A few questions.

A

alexlocnj

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Apr 2, 2018
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25
So just a few questions, some general, some specific.
First, how restricted are plebes? I have read things that make it seem like all they can do is sit and look forward while at lunch. Is this true? I have seen videos that make the scene inside the dining hall seem very lively, so was wondering what is the truth.
Second, what is the social scene like at the academy. I get that it is different from civilian colleges, but how different? Are there parties, or other major social gatherings on a regular basis while at the academy? I am not the type of guy that would want to party every night, but would love to attend the occasional party and get a break from school. Thanks.
 
@alexlocnj, in all seriousness, you ask a legit question. Here’s a snapshot of my plebe’s life from last weekend:

Friday after classes, she had club sport practice and then crammed for the weekly ProKnow test, which was administered after dinner. After ProKnow, she hung out in Bancroft with friends and company mates, since plebes must stay on the Yard on Friday nights.

Saturday after company PT and other responsibilities, she joined a company paintball outing off the Yard. It was voluntary, with about 40 mids from all classes. Then the football game, followed by some chill time in DTA with a friend and the friend’s sponsor, who sprung for some treats. Then back to Bancroft relatively early, to watch movies in her rack before conking out.

Sunday was for studying and taking care of miscellaneous obligations. Plebes can’t leave the Yard on Sundays, so she got caught up on things, such as phone calls to the outside world. Afternoon was spent at a battalion outdoor party, with food, games and, for those of age, beer! Rest assured, though, that no one was doing keg stands or playing quarters. After that extravaganza, it was back to the books.

Again, just a snapshot of one plebe’s weekend. Probably pretty typical. It ain’t “Animal House,” but it ain’t a convent either (or the University of Chicago, for that matter).
 
MidCakePa said:
@alexlocnj, in all seriousness, you ask a legit question. Here’s a snapshot of my plebe’s life from last weekend:

Friday after classes, she had club sport practice and then crammed for the weekly ProKnow test, which was administered after dinner. After ProKnow, she hung out in Bancroft with friends and company mates, since plebes must stay on the Yard on Friday nights.

Saturday after company PT and other responsibilities, she joined a company paintball outing off the Yard. It was voluntary, with about 40 mids from all classes. Then the football game, followed by some chill time in DTA with a friend and the friend’s sponsor, who sprung for some treats. Then back to Bancroft relatively early, to watch movies in her rack before conking out.

Sunday was for studying and taking care of miscellaneous obligations. Plebes can’t leave the Yard on Sundays, so she got caught up on things, such as phone calls to the outside world. Afternoon was spent at a battalion outdoor party, with food, games and, for those of age, beer! Rest assured, though, that no one was doing keg stands or playing quarters. After that extravaganza, it was back to the books.

Again, just a snapshot of one plebe’s weekend. Probably pretty typical. It ain’t “Animal House,” but it ain’t a convent either (or the University of Chicago, for that matter).
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Okay, good to know. Also, I enjoy playing golf, but I am not good enough to be on the varsity team, so could I play a round on Saturdays with my free time? And if there is a football game away, say at Lehigh, where my sister goes, would I be able to attend it?
 
Eating as a Plebe is pretty restrictive. Face forward, eyes straight ahead, speak when spoken to. Sometimes you get ‘carry on’ and can relax but you will eat many more meals with the restrictions than with carry on.

Saturday’s are really the only time off the yard as a Plebe. Overnights are rare but can happen. Away football games can be attended in two ways; while on weekend or on movement order. One you are essentially doing on your own and the other is through the academy. Attend a party? Do Mids party? Yes and yes. I attended many. Underage drinking has major consequences at a SA, so it’s at your own risk. To be totally honest... probably won’t see a lot or any of them Plebe year unless you are room mates or buddies with a local Mid. USNA has a golf course across the river. You can golf there or anywhere you want while on liberty. USNA sort of drives a new definition of fun for a Plebe. As you gain more freedom each year liberty becomes wider and different as you have more $, a car, friends and weekends to go adventure.
 
