PS — Words of Wisdom & Advice on What to Bring

Can we bring our own calculator for validation tests and academic year or are we issued one? Kinda weird, but id honestly be pretty sad to part with my current TI-84 :)

Also wondering about this. The PTR says to bring a “basic scientific calculator,” so considering a TI-84 is upwards of $100 I’m not sure it’s considered basic. I’ve used a graphing calculator my whole life, so should I just bring a cheap calculator with very basic functions?

Wondering about this, too.
 
I received some sound advice from an ex-Marine about military training.

"Ex-Marine"?? Probably not. More likely a "Marine".

@JW2431 - Once a Marine, always a Marine. The distinction is important. Ex-Marine refers to someone kicked out via dishonorable discharge.
I was going to ask what the ex did to become an “ex-Marine.” Murder? Treason? Drop his rifle? Screw over Doc?
 
Funny, Doc! Probably all of those and a few other transgressions. Never saw a Marine dumb enough to screw a Doc over... The treatment and punishment a Doc could dole out prevented any such activity. ;)

Look, I hesitated posting that message. While I agree with General Amos' position and explanation, I am not typically a big stickler on the subject - particularly with the uninitiated. Back in my day, we said "former" Marine. But "ex" Marine has always been taboo. The only reason I posted was for @JW2431's sake as he will be entering USNA and would benefit from understanding the sentiment.
 
Funny, Doc! Probably all of those and a few other transgressions. Never saw a Marine dumb enough to screw a Doc over... The treatment and punishment a Doc could dole out prevented any such activity. ;)

Look, I hesitated posting that message. While I agree with General Amos' position and explanation, I am not typically a big stickler on the subject - particularly with the uninitiated. Back in my day, we said "former" Marine. But "ex" Marine has always been taboo. The only reason I posted was for @JW2431's sake as he will be entering USNA and would benefit from understanding the sentiment.
I agree. I didn’t mean to make light of your post. One of the values of this site is the knowledge imparted on these type of topics and not just the advice to check every tab on the admissions page or how many pairs of skivvies should be taken to I-Day. I use the terms retired Marine and Marine veteran when differentiating from active duty Marines. I’m a Marine Dad. The back of my truck says so.

I’m a stickler on spelling Marine with a big M. It’s not because Marines deserve more respect than sailors but it’s a grammatical thing. I didn’t join the sailors. I joined the navy. My son joined the Marines. That’s also why Corpsman should be spelled with a big C. We are the only enlisted corps in the navy. The Hospital Corps. Our 121st birthday was Sunday by the way. That’s the way I explain it.
 
Funny, Doc! Probably all of those and a few other transgressions. Never saw a Marine dumb enough to screw a Doc over... The treatment and punishment a Doc could dole out prevented any such activity. ;)

Look, I hesitated posting that message. While I agree with General Amos' position and explanation, I am not typically a big stickler on the subject - particularly with the uninitiated. Back in my day, we said "former" Marine. But "ex" Marine has always been taboo. The only reason I posted was for @JW2431's sake as he will be entering USNA and would benefit from understanding the sentiment.

I am the exact same way. I really don’t care. It doesn’t bother me. Call me whatever. But, as a future Mid it is important they know the difference.
 
I don't care either, but just don't call me late for dinner.

Posting for comedic effect, because I usually make dinner.
 
A cheap calculator. DS bought a couple extra ones (he looses them [emoji849]) when the AC year got going when they were on sale. Think 10-15$ range.

Re: passport. Obviously in the case of needing it for your ID you bring it. The reason it isnt listed in the PTR bc you don’t need it. Keep it home in a safe place. And then I would advise bringing it back with you on your first leave. And storing it with your sponsor parents if you get close with them. DS hasn’t needed his until this summer for possible international sea cruise.
 
A cheap calculator. DS bought a couple extra ones (he looses them [emoji849]) when the AC year got going when they were on sale. Think 10-15$ range.

Re: passport. Obviously in the case of needing it for your ID you bring it. The reason it isnt listed in the PTR bc you don’t need it. Keep it home in a safe place. And then I would advise bringing it back with you on your first leave. And storing it with your sponsor parents if you get close with them. DS hasn’t needed his until this summer for possible international sea cruise.
Hey, wait...

