Haven't spotted my son either - with multiple family members looking. I'm also adhering to "no news is good news".
New Student Indoctrination (Summer 2019)
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Thank you! Super helpful.
I was very careful only to check in briefly with short language and gratitude to the FB host, so it wouldn’t go up. I have never interfered in the entire process so have no desire to call again and interfere in her process, I appreciated your affirmation of that. I know she’s completely safe as well.
I would imagine they would call if she was unable to participate and that was my only concern, her scholarship etc. She’s a perfect candidate for this commitment and I’m very excited for her! It’s good to let go, can’t help but wish I knew she was participating at all lol
Again your experience was helpful.
Yeah. I probably need to stop looking! Every FB page, parents pages, whatever photos they put up - nothing. Don’t need a photo even... Do ppl here think if she was disqualified or didn’t pass something they would have called. I’m not going to contact, and having other children I can distract myself with 
Herman_Snerd
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@VictoriaR - you're welcome and glad it may have helped. Again I have empathy/ feel for you and your family and can relate. So yes, if she had a medical issue you would receive a call with her either under a corpsman's care or on the way to the hospital to get checked out. And they would be advising you of next steps - either that she is on the way to the hospital, or what they've learned and direction - that she will, or won't be continuing the program or to advise you they'll make that decision when they have enough data. If that happened, they would be advising you of when/ how she would be flying home, and when you needed to come get her at the airport etc.
If she were DQ'd for any reason, again yes you would get a call probably from her, though maybe not on her phone, explaining the situation, and again to discuss travel logistics. They are not going to let a person DQ'd just get on a plane without a plan to get them fully home.
At this point for each of us, no news is good news. My DS is now over 48 hours into this process, but for my spouse and I it feels longer. You are not alone in feeling anxious, hopeful, excited, eager, worried, happy, proud in a volley of pivoting emotions as our young adults work through and learn in this process. Hang in there and try to be patient with yourself - this is not easy.
In terms of looking for pics -I think it's healthy to keep looking but statistically there are roughly 450 kids (sorry I didn't confirm the actual number) and not that many pics- NSI I parents report in some cases seeing no pics at all. So, set expectations accordingly. Again keep the board posted and good luck! Rooting for you guys that you see her in a photo soon and don't hear from her
Very respectfully, Hermie Sr.
Thank you! Super helpful.
I was very careful only to check in briefly with short language and gratitude to the FB host, so it wouldn’t go up. I have never interfered in the entire process so have no desire to call again and interfere in her process, I appreciated your affirmation of that. I know she’s completely safe as well.
I would imagine they would call if she was unable to participate and that was my only concern, her scholarship etc. She’s a perfect candidate for this commitment and I’m very excited for her! It’s good to let go, can’t help but wish I knew she was participating at all lol
Again your experience was helpful.[/QUOTE]
If she were DQ'd for any reason, again yes you would get a call probably from her, though maybe not on her phone, explaining the situation, and again to discuss travel logistics. They are not going to let a person DQ'd just get on a plane without a plan to get them fully home.
At this point for each of us, no news is good news. My DS is now over 48 hours into this process, but for my spouse and I it feels longer. You are not alone in feeling anxious, hopeful, excited, eager, worried, happy, proud in a volley of pivoting emotions as our young adults work through and learn in this process. Hang in there and try to be patient with yourself - this is not easy.
In terms of looking for pics -I think it's healthy to keep looking but statistically there are roughly 450 kids (sorry I didn't confirm the actual number) and not that many pics- NSI I parents report in some cases seeing no pics at all. So, set expectations accordingly. Again keep the board posted and good luck! Rooting for you guys that you see her in a photo soon and don't hear from her
Very respectfully, Hermie Sr.
Thank you! Super helpful.
I was very careful only to check in briefly with short language and gratitude to the FB host, so it wouldn’t go up. I have never interfered in the entire process so have no desire to call again and interfere in her process, I appreciated your affirmation of that. I know she’s completely safe as well.
I would imagine they would call if she was unable to participate and that was my only concern, her scholarship etc. She’s a perfect candidate for this commitment and I’m very excited for her! It’s good to let go, can’t help but wish I knew she was participating at all lol
Again your experience was helpful.[/QUOTE]
Yeah. I probably need to stop looking! Every FB page, parents pages, whatever photos they put up - nothing. Don’t need a photo even... Do ppl here think if she was disqualified or didn’t pass something they would have called. I’m not going to contact, and having other children I can distract myself with
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Just FYI... SMC midshipmen did not attend NSI because, as you mention, they have their own Indoc program and, in fact, NSI would conflict with at least some of those.
People were able to keep hygiene products/medication from cycle one.
We found a piece of her face! Phew. Relaxing now and wishing everyone one here well, can’t wait to see our midshipmen next month
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Technology...a curse and a blessing! Glad you found your Mid!!
