Plebes Dropping Already

I'm more curious about how many youngsters don't come back. I know that more than a few were not happy at all plebe year. Them being home since March may seal the deal.
 
I'm more curious about how many youngsters don't come back. I know that more than a few were not happy at all plebe year. Them being home since March may seal the deal.
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Most plebes aren't happy plebe year. :) Most want to come back for youngster year b/c they know it has to be better -- and it is. Generally, not a lot quit after plebe year -- the test is coming back for 2/C year -- 2 for 7. Even then, almost no one quits. I found that true in a different way in the Fleet. Enlisted folks would swear up and down that they were going to leave when their enlistment was up. In my day and in my commands, almost everyone ended up reenlisting.

As for the current plebes, if they don't want USNA and a military career badly enough to suck up two weeks in an A/C room (which we didn't have) when they're not being yelled at, not sweating, not doing daily PEP, not marching, not being asked to do anything difficult . . . this probably isn't the life for them. They knew what was in store. They didn't have to show up and they don't have to stay. It's 2 weeks, not 2 months. Sorry, but I don't have a lot of sympathy.

As Hawkeye Pierce said, "The tedium is relieved only by the boredom."
 
According to my Youngster DS, he is looking forward to:
- walking on the insides of ladders
- not chopping in Bancroft
- not getting up at 5:15
- not getting rated
- not walking in specific passageways in King Hall
- flying mostly under the radar
- not having to snake out the drain line to the street because it is plugged (that his happening at this moment)
- hanging with his company mates
- rating media

There is a lot to look forward to it seems
 
Most plebes aren't happy plebe year. :) Most want to come back for youngster year b/c they know it has to be better -- and it is. Generally, not a lot quit after plebe year -- the test is coming back for 2/C year -- 2 for 7. Even then, almost no one quits. I found that true in a different way in the Fleet. Enlisted folks would swear up and down that they were going to leave when their enlistment was up. In my day and in my commands, almost everyone ended up reenlisting.

As for the current plebes, if they don't want USNA and a military career badly enough to suck up two weeks in an A/C room (which we didn't have) when they're not being yelled at, not sweating, not doing daily PEP, not marching, not being asked to do anything difficult . . . this probably isn't the life for them. They knew what was in store. They didn't have to show up and they don't have to stay. It's 2 weeks, not 2 months. Sorry, but I don't have a lot of sympathy.

As Hawkeye Pierce said, "The tedium is relieved only by the boredom."
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Aren't there always plebes that drop out? For the vast, vast, VAST majority of the current plebes, they know the hammer is about to come down once ROM is over. And while they're looking forward to it, they know it'll suck, but they're prepared to embrace it. This is based on what our son has told us in his few letters he's sent. I just think this group of plebes is getting unnecessary grief for something out of their control. I'd be willing to bet they'd trade the COVID situation for a normal plebe summer.
 
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chesva said:
Most plebes aren't happy plebe year. :) Most want to come back for youngster year b/c they know it has to be better -- and it is. Generally, not a lot quit after plebe year -- the test is coming back for 2/C year -- 2 for 7. Even then, almost no one quits. I found that true in a different way in the Fleet. Enlisted folks would swear up and down that they were going to leave when their enlistment was up. In my day and in my commands, almost everyone ended up reenlisting.

As for the current plebes, if they don't want USNA and a military career badly enough to suck up two weeks in an A/C room (which we didn't have) when they're not being yelled at, not sweating, not doing daily PEP, not marching, not being asked to do anything difficult . . . this probably isn't the life for them. They knew what was in store. They didn't have to show up and they don't have to stay. It's 2 weeks, not 2 months. Sorry, but I don't have a lot of sympathy.

As Hawkeye Pierce said, "The tedium is relieved only by the boredom."
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Aren't there always plebes that drop out? For the vast, vast, VAST majority of the current plebes, they know the hammer is about to come down once ROM is over. And while they're looking forward to it, they know it'll suck, but they're prepared to embrace it. This is based on what our son has told us in his few letters he's sent. I just think this group of plebes is getting unnecessary grief for something out of their control. I'd be willing to bet they'd trade the COVID situation for a normal plebe summer.
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Chesva-Yes. There are always plebes that drop out. It has happened in the past, it is happening now and it will happen in future classes. It is nothing new for whatever the reasons they decided to leave. Granted the conditions are different with this class but I believe the grief they'll get will be on par with all plebe years. One day, when asked by a fellow alum what their plebe year was like, (and depending which class they are talking to), they can respond with a smile: Well, It was never as as tough as previous classes but always tougher than succeeding classes.;)
 
Yes, plebes always drop out. However, in recent years, the number has been quite low (sometimes <10 PS). And, it's usually b/c -- after experiecing the military lifestyle for a few days or weeks, they realize it's not what they expected/wanted. Much of the time, it's b/c Mommy, Daddy, Grandparent, Coach or someone else convinced them to come.

