A little confused about 'Reef Points'

Just Dad

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I've seen pics of plebes with eyes riveted on copies of 'Reef Points' all over the place. SEEKING EVERY POSSIBLE ADVANTAGE for my kid, I went to buy a copy so she can learn its contents while practicing the shoulder/wrist/jaw angel and eye positions depicted in all those photos.

I went to the well-spring of all my reading, Amazon, and found that reefpoints cost $50; a little surprising but OK. I'll pay that if only to be able to say..... "well its not like you didn't have the book in advance", when my daughter complains about getting hammered over her failure to learn material in 'Reef Points'.

My confusion stems from the fact that there were different versions of 'Reef Points'; a 2012 edition, a 2014 edition, a 2015 addition Etc. So..? does the material in 'Reef Points' vary from year to year is each version a "one off"? I will pick of a copy if it's contents relate to what my DD will be required to learn/recite but if it varies significantly year to year I guess there would be no point.

OT and BTW: since I mentioned Amazon and the USN in the same text. Here are a few of my really-truly, all time, must read, favorite USN themed books.

1) 'A Dawn Like Thunder': True story of the flyers of Torpedo 8 the USN's most decorated and mismanaged squadron of ww2. If you read it and tell me you didn't like it, the first beer is on me at parents weekend.
2) 'Neptune's Inferno': Night Gun engagements between IJN and USN off Guadalcanal. Not the page turner like 'A Dawn Like Thunder' but a nice mix of hardcore history of those battles, and personal stories within them. (engaging painless history lesson)
3) 'The Last Stand Of Fox Company': These guys held the road open out of the Chosin Reservoir. Reads like a Marvel Comic Book at times ------you have to remind yourself at times that its a true story.
4) 'Shattered Sword' Not as easy to read as the others, but (I think) the best historical analysis of the battle of Mid Way available, (LOTS of stuff most of us don't know about Mid Way).

OK sorry for wandering from the purpose of this Msg. Board;but I did ask a plebe question. If anyone has a great USN/Marines/USAAC or USAF read, you can PM me; I'm reading 'Six Frigates' right now.

I sometimes worry that my plebe-to-be daughter isn't trying to live out her Father's long repressed desire to serve.

PLEBE QUESTION-to-READING LIST-to-PSYCHO THERAPY (what an awesome post!---back to work)
 
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You can order reef points through the gift shop or Mid store through USNA website. Just FYI, my soon to be plebe no more daughter did not study the reef point before I-day or plebe summer. She did buy it and look it over, but she didn't focus on it. They will have plenty of time over plebe summer to look at the reef points. The summer before I-day went so quickly, and plebe summer itself felt soooo long, for me and my plebe daughter. Go Navy!
 
Check the website for U.S. Naval Academy Store (the gift store not the Mid Store). They have Reef Points for $27.50 (2015-2016). I don't think much varies except the dates on the cover. As MidMom says they can look at it but don't worry about memorizing it.
 
Believe it or not, reading and learning what's in Reef Points over the summer is part of the training. Learning it ahead of time defeats the purpose.... but they will find another way to achieve their purpose. There really is no advantage to buying it. This topic actually comes up each year. Here's an interesting thread from a past year that is worth reading.... http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/reef-points.31824/
 
As mentioned by midmom above, they will have plenty of time after I-day for reef points. And as Kinnem pointed out, it's part of the training. Don't focus on that. Instead, recommend focusing on PT preparedness and healthy living. Also recommend "Worth Dying For" as an addition to the reading list. Just my $.02
 
As a grad who still has their Reef Points... No need to buy a copy. And most Grads keep their copies. A new one is produced for each class. If she really wants to learn some info... Some basics to start with... mission of the Naval Academy, ranks in order with their insignia, general orders of the sentry, Blue & Gold, chain of command. She won't know her lower chain of command, but names of the Sec Nav, CNO, JCCS, etc. She doesn't need Reef Points to learn stuff that is easily on the Internet. She doesn't need to know this stuff before showing up. Sure she might know it, but guess what? A detailer will light her up for not helping her classmates know their stuff then. They will find a weakness regardless to test her and push her even if she memeorizes every single item. She doesn't need to practice standing with that book and learning to memorize like that. She will have it perfected before I Day is over. The best thing she can do right now is get in amazing shape, keep a great attitude during Plebe Summer and go have fun!There is no 'winning' Plebe Summer, it's growing, learning, developing, becoming a Midshipmen while working with 12 others.
 
I agree with everyone who said that you should not do this. Plebe Summer is not just something you get through. It is a time to learn and grow in the middle of an intense environment. Throw the Reef Points away. Tell your plebe to get in shape. That's it. Well, maybe a boxing lesson or two. That's something that is new, and there's nothing wrong with getting hit in the face a few times to understand what that part will be like. Seriously, boxing lessons - not to get good enough to win Brigades -- but just a few lessons to experience contact.

Other than that, nothing but getting in shape.
 
Agree with what has been said thus far --- don't defeat the purpose of Plebe Summer. NavyHoops is right on...if you want to get familiar with some material, no harm.
I also think this should serve as a reminder that parents need to STEP BACK! You really should not be doing anything for your DS/DD at this point...let them run the show...this is THEIR decision, not yours. There are consequences for actions and if that lesson hasn't been learned yet...USNA will teach them very quickly.
 
Don't waste time on that. We went on 2 week family vacation before I day. Treasured every minute with my DD now plebe. Wish I had more time. Trust they will get it done themselves and enjoy the next 2 months with your future midshipman. Just have fun. Oh, and get tickets to Army Navy Game!!
 
Agree with all above who say don't focus on Reef Points, invest time in quality family togetherness and physical conditioning.

USNA does not direct incoming plebes to get Reef Points and study it in advance. It's all in her PTR. One of the purposes of all the memorization is to be handed new information at short notice, learn to focus and memorize fast, as well as retain, when a lot of other things are going on, and when exhausted. That is a skill needed in operational situations, and lays the groundwork for procedural memorizations down the road in the cockpit, on the bridge or other places where practiced memorization ability comes in handy. It also encourages working together as a team to share the burden of learning common knowledge. No one should be "that plebe" who stands out for the wrong reasons.

For familiarization purposes only, and to scan for a sense of the nomenclature, she could install Military Ranks app (free) on her phone. If she has no familiarity with military ranks, it might give her a smidgen of comfort just to walk through the names.

Finish school strong, do PT, sleep, spend time with family and friends, get organized, PLAY!
 
Bought for DS before plebe summer. He looked it over but didn't memorize any of it. Focus instead on being in the best physical fitness --AND enjoy the limited time you have left!!! We don't get much time with DS anymore!
 
SEEKING EVERY POSSIBLE ADVANTAGE for my kid, I went to buy a copy so she can learn its contents while practicing the shoulder/wrist/jaw angel and eye positions depicted in all those photos.

Practicing all the shoulder/wrist/jaw angle and eye positions beforehand isn't going to help when there's someone in your face, absolutely no benefit or advantage whatsoever. Let her enjoy the time now until I-Day, she'll be neck deep in other things during PS.

Agree with what has been said thus far --- don't defeat the purpose of Plebe Summer. NavyHoops is right on...if you want to get familiar with some material, no harm.
I also think this should serve as a reminder that parents need to STEP BACK! You really should not be doing anything for your DS/DD at this point...let them run the show...this is THEIR decision, not yours. There are consequences for actions and if that lesson hasn't been learned yet...USNA will teach them very quickly.

Ditto, 1000%
 
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