How did the phone call home go?

Old Navy BGO said:
The truth is, us old guys (and gals) remember the good more than the bad. Even the rough times (yes, screaming detailers and puddles of sweat) seem okay almost 40 years later !
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You must have had it soft! ;)

Believe me, I definitely remember the really bad times of Plebe Summer, pretty much all of which would result in charges brought against the detailers today (yes really). While I can't say that I remember all of the specific tortures, there are some that are extremely vivid to this day. I've read and heard about former Firsties becoming friendly with "their" plebes after Herndon but that was not my experience. Every company has a different culture for sure and in mine, even afterward, we never were accepted by about half of the firsties. I've encountered a couple from that group over the years and time definitely does not heal all wounds.

Remember too that plebe summer has changed an awful lot. Much of what you see in the pictures were not part of the old-time plebe summer - no damage control/firefighting, no running around with logs or inflatable boats, etc. In comparison, we spent a LOT more time drilling and the sailing portion was much more extensive. I also think that there was more unassigned time - where our firsties could and did train us where they tught we needed it.
 
OldRetSWO said:
In comparison, we spent a LOT more time drilling and the sailing portion was much more extensive.
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I wish sailing was a more extensive part of plebe summer. DD attended a few sailing camps as a kid, but it doesn’t seem like plebe summer improves much on her knowledge and skill. Seems like the bare basics plus a breezy respite from front leaning rest.

As a competent (though not expert) sailor of small boats, I believe every midshipman should be able to hop into an 18” sloop, rig it and push it a bit in moderate winds. Is that asking too much?
 
MidCakePa said:
I wish sailing was a more extensive part of plebe summer. DD attended a few sailing camps as a kid, but it doesn’t seem like plebe summer improves much on her knowledge and skill. Seems like the bare basics plus a breezy respite from front leaning rest.

As a competent (though not expert) sailor of small boats, I believe every midshipman should be able to hop into an 18” sloop, rig it and push it a bit in moderate winds. Is that asking too much?
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This has waxed and waned over the years. We were trained first on 24' sloops and then moved to 44' ocean racing yawls. The 24' "knockabouts" were available for checkout to the brigade and quite a few guys would use them at times and considering that you could bring guests, they would take dates and/or family out on them.

In the mid aughts when Rod Rempt was the supe, they also had the plebes sailing on Lasers (1 man boat) which is much more challenging for neophytes.
 
MidCakePa said:
As a competent (though not expert) sailor of small boats, I believe every midshipman should be able to hop into an 18” sloop, rig it and push it a bit in moderate winds. Is that asking too much?
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There should be opportunities this semester for the Brigade to become more familiar with sailing.

Colgate 26's remain available for checkout to any mid who has acquired a B qual. The same goes for 44s for any two D qualed mids as long as they bring some extra hands. I am unaware of any opportunities for mids to sail the dinghy fleets if they are not on either sailing team.
 
My plebe DS is trying out for offshore sailing team. Fingers crossed!! We took basic sailing lessons together several years ago. And then he was brave enough to venture out on a 22 footer with mom at the helm. Once he arrived at the Yard, he could hear the water calling...
 
As an Ensign, I taught on the 44 footers and coached the Plebe Intercollegiate (Dinghy) Team during a time when USNA was the
overall two time National Collegiate Sailing Champion. I probably don't need to add that I held every possible sailing
qualification that USNA and later the Navy at large offered.
 
Learning to sail on a 14' knockabout is a blast. I have never laughed harder than when my dad dropped my sister and I on the dock and told us to figure it out and round the far buoy. First one back got an orange fanta and got to tend the bar at the afternoon yacht club meeting (yes, that was a thing, we did it to earn sodas). Of course, my sister won, she always does. But the memory is as fresh as always.
I heard from my dad yesterday that he is scheduled to do volunteer instructing in sailing at USNA in the not too distant future so maybe the opportunity to sail will be available. Our son has only sailed once during plebe summer (we live in a land locked state) and he liked it. He also noted that due to yard only liberty, sports like golf and sailing might be the one way plebes could get some escape time. He hopes to work toward qualifying B to take the 24 out at some point. I told him both sailing and golf are expensive hobbies, do it all you can while it is free.
 
DE-7 said:
My plebe DS is trying out for offshore sailing team. Fingers crossed!! We took basic sailing lessons together several years ago. And then he was brave enough to venture out on a 22 footer with mom at the helm. Once he arrived at the Yard, he could hear the water calling...
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I sent you a PM
 
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