🌟 Countdown to commissioning ‘23: ARE YOU READY??

[justdoit19]

A place to share memories, stories, plans, etc. I’ll start!

Hard for me to wrap my mind around the FACT that it’s been almost a YEAR since mine commissioned! And now he is on his first underway . It’s hard to express how exciting that is, watching from the bleachers. After working so hard for 4 yrs, towards this goal, and to finally to see it happen? No words.

So excited for the c/o 23. Bigger things on the horizon!! Mom and dad know less about the next phase (OPSEC and all), but it’s even more exciting.

So PROUD of you all

 

[A1Janitor]

I feel bad for my son. His order of merit in my household just took a huge dive from 4 to 5. Angel shot ahead of him - the little girl is potty trained at 8 weeks. It took him 8 years!

Seriously - it went way too fast. And his experience was USNA was fun. He has lifelong friends from two different companies (the switch isn’t bad imo). It became more like regular college when he turned 21.

I am very proud. He said to me recently that this is the beginning, and he looks forward to working hard at his career.

 

[ders_dad]

My DS is a “grown-a$$ man”, as he likes to point out - until he does something that gets you worried. I agree that the last year or so has been a lot more like regular college. The NROTC guys/gals know more about navigating the “real world”. But it has made graduation presents easier - a box of spices in a sealed container, a cast-iron fry pan, and “The Way to Cook” by Ms. Julia Child.

Despite COVID, as near as I can tell USNA lived up to his hopes and dreams (which tells me he is in it for the right reasons, at least as far as I’m concerned). A semester at a foreign academy really opened his eyes to how great our military is - not just hard power but that our officers and enlisted walk the talk and take honor and respect for individuals seriously. The pride he has for USNA and the Navy is the singular development over four years and gives me great optimism about our young men and women and the future of this country, despite the current rough seas.

 

[A1Janitor]

My DS is a “grown-a$$ man”, as he likes to point out - until he does something that gets you worried. I agree that the last year or so has been a lot more like regular college. The NROTC guys/gals know more about navigating the “real world”. But it has made graduation presents easier - a box of spices in a sealed container, a cast-iron fry pan, and “The Way to Cook” by Ms. Julia Child.

Despite COVID, as near as I can tell USNA lived up to his hopes and dreams (which tells me he is in it for the right reasons, at least as far as I’m concerned). A semester at a foreign academy really opened his eyes to how great our military is - not just hard power but that our officers and enlisted walk the talk and take honor and respect for individuals seriously. The pride he has for USNA and the Navy is the singular development over four years and gives me great optimism about our young men and women and the future of this country, despite the current rough seas.

Lol my son told me yesterday he was a grown a$$ man. They must all say that. He is trying to convince me or himself.

 

[Kierkegaard]

I remember meeting some of them on hello night nearly 4 years ago—They grow up so fast! Looking forward to running into them in the Fleet!

 

[Old Navy BGO]

It became more like regular college when he turned 21.

From my aged memory ..it was far less about age (we could drink at 18 or 19) than it was becoming a First Class. We had cars, more money, and alot more freedom to use them --almost like they were treating us as adults or junior officers (I said, "almost" ... it was still, as DW calls it, the "Jail school.") Looking back, as a First Class Midshipman, you are almost at the top of the world... then you graduate, commission, and back to the bottom of the pile !

 

[justdoit19]

Another thought about this commissioning week, is that it’s impactful for the entire brigade. I hadn’t really thought about that. Our (then) youngster was celebrating, and celebrated, as well when we attended last year for his older brothers commissioning.

It’s cool for everyone!

 

[MidCakePa]

Another thought about this commissioning week, is that it’s impactful for the entire brigade. I hadn’t really thought about that.

So true. At the end of plebe year, DD joked that she got up at 5:30 a.m. to attend graduation — plus get a sunburn, another stripe for the shoulder boards, and $50 more in each paycheck. But it also showed her the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

At her own big event three years later, a no-longer-plebe from our hometown came by to say hello before the ceremony. His excitement for witnessing his first graduation and commissioning was palpable and genuine. Good times!