MidCakePa said:
@alexlocnj, in all seriousness, you ask a legit question. Here’s a snapshot of my plebe’s life from last weekend:

Friday after classes, she had club sport practice and then crammed for the weekly ProKnow test, which was administered after dinner. After ProKnow, she hung out in Bancroft with friends and company mates, since plebes must stay on the Yard on Friday nights.

Saturday after company PT and other responsibilities, she joined a company paintball outing off the Yard. It was voluntary, with about 40 mids from all classes. Then the football game, followed by some chill time in DTA with a friend and the friend’s sponsor, who sprung for some treats. Then back to Bancroft relatively early, to watch movies in her rack before conking out.

Sunday was for studying and taking care of miscellaneous obligations. Plebes can’t leave the Yard on Sundays, so she got caught up on things, such as phone calls to the outside world. Afternoon was spent at a battalion outdoor party, with food, games and, for those of age, beer! Rest assured, though, that no one was doing keg stands or playing quarters. After that extravaganza, it was back to the books.

Again, just a snapshot of one plebe’s weekend. Probably pretty typical. It ain’t “Animal House,” but it ain’t a convent either (or the University of Chicago, for that matter).
Click to expand...

That was my son’s weekend to a tee. They are most certainly in the same battalion and possibly the same company. He enjoyed paintball, and the win over Lehigh without any rain was a bonus!
 
Okay, so I was joking a little in my first post.

Plebes don't get a lot of free time (gray space), during Plebe Summer (PS). By the time they do get some, they are so conditioned that they don't know what to do with it. It's almost like they think they're "getting away with something". It's quite something to see.

Most of these newbies are very similar, in that they are used to excelling in a lot of areas, and impressing people with their abilities.
It is difficult to impress Detailers during PS, because they are dead set on not being impressed (at least not outwardly) - so you have a bunch of these newbies trying even harder - because that's what they're used to doing. These obsequious A-type personalities figure things out at different times during Plebe Summer, but they all pretty much come together and get their minds right by the time the Academic (AC) year starts (about 8-1/2 weeks after I-Day).

I think a lot of them obsess over what PS is going to be, and are surprised by the fact that (looking back) it was a wonderful, simple time. So much so, that they may long for the structure of PS, during the AC year.

Yes, the conditioning (mental and physical) during PS is relentless. They are after all, turning civilians into Midshipmen. They are on the clock, and 44 days is not a long time to do what they need to do to make these "kids" into something that the Navy and Corps can build upon.

As far as the "social scene" goes, there isn't a lot that's structured during their Plebe year. This is not to say that being at USNA is not a social experience, however. Many will forge lifelong friendships with their fellow Plebes, in only the short time that it takes to get through PS. Most will learn that they cannot possibly do everything themselves. They will come to depend upon their peers (possibly for the first time in their lives) for their continued success. They will help others, and even though they may never have asked for help from anyone in their lives, they will learn to ask for, and receive help from their fellow Plebes. Once the AC year starts, they will realize that the 3,300 upperclassmen who just joined them, are "all in this together" and will help them along their way, as well.

In another post, (I think it was @kinnem) I read that his DS had said that "No one joins the Marine Corps that they think they're joining". I cannot express how true that is, for a lot of things. Everything is what you make it, and almost everything is different than you expected it to be from the outside, looking in.
 
My DS has more funny stories from Plebe summer and the first weeks of school than my husband and I have combined at a school with more of a 'fraternity/party' scene. A lot depends on the perspective you choose to take.
 
You really can't compare "fun" and "party" at USNA to what you would experience at a regular college -- at least not until 1/C year and really not even then. There is no "let's go over to the frat/sorority house" or the "X dorm" for a party. There really aren't parties within Bancroft Hall.

Weekdays there is mandatory study hour for everyone. Academics are hard and people need that time. WEs there is more flexibility. Football WEs mean tailgaters and everyone at the stadium will welcome the random mid who stops by. As noted above, many companies or battalions have events on the WEs. You can go to your sponsor's house and maybe have a get-together with friends. You and your friends can go out in town on Saturday (and Sunday as an upper class) and eat, drink (depending on your age) and be merry. The punishment for underage drinking at USNA means you risk A LOT if you do it.

Things that mids would describe as "a blast" would probably not seem that fun to someone who doesn't attend/hasn't attended USNA. But these events are really fun for the mids.

