Class of 2023 Key Info

Capt MJ

Formerly Known As Attila The Hunnette
15-Year Member
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Sep 27, 2008
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I don’t know whether this has been posted here yet, and I missed it, but the class page is up on USNA.edu, with key dates, !!!phone call windows!!!, parade schedule, PPW schedule link, etc.

Make sure you also check out the hamburger menu at top left of this USNA page.

https://www.usna.edu/PlebeSummer/info.php
 
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I am sure they will hear about it and update.
 
Does anyone have any insights on this (from the Plebe Summer Info web page): "If you would like to send a general care package to the plebe class via our Chaplain center,..." Are general packages just distributed to a random mid, maybe one who had nothing in the mail call? Or..?? And is this something that is needed? Or does it tend to be overdone?
 
Great question @DKTKT . I think that is great you can send care packages to random plebes! I also have a question about plebe summer care packages. Will there be specifications on what people can and can't send to me, and package sizes in the PTR packet? I heard somewhere that parents can send needed items in boxes no larger than a shoebox.
 
Does anyone have any insights on this (from the Plebe Summer Info web page): "If you would like to send a general care package to the plebe class via our Chaplain center,..." Are general packages just distributed to a random mid, maybe one who had nothing in the mail call? Or..?? And is this something that is needed? Or does it tend to be overdone?

Stuff is distributed to Mids who don’t receive packages. For example, last summer a call went out on a FB page for packages that would go to international Mids. Where shipping was a challenge. Also to have stuff on hand for distribution to plebes struggling with/through whatever. It’s very depressing to not receive mail. As that’s the only contact with the outside world. And it doesn’t have to be ‘stuff’. Encouraging letters or cards are welcome as well. There were several posts last year where the plebe wrote back, and a “pen-pal” type of thing developed. I love those stories!!

Detailers keep an eye on their assigned squad an presumably would be aware of a Plebe not receiving mail and/or in some distress. Also there was a post that the chaplains has more than enough stuff and to stop at a certain point in the summer program. There is a Chaplain page that will post needs as well, and it’s generally shared on parent pages.

Chaplin’s are such an AMAZING resource.
 
Great question @DKTKT . I think that is great you can send care packages to random plebes! I also have a question about plebe summer care packages. Will there be specifications on what people can and can't send to me, and package sizes in the PTR packet? I heard somewhere that parents can send needed items in boxes no larger than a shoebox.

Have you heard of The Academy Insider? He is a prior Mid. NOT officially officiated with USNA. But he has done several live videos that are posted on his FB page. Last year he did his live sessions Sunday nights during plebe summer. And he addressed all questions plebe related. Including cate packages.

But yes you can receive packages. Parents get a little nuts with all the ‘must have’s’, IMO. But the shoebox deal comes from needing to be able to store stuff in a shoebox sized container. To keep mice etc out. So our first care package was an actual plastic container, filled with stuff. And we guessed on the stiff as there is a lag in communication time due to using old ‘snail-mail’.

There will be guidance on all this. If your guardians join the class parent pages, they will be WELL informed. Of course official word is USNA.

We sent stuff with the thought it could get confiscated (Bc not allowed), or opened for the company to see (nothing embarrassing.... [emoji51])
 
If you are going to I day with your soon to be plebe I suggest you mail your first letter and or care package from Annapolis. Those first 48 hours can be daunting for all. My son had written me a 3 page letter by that first Sunday. It is very hard to eat those first few days when you have to bring everything to your mouth at a 90degree angle and chew and swallow each mouthful before getting the next. He was anxiously awaiting his protein bars
 
Should I bring pre-stamped postage to plebe summer or will I be provided with stationery and stamps?
 
Should I bring pre-stamped postage to plebe summer or will I be provided with stationery and stamps?

Have you read the plebe summer stickies at the top? Good info there. But here is my advice: bring only a daypack with what they say to bring. Which is not much. Wear tennis shoes you want to have there for PT. In your daypack, copies of all your paperwork and forms. Plus your phone and charger in a baggie. Marked with your name (doing this again, I would get DS’s phone in a good, solid rugged case. So it can handle an unintentional drop of the bag).

That is ALL to bring. We saw Mids with small SUITCASES. None of which they will have during PS.

Pack a small-ish (ours was slightly bigger than a shoebox) sealable plastic container with some things for that first care package. Some pre-addressed stamped envelopes is a good idea as it saves precious time. Although you parents FAVORITE letters will be on USNA stationary with the USNA seal, and coordinating envelopes [emoji51] that was provided last year (later on DS uses the pre-addressed envelopes)!

TONS of advice and discussion about summer packages, and what to take. Search around. But they LITERALLY give you EVERYTHING you need. Don’t sweat it or worry. At all. You CANNOT go wrong with taking nothing (although highly advise paperwork copies on you, as well as a set with your parents. Just in case). And the phone/charger/baggie.

Some of the most fun I had last year was sending stuff to my Mid. And each Mid is different, so do your own thing. They will let you know. I remember sending “recommended” stuff, and my guy told me to stop. He didn’t even know what some of it was for!

I got off track [emoji849]....yes they provide stationary and stamps, at least some.

CONGRATS!!
 
Okay so this is getting super specific, nitty gritty kind of details. DD is very pale skinned and burns quickly, send suntan lotion or will she be "made an example of" Also feminine products including midol?
 
I am a mom of another incoming Plebe. Looking at an old "Permit to Report" document, it says:
"DO NOT bring over-the-counter (OTC) medications (e.g. Motrin, Tylenol, Tums, cold tablets), food supplements or vitamins."
as well as:
"All candidates will be issued nearly everything that they will need for the duration of the summer, but candidates will be allowed to bring..."
Toiletries (razors, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, liquid soap, hygiene products). Plebes will have at least one visit to the Midshipmen Store over the summer to purchase necessary items."

