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Shutterbug, I sent you a PM
Letters
- Thread starter KPatKP
- Start date
skoobiecat2014
5-Year Member
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Update to letters received from ds.
Received third letter from ds today. I was so happy that it is was upbeat. The first letter he wrote last friday broke my heart. Then the letter written on Sunday was so so. Todays letter received that was written Monday made him seem like his ol' self, well almost. He went on about how he enjoyed the 2 1/2 boat ride and instruction and that he was making friends. He also mentioned good things about his roommate. : )
DS mentioned that he wanted cookies and that he was only able to get two at the meal. Unsure which meal though. And that he has not had milk but would have it after indoc. Not sure if that meant there was no milk, or if he was afraid it would upset his stomach due to the exercise.
In each letter we send we include a return self addressed stamped envelope and paper to write on also. DS has not acknowledged that he has received any mail yet. He said they don't have much time to write and it is usually written in the dark. We did send him with everything he needed to mail letters, which of course he said he wouldn't be using... lol
I think the worrying has finally eased up on my part after seeing todays letter. For those that have not received mail yet. You will get that wonderful phone call on Sunday and that will ease your mind. Although, that's another subject of concern. Let's all hope we hear the phone and that there's cell phone reception!
Received third letter from ds today. I was so happy that it is was upbeat. The first letter he wrote last friday broke my heart. Then the letter written on Sunday was so so. Todays letter received that was written Monday made him seem like his ol' self, well almost. He went on about how he enjoyed the 2 1/2 boat ride and instruction and that he was making friends. He also mentioned good things about his roommate. : )
DS mentioned that he wanted cookies and that he was only able to get two at the meal. Unsure which meal though. And that he has not had milk but would have it after indoc. Not sure if that meant there was no milk, or if he was afraid it would upset his stomach due to the exercise.
In each letter we send we include a return self addressed stamped envelope and paper to write on also. DS has not acknowledged that he has received any mail yet. He said they don't have much time to write and it is usually written in the dark. We did send him with everything he needed to mail letters, which of course he said he wouldn't be using... lol
I think the worrying has finally eased up on my part after seeing todays letter. For those that have not received mail yet. You will get that wonderful phone call on Sunday and that will ease your mind. Although, that's another subject of concern. Let's all hope we hear the phone and that there's cell phone reception!
Please don't read too much into the letters they send when they are down. As much of a roller coaster as this is for the parents, it is more so for them. We parents are often the ones who get dumped on. It's safe to complain and be miserable with us. Just wait till you get that phone call, while they're still shivering from being hosed down to let you know they've just been recognized.
It all balances out in the end.
Also, they will be very stressed throughout plebe year. DD seemed like a completely different person this year. I think she still stresses a lot over the academics, but she has learned not to worry, if that makes any sense. But civil responses weren't part of her vocabulary plebe year.
It all balances out in the end.Also, they will be very stressed throughout plebe year. DD seemed like a completely different person this year. I think she still stresses a lot over the academics, but she has learned not to worry, if that makes any sense. But civil responses weren't part of her vocabulary plebe year.
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I Couldn't Echo The Comments/Advice About...
I couldn't echo/endorse the comments and recommendations that all parents not react too hard and fast about information/notes/calls from your DS/DD that are at either end of the emotional spectrum more.
As has been noted the incoming Plebe Candidates are definitely on an emotional roller coaster. The fact is that during these first 16 days of indoctrination, to a fair degree, the stress being paced on incoming midshipmen is basically manufactured. While to be sure, adjusting to the regimental requirements and regime is for some stressful, most adapt to it quite quickly. After all its not "rocket science" or even naval architecture and marine engineering; so most adapt quickly and then during the last 8-9 days the Indoc Staff does things to manufacture some stress and speed or at least compel forward the transition from high school seniors to USMMA Plebe Candidates.
