Advice for New Plebe Sponsor

NavyHoops...

Was your sport Basketball...? Anyway thanks so much for your response. I do understand that mids in athletic programs have different leave patterns, though I did not know they interfered with holiday travel (That sucks..:rolleyes: ) But I can assure you, if that situation occurs, the mids are more than welcome to spend that time with us. I know from my service how your first Christmas away from home feels...especially on the other side of the world. As for having the entire team over (have no idea of how many you are talking about..,) I'd probably be pressing my other sponsor friends and CaptMJ to help out...:confused:)

You mentioned your sponsor had several mids each year. I'm taking this is small bites (I've asked for two Plebes, but could take a third if necessary). First off, I'm now a single Dad after the death of my wife 18 months ago. I have older two boys living home, and my cooking skills are still developing. Thanks to people like CaptMJ, who has sent me several B mails on easy receipts and other "care and feeding" tactics, I'm fairly sure my food won't kill any of them :redface: But as with so many other mids, I'm very glad you had such a positive experience.

As to setting expectations, I agree completely. I’ve had a lot of advice on this and based on that advice, I put together some "house rates" that will help the mids understand the boundaries. I expect them to adhere to the honor code and other academy rules. Though I'm not always anyone’s role model, these young people are beginning the construction of their foundation for leadership, and I'd feel more comfortable not contributing to any cracks in that foundation. I also know that sponsors do get abused by some mids, but for the most part, I don't mind running them to BWI for the few trips they may have, as long as they understand that other family or career issues may get in the way. I live about 10 minutes from the Yard, so if available it's easy for me to jump in the SUV and pick them up. You also keep referring to the large number of mids showing up for dinner....your starting to scare me:eek:


I'm going into this with eyes open and not any real expectations on individual mid compatibility. Some matches work, some don't, and for those that don't, I'll try to adopt other mids. We're not wealthy, but it's a fun house, and the mids will have the entire lower level to eat, sleep, shoot pool, do laundry, or watch a movie by the fire. Knowing other sponsors, I think they'll enjoy the option to totally remain private if needed, or to mix it up with the family, whatever the mood dictates.

Thanks again so much for your perspective and special thanks from one vet to another for your service to our country.


2014sponsor
Thanks for the details about you mids schedules. I'm starting to get the picture on how the first year works. You comments about letting the mids be by themselves at the house is echoed by many other mids and sponsors I've talked too. Having the entire lower level of the house for themselves will provide them with separation from the family when they need or want it. I totally understand it's strange at first to be in another family's home, sitting on the couch next to someone you don't know. With a private area, the mids can kick back with their feet on the table and feel comfortable until they adjust to us and we to them...

You mentioned Arlington and follow-up discussions. I'm a network engineering director at the US Department of Veterans Affairs at headquarters across from the White House. I've been at the VA since 9/11, after leaving an engineering firm that collapsed due to the financial shakeup after the attack. While working at the VA, I've also got involved with the Wounded Warfighters Program. In short we gather up a group of 10 or more recovering warfighters from Walter Reed or Bethesda, and for example, members of a fishing club I belong too, rendezvous at my marina, load up several fishing boats with the warfighters, and a few of the medics that tag along, and go out for the day fishing, drinking, and back to the marina for a BBQ dinner. I can assure you, the mids would love to share a few hours with these men and women. I'm still totally amazed at the resolve, fighting spirit, and brotherhood, they maintain while battling back from some unbelievable injuries. And I'm not stretching the truth when I say how positive they feel about their mission as warfighters, and accept their present condition as "part of the package" You could expect bitterness on their part, but from my exposure, "not a ***** in the bunch" I'm hoping I get the chance to introduce the my mids to some of these extraordinary military individuals.

Anyway...gotta run and get back to work......thanks again for all the help
 
I'm applying for the class of 2016, and have never heard of the sponsor program. Is it just like a home away from home or an adopted family? That sure would be a comfort knowing you could get a way from the military life for a bit.
 
Pippip said:
I'm applying for the class of 2016, and have never heard of the sponsor program. Is it just like a home away from home or an adopted family? That sure would be a comfort knowing you could get a way from the military life for a bit.
Click to expand...

