PPW Packets

kamajama

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I live in Washington State and don't have my PPW packet yet. Anybody else missing theirs. Can someone share what is in it please. I fly out Wednesday and fear I will not have the info. Thanks. Also, I read somewhere that they will send postcards to let parents know about phonecall times. Did any of you plebe parents get yours?
 
Hi,

The package includes a schedule of events, a yard card (for you to use PPW) and info on how to fund your Plebe's yard card, parking pass for on the Yard (not sure it is valid PPW), maps of the Annapolis area and a Maryland vacation book. Also, there was a slip of paper selling tickiets to lunch with your Plebe on Friday (tickets sold in Dahlgren Hall from 1 to 5 p.m) but the general concensus from this site, experienced Plebe parents and my Plebe, is to skip this because the kids just want off the Yard.

There is an information desk in Dahlgren Hall where you can pick up name tags and updated schedule of events. It is open Thursday 1 to 6.

Hope this helps.

GoNavyMom
 
Parents came to King Hall once to eat. Question afterward was "what the hell was that we just ate?"

Don't go to King Hall with your plebe
 
Really skip King Hall. Food not good and your Plebe will want off the yard, out of the hall and away from detailers.

Also, do not be a detailer to your plebe... let them do what they want and when they want. The last thing I wanted was mom and dad questioning regs. All I wanted that weekend was to be able to make a decision on my own, not be told what and where and certainly did not want "old cadre."
 
Our plebe said yesterday that experienced mids recommended against parents eating in King Hall. He knew I was interested and so asked about it. One young man said he had just united with his parents then off to lunch in King Hall. He had to refrain from speaking to them during lunch as per detailers. Zane also mentioned the menu for Friday is not good. You'd think they would cook something appealing when they expect parents! Anyway, we are headed to DTA or somewhere else to eat lunch Friday.
 
Also, do not be a detailer to your plebe... let them do what they want and when they want. The last thing I wanted was mom and dad questioning regs. All I wanted that weekend was to be able to make a decision on my own, not be told what and where and certainly did not want "old cadre."

Agree but to continue a conversation from the MidRegs thread, parents shouldn't enforce the regs but they also should not encourage their mid to violate them. Therefore a cursory knowledge cannot hurt. A little "come on, what will it hurt if you wear those jeans and t-shirt to the movie" is not what they need PPW.
 
I would not worry about a missing packet. Two most important items to take with you are your Midshipman Store card that lets you shop in the Mid Store and the schedule of events which can be printed off the USNA PPW website.

The schedule is important in that it tells you when and where to pickup your mid on Friday and Saturday but most importantly when they must return on all three days. Do not make them late!

The best time to visit and look around the yard are the times your mid can not be with you. You have time to kill on Friday and Saturday morning and the yard is a very an interesting place. Once you are with your mid they will likly want off the yard ASAP and will not want to set foot back on the yard until they are required to report back.

My overall advice is: What ever plans you may have be fexible and listen to what your mid wants to do or not do. This weekend is about them not you.

Lastly this is not an end but the real beginning of their plebe year. It is a roller coaster ride for them and you as parents. Enjoy the ride.
 
Current Mid has a very valid point. As I read the post, CM is not suggesting that the parents encourage a plebe to break the rules. I believe it is more - don't go quoting the rules...

When my son was a plebe (now a firstie) he told us very early on that it was not our job to be the enforcer. He knew the regs, he understood the regs, he knew the consequences for his action, he knew the consequences for his company-mates based on HIS actions and that we needed to trust him.

I took away the philosophy - I will not be his policeman. I will not question his requests. I will not enable him to break the law (that is well past with being over 21) When asked to "assist" him with breaking a reg - i.e. bringing civilian clothes since that is usually the item most parents get asked at some point of time, I would ask him if he understood the consequences for himself and his companymates. If he still insisted - I brought the clothing. It is not for me to be his policeman. I brought it for PPW - guess what - in the end he did the right thing - he never wore it.

That philosophy has saved us a lot of heart ache, arguing and disappointment. ( and probably money) Once the semester starts and your plebe finds themselves at the Annapolis Mall - plenty of civilian clothes can be bought. Many plebes will keep civies at their sponsor houses. Many sponsors will let plebes break some regs as it also is not their place to play detailer - if they do, the plebe will just find a more lenient sponsor house to adopt them.

Encouraging them to break the rules - absolutely not. Enabling when they have asked - each family can decide. All I know is that in 3 years - not one conduct or honor offense. The easy part was asking mom - its was much more difficult to actually go through with the plan!

Enjoy PPW. The academic fair in Dahlgren is well worth it as are the tours of the labs etc. The computer dept. had a computer set up so that parents could be the first to email the plebes to their new usna email account. If you have a plebe that will probably use the library a lot (mine did and still does) go meet the staff in Nimitz. They are great. (one note to keep in mind that we learned talking to one of the librarians - Nimitz is 'plebe safe' - there are no military employees - all civilian and upper class can not rate a plebe while in the library. Hassle free studying!)

Go to PEP - lots on the list-serv as to if it is allowed or not. Heard from an upper class they encouraged the plebes to pass on the info to attend to their parents in last night's phone call. Usually starts by 6am. It is amazing, and how their face will light up when they catch their first glimps of you.

If you go into DC - we had an amazing day site seeing on the mall and early dinner at a favorite restaurant - they will amaze you how they carry themselves in uniform. Many foreign tourists will ask to have their picture taken with your plebe - he got a charge out of that and had no problems posing - 6 weeks earlier and he would have not been so gracious.