(and a lack of funding)
It's not a coincidence that the majority of Sea Trials got cancelled as well . . .
Yes indeed.. We never saw our DS during session 1 pics... he said it was often other companies that were with the Photographer...
5centsmom
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Parent of an ‘18 Indoc program grad here. (DS doesn’t do social media)
Indoc ‘18 was incredibly valuable to DS he says. His unit also had an orientation. However Indoc exposed DS to what enlisted sailors experience, a truer naval environment, and additional training opportunities his unit is hard pressed to find. He felt that compared to the Sophomores in his unit last fall, the incoming freshmen who had been through Indoc were far stronger in many skills: shooting, drilling, etc. that they got at Indoc.
I think it’s important for those in NROTC to understand they are in the Navy and attending college, not college students doing this funky thing on the side. His class hit the ground running. I would love to hear from NROTC unit staff to get their impressions of the difference in the midshipmen classes now that NSI is becoming widespread.
DS’ one complaint after Indoc last year was about the upperclass midshipmen trainers. While he learned to love and totally trust the Gunneys (a Gunney’s words “you disappoint me MDN” are devastating), he also learned to wait-and-see on the MDN trainers. Their skillsets in leading/training varied widely. Afterall, they are still being trained how to do this too. They DID go to Great Lakes earlier than the candidates so that they could be briefed and trained themselves to do this but it’s good to recall that they are learning as well. They were supervised and the candidates observed them being corrected. And boy oh boy do the candidates recognize it. It will be interesting to see this program mature.
DS’ unit was divided up last year but instantly bonded through his unit orientation. None dropped during Indoc, and all had a very successful freshman year. Of the college programmers who began with unit orientation only half made it through freshman year, but those all won scholarships. They are now tightly bonded with those who went through Indoc.
DS also noted this year that those MDNs most vocal in griping about aspects of CORTRAMID summer training hadn’t been through Indoc. Apparently DS ran into MDNs he knew through Indoc and they were all “whatever” about the challenging, sweaty stuff, let alone the Confidence Chamber.
As a parent I’m hearing “totally worth it” and “glad i did it”. But then again I have a Navy Nut whose smile droops on any day away from the Navy.
Indoc ‘18 was incredibly valuable to DS he says. His unit also had an orientation. However Indoc exposed DS to what enlisted sailors experience, a truer naval environment, and additional training opportunities his unit is hard pressed to find. He felt that compared to the Sophomores in his unit last fall, the incoming freshmen who had been through Indoc were far stronger in many skills: shooting, drilling, etc. that they got at Indoc.
I think it’s important for those in NROTC to understand they are in the Navy and attending college, not college students doing this funky thing on the side. His class hit the ground running. I would love to hear from NROTC unit staff to get their impressions of the difference in the midshipmen classes now that NSI is becoming widespread.
DS’ one complaint after Indoc last year was about the upperclass midshipmen trainers. While he learned to love and totally trust the Gunneys (a Gunney’s words “you disappoint me MDN” are devastating), he also learned to wait-and-see on the MDN trainers. Their skillsets in leading/training varied widely. Afterall, they are still being trained how to do this too. They DID go to Great Lakes earlier than the candidates so that they could be briefed and trained themselves to do this but it’s good to recall that they are learning as well. They were supervised and the candidates observed them being corrected. And boy oh boy do the candidates recognize it. It will be interesting to see this program mature.
DS’ unit was divided up last year but instantly bonded through his unit orientation. None dropped during Indoc, and all had a very successful freshman year. Of the college programmers who began with unit orientation only half made it through freshman year, but those all won scholarships. They are now tightly bonded with those who went through Indoc.
DS also noted this year that those MDNs most vocal in griping about aspects of CORTRAMID summer training hadn’t been through Indoc. Apparently DS ran into MDNs he knew through Indoc and they were all “whatever” about the challenging, sweaty stuff, let alone the Confidence Chamber.
As a parent I’m hearing “totally worth it” and “glad i did it”. But then again I have a Navy Nut whose smile droops on any day away from the Navy.
KP1990
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I guess your DS was part of the pilot program last year? It will be interesting to see how the NSI program evolves. By the time the Class of 2023 are 1/C, every kid in NROTC will have been through indoc. Not that this qualifies you to be an instructor because you went through indoc, but at least the candidates will know that their instructors have been through the same thing they are going through. Personally, I think that's a big thing. When I did it, I told myself that if these instructors were able to do it, I could do it, and there must be a method to the madness, even though I didn't understand it at the time. I also think it would be worthwhile to try and get kids from the same units together at NSI to start to form some esprit de corps, not just for the Navy, but their individual units. I realize they are trying to get everything done in 3 weeks, but maybe they could find some time to fit that into the schedule as well.
