Communication

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FLKPMOM

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Apr 20, 2009
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No phone call from our DS in 4th co. Does anyone know how phone calls will be organized now? Will they only be able to call on Sundays or will it be random? Everyone talks about IM, what IM program are you referring to? Will they be able to IM and or Skype? I have heard mixed responses. Not exactly a technology wizard here. :smile:

I know that phone calls are a privilege....seems like a lot of pcs did not get to call home though. Mixed emotions....missed the highlight phone call of the week & sat by the phone all day at home. Morale in our house is down to say the
least.

Should know better, having been a military brat and wife, think I'd used to the unexpected.:redface:

Keeping the faith...supporting KP and our PC!
 
Maybe the weather conditions had something to do with the lack of phone calls. Could be they had no cell service or they just didn't want to clean the floors after going outside to use a phone.
 
The two that we used the most over my son's first year at USMMA were Windows Live Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). :thumb:

I and my wife never have gotten into using skype. They will not be allowed to use skype until late in year. Class of 2012 computers did not have webcam built into them. Perhaps 2013 issued computers will, but I would think that they cannot use skype until after recognition.
 
Are they really in a bind if the parents cannot send supplies? Maybe next year the "Logging In" book could shed some light on what is needed at this time? Perhaps a sealed box with all the school supplies could be packed in the intitial stuff and set aside for them to pick up after INDOC?

Understand that many changed companies and rooms and may have been assigned mailboxes this weekend, but we did not get a call so, ????? Kinda waiting to see if we get some communication about what he can have and may need and where to send it ......surely anything sent to them with their name and class (2013) will find it's way to them.....eventually.......However, he did say he could get some cookies in sickbay, they were sent....lots of them....but, the DI's in Third Co. interecpeted them, opened the box, but the cookies never made their way to sickbay. Up until this point, I did not realize a DI (another KP student) had the right to open their mail. More education for me and him.
 
no phone call

It sounds like no one from band co. got a call yesterday. Still hoping they get a chance to call today. I saw pictures of the parade yesterday, many band photos but could not find my son. I am wondering if I just couldn't find him or if he is down with flu. If he is sick, would we likely get a call?
 
My son is in band but in sick bay as of yesterday. Called girlfriend instead of parents yesterday morning and she let me know he thought he was getting out. He was brought in with the flu symptoms Thurs. so maybe it was just wishful thinking on his part, who knows! Hope he's well enough to get back into the swing of things real soon since the fun has just begun!! :shake::shake:
 
Like others here just going by what we lived through last year but here are things as I understood them last year:

Phone use etc are indeed a privelage - that includes skype, etc. That was the fact last year at least. That said as time went on and things loosened up we would get calls, etc. more and more often. In many cases, I'm fairly certain this was my son and his roommate breaking a rule and risking being IT'd or stuck but doing so anyway. Just like when they started sneaking in naps, etc. after classes started.:wink:

In any case mail was indeed opened during Indoc, post indoc the DI's went away - they had classes too, etc. so that stuff ended however the regimental "support" network - and it is indeed usually support that it provides - continues starting with your mid's Company Traing Officer, mainly when it comes to PCs and including in some cases their Platoon Commander , but also the second and thrid class CTOA, Team leads, etc.

When it comes to supplies, they will be able to buy them at the NEEX if you didn't send them with enough or the right stuff. Generally also somehow "legally" or by bending upperclass fraternization rules slightly, they will also likely be afforded the opportunity to give someone who can get to Target or WalMart (some place cheaper than NEEX) money to get them school supplies from there if they like our son is generally frugal.

As far as Care Packages, etc. from this point on, they will generally get what you send them and they will share it and share alike - Assuming from this point on you send it to their USMMA Mailbox vice their Indoc Company Address - at least that was our experience.

There will be continued reduced communication, less than we would have liked at least, until Parents Weekend/Acceptance - I know this won't help you feel better - it didn't help me (my wife took my son's first year at KP far beetter than I - LOL when you think of all the sterotypes, eh.) - However, I am convinced this two month - 10 week period really helps them understand "they aren't in Kansas (high school) anymore" and makes them have a firm foundation for success over the next four years.

Also it doesn't get any better - we got our first phone call from our son during his sea year after 8 days - it was about 5 minutes long just before midnight last night from Honolulu. To be fair - he called shortly (less than 2 hours) after the ship docked and then had to run out to go to dinner with some of his shipmates who were waiting for him. Having been there I know that was far better and more than I would have done at 19 of course we didn't have cell phones then and my first port of call ever was Rio De Janero....:cool:
 
A frustrating time for parents... likely kids as well (although THEY know what's going on) :) They may not LIKE it , but they KNOW ...

Parents , if you look back through discussion, a 2011 mom DID tell you to send only NCAA-approved snacks (basically, healthy drink mixes and nutrition bars, etc). Follow her advice.

NOT candy, NOT cookies, NOT chips, NOT chocolate ... If you DID, and it got intercepted, thems the breaks.
I know , exactly the same thing happened to US as we learned the same lesson 2 years ago.
--Yes, it was in writing what we shouldn't send...
--Yes, we did anyway.
--Yes, it got snatched..
--Yes, we were a little indignant..
--Yes, even THESE old dogs(his parents) learned.
.........
I empathize on not getting the 2nd call.. We didn't either. it was a real let-down. somehow, his company/floor/platoon(SOMEthing) got the privilege rescinded for that day. It was a big wakeup call to us, and to them too I'm sure, that there IS a standard of compliance required... and that the group had not reached their goal.
..........
School supplies:
They are available at the NEX.
There are likely about 1000+ kids trying to get the same thing. The line is horrendous. Remember Indoc pics of them lined up in the hallway? and that was just 300 kids.
I suspect your kid balked at the line as "NOTHING is worth THIS" :)
In short, you parents have now transitioned to the next stage of development ::: You are now promoted to "Personal shopper" :)
You will happily do this for a while.
You will meet and know most of the USPS employees at your nearest branch.
They will ask how Indoc went.
You will ask how their kids are doing.
At some point in the future, you will decide you DON'T want to be a personal shopper.

