2021/22 Outlook

[theodore.broosevelt]

Just some general questions I hope some more familiar with the daily occurrences and affairs at KP can provide some insight on for an incoming plebe for the class of 25:

Will there be a vaccination requirement for the regiment as of next year? Was the recent wave of vaccinations at the academy mandatory or optional? If the entire regiment were vaccinated, how has there been a recent uptick of cases on campus (staff/administration?)? Would it be better to wait to get vaccinated until the school year starts as to avoid being subject to needing a booster/ second dose at a later date? Is there any way to tell if next year will be the same with lockdowns as this year has so unfortunately been?

Again, I am aware there is a massive degree of uncertainty around all of these matters, just hoping some more involved currently might be able to shed some light on what to expect and prepare for, Thanks.

 

[shiner]

In short - you likely have answers to your questions. SAF posters do not generally represent school administrator and are simply speculating on what will happen.

Current round of vaccinations literally just happened and would not correlate to an uptick in cases. The vaccines had to be approved by the Department of the Navy because there is a mission requirement for having the vaccination -- see the Supt's facebook video message about this. The regiment was originally locked down through the end of 2020 and did extremely well in keeping reported cases of COVID down during that period, but morale suffered. In an attempt to change morale, they opened up liberty opportunities for mids and that is when cases rose. Cause and Effect.

The current round of vaccinations was voluntary. Reported side effects that led to the temporary halt to some vaccines are giving some pause on the legal ramifications of making this mandatory -- globally and not specific to military SA. I have not heard of any mid suffering a serious side effect, but that does not mean it has not happened. We are approaching an interesting point in time for USMMA. To graduate, you need sea time. Most private shipping companies are requiring crew be vaccinated. If you want to sail with them, you thus have to get it. Some are not currently requiring it. Can a mid who refuses the vaccine be paired with one of those firms? To be determined on how the numbers align.

Will there be ongoing lockdowns? Anything is possible. Every freshman at any of the 5 service academies should expect reduced freedoms. Every freshman should also expect to have their ability to leave campus restricted at some point -- you are no longer in control of your personal freedoms and they are decided by others. Theoretically, you know that we expect conditions to improve as more people are vaccinated. As a result, we could logically conclude that we likely have seen the worst of things in terms of lockdowns -- provided there is not a new virus mutation that nullifies the efficacy of the current vaccines. Anything is possible and accepting the appointment and starting the journey is your acceptance of these variables.

If that is of concern to you, this may not be the place for you.

 

[CkzErz]

No idea what the rules are or will be (info comes out soon) but I can tell you that my son is an incoming plebe and we had him vaccinated. I figured at some point it will be mandatory and, before that, it will be encouraged so we just got it done now.


And in terms of uptick, it’s not that surprising. 1) Not everyone is vaccinated and 2) even if you are you can still get the virus, just hopefully with milder symptoms. I’ve already seen this among friends.

 

[theodore.broosevelt]

In short - you likely have answers to your questions. SAF posters do not generally represent school administrator and are simply speculating on what will happen.

Current round of vaccinations literally just happened and would not correlate to an uptick in cases. The vaccines had to be approved by the Department of the Navy because there is a mission requirement for having the vaccination -- see the Supt's facebook video message about this. The regiment was originally locked down through the end of 2020 and did extremely well in keeping reported cases of COVID down during that period, but morale suffered. In an attempt to change morale, they opened up liberty opportunities for mids and that is when cases rose. Cause and Effect.

The current round of vaccinations was voluntary. Reported side effects that led to the temporary halt to some vaccines are giving some pause on the legal ramifications of making this mandatory -- globally and not specific to military SA. I have not heard of any mid suffering a serious side effect, but that does not mean it has not happened. We are approaching an interesting point in time for USMMA. To graduate, you need sea time. Most private shipping companies are requiring crew be vaccinated. If you want to sail with them, you thus have to get it. Some are not currently requiring it. Can a mid who refuses the vaccine be paired with one of those firms? To be determined on how the numbers align.

Will there be ongoing lockdowns? Anything is possible. Every freshman at any of the 5 service academies should expect reduced freedoms. Every freshman should also expect to have their ability to leave campus restricted at some point -- you are no longer in control of your personal freedoms and they are decided by others. Theoretically, you know that we expect conditions to improve as more people are vaccinated. As a result, we could logically conclude that we likely have seen the worst of things in terms of lockdowns -- provided there is not a new virus mutation that nullifies the efficacy of the current vaccines. Anything is possible and accepting the appointment and starting the journey is your acceptance of these variables.

If that is of concern to you, this may not be the place for you.

The matter of reduced freedoms is not a concern to me by any means, I accepted an appointment well aware of the fact that for the next 4 years, plebe year especially, my personal liberties would be set on the back burner. The lack of freedom that is customary at SA's is, in my opinion, much different than the utter confinement and restriction level we have seen recently. I was more concerned with being able to walk beyond my barracks door on campus and lift weights or study in a group than head out for a day in the city. Interesting situation with Sea Year and company decisions however, appreciate the insight very much!

 

[theodore.broosevelt]

No idea what the rules are or will be (info comes out soon) but I can tell you that my son is an incoming plebe and we had him vaccinated. I figured at some point it will be mandatory and, before that, it will be encouraged so we just got it done now.


And in terms of uptick, it’s not that surprising. 1) Not everyone is vaccinated and 2) even if you are you can still get the virus, just hopefully with milder symptoms. I’ve already seen this among friends.

Yes, kind of what me and my family have been thinking regarding vaccination, just wanted to be sure I was not overlooking any potential advantages that may be had in waiting.

 

[CkzErz]

Yes, kind of what me and my family have been thinking regarding vaccination, just wanted to be sure I was not overlooking any potential advantages that may be had in waiting.

None that I can think of but honestly there’s probably also little harm in waiting. In terms of being proactive, we’ve also had his wisdom teeth removed, updated his passport and filed for a TWIC card. From here, we’ll wait on further instructions.

 

[Itpmom]

Vax is currently optional. But as others have said, it's required by many of the shipping companies. Mids looking to do the summer sail with the Navy have to have it.

Most got the first Vax this week, unless they previously arranged it on their own with Northwell as some were doing.

As for the uptick, could possibly be related to the 2023 A Splitters arriving back on campus. The Tri started 2 weeks ago. But there were several late arrivals. Who knows...