We're talking about grammar and name calling.

Just kidding.
 
Hey, wait...

We're talking about grammar and name calling.

Just kidding.

I honestly cannot even put together any grammar or name calling sentence yet. With only a year of USNA jargon under my belt. A lot of what is posted here on the forums is a foreign language to me. Especially the “back in the day” stories.

But I LOVE reading them!! Usually I can find an underlying theme that resonates with with all, military or non-military. But I do not opine, as I am not in that club. Haven’t earned the right.
 
Hey, wait...

We're talking about grammar and name calling.

Just kidding.

I honestly cannot even put together any grammar or name calling sentence yet. With only a year of USNA jargon under my belt. A lot of what is posted here on the forums is a foreign language to me. Especially the “back in the day” stories.

But I LOVE reading them!! Usually I can find an underlying theme that resonates with with all, military or non-military. But I do not opine, as I am not in that club. Haven’t earned the right.
Your contributions here are priceless. And enjoyable.
 
The USNA Store has a Facebook page with pictures of the boxes the P2B will get on IDay. It lists 4 boxes: 1. Small Box (notebooks, stationary, and every hygiene product imaginable) 2. Medium Bedding Box 3. Medium Sock Box (ALL the socks, shoe cleaning kits, lint roller, etc.) 4. Large Box (bath towels, mesh net for laundry, backpack, clothes iron, etc.)
FWIW, as near as I can tell (old eyes), the picture of the small box contents includes:
Office supplies --------------
notepads & notebooks (various)
ruler
calculator (looks too fancy for validation tests)
USNA stationary
pens
pencils and hand sharpener
post its
white marker
push pins
stapler
calculator (appears to be too fancy for validation tests)
scissors

Medicine ---------------------
Tums
Neosporin
Sudafed
Bandaids
Pepto Bismol
Cepacol
Advil (ibuprofen)

Cleaning ---------------------
Shout wipes
Tide pens
Ocelo sponge
Terry towels
Shout wipes
Brasso
plastic gloves


Personal hygiene ---------------
Tooth brush/Crest toothpaste/floss
Body Glide
Gold Bond powder
Banana Boat Sunscreen
Dial Coconut Water body wash
Dial hand soap
Pert shampoo/conditioner
Sure deodorant
QTips
Purell
Vaseline
Lip balm
2nd skin blister pads
body scrubbie (loofa)

Misc ---------------------------
Odor eater spray
Reflective belt
 
Another thing to bring (or did I mail that? I can’t remember...) is a small flag for your room to prevent a mutiny. Someone had gifted that to DS that had a Mid already there. We didn’t know that part.
 
Another thing to bring (or did I mail that? I can’t remember...) is a small flag for your room to prevent a mutiny. Someone had gifted that to DS that had a Mid already there. We didn’t know that part.

Please explain?
 
A small American flag offers a certain modicum of immunity against "charges" of mutiny in the case that upperclass find more occupants in a room than assigned to that room.
If the occupants are "charged" with mutiny, they may be "thrown overboard" (doused in the rain locker in full uniform).

One of those weird USNA things. I don't think that it's done, anymore.

Because, you know, it's stupid. ;)
 
If the occupants are "charged" with mutiny, they may be "thrown overboard" (doused in the rain locker in full uniform). One of those weird USNA things. I don't think that it's done, anymore.

If the upperclass want to march Plebes into the rain locker, they will, and the small American flag doesn't provide much protection. (And before someone pipes in that is hazing and forbidden, I get it..this is a kindler and gentler world, but I am also realistic enough to suspect some things never change.
 
Regardless of whether or not there is any benefit to having a small American flag, he had it proudly displayed on his bulletin board. Don’t know if it did indeed ward off any activity or not, maybe yes, maybe no. But it’s still a great anchor to focus on when/if struggling. I’ll also send one to DS #3 should he receive an appointment.
 
Should we bring an entire wallet or just ID? And will we get to keep a wallet thru PS?
 
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