoo packets in each box------said it was a really nice thing to have. hadn't thought of that one.
 
Just chiming in on the food situation. My son is going through plebe summer right now. He has said in his letters and his one phone call that he thinks that there is tons of food available. He's been a selective eater at home, but says that he is digging the food situation there. He likes cereal a lot and can have it with every meal, on top of what he's already been eating. In his most recent letter, he again mentioned how great the food was, and said "Thanks, taxpayers".

In fact, he may be one of the only plebes actually gaining weight over Plebe Summer - he says that he's added 5lbs. He's a smaller guy anyway, so it's good to hear that he's not losing mass. All of this has come as a surprise to me.
 
After DS's second call yesterday, I was all ready to write down his "needs" to send in another care package. He said he needed NOTHING. He loves the letters, most. He did say he loved the protein bars so I'll send some more of those. And although he did not appreciate the CornNuts, his roommate did! So, those will be in the next package, too! His RETAINERS and ELECTRIC RAZOR are all he really cares about me bringing to PPW (Oh, and his girlfriend!) Love the fan idea above...and dry shampoo. I send a solid "room freshener" in his care package. Post-it note attached said, "I've heard it STINKS there".
 
Yep, my son's second call was the same. He needs nothing. I suggested my homemade cookies and he at least jumped at that! I just told him to make a list of stuff for me to bring at PPW. I suspect they change rooms at that point and don't want even more stuff to carry.
 
Send them what they ask for. They learn the drill fast. For future heads up, just remember that everything they are issued (all gear Plebe Year for the whole four years) will have to be either taken home or stored. My understanding is that the storage lockers are not that big? Good idea on this site somewhere is the idea that roommates get a local storage and share the cost for the summer. After that they can bring back home seasonal uniforms as uniform requirements change. We were lucky as we live on the east coast and it only took an SUV with a roof carrier to get the stuff home for storage and she could bring back uniform changes she needed during breaks.
 
DS, now a youngster, has a USNA locker full of stuff, plus about half a small SUV load at a friend's house near the Academy, plus a Mustang load (rental car) at our house. Also his full sea bag is at his sponsor's house where he left it after his cruise. This does not include winter uniforms, as the Academy stores these over summer. It's incredible the amount of stuff they are issued. Very few non-issue items among his things.
 
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