For those current (and more recent graduated) Middies .... Reef Points??

IronmanDaremo

IronmanDaremo

What, me worry?
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I can remember the joy of studying my copy during Plebe summer and reciting as necessary on demand. I did not even know they existed until I-day, even though I went to NAPS!

So my question to recent attendees: With the access to finding a way to get a slightly older copy of the book, did anyone do that to get a little bit of a leg up for Plebe summer? I've seen the ones for 2019 - 2020 on Amazon, and I'm tempted to see if my son wants to get a copy should he actually complete his LOA requirements and get the appointment.

Do they drastically change over year to year?
 
Don't know if they change. The stress of learning it over plebe summer is actually part of the training. You may be defeating part of the purpose by getting a leg up.

Just one man's opinion.
 
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They do change yearly. Names & rank of key USNA leadership. The MIDN that go to SS receive a limited version...they have a leg up. Study the ranks from E-1 up for all services.
 
And most, if not all, will quickly exit your brain as you stand there exhausted from heat, being ‘asked’ to recite.

Don’t waste your time. There are other more productive ways to enjoy your time before Iday. You will receive a couple things to memorize. Even those don’t matter. According to my Mids. Bc detailers will find something else to find fault in you. Bc that’s part of their job.

You WILL fail.
 
justdoit19 said:
And most, if not all, will quickly exit your brain as you stand there exhausted from heat, being ‘asked’ to recite.

Don’t waste your time. There are other more productive ways to enjoy your time before Iday. You will receive a couple things to memorize. Even those don’t matter. According to my Mids. Bc detailers will find something else to find fault in you. Bc that’s part of their job.

You WILL fail.
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Oh, I know full well. As I mentioned, I was a NAPSter (c/o '92) and then was c/o '96 and participated in most of Plebe summer. (For various reasons, I resigned before finishing).

But I also had prior service in both the Army as a wartime veteran (Desert Storm) and the Navy (at NAPS) and grew up as a Navy brat, so I was much more comfortable with anything and everything to do with the military. My kids, however, have not. So I am just trying to think of ways that might help my son be more prepared without me turning into an overbearing drill sergeant for weeks before he would report for I-Day.

I truly appreciate everyone's input. Definitely is something to take to heart as all of the discussions make sense.
 
IronmanDaremo said:
Oh, I know full well. As I mentioned, I was a NAPSter (c/o '92) and then was c/o '96 and participated in most of Plebe summer. (For various reasons, I resigned before finishing).

But I also had prior service in both the Army as a wartime veteran (Desert Storm) and the Navy (at NAPS) and grew up as a Navy brat, so I was much more comfortable with anything and everything to do with the military. My kids, however, have not. So I am just trying to think of ways that might help my son be more prepared without me turning into an overbearing drill sergeant for weeks before he would report for I-Day.

I truly appreciate everyone's input. Definitely is something to take to heart as all of the discussions make sense.
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I’ve got two that recently went through this...and my advice, as a parent, would be ‘whatever your son is interested in doing’. Not to sound dismissive, but seriously, whatever he is interested in. Bc I really don’t think it matters One way or the other. As you know, as a plebe.

The only thing I would do differently personally, would be to enjoy and be more present in the moment during those last few months. Less emphasis on USNA, more emphasis on present friends and family time.
 
ProudDad2022 said:
My mid said to take the time you would use studying the reef points and use it for running. Your return on investment will be much, much greater.
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Hehehehehe. I hear you.

Good thing is ....... he is one of the XCountry and Track distance stars of his school (well, until COVID threw out all of the last three seasons of sports). So running is one of his passions.
 
justdoit19 said:
The only thing I would do differently personally, would be to enjoy and be more present in the moment during those last few months. Less emphasis on USNA, more emphasis on present friends and family time.
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This! Few plebes will regret showing up with no prior knowledge of Reef Points. Most plebes will regret not spending more time with family and friends.

Focus on what matters most. The misery and discipline of memorizing Reef Points is meant to be a shared experience with shipmates, not in lieu of quality time with loved ones.
 
