C/O '26 parents - place to commiserate and share. Roller coaster for the next 3 years!

... so DS have been running twice a day (8+ miles) daily at 0530 and late evenings. Transformation from Plebe to 3/C was exceptional. In-between he goes out with his high school friends. Haircut was high & tight.
He helped with house projects and gardening. Since I'm not a carpenter, it's like the blind leading the blind.
Before arriving, I transformed the house into a semi-USNA place with glasses/mugs on the dining table complete with table cloth; travel bag with '26 names on display; USNA shirts and one sweatshirt on picture frames; Plebe portrait; and Midshipmen shoulder boards on a picture frame. That's all on one side; the other side was my stuff.
 
Last edited:
My plan was to get the (ridiculously expensive) Academy photo from Legacy each year, and get a set of his old boards to put with them for when he (hopefully) graduates. This way, he'll have a progression of his journey in images and shoulder boards to have for life. We'll add in some photos from PS we found, and other stuff, to make some sort of collage. Then, at the graduation party, people can reminisce.

They did fire/damage repair yesterday for subs. Nothing like getting hosed down by high pressure water as you try to slide a clamp over!
 
I purchased legacy once. Plebe year. And then other photographers each year after that. I like the variety of locations and uniforms. And legacy is soooooo overpriced. Not even my favorite photo. And if you have a jokester, you will end up with a ‘hard center part and greased down’ hair style (men and women’s), with plebe glasses or a monocle. Or some other variation.

If you have access to a year book, check out 3/C, 2/C pictures…. 😑
 
... among the usual pictures purchased, there's one additional option of a portrait (3 pictures in one frame; one was standing). That portrait was $300+. It's ok, free tuition, room & board (TRB) next three years. 😎
 
IronmanDaremo said:
My plan was to get the (ridiculously expensive) Academy photo from Legacy each year, and get a set of his old boards to put with them for when he (hopefully) graduates. This way, he'll have a progression of his journey in images and shoulder boards to have for life. We'll add in some photos from PS we found, and other stuff, to make some sort of collage. Then, at the graduation party, people can reminisce.

They did fire/damage repair yesterday for subs. Nothing like getting hosed down by high pressure water as you try to slide a clamp over!
Click to expand...
Being short is not a good thing for damage repair simulation. High pressure water to the head really hurts, or so I’ve been told by my DD. 1st hand experience. But she LOVED sub week!
 
Kid is a bit "meh" about it. Says that he is definitely on the don't-want-to-go-subs-page as of right now. He is really interested in stuff about it, but just isn't getting the passionate desire like he did with flying. Said they haven't even gotten a chance to see one yet. Thinks that happens tomorrow.

Marine week will be next week for him. Hopefully they kick his azz back into shape before reform. ;)
 
For best pictures have the kid bring one set of uniforms home and have some pro pictures taken. They will not like it but they do turn out better,
 
AF6872 said:
For best pictures have the kid bring one set of uniforms home and have some pro pictures taken. They will not like it but they do turn out better,
Click to expand...
... Non concur.
DS objected this concept because it's showing off. He's low profile, low drag, high speed.
 
justdoit19 said:
I purchased legacy once. Plebe year. And then other photographers each year after that. I like the variety of locations and uniforms. And legacy is soooooo overpriced. Not even my favorite photo. And if you have a jokester, you will end up with a ‘hard center part and greased down’ hair style (men and women’s), with plebe glasses or a monocle. Or some other variation.

If you have access to a year book, check out 3/C, 2/C pictures…. 😑
Click to expand...
So true. My DS’s Legacy photos were unusable. We use his varsity Rugby sports photo. It was much better and reasonably priced.
 
NomSeeker said:
So true. My DS’s Legacy photos were unusable. We use his varsity Rugby sports photo. It was much better and reasonably priced.
Click to expand...
I have a great formal photo of DS from Thornton. Very affordable. Multiple poses and right to print.

Plan on using him or a Mid or other photographer to get a firstie photo shoot for commissioning.
 
... so we're happy with the initial picture offer. We have no idea about the other competing companies. It's a once in a lifetime event so price is not an issue just like going to the bookstore.
One week before the graduation, I saw several graduating Mids have their portrait taken in front of Bancroft by professional photographers.
 
