How did the phone call home go?

[Devil Doc]

My third ship was an AOR, a replenishment oiler. Our stores were different than the customer's stores. If we took on FFV, fresh fruit and vegetables and it was destined for the battle group, then that's who got it. We also would receive re-supply at sea leaving us out there for a long time. We got better stuff in port of course. An AOE which has the same mission but is larger had a preventive medicine technician assigned as ship's company. My ship the Savannah did not, so me as the Independent Duty Corpsman did all the PMT stuff which included inspecting food as it sat on the pier or as it landed on our decks. That means of course I had to do an organoleptic test on many of the items. A perk of the job but a necessary one.

 

[kinnem]

Great perspective. Was pondering this reading about the Ike being at sea for so long. I know they had resupply along the way, but it’s still hard to keep things fresh at a certain point. Plus it just gets plain old eating the same rotation after a few weeks. Being a ship was the first time I had ever discovered rice is a breakfast food if you throw in raisins, cinnamon and sugar from last nights left overs!

Sounds close to rice pudding to me!

 

[kinnem]

My third ship was an AOR, a replenishment oiler. Our stores were different than the customer's stores. If we took on FFV, fresh fruit and vegetables and it was destined for the battle group, then that's who got it. We also would receive re-supply at sea leaving us out there for a long time. We got better stuff in port of course. An AOE which has the same mission but is larger had a preventive medicine technician assigned as ship's company. My ship the Savannah did not, so me as the Independent Duty Corpsman did all the PMT stuff which included inspecting food as it sat on the pier or as it landed on our decks. That means of course I had to do an organoleptic test on many of the items. A perk of the job but a necessary one.

+10 points for organoleptic . You keep sending me to the dictionary but I did also figure it out from context.

 

[DSANN]

I wish I could personally thank the USNA for allowing the plebes 3+ hours of "communications liberty" the other day. It was a great moral booster for my plebe, it was not rushed, the reception was perfect, and he got some downtime to chat with friends and go on social media. It really was a perfect afternoon for them and us!

 

[MidCakePa]

I wish I could personally thank the USNA for allowing the plebes 3+ hours of "communications liberty" the other day. It was a great moral booster for my plebe, it was not rushed, the reception was perfect, and he got some downtime to chat with friends and go on social media. It really was a perfect afternoon for them and us!

Loved seeing the plebes donning the “dress up” version of white works (I forget the official name). It wasn’t as swanky as summer whites — what is? — but it marked the distinctive nature of the occasion. It may not have been Parents Weekend, but it was special nonetheless.

 

[Heatherg21]

Our DS Just got his 7th Covid test back and all have been negative. He is on day 34 total out of training between first ROM, 2nd ROM and iso. He still is pretty positive. They have been assured there will be opportunities for them to make up some trainings and that they will make time to get to weapons. At some point. Food still ick but it’s not the ritz. The takeaway I get from him is how he is so impressed with his Detailers and how they stuck it out with them. He did virtually meet four new Detailers today. He has definitely seen a different plebe summer than most but he has plenty of company mates who can relate and they will be bonded through this. No matter how hard the ac year is going to be, he is definitely wanting it to start. I just cannot wait to see him in something other than pt gear and sweats. I still believe USNA is doing their absolute best and he is right where he worked so hard to be.

 

[DSANN]

Our DS Just got his 7th Covid test back and all have been negative. He is on day 34 total out of training between first ROM, 2nd ROM and iso. He still is pretty positive. They have been assured there will be opportunities for them to make up some trainings and that they will make time to get to weapons. At some point. Food still ick but it’s not the ritz. The takeaway I get from him is how he is so impressed with his Detailers and how they stuck it out with them. He did virtually meet four new Detailers today. He has definitely seen a different plebe summer than most but he has plenty of company mates who can relate and they will be bonded through this. No matter how hard the ac year is going to be, he is definitely wanting it to start. I just cannot wait to see him in something other than pt gear and sweats. I still believe USNA is doing their absolute best and he is right where he worked so hard to be.

Seven negative - why still in ISO? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[Heatherg21]

Seven negative - why still in ISO? If you don't mind me asking.

From what I understand due to exposure and company wide Illness as well as symptoms that could be Covid or the flu, plebe hack or side affects of masking in intense heat and humidity while exercising. And the first three tests were back during initial quarantine after Iday. He is getting great care and they monitor very well.

 

[WT Door]

Our DS Just got his 7th Covid test back and all have been negative. He is on day 34 total out of training between first ROM, 2nd ROM and iso. He still is pretty positive. They have been assured there will be opportunities for them to make up some trainings and that they will make time to get to weapons. At some point. Food still ick but it’s not the ritz. The takeaway I get from him is how he is so impressed with his Detailers and how they stuck it out with them. He did virtually meet four new Detailers today. He has definitely seen a different plebe summer than most but he has plenty of company mates who can relate and they will be bonded through this. No matter how hard the ac year is going to be, he is definitely wanting it to start. I just cannot wait to see him in something other than pt gear and sweats. I still believe USNA is doing their absolute best and he is right where he worked so hard to be.

