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

Hey everyone, I'll try and bring some clarity to the PCA process. So, the PCA is the Professional Competency Assessment aka Pro-Know for upperclassmen. There are two iterations of the PCA (3/C and 2/C). 3/C is a very in-depth examination covering a wide range of Navy knowledge. I remember having to memorize every single type of ordnance an F/A-18 could carry for example. The 2/C PCA is very much Fleet policy-focused (paternity leave and the like). It is a lot more black and white. Those questions come straight from the documents, so if you read them, you will have no problems. Once you are a 1/C, you are viewed as professionally competent at the MIDN level, so your job is to help administer the professional competency program.

On the grading side, this is a combination of two things: the test not being perfect and time management. When I was a Plebe, test questions got thrown out all the time on Pro-Know quizzes. I assume its the same for the PCA. Keep in mind, these tests are not written by faculty or the Navy at large. They are produced in house and writing the test is not likely the only thing the authors have going on. There also could be a deficiency between study material and the test that is discovered as a result of the low scores. Time management is also a bit of a change since Youngster Year is the first big boy/girl year for MIDN. There will inevitably be some stumbling. The Chain of Command is not checking in to make sure you are doing what you need to do. The onus is on you to show up to gameday prepared. A similar thing happens with PRTs as upperclassmen too. It can be easy to get out of the habit of working out once you are not forced to do it. So, sometimes people will fail a PRT before they get back on the workout train. This is all part of the development of an officer and this gives you a peak into what things are like in the Fleet. Just like USNA, in Flight School, you are not expected to know how to fly an airplane, that is the Navy's job. But, you are expected to show up with the requisite knowledge to make that flight an effective lesson. If you are bad at flying, that is fine, the Navy will work with you. However, failing a flight for knowledge is the cardinal sin of Flight School.
 
12 week exams are hot and heavy. Kid didn't do so hot on his Fun Math one on Friday (Fundamentals of Math), but still should be holding an okay grade in the class. Solid result on his Physics 2 exam, so he's pretty happy with where he stands there. Knows at this point he should be passing that class. ;)

I think he's going to swing by and make home his base for the weekend even though we've got a lot going on, so won't see him much. But, with something like 9 weekends available to him to use, unless he has watch, there isn't a reason he can't take off and come hang at home. Especially because the 3/C can start on Friday evenings now since it is after Spring break!
 
IronmanDaremo said:
12 week exams are hot and heavy. Kid didn't do so hot on his Fun Math one on Friday (Fundamentals of Math), but still should be holding an okay grade in the class. Solid result on his Physics 2 exam, so he's pretty happy with where he stands there. Knows at this point he should be passing that class. ;)

I think he's going to swing by and make home his base for the weekend even though we've got a lot going on, so won't see him much. But, with something like 9 weekends available to him to use, unless he has watch, there isn't a reason he can't take off and come hang at home. Especially because the 3/C can start on Friday evenings now since it is after Spring break!
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Are you saying 3/c weekend leaves start on Friday? At what time?
 
That is my understanding, if they take a weekend. I believe they have liberty on Friday evenings now (liberty, not leave). No idea what time that starts.

I'll have to ping my kid to see what the policy is now to be 100%.
 
... yard tidbits.

* Weekend Break.
DS and classmate stayed over the weekend. Both were exhausted, so rhythm was eat, sleep, chat, eat, sleep, and repeat.

*Combat Swimming.
He started training two weeks ago. Advised to incorporate minimum yoga for stretching.

*Laundry.
Tonnage increased by 25 lbs since Plebe Academic year.

*Summer Cruise.
Location TBD followed by leave. Bought return airline ticket to BWI.
 
12 weeks are over, at least soon. Kid has his Dif. Eq. test today (Differential Equations). I think that is the last of them for him.

Retake of the PCA last night. He said they used a different test, felt a bit better about it, but it was still tricky.

He went to his old NROTC unit's Dining Out on Friday. Nice to see his friends, but didn't help his broken heart situation from his GF break-up as they had gone to them in the past together.

Mandatory sexual assault briefing on Saturday with the Brigade, then came home to hang out and be with the family and see a movie with HS buddies. Went back yesterday afternoon. Less than 4 weeks until classes are over. :eek:
 
... another banter.

*USNA Ticket Office.
- Last month I made a (3rd-tier) donation to Blue and Gold with the assumption that today I can buy two Army - Navy Game tickets. So I was informed that the only A-N tickets left are for Season Ticket Holders. And the tickets for Mids are subject to availability on 30 April. I contacted DS about getting the tickets. I also signed up for that Facebook A-N Ticket Exchange. (I was able to get home games).
- On a lighter note...

* USNA Class of 2043
- Preparing for Plebe Summer
- Mastering the Art of Laundry Production
 

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Mundane update (that I had to prod for!): kid passed the PCA on this round.

However, struggled a bit this past 6 weeks. Every grade but one dropped. Says he still has time to recover them. But still feeling the emotional rollercoaster he's been dealing with since February, which can't be helping his focus.

He didn't really struggle during the Plebe year, but he's making up for it now! :p
 
IronmanDaremo said:
Mundane update (that I had to prod for!): kid passed the PCA on this round.

