General Questions for 2021

azmilmom said:
So would you all recommend sending my plebe with said 'uniform magic' tools to Indoc or send later?
Click to expand...
While there isn't any harm in sending him with a couple of tide pens, he probably won't need them much until around acceptance day. Lint rollers aren't really necessary, I'm sure you could give it to him later.
sevenrider860 said:
. It is not that they find wearing the uniform a negative experience, it is that on your off time, it is sometimes easier to decompress and relax in civvies rather than wearing a uniform. While there are always a few exceptions, my experience is that the majority will choose to wear civilian clothes on Liberty if given the choice of what to wear.
Click to expand...
This is exactly right. I have a lot of pride in wearing the uniform, but going out to eat/hang out in uniform doesn't really give you the opportunity to relax. Additionally, it draws attention, which makes it even more difficult to relax. Nobody other than plebes on acceptance/parents weekend enjoys wearing uniforms outside the academy. The midshipman regulations are currently for 4/c and 3/c mids to wear uniform on liberty, but its a rule that basically everybody breaks and nobody enforces.
 
Capt MJ said:
Black or blue pen ink can be dissolved in a bit of rubbing alcohol and blotted with paper towels.
Click to expand...
This is a really good tip. Rubbing alcohol saved me after I washed almost all of my khakis in the machine with a black pen, which literally burst all over all of my khakis.
 
Jmoney457 said:
This is a really good tip. Rubbing alcohol saved me after I washed almost all of my khakis in the machine with a black pen, which literally burst all over all of my khakis.
Click to expand...

I am a member of that club, the Washing Machine Exploding Pen.

I also sat through a morning meeting, wondering where my blue gel pen had gone, only to realize it had bled to death in my summer white trousers lap.
 
azmilmom said:
So would you all recommend sending my plebe with said 'uniform magic' tools to Indoc or send later?
Click to expand...
My opinion is to have your plebe only show up with what is needed at the time it needed. Everything else can be obtained later at the appropriate time. I don't have any experience with USMMA Indoc, but I have experience with other Indoc type programs...and most of the time "Less is More"
 
For PT Uniforms, how many extras would you recommend we buy (PT poly shirt, PT cotton shirt, PT Shorts, and compressions shorts) and how many are we issued?
 
teddybear97 said:
For PT Uniforms, how many extras would you recommend we buy (PT poly shirt, PT cotton shirt, PT Shorts, and compressions shorts) and how many are we issued?
Click to expand...

I just had the issued amount, didn't get any extra, and 2 years later everything is fine. These things really don't matter too much. Although I was stuck wearing dirty/used shirts to morning PT sometimes. Get a couple extra shirts and shorts I guess. I never really wore compression shorts, so I don't know about that. Never really chafed during indoc, although I know some people did.
sevenrider860 said:
My opinion is to have your plebe only show up with what is needed at the time it needed. Everything else can be obtained later at the appropriate time. I don't have any experience with USMMA Indoc, but I have experience with other Indoc type programs...and most of the time "Less is More"
Click to expand...
The way it works is you bring all of your bags to the gym and leave them there with your name and company. They are later taken to your company storage area, and you get them back around when indoc is over, unless its stuff you need during indoc such as medication, toiletries, etc. So you don't really carry that stuff all day, like people say.
 
Jmoney457 said:
I just had the issued amount, didn't get any extra, and 2 years later everything is fine. These things really don't matter too much. Although I was stuck wearing dirty/used shirts to morning PT sometimes. Get a couple extra shirts and shorts I guess. I never really wore compression shorts, so I don't know about that. Never really chafed during indoc, although I know some people did.

The way it works is you bring all of your bags to the gym and leave them there with your name and company. They are later taken to your company storage area, and you get them back around when indoc is over, unless its stuff you need during indoc such as medication, toiletries, etc. So you don't really carry that stuff all day, like people say.
Click to expand...

Oh Maaaaan ... the first day of indoc was actually entertaining watching everyone lugging massive amounts of gear (80% of which was going straight into the baggage locker not to be seen for three months) while trying to learn to march in step at the same time.