IronmanDaremo said:
But I also had prior service in both the Army as a wartime veteran (Desert Storm) and the Navy (at NAPS) and grew up as a Navy brat, so I was much more comfortable with anything and everything to do with the military. My kids, however, have not. So I am just trying to think of ways that might help my son be more prepared without me turning into an overbearing drill sergeant for weeks before he would report for I-Day.
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My view is there is little benefit to trying to memorize Reef Points before you show up.... It's part of the game, and if the Detailer's perceive that someone has a leg up on the game, they will just find other ways to keep the pressure on. (Remember when you were a Plebe -- even though you had more experience than many of the Midshipmen, I suspect they figured a way to make you at least a little uncomfortable during Plebe Summer :) ! ). That said, there certainly is nothing wrong with at least getting familiar and comfortable with the military and rank structure -- I can imagine that it seems like Greek to some, and a little familiarity goes a long way toward reducing anxiety as Plebe Summer approaches.

PS -- wracking my brain to remember if I picked up a copy of Reef Points in the Midstore when I visited from NAPS in 1980; I don't recall, but can certainly say I didn't memorize it -- I always struggled with Laws of the Navy, but 35 years later I can still recite Why Didn't You Say Sir ?
 
My dad tried to "gift" me a copy of the previous year's Reef Points in May before our Induction Day thinking I should get a head start. I not-so-politely rolled my eyes and pushed back saying that I didn't want to spend my last month of freedom memorizing Reef Points. So glad that I did -- and candidly now, so is my dad :)

In all seriousness IronmanDaremo, per all of the other posters recommendations, I would definitely pass on this. Well intentioned idea but in practice, the juice isn't worth the squeeze :)

Once your son finishes his application (and his Plan B, C, D related apps -- and especially after finding out his LOA is fulfilled and appointment certain,) he should, in my opinion, only focus on two things:

(1) Truly enjoying and "being in the moment" for the remainder of his senior year and summer with famliy and friends and

(2) Running, running and then, some more running. And after that, run some more :)

It's all part of the experience and no matter how much you prep, the only certainty is that you are going to get fried :)

Best of luck to your son - he'll rock it.


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My DS said, “If you memorize Reef Points before Plebe Summer, you’ll just be trying to take your mind off your whole-body misery as you stare at the book with your nose in the binding and your elbow sticking in the air.” Memorizing is something to do.
 
The Plebe Summer rates tend to be the same, at least in the past several years. To be frank, I think Plebe Summer would be a little easier if the Plebe had started learning the rates before Plebe Summer. It’s true that Plebe Summer will suck no matter what, and it’s true that the difficulty of learning rates is part of the training, but you also don’t want to be “that Plebe” who can’t remember any of their rates—That will attract far more negative attention than knowing them “too well”, I can guarantee. While a Plebe should take care not to appear a “know-it-all”, simply knowing their rates will not illicit negative reactions from their detailers or classmates (On the contrary, considering all the group punishments that happen over Plebe Summer, you’d hope your fellow Plebes are well-versed in their rates).

I can certainly understand the perspective of the old grads, and from it I surmise that Plebe Summer Detail has changed a little bit. Last year we were never told to make sure everybody failed at something. If there was a Plebe who seemed to be doing everything right, they weren’t held to a higher and higher standard until they broke, they simply didn’t face as much scrutiny and earned a better aptitude evaluation at the end. I think that older school of thought on this makes more sense, but for whatever reason it’s not quite the way things are anymore (At least in my company).
 
We did get Reef Points for our son. The only reason we did was because two retired Captains that we know, both USNA grads, recommended it. It would not have crossed our minds otherwise. He didn't memorize the book, but did read it.
 
brewmeist said:
We did get Reef Points for our son. The only reason we did was because two retired Captains that we know, both USNA grads, recommended it. It would not have crossed our minds otherwise. He didn't memorize the book, but did read it.
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That was kind of my approach/thought. Just have him familiar with it. Heck, he is already reading a book I had on Naval traditions (at his own choice) that I think I got during NAPS.

(Helps to put him to sleep). ;)
 
I don't see any problem with reading through RP. One thing that can be helpful to someone not familiar with the military are the ranks for various services, especially the USN and USMC. Learning those in advance would be helpful.

However, I don't think that trying to memorize ahead of time more than the required items is the best way to spend your time. PS is but a crumb on the vast food chain of your military career. It may get you ahead for a few days or even weeks, but in the long run your success will be measured by a lot more than PS rates.
 
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