2nd Semester Plebe here! Fire away

brewmeist said:
I have real concerns about 2023 not getting to experience PROTRAMID.
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I would be curious if anyone has done a study evaluating the impact that Protramid has on Midshipman development and Service Selection. As a sample of one, I would say it was fun and I had some good memories, but it had zero impact on my service selection. I knew I wanted to fly, and after I got glasses, NFO was first choice all the way.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
I would be curious if anyone has done a study evaluating the impact that Protramid has on Midshipman development and Service Selection. As a sample of one, I would say it was fun and I had some good memories, but it had zero impact on my service selection. I knew I wanted to fly, and after I got glasses, NFO was first choice all the way.
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I think knowing you want to fly is probably the best case scenario as far as not being affected. Most people are familiar with flying.

I think the ones that will be affected the most are SWO and SUBS. I listened to a presentation during a USNA conference about this...don’t have my notes with me but the speaker (in charge of service assignment) spoke to something to the effect that most of the SUB select interest from Mids, comes from an exposure to them via PROTRAMID. I’m thinking he said a very high percentage, something like 80 pct. He talked about how many aren’t interested until they get them on one, and they see all the neat radars, etc. And they are concerned about this. With HALF of the current Brigade missing exposure (‘22 and ‘23).

My own upperclass has resigned himself that he will just ‘go SWO’. He was actually curious about SUBS, but not enough to elect without exposure to be sure. That’s quite the commitment.

It sure would be great if they could get SOME exposure l. If not a full PRTOTAMID. I think it’s asking a lot to select without exposure. We are landlocked middle America, never even been on a boat. BUT, if ‘ya join the Navy? There’s a pretty good chance you’ll end up on a boat. So SWO is a reasonable expectation, experience or not.
 
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ders_dad said:
How’s the mail situation these days? We overnighted a new phone to our DS (his died and since he can’t leave the Yard he asked us to buy him a replacement). Tracking indicated it arrived FedEx last week but it’s somewhere in the Bancroft post office.
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Find a parent who will be your mail buddy for the remainder. Best thing ever. And many of those locals would LOVE to help. And often offer! Doesn’t have to be an ‘official’ sponsor.

Throw out a request on the main parent page, and add them to your Rolodex. I don’t send anything to usna anymore. My guys get their stuff in 3 days. Delivered to the closest Bancroft parking lot/door.
 
My DS said that, the other day, they (Youngsters and presumably 2/C) were directed to an on-line video of "sub-life" minus the national security stuff to view. It wasn't mandatory to view but I'm wondering if this isn't the initial response to no PROTRAMID (i.e. possibly no sub exposure) for that group. My DS said there was a lot of cool stuff but gave him no feeling on what life in a sub would be like. He envisions it as "Das Boot" or "Hunt for Red October". A lot of mids (youngsters) he knows are absolutely certain what warfare community they want but he doesn't have a clue.
 
ders_dad said:
How’s the mail situation these days? We overnighted a new phone to our DS (his died and since he can’t leave the Yard he asked us to buy him a replacement). Tracking indicated it arrived FedEx last week but it’s somewhere in the Bancroft post office.
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Long lines to get packages. Very long lines.......again.
 
Our son picked up some V8 juice I shipped via walmart. It arrived quickly, but yesterday was his first day out of ROM to get it. He said it wasn't bad in terms of lines or time.
 
Heatherg21 said:
Our son picked up some V8 juice I shipped via walmart. It arrived quickly, but yesterday was his first day out of ROM to get it. He said it wasn't bad in terms of lines or time.
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Wow! I just got an email from my son and his FedEx package is STILL sitting somewhere in the bowels of the Bancroft post office.
 
ders_dad said:
He envisions it as "Das Boot" or "Hunt for Red October".
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My suggestion for getting a full picture of sub life: Watch “Crimson Tide” but put it on mute and play the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” on continuous loop in the background, all while eating a gourmet meal in a dimly lit room. I’ve been told that this is a reasonable facsimile. 🤣

As a plebe, DD toured a sub moored just beyond the Yard. She came out and promptly declared, “I won’t be going subs!”
 
ders_dad said:
Wow! I just got an email from my son and his FedEx package is STILL sitting somewhere in the bowels of the Bancroft post office.
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To be fair, it shipped on January 12 when he flew out to ROM.
 
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