I've said it before and I'll say it here - none of this is anywhere near the stress these young man and women will likely feel as a 16 week college semester crammed into 14 weeks is piled on top of the regimental duties they feel. Further, most of the incoming Plebe Candidates will find themselves also clinging to some level of sanity by participating in Sports or some other extra-curricular activities as their one tie-back to a "normal" life and something they can continue to talk to their friends back home about without sounding like an Alien living on the mother-ship in a sci-fi TV drama. Of course keep in mind in most cases the fine young men and women going through this are just that - young men and women - as in 17 to 20 years old and still prone to emotional swings that few of us old folks really remember and understand. Further, keep in mind they are often chronically over-tired and always remember what and how being very tired affects your own DS/DD's outlook when they are so. Seriously, in many, many cases these young people will be placed or place themselves in situations where for numerous reasons they will live on an average of 4 hours of sound sleep or less a night for weeks at a time over the next 11 months.
With all of the above in mind as their parent, remember that many times, especially between now and next June, they may feel you are the one place they can go to and vent without being overly judged. Even if it's tearing you up, my recommendation is be the rationale voice that is at once both supportive, understanding and reassuring, but without stoking the fire, at least not too visibly to them. Finally in another week and a half they will start classes and once that happens my mantra is always:
"Take care of the academics first and you'll be surprised how everything else falls into and stays in place."
Remember it is indeed like four years at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH (aka America's Roller Coaster) so keep your hands and feet inside the car at all times and ENJOY THE RIDE!
I couldn't echo/endorse the comments and recommendations that all parents not react too hard and fast about information/notes/calls from your DS/DD that are at either end of the emotional spectrum more.
As has been noted the incoming Plebe Candidates are definitely on an emotional roller coaster. The fact is that during these first 16 days of indoctrination, to a fair degree, the stress being paced on incoming midshipmen is basically manufactured. While to be sure, adjusting to the regimental requirements and regime is for some stressful, most adapt to it quite quickly. After all its not "rocket science" or even naval architecture and marine engineering; so most adapt quickly and then during the last 8-9 days the Indoc Staff does things to manufacture some stress and speed or at least compel forward the transition from high school seniors to USMMA Plebe Candidates.
I've said it before and I'll say it here - none of this is anywhere near the stress these young man and women will likely feel as a 16 week college semester crammed into 14 weeks is piled on top of the regimental duties they feel. Further, most of the incoming Plebe Candidates will find themselves also clinging to some level of sanity by participating in Sports or some other extra-curricular activities as their one tie-back to a "normal" life and something they can continue to talk to their friends back home about without sounding like an Alien living on the mother-ship in a sci-fi TV drama. Of course keep in mind in most cases the fine young men and women going through this are just that - young men and women - as in 17 to 20 years old and still prone to emotional swings that few of us old folks really remember and understand. Further, keep in mind they are often chronically over-tired and always remember what and how being very tired affects your own DS/DD's outlook when they are so. Seriously, in many, many cases these young people will be placed or place themselves in situations where for numerous reasons they will live on an average of 4 hours of sound sleep or less a night for weeks at a time over the next 11 months.
With all of the above in mind as their parent, remember that many times, especially between now and next June, they may feel you are the one place they can go to and vent without being overly judged. Even if it's tearing you up, my recommendation is be the rationale voice that is at once both supportive, understanding and reassuring, but without stoking the fire, at least not too visibly to them. Finally in another week and a half they will start classes and once that happens my mantra is always:
"Take care of the academics first and you'll be surprised how everything else falls into and stays in place."
Remember it is indeed like four years at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH (aka America's Roller Coaster) so keep your hands and feet inside the car at all times and ENJOY THE RIDE!
alicetruscott
5-Year Member
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mail
I received a letter dated 7/11/10 on 7/16/10 and I live in Virginia. But I have taken to sending self addressed stamped envelopes with some paper, to help in getting mail back.