So glad to hear that your son is making the best of the situation dealt him. The whole bonding processes with his classmates will continue beyond plebe summer and throughout his four years at Annapolis. I can imagine he wants to get started. Soon he will be drawing all the books for those 18+ credit hours that await him. He probably has his schedule already. Academics are going to keep him very busy. Good on him for maintaining a positive attitude. I would be happy to see him and his classmates doing push- ups on ESPN when (if) Navy plays BYU. He and his classmates will look good in Summer Whites.

 

[DSANN]

From what I understand due to exposure and company wide Illness as well as symptoms that could be Covid or the flu, plebe hack or side affects of masking in intense heat and humidity while exercising. And the first three tests were back during initial quarantine after Iday. He is getting great care and they monitor very well.

I'm a mom of a plebe there right now - and I appreciate the Academy's approach. It must be so difficult for you, but you sound positive which is where I suspect he gets that outlook from! I am hoping your son keeps up the great outlook. Like @WT Door said - there will be four years to bond and move onward and upward.

 

[Heatherg21]

Well our kids earned a seat at the table and no matter the circumstances I know mine wouldn’t choose to be elsewhere no matter how crappy it has been to date. He has lots to look forward to. He’s been reading Gates of Fire and doing research on service options upon commissioning. Real deep dives into career options. He is excited for what is to come. Our plebes will always have a special perspective and experience to someday lead others with.

 

[Heatherg21]

Got the text yesterday morning he was being sprung from isolation for the last day of plebe summer. While I miss his google meets and occasional text from iso, I have never enjoyed 24 hours without hearing from him as much as I have enjoyed this! Finally he is doing something, and is likely dressed in real clothes, not sweats. I am envisioning the plebes ducking and dodging one another as they move into the ac year rooms, trying not to drop everything, all the while trying to not make eye contact with the majority of the brigade and upperclassmen. Makes me giggle thinking about it.

 

[NavyHoops]

Oh they are making eye contact and greeting them all! And they are quickly going to learn an additional 120 names very soon. Glad he is out of solitary and gets to move with his classmates. This time is always full of excitement and anxiousness. Happy to be joining the Brigade, excited for college courses to start, relieved to have some freedom (and electronic devices), yet now the roles have reversed. They once out numbered their Detailers, now they are out numbered 2.5 to 1 (soon 3 when they get everyone back). Congrats to 24.

 

[justme]

Congrats... It will definitely be interesting to hear how COVID related things change starting this weekend. The Plebe PODS go away, and with it that all or nothing safety/exposure.

 

[USNAhopeful2025]

Oh they are making eye contact and greeting them all! And they are quickly going to learn an additional 120 names very soon. Glad he is out of solitary and gets to move with his classmates. This time is always full of excitement and anxiousness. Happy to be joining the Brigade, excited for college courses to start, relieved to have some freedom (and electronic devices), yet now the roles have reversed. They once out numbered their Detailers, now they are out numbered 2.5 to 1 (soon 3 when they get everyone back). Congrats to 24.

so happy to hear he is out!!!! yay!!!

 

[THParent]

Here are over 1,000 Plebe photos if you haven't seen them yet:

2020: Class of 2024, Plebe Summer

Plebe Summer is officially underway! This album will be updated regularly with photos taken by USNA Public Affairs staff for the duration of the summer. Note: Since completing a 14-day Restriction of Movement (ROM) and testing negative for COVID-19, plebe companies and their detailers are...

www.flickr.com

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Here are over 1,000 Plebe photos if you haven't seen them yet

I didn't look at all the pictures, but there are a lot more smiles than I remember...and I didn't seen many pictures inside the Hall...
How about some pics of the results of their first room inspection ?

 

[Kierkegaard]

I didn't look at all the pictures, but there are a lot more smiles than I remember...and I didn't seen many pictures inside the Hall...
How about some pics of the results of their first room inspection ?

It really is too bad that they mostly only record the fun parts of Plebe Summer. Gives a warped perception to the public of what it’s like, but more importantly the Plebes will have to rely only on memory to relive all the difficult moments of keeping front leaning rest in a puddle of sweat or having three detailers simultaneously screaming at them mere inches from their face for getting their names wrong, the moments that really built up their character. (Not the end of the world though, as they WILL keep those memories for decades to come, I’m told).

 

[Dr. Strange Love]

It really is too bad that they mostly only record the fun parts of Plebe Summer. Gives a warped perception to the public of what it’s like, but more importantly the Plebes will have to rely only on memory to relive all the difficult moments of keeping front leaning rest in a puddle of sweat or having three detailers simultaneously screaming at them mere inches from their face for getting their names wrong, the moments that really built up their character. (Not the end of the world though, as they WILL keep those memories for decades to come, I’m told).

.
I just got off the phone with my daughter. I talked to her for about 45 minutes or so.

Anyway, I know that plebe summer is over since Friday, but she said that upperclassmen had them Raising and Lowering their Window Blinds, over and over .... they did something wrong? Interesting punishment. Monty Python “Confuse-A-Cat” maybe?

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Plebes will have to rely only on memory to relive all the difficult moments of keeping front leaning rest in a puddle of sweat or having three detailers simultaneously screaming at them mere inches from their face for getting their names wrong, the moments that really built up their character. (Not the end of the world though, as they WILL keep those memories for decades to come, I’m told)

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 !