Also, based on looking at prior Standing Orders for Plebe Summer as well as listening to Academy Insider, the detailers have a good deal of responsibility for the health safety of their Plebes, including everything from the condition of their feet to making sure they stay hydrated. Document also includes lots on anti-hazing. So them letting one of their Plebes sunburn seems unlikely. (They want to keep them healthy and in training.)

Actually, after reading that stuff, I went from struggling to harness my protective maternal instincts re: Plebe Summer to telling my DS "Those detailers will be working their butts off. You better give them everything you got!" LOL
 
Should I bring pre-stamped postage to plebe summer or will I be provided with stationery and stamps?

Have you read the plebe summer stickies at the top? Good info there. But here is my advice: bring only a daypack with what they say to bring. Which is not much. Wear tennis shoes you want to have there for PT. In your daypack, copies of all your paperwork and forms. Plus your phone and charger in a baggie. Marked with your name (doing this again, I would get DS’s phone in a good, solid rugged case. So it can handle an unintentional drop of the bag).

That is ALL to bring. We saw Mids with small SUITCASES. None of which they will have during PS.

Pack a small-ish (ours was slightly bigger than a shoebox) sealable plastic container with some things for that first care package. Some pre-addressed stamped envelopes is a good idea as it saves precious time. Although you parents FAVORITE letters will be on USNA stationary with the USNA seal, and coordinating envelopes [emoji51] that was provided last year (later on DS uses the pre-addressed envelopes)!

TONS of advice and discussion about summer packages, and what to take. Search around. But they LITERALLY give you EVERYTHING you need. Don’t sweat it or worry. At all. You CANNOT go wrong with taking nothing (although highly advise paperwork copies on you, as well as a set with your parents. Just in case). And the phone/charger/baggie.

Some of the most fun I had last year was sending stuff to my Mid. And each Mid is different, so do your own thing. They will let you know. I remember sending “recommended” stuff, and my guy told me to stop. He didn’t even know what some of it was for!

I got off track [emoji849]....yes they provide stationary and stamps, at least some.

CONGRATS!!

Thanks for the info! I have read the PS sticky, and it doesn't have info on packing. The 2023 PTR packet should be coming soon I think, so I hope there will be more information there! I will bring some pre-addressed stationery.
 
IMG_8015.JPG

For what it is worth, I have attached a list of what our Plebe was issued last summer along with a photo prior to computer issue.

He really needed nothing other than a lot of encouragement in the form of letters and some snacks.

At DS’s graduation party, we had dozens of cards (with a Navy theme of course) where all the family and friends who attended could write a note of congratulations and encouragement to get through plebe summer. We then mailed 1-2 of these notes each day over plebe summer. He said it was the best encouragement he could have received.

Another thing I had our DS do was to hand write, not type, himself three letters. These letters were written to himself and sealed reminding him of why he wanted to attend Navy, the sacrifices he made to get there, while reminding him of the long view as to why he desires to serve our nation. He had me mail the first letter after week two of plebe summer. The two other letters are still at our home. When he came home for Christmas I asked what he plans on doing with the other two letters? He said, ‘hold onto them for now. If I need ‘em, I’ll let you know’.

As a parent, I was dying to know what he wrote to himself, but resist the temptation to ask as it is for him, as intended.

To the IMG_6586.JPGparents of soon to be plebes, enjoy the process. We have embraced it and love seeing the transformation that has occurred as Herndon is right around the corner.
 
I am a mom of another incoming Plebe. Looking at an old "Permit to Report" document, it says:
"DO NOT bring over-the-counter (OTC) medications (e.g. Motrin, Tylenol, Tums, cold tablets), food supplements or vitamins."
as well as:
"All candidates will be issued nearly everything that they will need for the duration of the summer, but candidates will be allowed to bring..."
Toiletries (razors, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, liquid soap, hygiene products). Plebes will have at least one visit to the Midshipmen Store over the summer to purchase necessary items."

Also, based on looking at prior Standing Orders for Plebe Summer as well as listening to Academy Insider, the detailers have a good deal of responsibility for the health safety of their Plebes, including everything from the condition of their feet to making sure they stay hydrated. Document also includes lots on anti-hazing. So them letting one of their Plebes sunburn seems unlikely. (They want to keep them healthy and in training.)

Actually, after reading that stuff, I went from struggling to harness my protective maternal instincts re: Plebe Summer to telling my DS "Those detailers will be working their butts off. You better give them everything you got!" LOL

Yes....detailers work harder than the plebes in some ways. And on less sleep. They care very much about your DD/DS.

AS hard as it is to believe, their every need will be taken care of. From sunscreen to gator aid. Every little thing you can think of (I get it ...Maternal instinct on overdrive!) has been dealt with before. And USNA wants them to succeed. This is t a weeding out thing. It’s a succeeding thing.

Your plebe has a responsibility to embrace the suck, but also self persevere. IE: they may have to speak up about a foot issue, for example (although feet are inspected every night). What I am saying, is that you can rest assured that EVERYTHING will be taken care of. It’s really fascinating, looking back (last summer for DS).

Somewhere last year, a picture of all the actual products they are given was posted. Not finding it now, but it was a ton of personal hygiene stuff (razors, shampoo, soaps etc). I don’t remember DS taking that stuff either. Detailers actually take their daypacks/suitcases early in the processing. They won’t have access to items anyhow.
 
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