I received a letter dated 7/11/10 on 7/16/10 and I live in Virginia. But I have taken to sending self addressed stamped envelopes with some paper, to help in getting mail back.
shutterbugC
5-Year Member
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- Apr 27, 2010
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what was said, alietruscott? I am not receiving letters but told he wasn't going to send any so any news from others is great for me. What company? Thanks
jessibee2013
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I wanted to take minute to compliment the 2014 parents on how supportive you are of each other. Last summer, it often felt to me like some of us were jumped on when we received too frequent letters or phone calls from DS/DD. I stopped posting for a long time because of this.
So you all, keep it up... you are going to appreciate the support of each other when the roller coaster really gets going after indoc!....
having said that ... for me, indoc was the most stressful time as a parent because of the lack of contact. After indoc, there were trying times and our share of nights of lost sleep but it was possible to communicate with DS so I wasn't as crazy.
One last thing about the letters, treasure those letters. I realized after indoc that we probably would never get another letter from DS, especially heartfelt letters. Emails, texts and phone calls just aren't the same as those sweet letters from indoc.
So you all, keep it up... you are going to appreciate the support of each other when the roller coaster really gets going after indoc!....
having said that ... for me, indoc was the most stressful time as a parent because of the lack of contact. After indoc, there were trying times and our share of nights of lost sleep but it was possible to communicate with DS so I wasn't as crazy.
One last thing about the letters, treasure those letters. I realized after indoc that we probably would never get another letter from DS, especially heartfelt letters. Emails, texts and phone calls just aren't the same as those sweet letters from indoc.
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My son’s first letter from Kings Point back in July of 2001.. Enjoy
Dear Mom, Dad + [little brother] Thur. 12th July 2001
Hey, how are you all doing? It’s Thursday here.
This has by far been the hardest week of my life and I still have one and a half weeks to go. [AND if you were to ask him after he graduated he would probably say it was one of the easiest weeks of his whole four years!!]
I don’t even know where to start. We PT all day long. Even when we are not PTing we have to work out if we screw up.
We push from 5AM to 9PM. We must do a thousand push-ups a day. I guess I’m handling it fine. I’m OK unless something reminds me of home or [the girlfriend]. (which reminds me, I want you to call her for me and tell her not to find anyone else just yet) [he graduated in the '2% club' then 6 months after graduation he and the GF split up; go figure] I’m bummed I have not gotten a letter from you, but the DI’s just harass anyone that gets mail anyway. That doesn’t mean don’t write though! [We didn’t have much time to write. We were too busy moving all his gear out of his former bedroom to make space for my new home office..
jk] The indoc thing is hard, but once or twice a day it can be fun. When the DI’s do funny trash [like the ‘Bob Ross speech’ he later told me about
] to try and break our bearing. That’s great. We try really hard not to laugh right then, but after lights out [the roommate] and I laugh about it all. [the roommate’s] from Sunnyvale. You might remember him from the candidate picnic. Yesterday we went down to the waterfront, which was great because there’s no rank there and we got to row boats out in the sound.
This is not a normal college [oh really???]. Sorry about the disjointedness of this letter. I never know when they will make me stop. Also consider bringing [the girlfriend] out in Sept. when you fly out. Tell her you will, when you talk to her.
That’s it. They just told me to wrap it up. I love you and miss you all very much.
Write often.
Love
[a future KP grad]
P.S.
I’m having a stationary problem. They won’t let me buy anything, so I have to bum envelops and stamps off other people. They are a very precious commodity however. Don’t expect steady mail until the end of Indoc. [he probably should have left off the “until the end of Indoc”part.. I don’t think we ever got another letter once school started..]
Remember, no matter how far they go.. Your kids can never reach 'the point of no return'..
Dear Mom, Dad + [little brother] Thur. 12th July 2001
Hey, how are you all doing? It’s Thursday here.
This has by far been the hardest week of my life and I still have one and a half weeks to go. [AND if you were to ask him after he graduated he would probably say it was one of the easiest weeks of his whole four years!!]
I don’t even know where to start. We PT all day long. Even when we are not PTing we have to work out if we screw up.
