After USMMA Appointment Acceptance - Next Steps

joriebelle said:
Yes, PT gear is mandatory. I didn't think it was expensive. I've since bought him a few more of the t-shirts as he wears those all the time. Yes, that was the one of the order forms for Class of 2022. Yes, I did purchase socks and underwear separately and he brought that in a duffel bag. I found those on sale so I ordered them myself. Right, shoes are not on the form. I also bought for him a large oversized white towel. You may have heard this already, but most of them don't sleep under their covers because they don't want to set their bed every day; it takes my son 15-20 minutes to set his bed correctly. Many of them use the oversized towel as a blanket and then just put it away every morning.
Click to expand...

When I went through Indoc, it wasn't uncommon for upperclassmen to see if we were sleeping on or in our bunks. . . and would then make us get under the blanket. . . .you will learn to make that bed in far less time than 15 minutes. . . .
just some skills that a regular institution of upper education won't teach. . . .
 
cmakin said:
joriebelle said:
Yes, PT gear is mandatory. I didn't think it was expensive. I've since bought him a few more of the t-shirts as he wears those all the time. Yes, that was the one of the order forms for Class of 2022. Yes, I did purchase socks and underwear separately and he brought that in a duffel bag. I found those on sale so I ordered them myself. Right, shoes are not on the form. I also bought for him a large oversized white towel. You may have heard this already, but most of them don't sleep under their covers because they don't want to set their bed every day; it takes my son 15-20 minutes to set his bed correctly. Many of them use the oversized towel as a blanket and then just put it away every morning.
Click to expand...

When I went through Indoc, it wasn't uncommon for upperclassmen to see if we were sleeping on or in our bunks. . . and would then make us get under the blanket. . . .you will learn to make that bed in far less time than 15 minutes. . . .
just some skills that a regular institution of upper education won't teach. . . .
Click to expand...
Not exactly a skill that is useful in the civilian world or to be honest in the military world. My son is a 2nd LT and lives in an apartment. No one is looking to see what his bed looks like
 
He sleeps on the top bunk which is very close to the ceiling and a major pain to set. Far easier to sleep with the towel and use that extra time for sleep. In his words, not mine. I'm just the Mom LOL. I'm sure each person has their own preference; that is just what worked for my own son.
 
.[/QUOTE]
Not exactly a skill that is useful in the civilian world or to be honest in the military world. My son is a 2nd LT and lives in an apartment. No one is looking to see what his bed looks like[/QUOTE]

It's not the skill of making the bed that is useful in the civilian or military world, it is the attention to detail that is important and THAT is what is learned in having to make your bed perfectly every day. Being trained to adhere to a standard in doing routine tasks helps make sure there’s good order and discipline when it matters most. Attention to detail can be absolutely critical both in war situations or when they’re on the ship; that’s how you notice that someone in a crowd is a potential threat, or that there are indications that an IED has been planted, etc. Also, when everyone has to make their bed the same, that reinforces the idea of teamwork over individuality.
 
Humey said:
cmakin said:
joriebelle said:
Yes, PT gear is mandatory. I didn't think it was expensive. I've since bought him a few more of the t-shirts as he wears those all the time. Yes, that was the one of the order forms for Class of 2022. Yes, I did purchase socks and underwear separately and he brought that in a duffel bag. I found those on sale so I ordered them myself. Right, shoes are not on the form. I also bought for him a large oversized white towel. You may have heard this already, but most of them don't sleep under their covers because they don't want to set their bed every day; it takes my son 15-20 minutes to set his bed correctly. Many of them use the oversized towel as a blanket and then just put it away every morning.
Click to expand...

When I went through Indoc, it wasn't uncommon for upperclassmen to see if we were sleeping on or in our bunks. . . and would then make us get under the blanket. . . .you will learn to make that bed in far less time than 15 minutes. . . .
just some skills that a regular institution of upper education won't teach. . . .
Click to expand...
Not exactly a skill that is useful in the civilian world or to be honest in the military world. My son is a 2nd LT and lives in an apartment. No one is looking to see what his bed looks like
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, you don't get it.
 
Whisky65 said:
Humey said:
cmakin said:
joriebelle said:
Yes, PT gear is mandatory. I didn't think it was expensive. I've since bought him a few more of the t-shirts as he wears those all the time. Yes, that was the one of the order forms for Class of 2022. Yes, I did purchase socks and underwear separately and he brought that in a duffel bag. I found those on sale so I ordered them myself. Right, shoes are not on the form. I also bought for him a large oversized white towel. You may have heard this already, but most of them don't sleep under their covers because they don't want to set their bed every day; it takes my son 15-20 minutes to set his bed correctly. Many of them use the oversized towel as a blanket and then just put it away every morning.
Click to expand...

