usmma2020z

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I recently received my appointment here on my second stab at it. That being so, I have a year of university and ROTC under my belt. Being my second go around, I have found out the distinctions of the USMMA in that time, but I'm sure there are many more 'traditions' or other quirky things that midshipmen have to do that is not commonly discussed. For example, at the USCGA, they do clocks. At USNA, they do chow calls. I'm looking for those little things that someone could enlighten me with. I would like to know basically, everything there is to know about the Fourth Class year that I can't find on the website.

On another hand, since I have a year under my belt, I have taken the Calculus, chemistry, physics, etc. I understand that transfer credits are not accepted, but is there any way that I do not have to repeat the same classes again? Thank you!
 
transfer credits are accepted. They validate those classes and you move into higher level classes. Hopefully, you pass the test which (I think) determines whether you can validate them. (it's an essay for English).


more 'traditions' or other quirky things that midshipmen have to do that is not commonly discussed.

Secondly, you will report to the academy as a candidate. You will not be a 'Midshipman' until you prove to the class of 2017 that you have the discipline and cohesion to be recognized as midshipmen. Fortunately, I will not be around for indoc '20. It should be interesting what happens with the new commandant in charge.
 
You can transfer credits, you just can't gain advanced standing. You still have to start as a plebe and do all four years.

This is on the website under Graduation Requirements

- Earn the number of semester credit hours required by the curriculum in which you are enrolled. Exemptions from courses completed at other accredited institutions or waived due to physical disability may lower the number of credits required for some students.
 
I was pretty misinformed upon arriving. I thought that indoc was the extent of being a plebe. I thought that things would be normal-ish after the conclusion of indoc, boy was I wrong...
 
Keep a low profile and focus on your grades plebe year. A lot of the plebe stuff is just a mind game and if you can let it roll off your back it will make the time pass easier.

There is a lot of seemingly trivial stuff to do ... cleaning, marching and memorizing (No actual chow calls, but you still have to know the days menu) but believe it or not you will find uses for it years later. I actually performed a very precise left-face facing movement just last night, much to the chagrin/humor of my wife and I can clean my house in no-time flat when I find out guests are arriving almost unannounced.
 
This is all great information! However, I am looking for more specific information regarding the little things that no candidate can find on the USMMA website. Fourth Class year things in specific, although, any info is appreciated!
 
I was pretty misinformed upon arriving. I thought that indoc was the extent of being a plebe. I thought that things would be normal-ish after the conclusion of indoc, boy was I wrong...

How so? What caught you off guard?
 
You can transfer credits, you just can't gain advanced standing. You still have to start as a plebe and do all four years.

This is on the website under Graduation Requirements

- Earn the number of semester credit hours required by the curriculum in which you are enrolled. Exemptions from courses completed at other accredited institutions or waived due to physical disability may lower the number of credits required for some students.

What are the list of accredited institutions? Also, if I do get out of the basic classes stated above, I still need to fill those slots with other classes to make up the credit hours lost?
 
I did a year of college prior to KP. I transferred some classes, and as a result had a few open class slots. You don't need to fill them since you didn't lose anything. You brought those credits with you. Since I had to be there for four years anyway, I retook some as a GPA booster.
 
Keep a low profile and focus on your grades plebe year. A lot of the plebe stuff is just a mind game and if you can let it roll off your back it will make the time pass easier.

There is a lot of seemingly trivial stuff to do ... cleaning, marching and memorizing (No actual chow calls, but you still have to know the days menu) but believe it or not you will find uses for it years later. I actually performed a very precise left-face facing movement just last night, much to the chagrin/humor of my wife and I can clean my house in no-time flat when I find out guests are arriving almost unannounced.

Ahh, the skills learned at KP are rarely offered at any other institute of higher learning, including housekeeping and for us engineers, handy things like welding, cutting, machining. . . . but more important is what you state in the first sentence. . . I had REAL difficulty during indoc and a couple of weeks into the academic year. . . just couldn't get the hang of some of that stuff.. . . early restriction because of demerits. . . then, something just clicked. . . after that 5th week or so, only ever got 4 demerits the remainder of my time there. . . and for some of the things that I was getting away with. . . .let's just say the kiddos don't really need to know that. . . .
 
I had REAL difficulty during indoc and a couple of weeks into the academic year. . . just couldn't get the hang of some of that stuff.. . . early restriction because of demerits. . . then, something just clicked. . . after that 5th week or so

I did the exact same basically, but I think it took me longer than 5 weeks, although I still occasionally get in trouble.

but nobody gives plebes that early in demerits anymore. Of course now, I could get demerits, but anything towards the beginning of plebe year (short of class I offenses probably) is just given to your CTO to handle with you.
 
I still need to fill those slots with other classes to make up the credit hours lost?

You have to have at least 12 or so. 1st tri that won't be an issue, but I had classmates opt to take economics/prob and stat in place of calc/physics because they had credit.
 
Fourth Class year things in specific, although, any info is appreciated

I could give you some specifics that nobody gave me. But part of it is coming in scared and not knowing what to expect. In retrospect, I wouldn't have wanted someone else to ruin it for me. So I won't ruin it for you, but *hint* don't break the rules in front of anyone whose (reg) position has "TO" anywhere in it.
 
Quick Question,

What do you receive in the mail saying you received an appointment? Is it just a letter or something else with it, like they do for USNA and USAFA?
 
I did the exact same basically, but I think it took me longer than 5 weeks, although I still occasionally get in trouble.

but nobody gives plebes that early in demerits anymore. Of course now, I could get demerits, but anything towards the beginning of plebe year (short of class I offenses probably) is just given to your CTO to handle with you.

Really? I even missed my first Plebe Liberty. . . I remember standing the BOOW watch (they still have that?) in 1st Battalion. . . watching all of my classmates trying to maintain their 6" from the bulkhead while inebriated. . . of course this was back in the day when 18 years old was the age for adult beverage consumption. . . back then I felt that I missed something. . . now, not so much. . .
 
Really? I even missed my first Plebe Liberty. . . I remember standing the BOOW watch (they still have that?) in 1st Battalion. . . watching all of my classmates trying to maintain their 6" from the bulkhead while inebriated. . . of course this was back in the day when 18 years old was the age for adult beverage consumption. . . back then I felt that I missed something. . . now, not so much. . .

yes. To get a mast or demerits in the first part of plebe year would take something serious like sneaking out or alcohol on campus. Restricting a plebe for first liberty is something that probably would never happen anymore. There is now watch for each company from the end of school till 7:20 the next day and 24/7 on weekends.
 
yes. To get a mast or demerits in the first part of plebe year would take something serious like sneaking out or alcohol on campus. Restricting a plebe for first liberty is something that probably would never happen anymore. There is now watch for each company from the end of school till 7:20 the next day and 24/7 on weekends.

At one point there was a push to get rid of company watches.... they really don't do much, until the great CO leak in 2nd battalion. The company watch standers were credited with saving all of 2nd bat... not sure how they really detected the orderless, tasteless death gas.... but none the less your job as company duty midshipman is to save the day from stuff like that... not sure how... but yeah... go on tour and do stuff.
 
Anyone know when they will really start sending out a lot of appointments and rejections? I'm in that cross path with having other schools and scholarships(full ride) but KP is my number 1 choice. Just scared I won't be accepted and pass up another opportunity
 
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