What's hard to believe is that someone who is asked to do no more than site in an air conditioned room w/o a lot of social media for 2 weeks wants to quit. When those folks knew what it would entail and know that it will end after 14 days.

As for being a youngster, many consider it the best year at USNA. None of the plebe stuff but still too junior to have a lot of responsibility. You study, enjoy your new-found freedoms and don't do anything stupid. Not hard.
 
usna1985 said:
What's hard to believe is that someone who is asked to do no more than site in an air conditioned room w/o a lot of social media for 2 weeks wants to quit. When those folks knew what it would entail and know that it will end after 14 days.
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+1

If I were lucky enough to receive an appointment to USNA I could endure sitting in solitary confinement in a dark cell (envisioning something from Shawshank Redemption) for 14 days if I knew that 4 years at USNA would follow. If I had an air conditioned room with reading material, I would view it as a vacation from the other stresses in life, not torture.
 
I will be curious if the stay at home for months will see an increase in new 3/C and 2/C pending 2 for 7 decide to leave USNA. Plebes always leave. It has been an amazingly low number in the last decade or so, be curious to see if the number ends up being any different than past years in the end. Only time will give the answers. ROM for PS is nearing the end of its time and I am sure the new Plebes are anxious for it all to begin. After all they do want to ‘earn’ their place and all this is out of their control (which we all realize).
 
NavyHoops said:
I will be curious if the stay at home for months will see an increase in new 3/C and 2/C pending 2 for 7 decide to leave USNA. Plebes always leave. It has been an amazingly low number in the last decade or so, be curious to see if the number ends up being any different than past years in the end. Only time will give the answers. ROM for PS is nearing the end of its time and I am sure the new Plebes are anxious for it all to begin. After all they do want to ‘earn’ their place and all this is out of their control (which we all realize).
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Most young people are tired of staying home and would rather go ANYWHERE than stay home. Thus, I would expect most will be anxious to return to The Yard. My 16 yr old DS is ready to leave home now. A number of his graduating senior friends have left for their enlistments and are glad to be out of stay at home.
 
ders_dad said:
There is a lot to look forward to it seems
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Yes, there is a lot for youngsters to look forward to, but the academic stress picks up. In addition, the little things like an extra Saturday morning battalion drill session when your GF is visiting eat at you.. Finally, the Youngster has very little to look forward too -- Plebes look forward to Herndon and Cruise, Second class look forward to becoming Firsties, and the Firsts look to graduation, but the Youngster still has a 3 year grind ahead. That's why it is so important to get involved in some activity that you really believe in. Like the Admissions process, its a marathon, not a sprint
 
NavyHoops said:
I will be curious if the stay at home for months will see an increase in new 3/C and 2/C pending 2 for 7 decide to leave USNA. Plebes always leave. It has been an amazingly low number in the last decade or so, be curious to see if the number ends up being any different than past years in the end. Only time will give the answers. ROM for PS is nearing the end of its time and I am sure the new Plebes are anxious for it all to begin. After all they do want to ‘earn’ their place and all this is out of their control (which we all realize).
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That was exactly what I was trying to convey in my post last night, but of course you wrote it much better. This long time home away from the Yard may make a difference this year vs previous years. I could be dead wrong. I hope I am. Time will tell.
 
Had a good phone call. Our plebe is looking forward to the oath on the 17th. Did get moved to a room with two others. Likes pt. Did well on PRT, likes our letters, wants me to send more protein. Has mastered folding and rolling clothing and got a “great job” on his rack inspection. It was nice hearing from him.
 
I liked youngster academics a lot more than Plebe Year’s because you’re finally taking classes in your major. The core curriculum isn’t too bad except that physics and navigation can be hefty workloads. Never heard of battalions being assigned extra drill practice on the weekend—That used to exist?! 3/C year can be a bit of a drag because while you are no longer talked to in a demeaning way by the upperclass, you still aren’t really treated like an adult regarding liberty privileges. No civilian clothing and being stuck in Bancroft on Friday sucked Plebe Year and it doesn’t stop sucking afterwards. On the other hand, it’s the opportunity for a midshipman to build their identity back up after it being suppressed Plebe Year, and in many cases a lot of maturation transpires. Not having to chop or do chow calls or worry about professional knowledge quizzes is also a huge improvement in quality of life.
 