Herman_Snerd
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As the NSI program evolves, I hope they start to take best practices on hygiene control from Plebe summer, West Point, etc. Wiping doorknobs/ faucet handles with lysol wipes frequently, hand sanitizer bottles all over the place, disinfectant in what's used to clean the floors, etc. Apparently these practices have dramatically reduced (though of course not eliminated) the "Crud" illnesses that reportedly many NSI 1 (2019) participants picked up. Pink eye, flu, infections, etc.
I understand this many people from so many locations in close proximity is a recipe for immuno-compromise exposure issues, but factually the number of people falling ill can be reduced. The stunt of putting all of their sheets in the middle of the room and then they have to sleep on someone else's bloody sheet - well, again I hope they can reflect and perhaps a leader from Annapolis can do a lunch/ learn and share what they are doing about it- it may help. also maybe a navy physician or OR Nurse can again share best practices. I know it's not a time to wash your hands 10 times a day like you're scrubbing in for surgery, but.... for NSI2 kids, I worry a lot of them will be starting college while on antibiotics/ sick - I wish that was avoided where possible.
I understand this many people from so many locations in close proximity is a recipe for immuno-compromise exposure issues, but factually the number of people falling ill can be reduced. The stunt of putting all of their sheets in the middle of the room and then they have to sleep on someone else's bloody sheet - well, again I hope they can reflect and perhaps a leader from Annapolis can do a lunch/ learn and share what they are doing about it- it may help. also maybe a navy physician or OR Nurse can again share best practices. I know it's not a time to wash your hands 10 times a day like you're scrubbing in for surgery, but.... for NSI2 kids, I worry a lot of them will be starting college while on antibiotics/ sick - I wish that was avoided where possible.
the number
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Same issues this year. The MDN trainers tried to do an impersonation of Gunny Hartman from Full Metal Jacket.
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5centsmom
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Last year the Gunney played part of the movie FOR the candidates! It was a Gunney-candidate bonding moment to hear DS tell it!
At USNA it’s called Plebe Hack. I’m pretty sure Great Lakes, a facility that trains all enlisted sailors, is doing the best it can on hygiene. Like you said, bodies from everywhere, many flew on planes (eegads don’t touch that tray table!), the men & women are stressed physically, and their bodies don’t get enough rest or food. They actually spend a lot of time cleaning too! Just No way to avoid illness. Kids get sick and injured at the Academies and have to drop too, it’s going to happen everywhere.
I am surprised at the statements above that candidates weren’t fit or prepared for this (although the first physical test is intended to shock: DS said everyone his year was disappointed in their first score). If memory serves, somewhere around 5% dropped in last year’s group of about ~70 candidates.
Agree that as 2022 and 2023 become MDN trainers there will be more stability. I would emphasize that DS thought some of the MDNs were natural leaders and/or good at it. The one or two that struggled at it - well, it was obvious, and unpleasant for all in some respects, but they are also the ones who most need the experience. One would hope their units were already working on this with them. Because inability to lead effectively will absolutely harm their naval careers.
For all the 2023 MDNs no longer candidates: Congratulations! Now the fun and work really begin!!
At USNA it’s called Plebe Hack. I’m pretty sure Great Lakes, a facility that trains all enlisted sailors, is doing the best it can on hygiene. Like you said, bodies from everywhere, many flew on planes (eegads don’t touch that tray table!), the men & women are stressed physically, and their bodies don’t get enough rest or food. They actually spend a lot of time cleaning too! Just No way to avoid illness. Kids get sick and injured at the Academies and have to drop too, it’s going to happen everywhere.
I am surprised at the statements above that candidates weren’t fit or prepared for this (although the first physical test is intended to shock: DS said everyone his year was disappointed in their first score). If memory serves, somewhere around 5% dropped in last year’s group of about ~70 candidates.
Agree that as 2022 and 2023 become MDN trainers there will be more stability. I would emphasize that DS thought some of the MDNs were natural leaders and/or good at it. The one or two that struggled at it - well, it was obvious, and unpleasant for all in some respects, but they are also the ones who most need the experience. One would hope their units were already working on this with them. Because inability to lead effectively will absolutely harm their naval careers.
For all the 2023 MDNs no longer candidates: Congratulations! Now the fun and work really begin!!
5centsmom
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And a question: after NSI how have you/your MDN changed?
DS came home and was eating with only one hand until we pointed out he rated at home and could use two. The look on his face as it dawned on him how deeply they’d gotten to him in just two weeks was quite memorable.
DS came home and was eating with only one hand until we pointed out he rated at home and could use two. The look on his face as it dawned on him how deeply they’d gotten to him in just two weeks was quite memorable.
That's the sentiment around the whole unit. It was also a little irritating they wouldn't let OCS complete MIDN participate.
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Not sure how they would do that since OCS overlaps with it. The only other OCS complete folks are just commissioned officers getting ready to head off to TBS and spending their last few weeks (presumably) with family