You can get the official Navy position from usna.edu, but in short, the main purpose is supporting the Plebe through the first year by matching up those Plebes that wish to have sponsors, with local sponsor families that live within a 22 mile radius of the Yard. Since Plebes have very little privileges during their first year, the sponsor program give them the chance to get off the yard and kick back during Town Liberty at one of the sponsors home, rather than having to wander around town or the mall in their UODs. Most Plebes enjoy simple things missing from the Yard, such as sleeping, eating, watching TV, and doing laundry...all without upper-class midshipmen around.

Read the string and you'll get a much better idea.

Good luck with you application....:thumb:
 
runningtide said:
You can get the official Navy position from usna.edu, but in short, the main purpose is supporting the Plebe through the first year by matching up those Plebes that wish to have sponsors, with local sponsor families that live within a 22 mile radius of the Yard. Since Plebes have very little privileges during their first year, the sponsor program give them the chance to get off the yard and kick back during Town Liberty at one of the sponsors home, rather than having to wander around town or the mall in their UODs. Most Plebes enjoy simple things missing from the Yard, such as sleeping, eating, watching TV, and doing laundry...all without upper-class midshipmen around.

Read the string and you'll get a much better idea.

Good luck with you application....:thumb:
Click to expand...

Thanks! I've already read some, but wanted to make sure I was getting the right idea.
 
One of my "go to" easy meals is chili dog casserole. super easy, leftovers are a little soggy (that's not usually an issue at my house though)
in a 9x13 casserole dish (any size really would work)...
put a layer of chili (I use canned for this recipe) (my family doesn't like beans in the chili, but it's ok for sure)
roll a hot dog in a flour tortilla (corn does NOT work for this recipe)
place "seam" side down, like an enchilada
fill the pan laying hot dogs wrapped up all cozy in a flour tortilla blanket :), side by side
top with more canned chili (I typically use more on top than on bottom), my kids like it covered
sprinkle onion (or not....your choice)
sprinkle heavily with cheese (your choice of flavors, but we use shredded)
loosely cover with foil and bake at 425 until it's all hot (usually about 30-40 minutes)
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chili-dog-casserole-ii/

good luck and THANK YOU for volunteering your time and house for this!
 
My plebe's sponsor family has been such a blessing. They know his favorite junk food and always have it on hand. They take him to BWI and pick him up. They allow him to just kickback and relax. They have three mids--2from this year and 1 from a previous year. When he's at their place I receive photos and updates. The sponsor program at USNA is just incredible! Must thank all who make the lives of mids better by giving of their time and energy, and resources!
 
All we wanted to do was hang out with our friends and classmates. We had no interest in watching "Murder She Wrote" with some 62-yr-old sponsor while a pot roast was in the oven. We just went to Timmy's, got a pitcher of beer and a sub sandwich. (I realize that "Murder She Wrote" didn't air until 1984, but work with me here...) ;)
 
My son's Sponsor was a friend of mine from college. They have become very close friends, even now that my son has graduated.

You have probably thought of this, but do what you can to get a strong wi-fi signal in your Mid-Den. They love to go online with their phones, which most of them have, when they can.
 
I still remember the argument my son and I had regarding filling out the sponsor form. I urged him to check the box to request a sponsor although he said he already had parent's and didn't need anymore support. Fast forward three years later. My son is a 2/C at USNA and my husband and I refer to his sponsor's as 'his parents" and there is not a mom involved. He has learned how to cook, shop, clean and more importantly become part of another family. My son has established a relationship with them that cannot be replaced. When we visited during 2c weekend they shared memories when he had first started and how much he has grown just like we had realized. They will never understand how grateful my son, husband and I are to them for being his sponsors and his main support. They recently offered to be my daughter's sponsors who recently received an appointment and we could never express our gratitude in words. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story and offering to be someone's second home. You sound like a special person and any mid would be lucky to have you as a sponsor! The transition is so overwhelming that the mids only need a 'safe' relaxing place where they can be themselves!
 
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