CVW

njfilm23

njfilm23

NROTC MIDN
Joined
Jan 6, 2022
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Hello all! I will be attending CVW this weekend and I'm super excited. That being said, does anyone have any words of advice to offer? Also, will we be allowed to participate in workouts? I've seen stuff going around saying no since there was an incident in the fall.

Thank you!
 
My advice? Dump ‘candidate visit weekend’ into the search box here, and tons of discussion will pop up for you to read.

Also? Be prepared for PT. You may or may not. And if not formal, may be an informal workout. My guy is training plebes for sea trials. So who knows of you can/will be involved in that. But be prepared, always.
 
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justdoit19 said:
My advice? Dump ‘candidate visit weekend’ into the search box here, and tons of discussion will pop up for you to read.

Also? Be prepared for PT. You may or may not. And if not formal, may be an informal workout. My guy is training plebes for sea trials. So who knows of you can/will be involved in that. But be prepared, always.
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Great, thank you! :)
 
njfilm23 said:
Hello all! I will be attending CVW this weekend and I'm super excited. That being said, does anyone have any words of advice to offer? Also, will we be allowed to participate in workouts? I've seen stuff going around saying no since there was an incident in the fall.

Thank you!
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I went to a CVW in November. I would ask all the questions you can, the Plebes are there to help you and show you what the Academy is like. And don't be afraid to ask the upperclassman questions aswell, everyone is there to help you.

As for PT, I can say that was true for my November CVW, an incident occured before I arrived with an attendee during a workout and from then on no one was allowed to participate in workouts. I would bring workout gear just in case the rules have changed since then.

Enjoy the experience, I know for me, the CVW is really what made me realize USNA is something special.
 
No PT is allowed. You may be allowed to do little things with your company, however, I was not allowed to do anything. My company was able to allow me to play spike ball with them, but it ended up being cancelled anyways. Have an open mind, be nice to your plebes, they aren’t judging you/ evaluating you, so be open with them and ask what’s on your mind. Most importantly though, enjoy yourself. Have a good time and get a good feel for their lives as midshipman. Have fun!!
 
My son attended recently - best advice we got here about packing that he found most useful:

1. Bring homework (or SAT prep) so you don’t annoy your plebe when he has to study.
2. Dress so you don’t stand out. No logos or bright colors. Khakis & collar shirt for arrival and class.
3. Be prepared- pack gym clothes, swimsuit, layers for weather and varying indoor/outdoor temps.
 
njfilm23 said:
Hello all! I will be attending CVW this weekend and I'm super excited. That being said, does anyone have any words of advice to offer? Also, will we be allowed to participate in workouts? I've seen stuff going around saying no since there was an incident in the fall.

Thank you!
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I’ll see you there! Coming from my uninformed view on PT…I’m bringing PT stuff. I’m seeing mixed views on whether or not PT will happen after whatever ‘incident’ happened in the Fall. But just to be safe I’m bringing gear for it.
Have fun and good luck to us both!
 
My biggest advice is that this visit is for you, so make sure you get to see/experience whatever you want to see/experience. A lot of people are under the assumption that they are attached to their plebe host wherever they go. Not the case. If you want to see something, then all it takes is asking and the worst that someone will do is say no. Like if you really want to play a sport or see a class your plebe isn't involved with, chances are there is someone that the plebe can hand you off to for a bit. A CVW shouldn't be midshipman fantasy camp. Have fun, but remember the primary reason for you being there is you sizing up the school. Like with most things in life, you get out of it what you put into it.

As for PT, you might be able to do some individual PT like a run or lift during sports period, but I can assume it'd be a no for organized workouts. You can probably observe and get an idea of the PT regimen, but you are going to have to wait until plebe summer to run around in boots and utes.

Other pro tips:

1. Be humble. You are probably pretty qualified. Most people who apply and are accepted to an SA are. Mids are awesome and they are there to help you and make sure you have a good time. Just be normal, personable, and have a good attitude. Again, mids aren't evaluators at all, but you never know who you'll meet and you might be off to a rough start if the plebe you bragged to about being an all-state underwater basket weaver is your detailer or on training staff.

2. In the same vain as #1, make an effort to meet the other drags. Try to stay and touch with them as well as the mid you dragged with. If you end up coming to Navy, you already have some people that you know.

