Mom Question

TLR2025

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Dec 23, 2020
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What (if any) “free time or liberty” do plebes have after INDOC on weekends? Any? Or not until PW? Not planning to visit much from FL (nor does budget allow), just hoping he has some free time.
 
"Free time" is a concept that will be foreign to your Plebe. If your DS places a high value on free time, I would advise against attending any service academy. Plebes do not have any liberty until parents weekend and very little until after recognition which traditionally occurs in the April-May timeframe. The only opportunity to leave campus before that would be on a team movement. Otherwise they are stuck on campus. Of course this year, the entire regiment has been restricted to campus and who knows what next year will be like...
 
"Free time" is a concept that will be foreign to your Plebe. If your DS places a high value on free time, I would advise against attending any service academy. Plebes do not have any liberty until parents weekend and very little until after recognition which traditionally occurs in the April-May timeframe. The only opportunity to leave campus before that would be on a team movement. Otherwise they are stuck on campus. Of course this year, the entire regiment has been restricted to campus and who knows what next year will be like...
No, he will be fine. Like I said, it was a mom question and I was not sure. I tried searching for info before asking but couldn’t find it. I am aware the regiment was on campus so far this entire year. I figured first liberty was PW, if it happens.
My DH and I had heard different things in the past and at different SAs so thought we’d go to a valid source. DH and I are trying to become familiar with everything prior to.
 
Join your regions parents group. You'll find people happy to answer seemingly simple questions (and end up having complicated answers) about this parallel universe with different and often unexpected rules (written and otherwise) which you are entering. Welcome to the world of parents with no military experience and "children no longer" at an Academy. Listen and support, support, support your DS and he will tell you your place; sometimes politely and occasionally not so politely, especially when his unwritten rules conflict with your intuitive and "proper" beliefs.
 
What (if any) “free time or liberty” do plebes have after INDOC on weekends? Any? Or not until PW? Not planning to visit much from FL (nor does budget allow), just hoping he has some free time.

Parents are not really allowed to be on campus to visit prior to Parents Weekend. Plebes will have a full schedule but there are organized school activities for them. A sport or club activitiy will give them time to get away from campus. I suggested my son join the bowling club as a plebe and he laughed at me. But he did, he was able to get off campus, eat some fast food, and meet new friends in a more relaxed setting.
 
When do the plebes take their first pics in uniform?
During INDOC photographers capture many aspects of their training. With hair cuts and masks it took “where’s Waldo?” to a whole new level. But we eventually learned to look for shoes, look for their platoons, etc. I think the first uniform pic came as pics in the khaki uniforms in late July. We started to see pics in dress uniforms in September and October. Formal portraits were taken in November this year but we know this has not been typical year.
 
Liberty for Plebes is extremely limited. Parents are not normally allowed on campus until PWE. I would echo Hockey10's advice and join your local parents association. At some point soon a Parents FB page will also be created for the incoming class of 2025, you should join that. Important information will be given to the parents via that page and it is excellent place to ask questions. each parents page has ambassadors, parents who have mids currently at the academy, and will answer questions and help guide you through plebe year.
 
I would also suggest following Kings Point Photography. They will take and post hundreds of photos of your plebes during Indoc. They also post photos throughout the year of the different events happening at the academy. They will give you a small view of regimental life at KP. These photos are also shared on the parents FB pages, as well as the local chapter pages and NPA page.
 
My parents must remember it incorrectly then or times have changed. My brother is class of '96 and they thought the Plebes were dismissed Saturday after the football game Parent's Weekend until sometime Monday morning (Columbus Day). So that's where I was going with that....

@1842 good idea on the bowling or whatever extracurricular gives them a break from the routine. I know my brother found odd jobs like dog walking and shoveling snow but he was also permitted off campus and must have been a 2/C or 1/C. I don't remember as I am older and had already flown the coop.

Thanks for all the info!
 
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I would also suggest following Kings Point Photography. They will take and post hundreds of photos of your plebes during Indoc. They also post photos throughout the year of the different events happening at the academy. They will give you a small view of regimental life at KP. These photos are also shared on the parents FB pages, as well as the local chapter pages and NPA page.
Thank u for this group!! Wow they have so many pictures.
 
My parents must remember it incorrectly then or times have changed. My brother is class of '96 and they thought the Plebes were dismissed Saturday after the football game Parent's Weekend until sometime Monday morning (Columbus Day). So that's where I was going with that....

@1842 good idea on the bowling or whatever extracurricular gives them a break from the routine. I know my brother found odd jobs like dog walking and shoveling snow but he was also permitted off campus and must have been a 2/C or 1/C. I don't remember as I am older and had already flown the coop.

Thanks for all the info!
You are correct, in general that has been the case historically they get leave during parents weekend. Of course in some instances, they may not earn it due to discipline issues, or may have sports etc. i believe generally that’s the plan. I hope COVID is better by fall and we get to see a parents weekend!
 
You are correct, in general that has been the case historically they get leave during parents weekend. Of course in some instances, they may not earn it due to discipline issues, or may have sports etc. i believe generally that’s the plan. I hope COVID is better by fall and we get to see a parents weekend!
Yes! Hoping to get up there PW and see a game or 2! Thank you.
 
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