However, struggled a bit this past 6 weeks. Every grade but one dropped. Says he still has time to recover them. But still feeling the emotional rollercoaster he's been dealing with since February, which can't be helping his focus.

He didn't really struggle during the Plebe year, but he's making up for it now! :p
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I think a good number of college students have that one period of struggling. But when they get through it, however long that may take, they’ll come out stronger and perform better than before

I remember having a tough period, and then I found a subject/major that I was passionate about (polisci). Then, I was taking classes on subjects I loved and genuinely wanted to learn more about. And it was fun
 
... whew! a Càptain firing with scope backwards... and Navy's new 😜 sidearm.
{... just glad I trained my kid to shoot AR-15 without scope prior to I-Day, just the iron rear/front sights.} While we're at it, the Navy needs to start training with the model XDK29 - nuclear football... throw it as far as you can, then run like h€11.{ok, don't get me started why Swamp Phase-Ranger School is in Florida}.

US Navy mocked for image of captain firing gun with back-to-front scope https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-navy-mocked-image-captain-160125953.html
 

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... had to pause eating my turkey sandwich... He he he ha ha ha yak yak yak ...
 
My DS is doing so many things I feel like I don't hear much. He has 2 activities that are so close to each other next weekend that he will be taken by special car between them for his MO. I'm still waiting to find out about his summer. He had so many great opportunities that he got - but who knows how they all fit. I'm just hoping I get to see him at some point. Also, one of his cousin's is getting married on June 15th and who knows if he can go - or get special leave to fly in and out! It sure is a balancing act between every course, EC, and life!
 
severn said:
... whew! a Càptain firing with scope backwards... and Navy's new 😜 sidearm.
{... just glad I trained my kid to shoot AR-15 without scope prior to I-Day, just the iron rear/front sights.} While we're at it, the Navy needs to start training with the model XDK29 - nuclear football... throw it as far as you can, then run like h€11.{ok, don't get me started why Swamp Phase-Ranger School is in Florida}.

US Navy mocked for image of captain firing gun with back-to-front scope https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-navy-mocked-image-captain-160125953.html
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It's a posed picture of the boss showing his folks that he practices just like them. He didn't set up the piece, that is the job of the ship's Armory which is run by Gunners Mates under the Ordnance Officer. Having been an Ord O, I can tell you that the Armory Petty Officer/Ship's Armorer gets to work fairly independently much of the time as the vast majority of high level attention is focused on the far more complex 5" guns and other little things like the ship's missiles. The backwards scope has probably been the subject of a one-way discussion from the Captain to the Weapons Officer (Department Head), thence to the OrdO and then from Chief and OrdO to the Armorer.

As for the Captain shooting? I was OrdO on a brand new ship and had the opportunity to set up instructions and procedures. On the Small Arms shoot checklist, Item one on day of execution was "The Captain will always be invited to shoot". By the way, item 2 was "The OrdO will always shoot". The latter was because my chiefs and I believed that showing top down khaki participation was key to our weapons program.
 
So, woke up to a text this morning, "Doors were locked, I'm sleeping in my car."

Forgot to coordinate coming home with us and he doesnt have a house key. 🤦‍♂️

I went out at 0615, woke him up, got him inside. So, obviously still needs work on op plans and communication. Not quite ready for the fleet yet! :p
 
... update:

*Exams. DS is stressed out with exams. Told me he was placed under Extra Instructions (? Additional Instructions). His classmate was on academic probation again (flunked Arabic last semester). Looking at bigger picture in relation to the "300-drone air raid" in Israel last night, these Mids under USNA pressure cooker for four years can handle that blitz like annoying mosquitoes.

*A-N Tickets. He will try to secure two tickets from the ticket office, probably first come, first serve. It's different this year because everyone wants to attend. Hope he can secure them. I made that 3-tier contribution to no avail.

*Next Liberty. Next weekend he's visiting... much needed break. Eat, Sleep, Chat, and repeat.

*Space A Flights. He wants to fly {free} Space A flights from Dover AFB and Andrews AFB next leave. I will be giving regular Intel throughout. Got the American Airlines return ticket 9th August.
 
Chatted with DS yesterday. He got his summer worked out - but of course Semper Gumby. 0 block detailer school, 1st block surface cruise (but 1/C), 2nd block internship, 3rd block summer regimental detailer (also not the usual 3rd to 2nd class spot I think). I was wondering if this means that since he will be following a junior officer on the cruise and not an enlisted member, does that mean he won't have an ability to look at doing a different community? I asked him, but no answer yet... :scratch: . Any of the mods know?
 
FutureAcademyDad? said:
'23 might have something to say about missed opportunities...
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If you mean no protramid, no air assault school, no Philmont, no cruise, no normal Herndon, no sea trails, no meaningful 2/c weekend, then yes. 😉 ….but it was still amazing and feel that having ‘26 dd us parents get to experience some of the missed items through the second time around. Except Herndon…mid medical issue so I’m 0-2 there☹️. ‘23 2nd Lt is doing great!! Still training and about to get his first duty station! I’m hoping for some leave since he skipped basket leave!
 
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