Ask a Mid!

Usnavy2019

10-Year Member
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Mar 31, 2013
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Hey everyone,

This thread is aimed at appointees, but all players are welcome. I'm a Youngster (3/C, Class of 2020... vice the username) so I can speak to both Plebe and upperclass life.

All questions are welcome and I'm willing to answer just about anything. The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.

I'll be on a few times a day to answer questions, but my response times may vary due to my busy schedule.

Fire away!
 
Hey everyone,

This thread is aimed at appointees, but all players are welcome. I'm a Youngster (3/C, Class of 2020... vice the username) so I can speak to both Plebe and upperclass life.

All questions are welcome and I'm willing to answer just about anything. The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.

I'll be on a few times a day to answer questions, but my response times may vary due to my busy schedule.

Fire away!
Ok...so does Academy life allow for playing music (guitar, fiddle etc) or is it just not going to happen? Other than plebe year of course! Thanks..
 
While The Mid is no doubt busy as the semester approaches final exams and will provide current insight, musically-inclined mids abound at USNA.

There is a Music Dept, which supports vocalists and instrumentalists.
https://www.usna.edu/Music/index.php

There are pianos in various places, which mids find and enjoy.

Once you are through Plebe Summer and settled into the ac year in your company, and have gotten a feel for how you are handling academics, athletics and professional requirements, you can figure out when and if a musical instrument fits in. The issues are time to play, storage and places to play. You’ll learn how to handle all this by observing upperclass. I suspect having an instrument there will be a source of stress release; you just have to figure out how to manage it.

Plebe Summer - no. Bring only what you’re told.

This time next year, you will have the whole plebe thing handled and will be looking forward to your youngster shoulder boards.
 
Instruments during Plebe Summer is a no go as they will take it from you and you won't get it back until Reform (start of the Ac Year).

Plebes are allowed to play instruments in their room/as a part of the multiple music extra-curriculars on the Yard. Many Plebes here maintain guitars, but as @Capt MJ said, there's a time and a place and that's when you need to blow off steam and you can work it into your schedule.

Once Plebes become upperclass, you see a few more people being in instruments along with video games, big montitors, etc.
 
DS is wondering about any opportunities to go electric (jam spaces etc.) & amp storage after Plebe year. He’s been fronting rock bands for years and has been assuming that will become a thing of the past if he goes to USNA. (Also, it’s easy to explain on resume that you were first chair violinist in your school orchestra but what about playing lead guitar & vocals in a Neil Young tribute band?)
 
DS is wondering about any opportunities to go electric (jam spaces etc.) & amp storage after Plebe year. He’s been fronting rock bands for years and has been assuming that will become a thing of the past if he goes to USNA. (Also, it’s easy to explain on resume that you were first chair violinist in your school orchestra but what about playing lead guitar & vocals in a Neil Young tribute band?)
There are no "jam spaces," but keeping a guitar and amp in his room should not be an issue. He'll just be hard pressed for time to play during the week. As for storage after Plebe year, don't worry about that just yet. I would absolutely put his music experience on his resume. Remember, their looking for a well rounded person that also brings something unique to the Academy. I'd say lead guitar and vocals in a rock band is not something very common for applicants.
 
The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.

A few questions referencing the picture below....

1. Since the class of 2021 have been issued dollies, are the upper classes allowed to use them as well?

2. Can you use them during the academic year to haul books between classes?

3. Are they also issued for summer training? I'm sure these dollies would really come in handy during Marine Leatherneck training (hauling rucks/ammo cans) or Fleet Cruises (luggage).

4. Were these dollies issued to address the "foot issue" reported by your football team?

5....and finally a bit more serious question for you...how do you feel about these dollies being issued to last year's class?

Thanks.

upload_2018-4-16_13-7-14.png
 
The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.

A few questions referencing the picture below....

1. Since the class of 2021 have been issued dollies, are the upper classes allowed to use them as well?

2. Can you use them during the academic year to haul books between classes?

3. Are they also issued for summer training? I'm sure these dollies would really come in handy during Marine Leatherneck training (hauling rucks/ammo cans) or Fleet Cruises (luggage).

4. Were these dollies issued to address the "foot issue" reported by your football team?

5....and finally a bit more serious question for you...how do you feel about these dollies being issued to last year's class?

Thanks.

View attachment 1501

I guess when you go to a school like the castle in the middle of nowhere in upstate NY (also known as West Point), you develop weird obsessions like the one you have with dollies.
 