When I went through Indoc, it wasn't uncommon for upperclassmen to see if we were sleeping on or in our bunks. . . and would then make us get under the blanket. . . .you will learn to make that bed in far less time than 15 minutes. . . .
just some skills that a regular institution of upper education won't teach. . . .
Click to expand...
Not exactly a skill that is useful in the civilian world or to be honest in the military world. My son is a 2nd LT and lives in an apartment. No one is looking to see what his bed looks like
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, you don't get it.
Click to expand...
I dont appreciate the the comment that I dont understand as if it is over my head. I understand the concept and not saying it shouldnt be done at the academy but I disagree with concept and its conclusion. I think beds should always be done every morning just for the sake of appearnances but I dont agree spending 15 minutes making a bed is a virtue on to itself. I dont believe there is a cause and effect in regards to details. I am sure there are people can do the bed well and be very detail oriented and I can sure there are people who do the bed well and arent very detail oriented. The same is true for those who dont do the bed well. I dont know if compartmentalization is the right word, but there people in their professional lives who work in military precision and yet when they go home are 180 degree opposite. Its like the old joke, the shoemaker son goes around barefoot.
 
cmakin said:
joriebelle said:
Yes, PT gear is mandatory. I didn't think it was expensive. I've since bought him a few more of the t-shirts as he wears those all the time. Yes, that was the one of the order forms for Class of 2022. Yes, I did purchase socks and underwear separately and he brought that in a duffel bag. I found those on sale so I ordered them myself. Right, shoes are not on the form. I also bought for him a large oversized white towel. You may have heard this already, but most of them don't sleep under their covers because they don't want to set their bed every day; it takes my son 15-20 minutes to set his bed correctly. Many of them use the oversized towel as a blanket and then just put it away every morning.
Click to expand...

When I went through Indoc, it wasn't uncommon for upperclassmen to see if we were sleeping on or in our bunks. . . and would then make us get under the blanket. . . .you will learn to make that bed in far less time than 15 minutes. . . .
just some skills that a regular institution of upper education won't teach. . . .
Click to expand...

That's not how it is anymore. It's basically commonly known that you sleep on top of your bunk every night. If you want people to go make their bed you just have everyone rip their rack. That's the common practice today. I havent folded my blanket really . . . since plebe year.
 
Humey said:
Whisky65 said:
Humey said:
cmakin said:
joriebelle said:
Yes, PT gear is mandatory. I didn't think it was expensive. I've since bought him a few more of the t-shirts as he wears those all the time. Yes, that was the one of the order forms for Class of 2022. Yes, I did purchase socks and underwear separately and he brought that in a duffel bag. I found those on sale so I ordered them myself. Right, shoes are not on the form. I also bought for him a large oversized white towel. You may have heard this already, but most of them don't sleep under their covers because they don't want to set their bed every day; it takes my son 15-20 minutes to set his bed correctly. Many of them use the oversized towel as a blanket and then just put it away every morning.
Click to expand...

When I went through Indoc, it wasn't uncommon for upperclassmen to see if we were sleeping on or in our bunks. . . and would then make us get under the blanket. . . .you will learn to make that bed in far less time than 15 minutes. . . .
just some skills that a regular institution of upper education won't teach. . . .
Click to expand...
Not exactly a skill that is useful in the civilian world or to be honest in the military world. My son is a 2nd LT and lives in an apartment. No one is looking to see what his bed looks like
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, you don't get it.
Click to expand...
I dont appreciate the the comment that I dont understand as if it is over my head. I understand the concept and not saying it shouldnt be done at the academy but I disagree with concept and its conclusion. I think beds should always be done every morning just for the sake of appearnances but I dont agree spending 15 minutes making a bed is a virtue on to itself. I dont believe there is a cause and effect in regards to details. I am sure there are people can do the bed well and be very detail oriented and I can sure there are people who do the bed well and arent very detail oriented. The same is true for those who dont do the bed well. I dont know if compartmentalization is the right word, but there people in their professional lives who work in military precision and yet when they go home are 180 degree opposite. Its like the old joke, the shoemaker son goes around barefoot.
Click to expand...

Hey Humey, the thing is you are 100% correct. There is absolutely no cause and effect . . .You can clearly see that the people who are commenting about this have never done it themselves. Making your bed every morning doesn't make you detail oriented. You can easily have a clean room and be terrible at executing or be a slob and execute perfectly. It's the type of person you are and who you choose to be.
 
Humey said:
Not exactly a skill that is useful in the civilian world or to be honest in the military world. My son is a 2nd LT and lives in an apartment. No one is looking to see what his bed looks like
Click to expand...
Humey. This is not milirltary or civilian world. It is Academy and indoctrination world. Totally different worlds.
 
Humey said:
cmakin said:
joriebelle said:
Yes, PT gear is mandatory. I didn't think it was expensive. I've since bought him a few more of the t-shirts as he wears those all the time. Yes, that was the one of the order forms for Class of 2022. Yes, I did purchase socks and underwear separately and he brought that in a duffel bag. I found those on sale so I ordered them myself. Right, shoes are not on the form. I also bought for him a large oversized white towel. You may have heard this already, but most of them don't sleep under their covers because they don't want to set their bed every day; it takes my son 15-20 minutes to set his bed correctly. Many of them use the oversized towel as a blanket and then just put it away every morning.
Click to expand...

