USMMA Indoc day prep

Glad others have chimed in. I'm in one of those "exotic" places where your mids will get to visit during sea year or after. [emoji3] but anyway. Yes go the day or two before. If you are in sports the coaches will have a meet. Even if they don't they can meet you to gather your gear so you don't have to carry it around during indoc. Bring a camera. To get decent pics during the running and during the assignment to companies you need a 500mm lens. If you have not seen the route the plebe candidates take on day 1 so you can camp out with your camera let me know and I will find it and try to post it. But I suspect whoever is handling the 2022 page has posted it.

With regards things to bring--as little as possible. Buy everything from the nex supply list so it is delivered and you don't have to carry it all around.

Contacts--you need glasses as well and likely two pair. If you don't have them order up unbreakable ones. For supply numbers you probably won't have time or a mail box that you will have time to access for a month if not two. (During Indoc mail is given at mail call) so bring a 2 month supply with you.

What else to bring. One picture maybe two. Bible, rosary or other religious items are good to have. Just don't bring in a crate full if you can help it.

About NYC. You know your plebe candidate the best. Does he want to keep busy when nervous or just sit and chill. No problem in getting there early and seeing sights. Just keep in mind that the less travel the morning of is probably better. Leaat amount of time to think in the morning is best. The night before he will either want a huge meal huge steak etc. Or will hardly eat. Just go along with him. He is the one dealing not you so whatever he wants do that.

And if you get there early before they start (at 7?) He can be one of the first in. While that gets his head shaved sooner and yelled at sooner it also prevents a long wait in line and the anxiety that that causes waiting to go in while you are seeing others running out the back door being yelled at along the way.
Good luck.
 
azmilmom said:
I wouldn't hesitate. You're just strolling around campus. Nothing wrong with that. Didn't chat with anyone except some other families doing exactly what we were doing. Stopped at NEX. Took pictures. Looked in the chapel. Went down by the water. Totally fine. I'm sure you're not going to go crazy introducing your candidate to every midshipmen you come across! Go ahead. Enjoy the beautiful campus. :)
Click to expand...

As azmilmom said. Enjoy your visit and time with your Plebe. The drop off day will go so fast.
 
golfindad said:
Yes go the day or two before. If you are in sports the coaches will have a meet. Even if they don't they can meet you to gather your gear so you don't have to carry it around during indoc. Bring a camera. To get decent pics during the running and during the assignment to companies you need a 500mm lens. If you have not seen the route the plebe candidates take on day 1 so you can camp out with your camera let me know and I will find it and try to post it. But I suspect whoever is handling the 2022 page has posted it.

.
Click to expand...

I have not seen the route the candidates take on Day 1 so I would love your input on that on where to go and camp out with my camera! Do you also recommend binoculars, or no?
 
Plebe candidates (not plebes yet) will enter O'Hara Hall and exit to the rear as they head behind Roger Hall. You will have a brief 1-2 seconds to see them run. As mentioned, you will need a camera with a telephoto lens of 400mm or higher to catch the action. A cell phone won't cut it. Later, when they assemble in their PT gear on Barney Square outside Delano, you will get a better opportunity to take a photo. It helps if you can figure out what company they are assigned to so you can camp out in their location.
 
joriebelle said:
I have not seen the route the candidates take on Day 1 so I would love your input on that on where to go and camp out with my camera! Do you also recommend binoculars, or no?
Click to expand...
I will get the documents for you. It will be a few days until I'm back and can do so. Yes. Bring binoculars. They will be a good 400-500 yards away when they get yelled at. Pictures or seeing that is priceless. For everything else there is MasterCard........
 
joriebelle said:
Do you also recommend binoculars, or no?
Click to expand...

Yes, absolutely bring binoculars! Not only will you be able to catch a glimpse of your DD/DS, you'll make plenty of new friends loaning out your binoculars to teary-eyed moms and dads. Some have said "don't be the first in line going into O'Hara hall for processing". I say go for it. Our first DS hung back to the middle of the pack and we were never quite sure we saw him running between buildings, buzzed head and all. Our second DS went in right away, so he was one of the first ones to pop out. It was just a glimpse, but it helped on a stressful day.
 
golfindad said:
Glad others have chimed in. I'm in one of those "exotic" places where your mids will get to visit during sea year or after.
emoji3.png
but anyway. Yes go the day or two before. If you are in sports the coaches will have a meet. Even if they don't they can meet you to gather your gear so you don't have to carry it around during indoc. Bring a camera. To get decent pics during the running and during the assignment to companies you need a 500mm lens. If you have not seen the route the plebe candidates take on day 1 so you can camp out with your camera let me know and I will find it and try to post it. But I suspect whoever is handling the 2022 page has posted it.

With regards things to bring--as little as possible. Buy everything from the nex supply list so it is delivered and you don't have to carry it all around.

Contacts--you need glasses as well and likely two pair. If you don't have them order up unbreakable ones. For supply numbers you probably won't have time or a mail box that you will have time to access for a month if not two. (During Indoc mail is given at mail call) so bring a 2 month supply with you.

What else to bring. One picture maybe two. Bible, rosary or other religious items are good to have. Just don't bring in a crate full if you can help it.

