Current Plebe - Ask Away!

fullspeedahead

fullspeedahead

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2019
Messages
540
As appointments start to roll out and preparations start to be made, let me know if you have any questions! I did NROTC before coming to the academy and can answer questions about that if needed. It also took me three times to get into the academy so I implore those who do not get in to continue applying because it has been well worth the effort.
 
How different is the USNA life compared to NROTC? What is the time commitment like for NROTC in terms of approximate hours per week that you had to put in? Obviously, USNA is all day every day but I'm curious as to what life is like as a ROTC mid compared to USNA mid
 
@bubbledouble Life is completely different here at the academy compared to life in ROTC. There is definitely a lot more free time at a regular college compared to a service academy and there is a lot more leniency on what you can do. Things like leaving the campus and driving (for 4/C and 3/C) are things that you cannot do every day here. I would argue that life is more of a grind here because you have academics and athletics on top of your responsibilities such as plebe duties, mandatory events, and watch standing. With my experiences I would say that USNA is a heavy military indoctrination that you live in and experience daily, while ROTC is a military experience that is not a heavy commitment, but one where you can kind of choose how much time you want to commit to it. Obviously as you move up the years you will have more responsibilities, but you can choose to involve yourself more in the program. At the academy you are more or less forced to buy in. However, both experiences have their pros and cons and you as an individual are responsible for making the most of either opportunity.
 
fullspeedahead said:
As appointments start to roll out and preparations start to be made, let me know if you have any questions! I did NROTC before coming to the academy and can answer questions about that if needed. It also took me three times to get into the academy so I implore those who do not get in to continue applying because it has been well worth the effort.
Click to expand...
Thanks for being available. Hope this week is a "normal" week with company workouts, King Hall meals, and in person class. Hope the majors fair this weekend was fruitful. DS is also a Plebe and is looking forward to the next big milestone...Spring Break.

Go Navy, Beat Army
 
LT360 said:
Thanks for being available. Hope this week is a "normal" week with company workouts, King Hall meals, and in person class. Hope the majors fair this weekend was fruitful. DS is also a Plebe and is looking forward to the next big milestone...Spring Break.

Go Navy, Beat Army
Click to expand...
DS coming home for SB, or heading somewhere fun with fellow midshipmen?

I know the last place I wanted to go was home, but I wasn’t at an academy..
 
fullspeedahead said:
As appointments start to roll out and preparations start to be made, let me know if you have any questions! I did NROTC before coming to the academy and can answer questions about that if needed. It also took me three times to get into the academy so I implore those who do not get in to continue applying because it has been well worth the effort.
Click to expand...
Thanks in advance.

What advanced placement tests are you allowed to take? What month?

Were these included—> Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Chinese, History?
 
HopefulDad2026 said:
DS coming home for SB, or heading somewhere fun with fellow midshipmen?

I know the last place I wanted to go was home, but I wasn’t at an academy..
Click to expand...
No DS will not be home for SB as he is involved in an activity that has obligations during SB. However we should be able to see for a day or two as he will get close enough for us to drive to see him. His next time will not be til summer break unless he does summer classes.
 
Banzaipipeline said:
Thanks in advance.

What advanced placement tests are you allowed to take? What month?

Were these included—> Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Chinese, History?
Click to expand...
For APs, the only ones you can use to validate classes are history, government, calculus, statistics, and economics. For most of these you need to get a 5 to validate the course, but some of them you need to get 4's or above. Language APs you need a 4 or greater on French, Spanish, and German to validate and every other language you need 5's.

One of the first things you do plebe summer is take validation tests for chem, physics, and english which will determine which classes you need to be placed in. Before you arrive for plebe summer you can take language validation tests to place you in certain language courses depending on your level.

Hope this helps and here is the link for USNA validation policy: https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Candidate-Information/Course-Validation-Policy.php
 
LT360 said:
No DS will not be home for SB as he is involved in an activity that has obligations during SB. However we should be able to see for a day or two as he will get close enough for us to drive to see him. His next time will not be til summer break unless he does summer classes.
Click to expand...
Just wondering when the switch flips, from wanting to come home and / or see parents, to wanting to hang with his new family :cool: . Will it happen plebe year, summer after, or...

Love following your stories and updates.
 
fullspeedahead said:
As appointments start to roll out and preparations start to be made, let me know if you have any questions! I did NROTC before coming to the academy and can answer questions about that if needed. It also took me three times to get into the academy so I implore those who do not get in to continue applying because it has been well worth the effort.
Click to expand...
I'm currently in my 3/C year in NROTC and on my third application cycle. Would you say that being a third-time reapplicant gives you a bit more of a chance than before?
 
@anon3478 I would say that it significantly increases your chances because of your tenacity to continue applying after each rejection. However, if you submit the same application every year and show no improvements then they will not give you an appointment simply because you continue applying.
 
If you were sent back in time to Jan. 25, 2021 what would you would you do to better prepare yourself for PS 2021?
Note: "Run- run- run" is NOT an acceptable answer.

I remember your earlier posts. Great to see you back here "giving back". Well done! ------ but u obviously have too much time on your hands.
 
Just Dad said:
If you were sent back in time to Jan. 25, 2021 what would you would you do to better prepare yourself for PS 2021?
Note: "Run- run- run" is NOT an acceptable answer.

I remember your earlier posts. Great to see you back here "giving back". Well done! ------ but u obviously have too much time on your hands.
Click to expand...
Over plebe summer they do such a great job of building up your running ability, but arriving in shape definitely helps. For me I would take more time to relax and do more things with my friends and family. This may not sound like a great answer to "prepare myself" for Plebe Summer, but I would have benefitted more from taking time off rather than preparing for the summer every single day. It also helps to relax to avoid burning yourself out before the hard stuff even starts. Definitely find a balance between enjoying yourself and preparing!

I kind of have time if that makes sense. I am a part of many organizations, but I do most if not all of my homework over the weekend.
 
As I’m sure many are wondering, when did you find out you got your appointment?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top