Get back to the yard early on Sunday afternoon - take lots of pictures with your Plebe on the yard. You will probably meet a lot of your plebes new friends and even some of the detailers - just remember THEY are not your friends! Greet and move on, your plebe will appreciate that as the last thing they want is mom and dad talking to their detailers!

Enjoy the weekend and safe travels.
 
Really skip King Hall. Food not good and your Plebe will want off the yard, out of the hall and away from detailers.

Also, do not be a detailer to your plebe... let them do what they want and when they want. The last thing I wanted was mom and dad questioning regs. All I wanted that weekend was to be able to make a decision on my own, not be told what and where and certainly did not want "old cadre."

Very good points, CurrentMid!! Parents do forget sometimes that you need a break from the stress of the Academy. Thanks for reminding us. :shake: Ooh, BTW, Profmom2, your advice/observations are wonderful as well. Kinda took me back a bit!!
 
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Go to PEP - lots on the list-serv as to if it is allowed or not. Heard from an upper class they encouraged the plebes to pass on the info to attend to their parents in last night's phone call. Usually starts by 6am. It is amazing, and how their face will light up when they catch their first glimps of you.

.

Having parents attend PEP on Friday is a change from the previous couple of years. If you attend PEP, be respectfull, be quiet - no cheering, and do not wave at or try and get your mids attention. If the parents get to rowdy nobody is there to tell them to stop, but you will blow it for the parents following you next year and the years after. Take pictures and enjoy the moment. The detailers know the parents are there and what it means to the plebes. They will likly change the workout cadence to Hi Mom,HI Dad for the last 15 minutes of PEP. Enjoy but be quiet!
 
As a Plebe parent should I have received a permanent MidShipmen's Store card? I have the temporary card issued for PPW.

My Plebe mentioned that her squad may not be at PEP on Friday. They may have a timed course that they have to complete off the yard and she wasn't sure if parents would be allowed. She promised to mail a letter last night as soon as she was told what the deal is. Regardless, I will plan to attend PEP if I can't attend my daughter's workout. I am told it is not to be missed.

GoNavyMom
 
If your daughters squad is going over to the O course or Tarzan course you will not be able to attend as those courses are over at Naval Station Annapolis (across the Severn)

PEP was not openly encouraged, prior to PPW, for the Classes of 2011 and 2012. For the Class of 2011, on Thursday afternoon, the word went out that it was ok to attend PEP. It was the Chaplains corps that encouraged us to attend and I am so glad we did. The detailers got into the parents being there and even got us into a few chants.

I also heard from my Mid, who is on the yard, that PEP is open to parents.
 
Our plebe told us that his squad would not be released until AFTER lunch on Friday ... very disappointing ... did anyone else hear that?
 
What time to be there for PEP? July 2nd, hubby and I were taking our usual early morning walk from where we were staying in DTA. We walked by USNA, main gate closed. Then the other gate down King George (? sorry, I don't know number of the gate) was just opening and guard let us pass. So, how do we get in before 6 am?

I am away from home now, so don't have packet in front of me. Believe it says we don't get the plebes until noonish.
 
PEP was closed to parents for 2012, and it is closed to parents again for 2013.
 
^^^ And where did you get this information? The detailers that I have spoken to have said they encouraged their plebes to let their parents know on last Monday's phone call to come to PEP. Just because it was closed last summer does not mean it is again this summer. For the class of 2011 it was also "closed" and then on Thursday afternoon, at the beginning of PPW, the word went out that it was ok to attend.

When we went our Plebe year we arrived (walking) at gate 3 at 6am, walked over to the field by about 6:15 and watched pep. I seem to recall we watched about 45 minutes before the companies took off for their run.

PEP has been open to the public all summer. We watched one morning. There were other people watching too.

As all things USNA - the rumor mill... It will drive you nuts for the next 4 years!
 
Regarding attending PEP - Here is my opinion

From the Administrations view it is not a scheduled event and therefore not "open". Bottom line they do not want PEP to become a circus of crazed parents cheering thier kids like a ball game. In talking to 07 & 08 parents it was an event that got out of hand with parents bringing banners, leading cheers and generally disrupting PEP.

That said, the Yard is open to the public at 0600. As a public facility there is nothing stopping parents from walking on the yard and sitting quietly in the stands to watch PEP. For parents that live close to the Academy, PEP has been "open" all summer. Friday is not going to be any different. No cheering, no waving at your mid. Take pictures and enjoy the moment, yes. So, if this is something you want to see as a parent (we did and have some great pics) get up early and go do it.
 
We had a great time at PPW. My son has really enjoyed most everything this summer. I would like to know though, how in the heck does a plebe who has had all his personal stuff taken away on I -Day, smuggle in civilian clothes and an electric shaver? Parents care packages perhaps?? Just wondering.
 
My son was told plebes don't rate electric razors ... so the one we schlepped acrosst he country to give him during PPW ... we packed up and brought home.

On the PEP note: We went Friday morning and it was fantastic. Our plebe saw us and, without breaking ranks, had a grin from ear to ear ... he said he was thrilled to run by us! It is so impressive to see all 1200+ exercising, running and coming back ... Plus the 'Dant ran with them ... evidently does most days ... and encouraged the stragglers to "bring it home" on the run ...

SOOO all the naysayers asside, go to PEP if you get the chance.
 
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