 

[Just Dad]

Congratulations to CL2023. BTW: noting the posters in this thread so far, this board has been better for your contributions.

Just a suggestion: wait a year then swing back through your body of work here (read some old posts). It's a great way to review the journey that your mid and your family have made over the last 4years. A little humbling for me; I may have bragged on DD too much, and spoken to issues that others had better/real experience with. I was also left with the overwhelming sense that, I should have someone else prooof ream mi posts, . Still, it was interesting, made me smile once or twice, and brought back memories.

Top of the mountain for your sons & daughters! I hope they make time to enjoy this summit before they look to the next one. I wish them the best, noting that they are all off to a cracking-good start.

DD likes to tell me that "she is living the dream". I like hearing that, and wish the same for every member of the CL2023.

USNA: best school in the country IMHO; wish I'd gone there.....................but my kid did!

 

[justdoit19]

So true. At the end of plebe year, DD joked that she got up at 5:30 a.m. to attend graduation — plus get a sunburn, another stripe for the shoulder boards, and $50 more in each paycheck. But it also showed her the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

At her own big event three years later, a no-longer-plebe from our hometown came by to say hello before the ceremony. His excitement for witnessing his first graduation and commissioning was palpable and genuine. Good times!

It’s also neat to see the underclass, so proud of their upperclass.

 

[Don't Give Up the Ship]

My 23" just texted "finished with exams". Thats about the most detailed texts we would get. Amazing accomplishment for all of 23, the usual challenges of the best service academy...and COVID...and each MIDN had his or her own rollercoaster ride. Bravo Zulu 23. Now the start again. DS & 3 others flying to our house tomorrow for some R&R on Cape Cod. I wonder if there will be a few beers involved?

 

[RAI923]

My firstie is on the way home with my plebe! Tomorrow, my “other son” (his international plebe summer roommate who started as a 2 week houseguest during quarantine and finished 7 months later as a full fledged member of the family group chat) and 2 others from plebe company will join for a few days of R&R! Beyond excited for this bonus time! It is hilarious to look at the pictures we have from our first dinners in Annapolis with them after football games! How they have matured in these 4 years and are ready to begin careers as a marine, aviator and SWOs.

Who knows the next time they and we will be together after commissioning week but the bonds of these young men and their families will last a lifetime! We will miss our “other son and brother” a immensely. Commissioned since December, he will serve for 10 years in his Navy and reports 2 days after graduation. We all will plan vacations to cycle through his home and enjoy a new destination with a great tour guide and hosts.

The USNA experience has been an amazing journey for mids and families alike! I’m so thankful to have 3 more years and welcome the midsib of one of the gang!

P.S I’ll be experiencing my first Herndon next week! Back to back trips to Annapolis isn’t a bad thing! The car is ready to go! Autopilot…

 

[ders_dad]

My 23" just texted "finished with exams".

I just got “Just finished my undergrad”. Man, did that all go by in a blink of an eye!

 

[justdoit19]

Firsties Moving?

 

[IronmanDaremo]

I don't know. The upperclass dude that rolled out of the gate when I drove on the yard yesterday in the newer BMW M4 probably can't fit that much in their car.

Definitely didn't get THAT with his "career starter loan!" How a 22 - 24 year old mid can afford that car ($60k+), let alone the insurance on it, is mind-boggling!

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Firsties Moving?

Do FIrsties still get Cruise Boxes ? These were large (roughly 5' x 2' x 2' maybe bigger) very stout packing boxes that we filled with all our earthly belongings and shipped to first duty station. They were staged outside each Firstie room in the 'Hall a week or so before graduation, kinda the first sign that we were really leaving ! There was no real "move out" during Commissioning week, we just kinda gradually filled the box as the week progressed when we got to the point where certain items wouldn't be needed any longer.

