Ask me anything

23Lt

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Sep 24, 2016
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I'm a plebe who just finished his first semester at the naval academy. I had a ton of questions throughout the application process and after being accepted and I sometimes couldn't find answers. Ask me anything.
 
Have you found the academics, the constant rigor, or the strict schedule the most challenging piece so far in your plebe year?
 
When and how did you find out that you had received an appointment?
 
Have you ever escorted a candidate during a Candidate Visitation Weekend? Or, have you had any encounters with a candidate during their CVW? If so - would you say that the Plebes with whom this candidate had encounters were encouraging to the candidate and spoke favorably about life at the academy?
 
Have you found the academics, the constant rigor, or the strict schedule the most challenging piece so far in your plebe year?

The academics, time-management, etc are definitely strenuous, especially at the beginning. But after 6 week exams, I fell into a groove and things became easier (to manage). It is different for everyone. In high school I had a 3.8 and at the semester end, I have a 3.0. This first semester was the learning curve for sure. Thanks for the question
 
with all the information you gathered here leading up to I-Day what has surprised you most about Plebe year (so far)

Great question. The BIGGEST thing that surprised me is the importance of relationships. The people you go through plebe summer with (35-40 mids) are the people you will be going through your entire academy career with. Prioritizing the relationships you have with them will pay dividends. No one will care if you can integrate a calc problem, or if you can do chemistry well 5, 10, 15 years from now,but it will matter if you treated your peers well and cared for them. Knowing how to build strong relationships and maintain them is important anywhere you go in life. Also, I was surprised how many people at the academy are socially inept. Social skills are essential for any type of leader
 
Have you ever escorted a candidate during a Candidate Visitation Weekend? Or, have you had any encounters with a candidate during their CVW? If so - would you say that the Plebes with whom this candidate had encounters were encouraging to the candidate and spoke favorably about life at the academy?
I was a candidate during a CVW a couple years ago. It was an extremely influential weekend for me. I see my host on occasion and still vividly remember the people, events, etc. I've escorted two drags (candidates) this first semester. I tried to dedicate as much time as possible to them, but it was hard with all what we had to do. A lot of midshipman love to complain how much they hate the academy. I saw plebes complain to their drags about this and it pissed me off. As imperfect as the academy is, we go through it for free, graduate with a world class degree, and have a fantastic job lined up for us when we graduate. Also, the friends and bonds you make at the academy are unmatched because of the rigors you go through together. Yeah, it's easy to complain about a parade, or having to do chow-calls, or chop, but if you step back and look big picture, USNA ain't a bad place to be. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else than at the academy.
 
Do you notice a difference between your own maturity level and that of your high school friends now that you may be around them for break? Or maybe that is a tough ask.... a difference between your high school friends and the level of the Mids you have been around since arriving at the academy?
 
Do you notice a difference between your own maturity level and that of your high school friends now that you may be around them for break? Or maybe that is a tough ask.... a difference between your high school friends and the level of the Mids you have been around since arriving at the academy?

I'm in the same situation as 23Lt, just finished my first semester at the Academy, and I might be able to answer this one for you. Most of my high school friends went to the local universities in my state, so they tended to stay together (room together, hang out together) after high school was over. For them, going to college was just a continuation of high school, with even less structure and less supervision, so I found it hard to connect with them after months of quite the opposite environment. There were a few friends, the ones that I was closest with in high school, that I can spend time with like nothing ever happened. These friends, however, were the more mature ones in high school. There is a sort of maturity gap, but it seems like every Mid has a little bit of immaturity in them. With that being said, it didn't take long to realize that some of the closest friends that I will ever have are the ones I live with back in Bancroft Hall.
 
I have actually heard this, too. Could you elaborate on that? How have you learned to deal with such people?

There are some (very few is probably a better characterization) people at the academy who excel in many fields, but have very below average social skills. I've seen it more in the plebes than upperclass, so I'm not sure if these people end up deciding the academy isn't the place for them or they are forced to improve in this area.
 
My son told me that there are many socially awkward plebes. He thinks plebe indoctrination is a contributing cause.

As far as his friends ... he has two different groups of friends. The smart nerds and the athletes. Many of them are doing very well in college ... a bunch of 4.0s and high 3.0s in both groups. Great kids. They have different college experiences than him. But they respect him. Very fortunate.
 
I'm a plebe who just finished his first semester at the naval academy. I had a ton of questions throughout the application process and after being accepted and I sometimes couldn't find answers. Ask me anything.

From a stuff you brought with you perspective - what do you wish you brought with you to USNA and what do you wish you didn't bring?
 
I'm a plebe who just finished his first semester at the naval academy. I had a ton of questions throughout the application process and after being accepted and I sometimes couldn't find answers. Ask me anything.
Did you have an LOA?
 
Did you have to get a waiver, and if you so, how long did you wait for "waiver granted"?
 
One thing to add on the personality thing. It takes some Plebes longer than others to sort of ‘get their personality’ back after Plebe Summer. Some never lose it and others it takes months. Also as a Plebe, if you aren’t an athlete or found an ECA yet, many haven’t found ‘their tribe’ yet. It can take awhile for that. Sure you have room mates, squad mates and company mates, but usually you need something more than that. An outlet, where you can be you and pursue a passion outside the hall. Also some Plebes are barely 17 and some are 21-22. Most are 18-19. Some never become very social. Some are very. Everyone finds what works for them, just like every college kid in America. It’s just different at USNA. Thanks for the Plebes contributing to this thread. Congrats on 1 day and 7 to go! Enjoy the break.
 
Did you have to get a waiver, and if you so, how long did you wait for "waiver granted"?

I know a number of people who had to get waivers, and this is done on a case-by-case basis. It can take any amount of time for a wavier to be granted, and it often depends on the volume of paperwork that is being processed at the time.
 
From a stuff you brought with you perspective - what do you wish you brought with you to USNA and what do you wish you didn't bring?

For plebe summer, I brought paperwork, a calculator, and the clothes on my back... this was completely sufficient (the issued calculator was better than the one I brought, so I probably could have left mine at home). For the AC year, the only things that I really wanted was my watch and sunglasses after plebe summer.
 
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