Wow, I would kill for 20-30 minutes USMA New Cadets got 2 minutes for the first phone call.
Phone call intel:
Fresh from an unnamed source (an exhausted 2/c sponsor daughter detailer who has just arrived and collapsed on our sofa, hoarse of voice and full of stories, who's here overnight for a bit of rest away from Bancroft): "The plan is first call on the 10th. Twenty minutes. We will do our best to get the phones out fast and steer them towards good reception."
Other tidbits:
Not too many chit-surfers. (the ones who exaggerate an injury to get out of stuff)
- Her priors are great, helping their company mates.
- Yes, some appointees did not take their oath and left on I-Day.
- There were some medical turn backs.
- Black flag yesterday and today. Detailers watched carefully for dehydration and adjusted the physical schedule appropriately.
- Chaplains are zooming around doing chaplain magic.
- They had burgers for lunch and dinner on the Fourth, and got to see the fireworks.
- As they always do, the plebes are starting to figure things out by working together.
- Tango Company opens up on Training Day 10. If a plebe really wants to leave, they can go to Tango Company as of that day. They are counseled and allowed to decompress a bit, and the situation remains fluid. Sometimes they continue with out-processing, sometimes they ask to go back to their company.
She is now sound asleep, with port and starboard boxer dogs asleep with her, awaiting dinner.
Edit: We had a good laugh over the perennial stories of the plebes who call their BF or GF first, and run out of time to call mom or dad. I only say this because it does happen. I hope it does not happen to any parents reading this!
GF is coming to our house so we can share the call...I wasn't risking it!!!
Phone call intel:
Fresh from an unnamed source (an exhausted 2/c sponsor daughter detailer who has just arrived and collapsed on our sofa, hoarse of voice and full of stories, who's here overnight for a bit of rest away from Bancroft): "The plan is first call on the 10th. Twenty minutes. We will do our best to get the phones out fast and steer them towards good reception."
Other tidbits:
Not too many chit-surfers. (the ones who exaggerate an injury to get out of stuff)
- Her priors are great, helping their company mates.
- Yes, some appointees did not take their oath and left on I-Day.
- There were some medical turn backs.
- Black flag yesterday and today. Detailers watched carefully for dehydration and adjusted the physical schedule appropriately.
- Chaplains are zooming around doing chaplain magic.
- They had burgers for lunch and dinner on the Fourth, and got to see the fireworks.
- As they always do, the plebes are starting to figure things out by working together.
- Tango Company opens up on Training Day 10. If a plebe really wants to leave, they can go to Tango Company as of that day. They are counseled and allowed to decompress a bit, and the situation remains fluid. Sometimes they continue with out-processing, sometimes they ask to go back to their company.
She is now sound asleep, with port and starboard boxer dogs asleep with her, awaiting dinner.
Edit: We had a good laugh over the perennial stories of the plebes who call their BF or GF first, and run out of time to call mom or dad. I only say this because it does happen. I hope it does not happen to any parents reading this!
Depends. One year is never exactly the same as any other. Have a note pad and pen handy for requests. Be prepared for a range of emotions. Don't dwell on how much you miss them. You know your own DD/DS. Ask easy questions that don't add pressure, such as "how do you like your roommates" or "what's the silliest thing they have you do/funniest thing that's happened." Deeper conversations can happen at PPW or in unrushed settings. Assure him/her of your complete love and confidence they will succeed. If you will be there for PPW, tell them to focus on that, a day at a time, or an hour at a time, if the going gets tough. Ask for any special requests early on, in case they have to bail.
Tango Company is where Plebes who decide to leave go to out process. Plebes are required to stay 10 days before they can enter Tango (unless they are showing severe mental distress or physical harm). When they go Tango they will have Detailers who help them think this through and out process. For some they might remain there and mull this over for days and decide to return. They will talk to Chaplains, officers, Mids, call home, etc. USNA doesn't want a Plebe to make a rash decision and leave without this being well thought out. The Tango environment is very different from the regular Plebe Summer environment and is relaxed. If he decides to go to Tango he will have the opportunity call again. Technically USNA can't make anyone stay, he hasn't signed any commitment papers until Junior year. They due 10 days to try and make Plebes give it a legit shot and let the initial shock wear off.
My guess is your DS was wanting to quit and since he isn't at Day 10 yet he can't go to Tango, but the Company Officer decided it was best for a short call home before going back to his duties. He will get a lot of counseling from Mids, officers and senior enlisted in the coming days. To be honest with I Day on Thursday then Sunday being the easiest day of the week and 4th of July being a non-normal PS day, many Plebes had a wake up call the last few days as the pressure was ratcheted up, it got much hotter and there isn't donut hour or 4th of July. Hopefully he will settle in these next few days and this will just be a passing moment.
Bottom line from someone who has lived in Mother B and chopped those halls, he can do this. Every kid there right now can make it. He has to dig deep and believe in himself. You will talk to him again. He just won't go to Tango and no communication, but he is an adult and if he doesn't want to call home they won't make him. Support him, reassure him and tell him to stick it out. I tell all parents they need to stay one semester. And if they still want to leave after that fine, but they should have a Plan B ready to go.
Could you please tell me if they have loaner phones for plebes to use for their phone calls? Our son shattered his iPhone the night he left for Annapolis, so he didn't take it with him. He read that phones would be available for them to use, so I am hoping that is true. Thank you.