About NYC. You know your plebe candidate the best. Does he want to keep busy when nervous or just sit and chill. No problem in getting there early and seeing sights. Just keep in mind that the less travel the morning of is probably better. Leaat amount of time to think in the morning is best. The night before he will either want a huge meal huge steak etc. Or will hardly eat. Just go along with him. He is the one dealing not you so whatever he wants do that.

And if you get there early before they start (at 7?) He can be one of the first in. While that gets his head shaved sooner and yelled at sooner it also prevents a long wait in line and the anxiety that that causes waiting to go in while you are seeing others running out the back door being yelled at along the way.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

Regard to 'Buy everything from the nex supply list so it is delivered and you don't have to carry it all around', what kind of supply you are thinking of? what does 'delivered' mean?
I will be arriving couple days before Indoc so I will have a chance to follow your advices.

Thanks in advance.
 
WI-Dad20/21 said:
joriebelle said:
Do you also recommend binoculars, or no?
Click to expand...

Yes, absolutely bring binoculars! Not only will you be able to catch a glimpse of your DD/DS, you'll make plenty of new friends loaning out your binoculars to teary-eyed moms and dads. Some have said "don't be the first in line going into O'Hara hall for processing". I say go for it. Our first DS hung back to the middle of the pack and we were never quite sure we saw him running between buildings, buzzed head and all. Our second DS went in right away, so he was one of the first ones to pop out. It was just a glimpse, but it helped on a stressful day.
Click to expand...


LOL. . . great! Now I have to figure out how to buy the right binoculars, of which I know nothing about!
 
I was thinking about buying those name tags that say Hello my name is.................And hand them out to all the wide-eyed parents walking around .... LOL ;)
 
HonorKP said:
golfindad said:
Glad others have chimed in. I'm in one of those "exotic" places where your mids will get to visit during sea year or after.
emoji3.png
but anyway. Yes go the day or two before. If you are in sports the coaches will have a meet. Even if they don't they can meet you to gather your gear so you don't have to carry it around during indoc. Bring a camera. To get decent pics during the running and during the assignment to companies you need a 500mm lens. If you have not seen the route the plebe candidates take on day 1 so you can camp out with your camera let me know and I will find it and try to post it. But I suspect whoever is handling the 2022 page has posted it.

With regards things to bring--as little as possible. Buy everything from the nex supply list so it is delivered and you don't have to carry it all around.

Contacts--you need glasses as well and likely two pair. If you don't have them order up unbreakable ones. For supply numbers you probably won't have time or a mail box that you will have time to access for a month if not two. (During Indoc mail is given at mail call) so bring a 2 month supply with you.

What else to bring. One picture maybe two. Bible, rosary or other religious items are good to have. Just don't bring in a crate full if you can help it.

About NYC. You know your plebe candidate the best. Does he want to keep busy when nervous or just sit and chill. No problem in getting there early and seeing sights. Just keep in mind that the less travel the morning of is probably better. Leaat amount of time to think in the morning is best. The night before he will either want a huge meal huge steak etc. Or will hardly eat. Just go along with him. He is the one dealing not you so whatever he wants do that.

And if you get there early before they start (at 7?) He can be one of the first in. While that gets his head shaved sooner and yelled at sooner it also prevents a long wait in line and the anxiety that that causes waiting to go in while you are seeing others running out the back door being yelled at along the way.
Good luck.
Click to expand...

Regard to 'Buy everything from the nex supply list so it is delivered and you don't have to carry it all around', what kind of supply you are thinking of? what does 'delivered' mean?
I will be arriving couple days before Indoc so I will have a chance to follow your advices.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Read "Logging In" (the reporting instructions). There is a section on required supplies, computer, etc. Under these sections should be a contact number for the Navy Exchange. You can purchase these items directly from the NEX and you won't have to bring them with you. Good luck.
 
teamkidd said:
I was thinking about buying those name tags that say Hello my name is.................And hand them out to all the wide-eyed parents walking around .... LOL ;)
Click to expand...

Ha! Great idea! That's where the FB parent page is great to 'get to know' parents before you go. It was fun to connect with several while in various areas watching for the plebe candidates to pop up. That KP connection is strong. :)
 
Oh, one other thing I'd like to comment on: the vast majority of plebe candidates are wearing khaki shorts and navy blue short sleeve polo shirts. Unintentionally, our son wore a variation of this and it made it extremely easy to spot him. I'm not saying to wear an aloha shirt or anything, but just a subtle difference in color or length of garment can help you spot them. Just take note of what they're wearing as they go into O'Hara and it makes for easier spotting later. We brought several pairs of binoculars and like @WI-Dad20/21 made lots of friends around us who were also grateful to have a chance to see what was going on in the square. Just by chance, we got an awesome video of our son running from the square to his barracks with a DI and another PC with our iPhone but yes, a true camera with the correct lens is best. Enjoy the day!
 
golfindad said:
golfindad said:
Easier found then I thought. Lets see if it uploads.
Click to expand...
This was correct in 2016. Maybe someone can indicate if it stayed the same in 2017
Click to expand...
2017 (class of 2021) has 6 companies, 1-5 plus band. Plebe Candidates have their company number (B for Band Co.) written in marker on the back of their hands. You can try to ID their company by that reference as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top