When I went through Indoc, it wasn't uncommon for upperclassmen to see if we were sleeping on or in our bunks. . . and would then make us get under the blanket. . . .you will learn to make that bed in far less time than 15 minutes. . . .
just some skills that a regular institution of upper education won't teach. . . .
Click to expand...
Not exactly a skill that is useful in the civilian world or to be honest in the military world. My son is a 2nd LT and lives in an apartment. No one is looking to see what his bed looks like
Click to expand...

Nor are skills like polishing brass belt buckles, spit shining shoes, memorizing Plebe Knowledge, yet they are vital to surviving Indoc and Plebe year. . . . not saying good or bad, but these are things that are expected of someone at KP that may not be expected at a "normal" institute of higher learning. . . .when I was going through it, I had much the same feelings that these are not going to be useful in the real world. As stated in a comment above, what they DO teach are adhering to written rules (The dreaded Reg Book) and discipline. Go through a USCG inspection or Class survey on a ship and one will find that adherence to written rules is key (and I say this as a former Class Surveyor). I never really got my head around why we had to go through something like Indoc or Plebe Year until long after I graduated. The experience is not pleasant, nor is it supposed to be.
 
golfindad said:
Humey said:
Not exactly a skill that is useful in the civilian world or to be honest in the military world. My son is a 2nd LT and lives in an apartment. No one is looking to see what his bed looks like
Click to expand...
Humey. This is not milirltary or civilian world. It is Academy and indoctrination world. Totally different worlds.
Click to expand...
I am not arguing that is shouldnt be done. I am not arguing that it is wrong. I am sure there are good reasons for doing so like adhering to written rules. I just dont buy that people who spend time meticulously making up a bed are going to be better at details. That was my sole point.
 
So far this has been done or needs to be done on my DS's side:
1. TWIC card - done
2. wisdom teeth -extracted
3. white shoes - bought two pairs and they have been worn to break them in;
4. white socks - bought 12 pairs; nothing beats the gold toe
5. white t-shirts and underwear - WIP; probably will order from the Academy's Navy Exchange store
6. running, working out every day
7. health insurance - checked if compliant with USMMA requirements
8. Navy Federal Credit Union joint account - TBA
9. USMMA related Health Services doc's have been posted on USMMA web site - https://www.usmma.edu/academy-life/related-health-services-documents
 
sunny_dreamer said:
So far this has been done or needs to be done on my DS's side:
1. TWIC card - done
2. wisdom teeth -extracted
3. white shoes - bought two pairs and they have been worn to break them in;
4. white socks - bought 12 pairs; nothing beats the gold toe
5. white t-shirts and underwear - WIP; probably will order from the Academy's Navy Exchange store
6. running, working out every day
7. health insurance - checked if compliant with USMMA requirements
8. Navy Federal Credit Union joint account - TBA
9. USMMA related Health Services doc's have been posted on USMMA web site - https://www.usmma.edu/academy-life/related-health-services-documents
Click to expand...
Awesome! Hoping a waiver comes through for my son soon so we can work on a list like this!
 
Sunny. Good work. Now, it's time to sit back. Let DS finish senior year. And then take time and spend a week with him just being family. I would say go to WDW, enjoy the parks, go to V&A and tell them you are celebrating an appointment and a great event; but if that's not you, go do your thing that is pure family, pure together. His schedule changes your time together more than you can imagine.
 
golfindad said:
Sunny. Good work. Now, it's time to sit back. Let DS finish senior year. And then take time and spend a week with him just being family. I would say go to WDW, enjoy the parks, go to V&A and tell them you are celebrating an appointment and a great event; but if that's not you, go do your thing that is pure family, pure together. His schedule changes your time together more than you can imagine.
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Will do. No worries. There is time for everything. Going on a beer tour in UK after school finishes. There will have my father son bonding experience.
 
Hello...yes, please, send tips for mail during indoc. I read the plebe parent handbook yesterday and cried. This is so exciting and scary. My son has an appointment (recd in Feb). 90 days from today is indoc. I am glad I am not the only Mom feeling this way.
joriebelle said:
2023 Mom, I'd be happy to help too as we just went through this last year. I also have some fun ideas for sending mail during INDOC if you're interested.[/
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Send a letter everyday during INDOC so your DD/DS will always have something to open if they have a tough day. Send the first couple of letters before they leave (depending on what part of the country you live in) so they have mail early during INDOC. Do NOT send anything that stands out such as huge cards, flowery envelopes, etc. The challenge is not to draw individual attention to your DD/DS during INDOC or they will probably have to pay a price. Your plebe candidates will not have a box number until later, so for INDOC, it will work to just use the Company once you know it. Make sure to address mail to Plebe Candidate First Last until they earn the right to be addressed as Plebe and later as Midshipman. Send your DD/DS with a few stamped and preaddressed envelopes and paper to make it easy for them to write to you. I'm sure joriebelle will have some more ideas for you. Enjoy your remaining time with your DD/DS.
 
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