You will also send cleaning supplies. Lots and lots. They DO have cleaning supplies up there. But the ancient Mop and Pail and Lysol can't compete with Swiffers... especially when it comes to room inspections.
,,,,
At any rate, parents, you are now in the waiting lobby of the next hill to climb --- the start of the academic trimester. Hang On :) Good Luck.
 
zonker said:
In short, you parents have now transitioned to the next stage of development ::: You are now promoted to "Personal shopper" :)
You will happily do this for a while.
You will meet and know most of the USPS employees at your nearest branch.
They will ask how Indoc went.
You will ask how their kids are doing.
Click to expand...

LOL! So true! I sent boxes where the postage was greater than the value of the contents because she couldn't find something she needed. Last year they were in transition because the old ship's store was closing and the NEX was not fully operational. This year she purchased all of her supplies before going back. So that's one less mid in line at the NEX. :thumb:

I know all of our APO mail room's employees. If I'm not there every week mailing something (usually to KP), they comment that they haven't seen me in a while.

Band Co. parents need to remember that their PC has practices added onto everything all the other PCs are doing. They play every morning at colors. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a session yesterday afternoon after everyone was back. Beat Retreat rehearsals will definitely put a strain on their time management skills. But they will manage.

Speaking of crazy phone calls, we live in Europe and have a 6 hour time difference. Over the last year we had 3 phone calls well after midnight and I wouldn't trade a single one of them. The first was that first Sunday phone call. The second was immediately after recognition. (She was still dripping wet from having been rinsed with the fire hose. :biggrin: She just couldn't wait to share the news!) And the last one was from a friend letting us know she was able to catch a flight home a day early for her summer break, so we would know to meet her at the airport. I anticipate plenty more calls interrupting my sleep and I'll not complain about any of them. At this point, I'm not sure when we'll see her next. It will probably be at her brother's college graduation in May. She's off to sea in November.
 
Got a call

I got a call this morning from his cell phone. He said he had 3 min gave me a few then wanted to call an aunt who just had major surgery. Siad he was doing well and gave me a list of things to send. I don't think the school supplies will get there in time. So I am off to shop, no mention of cleaning supplies, did say that NeverDull was the best. Bottom line 12minutes today was better than no minutes yesterday. He also got to talk to his sister, back from packing up her college house. Now we wait for the academics to kick in. He said he is really happy with his compnay and glad he is there. Feels positive he is in the right place for him!!! It is going to be a beautiful day!!!
 
2013Parent said:
Are they really in a bind if the parents cannot send supplies? Maybe next year the "Logging In" book could shed some light on what is needed at this time? Perhaps a sealed box with all the school supplies could be packed in the intitial stuff and set aside for them to pick up after INDOC?
Click to expand...

Does someone out there have a list of school supplies/cleaning supplies/personal supplies etc. that might be a good base we could buy,pack and send without waiting to hear from our DS? Yes, we can guess, but, your experience will help us very much Thanks!
 
MindyG: Of COURSE he wanted to talk with his sister... He was wanting to make sure his IPOD was doing ok, and that she hadn't deleted all his music and replaced it with HighSchoolMusical/Hanna Montana :) [ Not that there's anything wrong with that ;) ]
 
School Supplies

Is there a list posted anywhere of what school supplies will be needed? No phone call so I don't know what is needed.
 
What company is your son in. Did he say why he didn't call yesterday.
 
phone call

My son finally called us before 10:00pm last night. He was standing out in the rain using his cell phone-the reception is bad inside. He wasn't in the parade because they sent him to the clinic and then missed PT for 3 days. They gave him antibiotics and cough syrup. He said most everyone has a cough etc. He said he would e-mail us the P.O Box number and to wait for that before we ship anything. HE wanted a clock, gatorade powder, power bars, lint roller, smaller sized T shirts-because the XL large are too big under the uniform. He needed scissors etc. He was looking forward to getting his computer and was in pretty good spirits. I pray the rest all get healthy and I'm sure if you didn't get a call-you will be receiving an e-mail soon. Not sweating as bad in SOUTH FLORIDA!
 
They were allowed to shop today

When he called today he said they went shopping, lap tops has all error messages and would be fixed tomorrow. Don't know how phone calls go? Got one yesterday and was crazy suprised to get one this evening....more free time today and tomorrow to write and call and get organized...sounds like all is good
 
I just got a call from my son in Band company. They are fighting their computer connection too. He said the store was clear out of supplies, yikes! When the computer is up and running he's going to email me a list. Already have a line of parcels waiting to send. Just got his box number so will start mailing them out! These are box numbers NOT p.o. box numbers is that correct? Heard that can cause mail snags if we put a p.o. infront of it.
 
They are NOT PO box numbers. I have great luck as follows:
Plebe Candidate name here, 2013
USMMA box (# here)
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, NY 11024-1699

You don't have to put the 300 Steamboat Road but I always do.
 
Our son (Band company) called around 1915 tonight. It wasn't a timed call and he sounded great. He couldn't call yesterday because the day was too full of activities. He's finding it difficult to march and play at the same time, but he said the folks with marching band experience are also having difficulty since it's a different form of marching. He's excited about the band's schedule, especially the September 13 beat retreat with a Dutch band in observance of the Hudson Quadricentenntial. He's also joined the drill team, which surprised us.

Overall, it was a very upbeat phone call - much better than last week, when he said "This place is crazy!" He sounds prepped to start classes.
 
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