I-Day Preparation

[Nic_310]

Yes, we had it all boxed up with us on I-day. The PO is a short walk from the yard on West St. downtown. It will break up the morning, unless you want to wait behind Alumni and follow the bus over to the back of Bancroft. Pop tarts/ Cliff Bars, Tide wipes, Advil, etc... Should have done something for this throat. He got Plebe Hack bad. Make sure you send enough goodies for at least your Plebe and his/ her room mates.

Just to confirm, OTC medication is okay to send?

 

[USNA 19 DAD]

Just to confirm, OTC medication is okay to send?

Unless something has changed, standard OTC meds were fine. Almost forgot...... White compression shorts was a hot request.

 

[ders_dad]

White compression shorts was a hot request.

DS said you cannot have too many of these. By the end of PS, he had something like 15 pair. Put them in every care package. DS is a big fan of white Duluth Trading Co. buck-naked boxer briefs, which are essentially compression shorts but more breathable.

 

[A1Janitor]

Just to confirm, OTC medication is okay to send?

I agree with USNA 18 Dad ... I would just add that a lot of things aren’t necessary like this - the store has everything the midshipmen need.

So it might be easier to give them some money.

 

[DKTKT]

Before I-day, break in 2 pairs of running shoes. Wear one pair to I-day. Arrange with your parents to mail you the second pair about halfway through PS. You will receive info from USNA about how mail and packages should be addressed. You will be assigned a PO box number.
Make sure you are up to date on all vaccines and shots before I-day. Your parents have your medical records, somewhere. It also helps for future 2/C summer activities if you know your blood type. The forms for Leatherneck have a place for you to list your blood type.

Hmmm... maybe, depending on your budget. We still have the 2nd pair of broken in running shoes from this standard advice. DS never came close to needing them, and I wished I had saved the $$. They are still sitting here at home. They did change to issuing Brook Ghost running shoes last summer, so maybe that made the difference; I hear they are a lot nicer than what they used to issue.

 

[Just Dad]

There will be lots more stuff on this topic in the coming months. Long Lead Items, (besides conditioning). Buy those two pairs of shoes but consider investing in a good orthotic insole. If you have the cash, (or a parent with no idea what to get a Plebe-to-be for graduation), go to a specialized runners store with a good rep and have a pair made for you, and your 2 pairs of new shoes. Short on $s? Pick the one that feels best at your local sporting goods store. Insoles will make a huge difference, ask your favorite runner. DD says running during PS "isn't about going fast, it's about going forever". The cushion and support of a well-fitted insole will pay off tons in weeks 4-5-6.

For the past three years, I've said the same thing, (channeling DD and my DW). If you are a female, now would be a good time to think about having a simple "9-to-5" eyeliner tattoo done. DD also does eyebrows, (hers are light blonde...my DNA). My wife spent 30years jumping out of bed to run to an O.R. or to O.B. and she swears by these. DD had hers done just before PS and has repeated an application since. DD said she took a little bit of flack during PS for looking too put-together during PS. But you know "When you look good you feel good"............ and Daaaarling:


View attachment 4918
Seriously: Wife and DD swear by this and the time it saves them. Costs a $200-400 here in Sea Wa. and takes about 3-4 days for redness to go away after the Tat.

What to wear to I-Day? I've been watching this board for 4years now and it still isn't entirely clear what you get to keep. That said, in addition to those shoes and insoles, I'd show up in the best pair of white ankle-high compression socks I could find and compression shorts. Letters home from PS will plead for both. I'd have a 2nd pair in my duff. If they take em away, big deal, I get em back and its not like the running stops after PS. I'd put 1 or 2 leg compression sleeves in the duff too. Same logic, the sleave costs $11, $12 and I will get em back. If I get to keep em, I can get the jump on shin-splints, or give em to a desperate shipmate. Women's underwear is a mystery, (always has been), but I remember that DD hated the stuff she was given and was able to wear ones we sent her. Same logic I'd...... ahh you..... would wear a pair best for the task at hand and bring a second pair----as long as they are white. I guess same-same for a sports bra.

Since we are talking about that "First Care Package", we got the same advice and acted on it dropped it in the mail in Annapolis on I-Day. BUT, if I had it to do over again, I'd keep the box open and visit the Mid Store on I-Day (or before) to BUY A SECOND SET OF USNA Std. PT GEAR. Sucks to put on wet gear in the AM.

Finally, as a parent on I-Day I would've had one of many available calcium-magnesium beverages to hand her with her sandwich, (that stuff really does level stress abit). I'd also hand her one of the Matcha tablets we both take now-days. Nothing but organic matcha, no drugs no caffeine just smooth energy look on Amazon "Matcha tablets". I think both of these work really well...... even if the didn't the placebo effect would have been hugely helpful that first night of PS.