3. @Jabor3 nailed it with not sticking out, mainly on the clothes aspect. I am all for membership in paramilitary organizations. It is great to see young people motivated to serve. However, don't wear your uniform or use your rank/title. This goes back to #1. There are also plenty of people who aren't involved in one of those programs and they don't have a uniform. It kind of makes someone look like "that guy/girl."
 
njfilm23 said:
Hello all! I will be attending CVW this weekend and I'm super excited. That being said, does anyone have any words of advice to offer? Also, will we be allowed to participate in workouts? I've seen stuff going around saying no since there was an incident in the fall.

Thank you!
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Everyone will refer to you as a "drag" because a plebe has to drag you around all day. The biggest thing I would recommend is be inquisitive. Ask questions!!! No plebe wants to hang out with drag that doesn't talk.
 
Also, I cannot stress it enough to you and other candidates to just be humble. Some people come to CVW with an appointment in hand and think they are the best, even though everyone here got an appointment.
 
Remember that it's okay to be nervous! I was really nervous as I didn't know what to expect but your plebe will make an effort to interact with you, make sure you interact back! Same goes for their roommates. Also, don't be intimated by officers that you may see/talk to. Ask questions about their branch or what they do, they'd be more than happy to tell you :)
 
Fully agree with being inquisitive and asking questions. You are NOT being evaluated -- the CVW is solely for your benefit. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask and wish later that you had.

Also, keep in mind it's the end of the "dark ages." That means winter weather, darkness, no leave since Christmas, receipt of first semester grades, lots of mask wearing and maybe some related restrictions, etc. As a result, plebes may not be as bright and cheery as they will be after spring break. Moods / spirits rise and fall, especially during plebe year. Thus, don't be surprised if everyone isn't jumping up and down with excitement.

Were you to come back in a couple of weeks when they're fresh off of spring break, spring is in the air, graduation / summer / end of plebe year is fast approaching . . . different mindset. That's plebe life and plebe year.
 
njfilm23 said:
Hello all! I will be attending CVW this weekend and I'm super excited. That being said, does anyone have any words of advice to offer? Also, will we be allowed to participate in workouts? I've seen stuff going around saying no since there was an incident in the fall.

Thank you!
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Hey! Excited for ya. That is correct, you won't be allowed to PT, but you can still get up an go watch how plebe workouts work. Therefore still bring "PT" clothing. I've seen candidates bring their homework with them so they have something to do during study period. Great time to ask questions and get more of an insight into plebe year rather than plebe summer. Also prepare to walk at a fast pace.
 
usna1985 said:
Fully agree with being inquisitive and asking questions. You are NOT being evaluated -- the CVW is solely for your benefit. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask and wish later that you had.

Also, keep in mind it's the end of the "dark ages." That means winter weather, darkness, no leave since Christmas, receipt of first semester grades, lots of mask wearing and maybe some related restrictions, etc. As a result, plebes may not be as bright and cheery as they will be after spring break. Moods / spirits rise and fall, especially during plebe year. Thus, don't be surprised if everyone isn't jumping up and down with excitement.

Were you to come back in a couple of weeks when they're fresh off of spring break, spring is in the air, graduation / summer / end of plebe year is fast approaching . . . different mindset. That's plebe life and plebe year.
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Although I heard that moods are good, the masks are GONE as of last night. Some burning involved 😬😬. Haven’t seen any official public USNA update, but the email screenshot was going around social media, and my Mids confirmed. GONE 😷!!
 
Don't be afraid to talk to upperclassmen, not just your Plebe and their roomies. And bear in mind this is the last 10 days of the feared Dark Ages and some moods will be dark, everyone is tired and while that might not be exciting, it is an honest look at what life can be like on the Yard on occasion. Have fun. Be kind, don't be a jerk, and soak it all in. It's a special place for sure. Also, if you run into my kiddo tell him I said hi. ;)
 
I suggest you do not wear any Navy gear. My son wore a "Navy" sweatshirt during his CVW. Several Mids would walk by and say, "Nice shirt..." The Plebes he was assigned to said, "You know when they say 'Nice shirt,' they really don't mean it..."

He laughs about it now, but he changed out of that shirt as quickly as he could!
 
mstef05 said:
I’ll see you there! Coming from my uninformed view on PT…I’m bringing PT stuff. I’m seeing mixed views on whether or not PT will happen after whatever ‘incident’ happened in the Fall. But just to be safe I’m bringing gear for it.
Have fun and good luck to us both!
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Good luck to you as well, see you there!

Also thank you to everyone for your very helpful and informative replies.
 
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