Last edited:
severn said:
... so we're happy with the initial picture offer. We have no idea about the other competing companies. It's a once in a lifetime event so price is not an issue just like going to the bookstore.
One week before the graduation, I saw several graduating Mids have their portrait taken in front of Bancroft by professional photographers.
Click to expand...
The thing you will also want to capture, IMO, is the place. USNA. The essence. Feels. Different locations that are meaningful, beautiful, and hold memories for your Mid. There are so many talented photographers (from Mids, to businesses that have been around for many, many years) that will shoot in different locations. Different uniforms.

Legacy doesn’t do that. They shoot a very nice, high quality professional ‘standard pose’ set of poses. I’ve got three men in the military, and I have those pictures hanging on my wall. I love them. They will be there forever.

But I have to say, the ones that make me smile and FEEL good, are the ones ive had done all over campus: inside Dahlgren, under the lights with the flags in the background. In front of the Chapel. In the doorway of Bancroft. On the sea wall. The column walkway. Memorial Hall. So many more.

I tell people, “get alllll the pictures!!” You don’t get a second chance. To the annoyance of my Mids. But my now Ensign sure appreciates having them. My Firstie will, too. Someday. Especially if mom pays. And includes his roomate for some shots.
 
When my mother-in-law was downsizing, she gave me a box of photos of DH, as well as framed ones. Baby photos on.

Her favorite? A photo taken in summer whites, profile, at Triton Light, at sunset, looking out over the water. He isn’t smiling; it has a contemplative, resolute, feeling to it. A turning point. It’s photographic documentation of a journey. After graduation they may return to the Yard many times, but they will never again be a midshipman. DH notes he hated it at the time, but now cherishes those photos of him as a mid. These photos were not displayed prominently around their home; I think she had headshots of each of her boys as midshipmen (DBIL was NROTC) in their bedroom. She created a photo album for each son, just for family enjoyment and documentation of key life moments.
 
Capt MJ said:
When my mother-in-law was downsizing, she gave me a box of photos of DH, as well as framed ones. Baby photos on.

Her favorite? A photo taken in summer whites, profile, at Triton Light, at sunset, looking out over the water. He isn’t smiling; it has a contemplative, resolute, feeling to it. A turning point. It’s photographic documentation of a journey. After graduation they may return to the Yard many times, but they will never again be a midshipman. DH notes he hated it at the time, but now cherishes those photos of him as a mid. These photos were not displayed prominently around their home; I think she had headshots of each of her boys as midshipmen (DBIL was NROTC) in their bedroom. She created a photo album for each son, just for family enjoyment and documentation of key life moments.
Click to expand...
Yes! Capturing moments. Some of my favorites now are my boys together, shot with a good camera iphone (amazing how exceptional those are, nowadays).

*Someday* 🙄 I will make a book. I’m not talented in that department. But I do want to create that keepsake. This digital age is both a blessing, and a curse for me.
 
... still have not captured a photo of DS holding up close his "musket" (he thinks it's from 1776 fame; actually a M14 Rifle that IronmanDaremo refers to as M1 Garand; difference is the grooves ran almost in the entire length of the upper hand guard). Other reason is I want to see if I can do the present arms, left shoulder arms, and right shoulder arms. Problem is you have to wait in Bancroft somewhere and missing the parade altogether.
 
... so this is the first time we rode the most expensive-overated (10 billion dollars for 18.9 miles) Oahu Skyline rail. In the background you can see tiny images of the Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, Ford Island bridge, one destroyer, and the COMPACFLT Boathouse. Adjacent to the boathouse is the Rainbow Bay Marina with all the rentals.
----------------------------------------------------------------
 
Didn't get close up enough to see the drill rifles in detail, that's why I said the M1. M14 makes way more sense! Thanks for the course correction, severn.

Kid said they were up at 0530 and onto a bus for the first RAH evolution (Marine stuff). Thinks they fly back on Saturday afternoon to get ready for reform.
 
Submarine Training Facility San Diego has posted more photos of Mids on their Facebook page.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top