Had a good call yesterday from our plebe. He's really looking forward to the real plebe summer as he calls it. Says he knows it'll be really tough but is anxious to get started. Really likes his roommate....can't wait to make more friends in his class. He said the highlights of his days are food, mail and going outside. He's wrapped his brain around the likely fact he won't be coming home until December.....didn't seem upset or worried.....said he understands why the leadership made the decision. Again, he's just ready to get the process started.
 
Kierkegaard said:
I liked youngster academics a lot more than Plebe Year’s because you’re finally taking classes in your major. The core curriculum isn’t too bad except that physics and navigation can be hefty workloads. Never heard of battalions being assigned extra drill practice on the weekend—That used to exist?! 3/C year can be a bit of a drag because while you are no longer talked to in a demeaning way by the upperclass, you still aren’t really treated like an adult regarding liberty privileges. No civilian clothing and being stuck in Bancroft on Friday sucked Plebe Year and it doesn’t stop sucking afterwards. On the other hand, it’s the opportunity for a midshipman to build their identity back up after it being suppressed Plebe Year, and in many cases a lot of maturation transpires. Not having to chop or do chow calls or worry about professional knowledge quizzes is also a huge improvement in quality of life.
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I actually liked 3/C year. The academics do pick up with more hours and tougher classes, but I found them more interesting. I was also much better at physics than chemistry. Being able to nap also was a huge thing for me. I kind of enjoyed a year of having little responsibilities. I did really try to help my Plebes with pro knowledge, mentor the female plebes with hair stuff and uniform things, and really focus on my grades. My class was shot gunned after Plebe Year. I was actually fine with this as I really did not like my company culture my Plebe year and my best friend and I somehow got sent to the same company. I was also thankful that it led to being one of the companies that had a Marine Senior Enlisted Advisor. The one we had 1/C year was amazing. Speaking of extra drill... yes. Our Gunny, like all Marines, takes drill seriously. He cringed the first time he saw us drill. He politely dismissed the 2/C to 4/C and left the 1/C on the parade field after we did pass and review. We spent another hour circling that field. Every day at lunch the 1/C stood in the main hall way doing manual of arms. This continued for a few weeks with lots of extra drill whenever he could find the time. His point was its upon the 1/C to set the example. He wasn't going to punish the entire company. He was going to teach us, as leaders, to do this right, set the example. We then had to ensure to correct our Mids and check ourselves. It worked, we won every parade... no surprise.

For new parents... shot gun and scramble are two phrases that come up alot Plebe year. In some years USNA has scrambled or shot gunned classes to new ones. This has not been common of late, but it varies by leadership in charge. Shot gunned means all the Plebes will be sent to new companies to start 3/C year. There are as many opinions on this as there are plebes. For some it's great, others hate the prospect. Scramble means to take the entire company of plebes and move them a group to a new company. So they stay with the same classmates their entire 4 years, but a new company starting 3/C year. This has been pretty rare of the last few decades.

Glad to hear parents got phone calls and Plebe Summer starts soon!
 
chesva said:
Had a good call yesterday from our plebe. He's really looking forward to the real plebe summer as he calls it. Says he knows it'll be really tough but is anxious to get started. Really likes his roommate....can't wait to make more friends in his class. He said the highlights of his days are food, mail and going outside. He's wrapped his brain around the likely fact he won't be coming home until December.....didn't seem upset or worried.....said he understands why the leadership made the decision. Again, he's just ready to get the process started.
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That sounds exactly like our call. Though, ours doesn't seem the least bit worried about not seeing us for the next nine years. As long as we send x, y, or z in next care package. He did say t(he)y were advised not to workout too extreme in room, in case they did end up positive for covid. He said they also took all the advil away from the USNA pre-packaged supply boxes when they took his phone.
 
@justme you say nine years but ours has been gone for nine years. Three straight deployments, three straight operational commands, and he’s still in California at his first B billet. My wife and I went from parents of a new officer to only seeing him about 10 times in the past nine years.
 
I didn’t mean to cast a pall on our fun here but was just responding to a comment. Our son is living the dream. He gets home when he can. My wife and I have flown out to see him separately at different times. It’s a reminder I guess that your kids didn’t sign up for summer camp.
 
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