Another thought about this commissioning week, is that it’s impactful for the entire brigade.

I had to go back and think about Commissioning Week each of my years -- Plebe Year, I was there the entire week through and including Graduation. I remember sitting through a very wet taping of a Bob Hope Special, and graduation was pretty cool, watching the Firsties (who had gotten more human over the course of the year) graduate. Post Youngster and Second Class year, I was there for part of Commissioning week, but think I was gone before actual graduation (post Youngster -Protramid and post -2nd Class a German Study trip). Back then, a lot of the Brigade was already gone with summer training before the actual graduation day.

Who knows the next time they and we will be together after commissioning week but the bonds of these young men and their families will last a lifetime!

Maybe some of our more technically adapt members can post a link to the second verse of Navy Blue & Gold. Very fitting.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Do FIrsties still get Cruise Boxes ? These were large (roughly 5' x 2' x 2' maybe bigger) very stout packing boxes that we filled with all our earthly belongings and shipped to first duty station. They were staged outside each Firstie room in the 'Hall a week or so before graduation, kinda the first sign that we were really leaving ! There was no real "move out" during Commissioning week, we just kinda gradually filled the box as the week progressed when we got to the point where certain items wouldn't be needed any longer.


I had to go back and think about Commissioning Week each of my years -- Plebe Year, I was there the entire week through and including Graduation. I remember sitting through a very wet taping of a Bob Hope Special, and graduation was pretty cool, watching the Firsties (who had gotten more human over the course of the year) graduate. Post Youngster and Second Class year, I was there for part of Commissioning week, but think I was gone before actual graduation (post Youngster -Protramid and post -2nd Class a German Study trip). Back then, a lot of the Brigade was already gone with summer training before the actual graduation day.


Maybe some of our more technically adapt members can post a link to the second verse of Navy Blue & Gold. Very fitting.

Verses 2 and 3

So hoist our colors, hoist them high,
And vow allegiance true,
So long as sunset gilds the sky
Above the ocean blue,
Unlowered shall those colors be
Whatever fate they meet,
So glorious in victory,
Triumphant in defeat.

Four years together by the Bay,
Where Severn joins the tide,
Then by the Service called away,
We’re scattered far and wide;
But still when two or three shall meet,
And old tales be retold,
From low to highest in the Fleet,
We’ll pledge the Blue and Gold.

 

[Capt MJ]

I don't know. The upperclass dude that rolled out of the gate when I drove on the yard yesterday in the newer BMW M4 probably can't fit that much in their car.

Definitely didn't get THAT with his "career starter loan!" How a 22 - 24 year old mid can afford that car ($60k+), let alone the insurance on it, is mind-boggling!

Nuke bonus? Hand-me-down from parents? Used car? On loan for spring semester only to self-move? Parents in a hotel, mid using their car to shuttle stuff?

 

[justdoit19]

I don't know. The upperclass dude that rolled out of the gate when I drove on the yard yesterday in the newer BMW M4 probably can't fit that much in their car.

Definitely didn't get THAT with his "career starter loan!" How a 22 - 24 year old mid can afford that car ($60k+), let alone the insurance on it, is mind-boggling!

They can actually get both USAA and NFCU starter loans….that buys a nice car. Not that I recommend it, but know one that did that. Spent both before commissioning. But that’s a whole different thread.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

I know. It's always been a thing. Back in my day (80's as a local, 90's as a mid), it was brand new IROC-Z's and Mustangs on the Yard and downtown. But comparables now would not be the price of some of the things I saw parked in the 1/C parking area yesterday! I'm a huge car guy, so have a fairly good level of knowledge of what things are and what they cost, new and used.

Knowing the cost of insurance for our 20 year old with a 19 year old Acura on liability only, I can only imagine what a new M4 would be for a similar age!!

Yeah, a whole other thread, for sure.