We push from 5AM to 9PM. We must do a thousand push-ups a day. I guess I’m handling it fine. I’m OK unless something reminds me of home or [the girlfriend]. (which reminds me, I want you to call her for me and tell her not to find anyone else just yet) [he graduated in the '2% club' then 6 months after graduation he and the GF split up; go figure] I’m bummed I have not gotten a letter from you, but the DI’s just harass anyone that gets mail anyway. That doesn’t mean don’t write though! [We didn’t have much time to write. We were too busy moving all his gear out of his former bedroom to make space for my new home office..
jk] The indoc thing is hard, but once or twice a day it can be fun. When the DI’s do funny trash [like the ‘Bob Ross speech’ he later told me about] to try and break our bearing. That’s great. We try really hard not to laugh right then, but after lights out [the roommate] and I laugh about it all. [the roommate’s] from Sunnyvale. You might remember him from the candidate picnic. Yesterday we went down to the waterfront, which was great because there’s no rank there and we got to row boats out in the sound.This is not a normal college [oh really???
]. Sorry about the disjointedness of this letter. I never know when they will make me stop. Also consider bringing [the girlfriend] out in Sept. when you fly out. Tell her you will, when you talk to her.That’s it. They just told me to wrap it up. I love you and miss you all very much.
Write often.
Love
[a future KP grad]
P.S.
I’m having a stationary problem. They won’t let me buy anything, so I have to bum envelops and stamps off other people. They are a very precious commodity however. Don’t expect steady mail until the end of Indoc. [he probably should have left off the “until the end of Indoc”part.. I don’t think we ever got another letter once school started..]
Remember, no matter how far they go.. Your kids can never reach 'the point of no return'..
shutterbugC
5-Year Member
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Deepdraft1, I really appreciate you typing his letter for all to read. I did get a chuckle from it. I wish other parents would do the same.
Thanks,
Thanks,
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All letters from our son
Here you go shutterbugC, here is the text of every mailed letter we received from our son to date: " ".
However, he did let us "friend" him on facebook. Now, given his verbosity is limited to about 2 to 5 words every 3 weeks I'm not sure its much of an improvement!
On a less satirical note, he remains quite faithful in calling once a week (that may have to go once he ships out next week). He is thankful for the letters we sent (even if he never returned them) and he can't wait to ship out so things must be going about right! I'm still amazed at the young responsible person who is using his name now! Do you realize the last time he was home he cut the lawn without being asked?
Here you go shutterbugC, here is the text of every mailed letter we received from our son to date: " ".
However, he did let us "friend" him on facebook. Now, given his verbosity is limited to about 2 to 5 words every 3 weeks I'm not sure its much of an improvement!
On a less satirical note, he remains quite faithful in calling once a week (that may have to go once he ships out next week). He is thankful for the letters we sent (even if he never returned them) and he can't wait to ship out so things must be going about right! I'm still amazed at the young responsible person who is using his name now! Do you realize the last time he was home he cut the lawn without being asked?
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Good..
Now put 'er on 'standby/stop' and get ready for that phone call tomorrow.. 
shutterbugC
5-Year Member
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I'm still amazed at the young responsible person who is using his name now! Do you realize the last time he was home he cut the lawn without being asked? [/QUOTE]
I totally understand. It is like when they go over to a friends house and the parents compliment you on your kids manners and how helpful they were. You wonder what kid went to their house cause it certainly doesn't describe the kid that lives at YOUR house!
Our son cut our grass before he left without being told and we were amazed. I guess that was his last gift to us, don't know.
However, if other parents could post what their DS/DD said in their letters, I would appreciate it. I do get a chuckle out of some of the comments made and his sisters do to.
Thanks,
[/QUOTE]I totally understand. It is like when they go over to a friends house and the parents compliment you on your kids manners and how helpful they were. You wonder what kid went to their house cause it certainly doesn't describe the kid that lives at YOUR house!
Our son cut our grass before he left without being told and we were amazed. I guess that was his last gift to us, don't know.