Disclaimer: I am Just Dad, I have not been through plebe summer, I just know people who have.

Congrats to all those with an interest in this thread. Son, Daughter, Parent you've earned a unique and highly rewarding journey. Good luck to you.

 

[Gabe_]

Is it as strick as the readings? Everything gets locked away until after Plebe Summer or are there some exceptions? Will they lock everything away?

I'm curious what you mean by strict. Can you clarify?

Just to confirm, OTC medication is okay to send?

Fairly certain no med of any kind are allowed OTC or otherwise. The PTR will out line it for you. If I remember correctly, DD brought her one prescription. She turned it in and she was given new prescription and meds on I Day.

 

[USNA 19 DAD]

Fairly certain no med of any kind are allowed OTC or otherwise.

Really? Is this new? As long as it was Advil, Tums, basic meds, it was all fine as long as it came in a care package and not with what they came in with. Never had an issue with anything we sent. Meds, snacks, etc.

 

[A1Janitor]

Really? Is this new? As long as it was Advil, Tums, basic meds, it was all fine as long as it came in a care package and not with what they came in with. Never had an issue with anything we sent. Meds, snacks, etc.

I am probably wrong ... but I think you can send OTC to them in mail - they can buy it at store.

I think you just don’t bring it with you on I day. Prescriptions you bring and turn in.

 

[AF6872]

I would suggest "Body Glide". Developed by surfers to help get the wet suit on now a favorite of runners. Can be used to prevent chafing and to prevent blisters. DD said it was a life saver in heat and humidity. Love Billy. Saw him live in New Haven and he looked Marrrrveeeeloooouuuus.

 

[ders_dad]

Kind Bars were confiscated because some have hemp seeds. This may depend on the company. Also, no energy drinks, additives with caffeine, or those 5-hr energy swigs.

 

[MidCakePa]

Policies change. And they can be specific by company. Wait to hear directly from USNA via the PTR packet. They’ll be clear. And don’t be surprised that what’s OK in one company might not be in another. That’s just how things work.

 

[usna1985]

I would NOT get an eyeliner tattoo for purposes of PS. During PS, everyone looks like crap -- all the time, except maybe Sunday mornings. You're hot. You're sweaty. You're dirty. You're gross. Eyeliner ain't gonna change that. During Ac year, you will have sufficient time to apply makeup.

As an aside, I would think very carefully about doing anything permanent near my eyes before I-Day -- too much could go wrong. Also, consider how it will look 25 years from now when your skin loses its elasticity and the tattoo starts to fade/bleed. [Not criticizing those who've done this -- obviously some are very satisfied -- but permanent is just that.]

 

[retiredradar]

Hmmm... maybe, depending on your budget. We still have the 2nd pair of broken in running shoes from this standard advice. DS never came close to needing them, and I wished I had saved the $$. They are still sitting here at home. They did change to issuing Brook Ghost running shoes last summer, so maybe that made the difference; I hear they are a lot nicer than what they used to issue.

Nice! Brook Ghost are what my DS (a distance runner) prefers.

 

[MidCakePa]

I would NOT get an eyeliner tattoo for purposes of PS. During PS, everyone looks like crap -- all the time, except maybe Sunday mornings. You're hot. You're sweaty. You're dirty. You're gross. Eyeliner ain't gonna change that. During Ac year, you will have sufficient time to apply makeup.

As an aside, I would think very carefully about doing anything permanent near my eyes before I-Day -- too much could go wrong. Also, consider how it will look 25 years from now when your skin loses its elasticity and the tattoo starts to fade/bleed. [Not criticizing those who've done this -- obviously some are very satisfied -- but permanent is just that.]

As the father of a female mid, agree with this wholeheartedly. At the risk of sounding like a misogynistic old fart, this seems like an unnecessary vanity project.

Not that my kid is the model female mid, but I’m proud that she focused on preparing for the physical rigors rather than the aesthetic expectations. Now, one thing that many female mids do consider is birth-control pills to regulate their periods during a time of great stress, little sleep, much exhaustion and so-so nutrition. But that’s probably a separate thread altogether.

 

[Capt MJ]

Each to their own. I have showed this suggestion when it was first posted to the female mids in our sponsor family, including many who are fair. They laughed, and said there were those who cared about “that stuff,” and those who didn’t, but it made them stick out when others were going clean and mean.
No one really cared. “Whatever” and more laughter was the general summary. Let people do what they need to do to feel better.

 

[Capt MJ]

Each to their own. I have showed this suggestion when it was first posted to the female mids in our sponsor family, including many who are fair. They laughed, and said there were those who cared about “that stuff,” and those who didn’t, but it made them stick out when others were going clean and mean.
No one really cared. “Whatever” and more laughter was the general summary. Let people do what they need to do to feel better.

For clarity, this was about the eyeliner tat.