At least it was until my Senior DI said to drop my bag followed by "I didn't say on your Drill Instructors foot".

Then there was the guy who literally did not last even an hour. We had just marched (sort of) straight to the barracks from O'Hara Hall and were stowing our gear when you had a guy standing in the passageway telling the DI he wanted to go home.
 
About how many people on average do you see drop out during INDOC every year? Do you lose alot? I was just curious. . .
 
drops are not allowed during indoc. Really. For the class of 2020, one person did not show up. During indoc itself, I think--(I don't think official numbers are out there) that the medical set back rate--mainly for medical, between start and acceptance was between 1-2%. The percentage is about the same as from the other SA's.

The numbers balloon after First tri. -- 10% maybe. I don't know the breakdown between set back and disenrollment. And again after second tri. but the numbers are less, maybe 5%.

The first year is a killer.
 
Holy cow that is a lot. I heard the first year was a killer but didn't know it was that bad. My son is applying this year for the class of 2022; my brother went there and was a graduate of the class of '87.
 
The service academies expect incoming plebes/doolies/swabs to take a very rigorous courseload that includes calculus and a lab science in all cases - deckies or English or government majors, it doesn't matter. So that 10% sounds like a lot - and it is - but other very selective and technically-demanding colleges and universities also have a relatively high rate of attrition, too. A LOT of first-year collegians struggle A LOT in their first year of college - and the pressure increases with tough courses and a packed schedule.
 
golfindad said:
drops are not allowed during indoc. Really. For the class of 2020, one person did not show up. During indoc itself, I think--(I don't think official numbers are out there) that the medical set back rate--mainly for medical, between start and acceptance was between 1-2%. The percentage is about the same as from the other SA's.

The numbers balloon after First tri. -- 10% maybe. I don't know the breakdown between set back and disenrollment. And again after second tri. but the numbers are less, maybe 5%.

The first year is a killer.
Click to expand...
This is wrong... Dropping out during indoc was discouraged by the commandant last year (who isnt here anymore) so I suspect they will go back to the old policy, allowing kids to drop out with counseling. As several 10-20 did in my class. And there were also a few in my class who quit day 0. I'd say 20% of my original class isn't here, but the number is increased by 2018 setbacks
 
If you want to look at the data, you can track the attrition rate, retention rate after plebe year, gpa progress, diversity progress, license passage rates, etc., in the DOT's budget requests. The requests for FY2017 are easily available. I have seen the FY 2018, which was followed by the recent Senate Bill to authorize all of the requested funding, but don't recall where I saw it. At the end of 4 years, one out of four will not be there. Most of that attrition occurs in the first year. It really is the hardest Academy to graduate from.
 
azmilmom said:
So would you all recommend sending my plebe with said 'uniform magic' tools to Indoc or send later?
Click to expand...
While I encouraged my DS to pack the bare minimum, I did have him pack a couple of "Tide to go" pens (non-bleach, safe for all fabrics). I know he used his for both khakis and whites. Good luck.
 
KP2020Dad said:
While I encouraged my DS to pack the bare minimum, I did have him pack a couple of "Tide to go" pens (non-bleach, safe for all fabrics). I know he used his for both khakis and whites. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendation on the 'Tide to Go' pens. Don't want the old boy to be out of compliance!
 
I heard that you barely get any time off to buy school materials when your indoc ends and when the school starts. Can my family send me any school materials/packages/some personally belonging during indoc? If so, are there any restrictions to what they can send? (I know you can't send food)
 
joriebelle said:
So mom can't send cookies?!
Click to expand...

You can, if you send enough for his entire platoon (there were 28 in mine). Otherwise, the cadre will eat the cookies in front of him.
teddybear97 said:
I heard that you barely get any time off to buy school materials when your indoc ends and when the school starts. Can my family send me any school materials/packages/some personally belonging during indoc? If so, are there any restrictions to what they can send? (I know you can't send food)
Click to expand...

This isn't true, after indoc there are reform days, which we use for regimental stuff (BCA, PRT for 2018, 2019) about 3 days. You basically have those three days off, and you can do whatever you want.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top