However, if other parents could post what their DS/DD said in their letters, I would appreciate it. I do get a chuckle out of some of the comments made and his sisters do to.
Thanks,
ProudMom2014
5-Year Member
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- Jul 15, 2010
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Sent my DS with a kinda form letter- one you just have to circle the answers to and some blank lines for stuff I need you to send me.... and another that was stuff I need ASAP!
My letter went as follows- fine, fine fine, Standby and send me letters! this letter was dated July 11.
I've mailed him something everyday since the 8th.
Sitting on the edge of my sofa for the call tomorrow- didn't make a plan for what phone to call so I guess I will remain glued to the house all day.... I guess that is something to tell the class of 2015 as an FYI-
My letter went as follows- fine, fine fine, Standby and send me letters! this letter was dated July 11.
I've mailed him something everyday since the 8th.
Sitting on the edge of my sofa for the call tomorrow- didn't make a plan for what phone to call so I guess I will remain glued to the house all day.... I guess that is something to tell the class of 2015 as an FYI-
We asked our son to call Dad's cell phone. That first Sunday they could call, we were heading out of NYC on a cruise to the Bahamas and Grand Turk. DS called between our muster drill and our sailing.
jessibee2013
5-Year Member
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- Feb 26, 2010
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letter from 2013:
Hey momma,
Hey dad,
I am doing fine up here even though it sucks (beep beeps). Sorry I haven't been writing that much; we don't get any free time and I have to write in my bed... thats why it is so messy. It is dark and I can't see anything. But it is almost over... HaHa... only 13 days left.
Could you tell Mimi thanks for all the cards and the singing one made me smile- even if I got (Beep)ed out about it. Hopefully I will call you soon but who knows what might happen in this place.
Please write CANDIDATE not plebe candidate on letters. I got (beep)ed out about that too... surprise surprise!
I went to church- the catholic service. Stop laughing, mom, it was the one everybody else was going to. It wasn't different. (we are Episcopalian)
Have to go now. Love you mom, love you dad, love you (sister), love you Traveler (dog.
Love DS
Hey momma,
Hey dad,
I am doing fine up here even though it sucks (beep beeps). Sorry I haven't been writing that much; we don't get any free time and I have to write in my bed... thats why it is so messy. It is dark and I can't see anything. But it is almost over... HaHa... only 13 days left.
Could you tell Mimi thanks for all the cards and the singing one made me smile- even if I got (Beep)ed out about it. Hopefully I will call you soon but who knows what might happen in this place.
Please write CANDIDATE not plebe candidate on letters. I got (beep)ed out about that too... surprise surprise!
I went to church- the catholic service. Stop laughing, mom, it was the one everybody else was going to. It wasn't different. (we are Episcopalian)
Have to go now. Love you mom, love you dad, love you (sister), love you Traveler (dog.
Love DS
ProudMom2014
5-Year Member
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Jessibee- great letter- thanks for sharing! I had to chuckle when your DS said not to address the letters "plebe candidate" because in the Logging in book it says that is how to address the mail..... just another one of those "hidden rules" we all have to learn!
shutterbugC
5-Year Member
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- Apr 27, 2010
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Yes, we were told early by previous parents not to address the letters to Plebe Candidates but to Candidate and then their name and 2014 afterwards. I was able to tell all of his friends and family how to address their letters so hopefully he was able to stay under the radar with his letters.
Love hearing from all the candidates. Thanks moms for posting them. Please keep it up.
Love hearing from all the candidates. Thanks moms for posting them. Please keep it up.
The company list is on the CA Parents website at http://www.usmmaparents.com/socal/documents/PlebeCompanyAssignments.pdf
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We rec'd. ltr. yesterday from son in Co. 1, Platoon 1; so did his girlfriend. He is tired, but staying strong. Envelopes seems to be in short supply. I am sending out a large quantity for sharing on Monday. He already has a roll of stamps. Hope it helps others out. We can't wait for our first call tomorriw night - does anyone have any indication of time frame to expect our 5 minute call?