If you're looking for a more "normal" college experience while still being in the military, you should check out ROTC.
 
It's all a matter of perspective - you might get a current Midshipman to answer but they may not have anything to compare it to. The old grads will tell you that meals are a lot more relaxed than they used to be, and parents can only tell you what they hear from their kids--and it's probably safe to say no one has ever called home to tell how wonderful meal time in King Hall is. My recommendation would be to attend a CVW, and observe for yourself.

With respect to social life ... USNA is really what you make of it. Make no mistake, it's certainly not a party school, but most Midshipman are active and outgoing, and despite the Administrations' efforts to regulate and prevent fun (okay, I am joking ...a little), the Midshipmen find a way to have fun and blow off steam. The definition of fun and relaxation may be different than it is at State U , but to some degree, the limited opportunity may result in more intense and memorable social activities. There is a reason that conversations at Reunions center more on the good times we all had than the daily grind. (As a public services announcement, there is often a fine line between having fun and running afoul of the Administration's efforts to regulate fun ... crossing the line and getting caught will result in an opportunity to serve Restriction, definitely un-fun, but the subject of a lot of stories at Reunions).
 
It also depends on squad. My plebe's squad still doesn't rate media on deck even on liberty time. They currently do one way p-way, 24 hour blues and battle buddie escort. So freedom and how restrictive your time, can be less or more than other plebes.
 
tx2022 said:
It also depends on squad. My plebe's squad still doesn't rate media on deck even on liberty time. They currently do one way p-way, 24 hour blues and battle buddie escort. So freedom and how restrictive your time, can be less or more than other plebes.
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It is only mid September and lots of the year is left to go. I assure you that they will get more relaxed as time goes on. Back in the days before media, upperclass almost all had major league stereo systems but as a plebe, we were limited to a radio AFTER EASTER. No radio/tape/etc through the fall and winter. Eventually it ends and they get more privileges.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
With respect to social life ... USNA is really what you make of it. Make no mistake, it's certainly not a party school, but most Midshipman are active and outgoing, and despite the Administrations' efforts to regulate and prevent fun (okay, I am joking ...a little), the Midshipmen find a way to have fun and blow off steam. The definition of fun and relaxation may be different than it is at State U , but to some degree, the limited opportunity may result in more intense and memorable social activities. There is a reason that conversations at Reunions center more on the good times we all had than the daily grind. (As a public services announcement, there is often a fine line between having fun and running afoul of the Administration's efforts to regulate fun ... crossing the line and getting caught will result in an opportunity to serve Restriction, definitely un-fun, but the subject of a lot of stories at Reunions).
Click to expand...
Very true but of course there are some sports teams or ECAs that have a history (and reputation to match) of playing from a slightly more "fun" sheet of music.
 
MidCakePa said:
@alexlocnj, in all seriousness, you ask a legit question. Here’s a snapshot of my plebe’s life from last weekend:

Friday after classes, she had club sport practice and then crammed for the weekly ProKnow test, which was administered after dinner. After ProKnow, she hung out in Bancroft with friends and company mates, since plebes must stay on the Yard on Friday nights.

Saturday after company PT and other responsibilities, she joined a company paintball outing off the Yard. It was voluntary, with about 40 mids from all classes. Then the football game, followed by some chill time in DTA with a friend and the friend’s sponsor, who sprung for some treats. Then back to Bancroft relatively early, to watch movies in her rack before conking out.

Sunday was for studying and taking care of miscellaneous obligations. Plebes can’t leave the Yard on Sundays, so she got caught up on things, such as phone calls to the outside world. Afternoon was spent at a battalion outdoor party, with food, games and, for those of age, beer! Rest assured, though, that no one was doing keg stands or playing quarters. After that extravaganza, it was back to the books.

Again, just a snapshot of one plebe’s weekend. Probably pretty typical. It ain’t “Animal House,” but it ain’t a convent either (or the University of Chicago, for that matter).
Click to expand...
That is very funny. University of Chicago - Where Fun Goes to Die.
 
I just looked through our company online photo albums. I can confirm that plebes do have fun!!
 
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