A few questions referencing the picture below....

1. Since the class of 2021 have been issued dollies, are the upper classes allowed to use them as well?

2. Can you use them during the academic year to haul books between classes?

3. Are they also issued for summer training? I'm sure these dollies would really come in handy during Marine Leatherneck training (hauling rucks/ammo cans) or Fleet Cruises (luggage).

4. Were these dollies issued to address the "foot issue" reported by your football team?

5....and finally a bit more serious question for you...how do you feel about these dollies being issued to last year's class?

Thanks.

View attachment 1501

The carts have been getting issued since my plebe summer 6 years ago. Y'all really need to find some new material.
 
There are no "jam spaces," but keeping a guitar and amp in his room should not be an issue. He'll just be hard pressed for time to play during the week. As for storage after Plebe year, don't worry about that just yet. I would absolutely put his music experience on his resume. Remember, their looking for a well rounded person that also brings something unique to the Academy. I'd say lead guitar and vocals in a rock band is not something very common for applicants.

That being said, finding a good time to play an electric guitar in Bancroft is questionable. Rooms are close, walls are thin. I don't know how thrilled I'd be with someone jamming out next door while I was trying to grab a nap or cram in some studying between classes as a mid...
 
Thanks- if DS is fortunate enough to attend, sounds like he should leave the Les Paul at home or suffer a fate similar to what John Belushi delivered in Animal House.
 
Thanks- if DS is fortunate enough to attend, sounds like he should leave the Les Paul at home or suffer a fate similar to what John Belushi delivered in Animal House.

I am able to put headphones in my amp and no noise. Vox makes a fit in your hand amp that plugs to headphones. Now he needs an appointment.
 
The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked. !


A few questions referencing the picture below....

1. Since the class of 2021 have been issued dollies, are the upper classes allowed to use them as well?

2. Can you use them during the academic year to haul books between classes?

3. Are they also issued for summer training? I'm sure these dollies would really come in handy during Marine Leatherneck training (hauling rucks/ammo cans) or Fleet Cruises (luggage).

4. Were these dollies issued to address the "foot issue" reported by your football team?

5....and finally a bit more serious question for you...how do you feel about these dollies being issued to last year's class?

Thanks.

View attachment 1501

There are exceptions to the rule that the only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.

Pallen92X.... your dolly schtick is getting old. I'm all in favor of good natured rivalry between Service Academy's, and will admit, I don't like the dollys, but I don't see anything in your profile that suggests that you are a grad or cadet, or even offered an appointment to West Point or any other Service Academy. There is an unspoken rule among veterans -- you can crack on the other Services as much as you once, but woe betide any outsider (non-veteran) who disparages any service. I would suggest that sentiment applies to Service Academy rivalry as well.

If you are a Service Academy grad or cadet, you have earned the right to crack on other Service Academies, but keep in mind there are limits. I often counsel my Candidates that inter-service rivalry is a good thing, but keep in mind we are all on the same team (except for one afternoon in December each year when Navy gets to beat up on Army!)
 
Hi, I'm one of the upcoming plebes for this year. I've found loads of advice for this summer, but almost none for plebe academic year. What advice would you give for it?
 
DS is wondering about any opportunities to go electric (jam spaces etc.) & amp storage after Plebe year. He’s been fronting rock bands for years and has been assuming that will become a thing of the past if he goes to USNA. (Also, it’s easy to explain on resume that you were first chair violinist in your school orchestra but what about playing lead guitar & vocals in a Neil Young tribute band?)
Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band, OK to mention, never a Neil Young Tribute Band.... ;)
 
LOL!

DS is a big Synyrd fan (plays slide on Free Bird) ...”Southern man don’t need him around any how”
 
@Usnavy2019, thank you for starting this thread, and also for your willingness to help. We just visited USNA last week, and my son (who received an appointment but was undecided) accepted the offer right away after CVW. He's super enthusiastic about this journey, and he understands it is going to be challenging.

My question is about mentorship/counseling if there's such a thing, and I don't mean just for academics or career planning, which are of course crucial. I want to know if there is someone at the Academy that he can talk to in case he's feeling down or lost. Is it mostly an upperclass midshipman in his company that he would reach out to, or is there a center at USNA similar to what other universities have? May be I'm just being a worrisome parent, because really, what else would I do until June 28?
 
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