PEP question

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Spera_14

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Hello! I plan on applying to USNA in the very near future, and I was just curious if mids, or even plebes in plebe summer, are allowed to eat/have drinks s/a gatorade during PEP since it comes before breakfast. If not, was there anyone with any sort of "accomodations" as such? Thanks!
 
This is a pretty off the wall question for a first post ...asking about Gatorade at PEP before even applying, getting admitted, etc. Cart is way ahead of the horse,

Maybe a current Midshipman can answer more specifically, but would expect that they can keep powdered drink mix in their room, and they are certainly encouraged to hydrate prior to PEP. Not sure what you are referring to when asking about "accomodations" beyond that.
 
There is free-flowing Gatorade all during Plebe summer. As much as you want, pretty much whenever you want it.
There are also water carts at every physical training evolution. USNA is pretty serious about hydration.

After the Academic year starts, you won't see any Gatorade - unless you buy it (in bottles or powdered mix) in the Mid Store - or have your parents ship it from home. The stuff is expensive. ;)

There are also lots of vending machines that have all manner of drinks in them. Many are chock full of caffeine-rich-heart-exploding "energy drinks" which Plebes tend to embrace during the AC year. Especially Plebes who haven't developed a taste for coffee...yet.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
This is a pretty off the wall question for a first post ...asking about Gatorade at PEP before even applying, getting admitted, etc. Cart is way ahead of the horse,

Maybe a current Midshipman can answer more specifically, but would expect that they can keep powdered drink mix in their room, and they are certainly encouraged to hydrate prior to PEP. Not sure what you are referring to when asking about "accomodations" beyond that.
Click to expand...
Haha IKR? But I do know a current mid and have talked to how family about USNA and have researched other more common topics, so I was just curious about this :)
 
If you ever see PEP, you’ll notice next to each plebe their trusty black water bottle. (In fact, they go nowhere during Plebe Summer without it.) Throughout the workout, the PEP leader will pause to order “hydrate.” At which point, each plebe takes a swig of water — and bits of lint, random debris and nascent mold that collects when you never have time to wash out the bottle thoroughly. I’m not kidding. (And yes, that’s a very weird question for you to ask at this point in the game.)
 
I can't help to think how abused we were as Plebes. There was no water available during PEP. We didn't have canteens, there were no water stations, and Gatorade was still in its infancy. I never saw a bottle of Gatorade during my four years at the Naval Academy (1975-9). I do remember finally getting to morning meal and the metal pitcher of cold water would be hurriedly passed around the table as we were all getting our first hydration of the day.

And yes, we had to march uphill, against the wind, both ways between Bancroft Hall and Worden Field. ;)

 
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Memphis9489 said:
I can't help to think how abused we were as Plebes. There was no water available during PEP.
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. I hear you. That's why I thought the question was so off the wall... I had to go back and try to remember if we even hit the scuttlebutt (water fountain) before going out to PEP, and frankly don't remember it. I know we didn't carry water bottles or canteens, and somehow we survived. (That being said, I do recognize the benefits of hydrating now -- I wonder if the effects of Plebe Summer cause my kidney stones ?).
 
We had canteens but no Gatorade. We brought our canteens to PEP then grounded them. We could drink from them during the workout but they stayed on a nice line on the field when went for runs. We often had to ‘empty’ them and prove it by putting them over our heards... so you drank or got wet. They implemented the Gatorade at every meal when I was a detailer. That change alone cut heat casualties by 40% according to stats they collected.
 
Different, but when my son went to Air Force Field training in Missisisppi where it was 95 in the shade and 95% humidity, they were given bladder bags that they wear on the backs. They were supposed to keep hydrated all day. It was emphasized. The only problem with that was my son was running off to pee every half hour
 
We had canteens, but no one ever used them and I don't recall even carrying them. We had water fountains and soda (Pepsi) machines in the hall. Nothing to drink at PEP, but it was only 60 minutes not the 90 it is today. Don't think I'd heard of Gatorade. I don't recall anyone dropping out of evolutions due to dehydration, but it probably happened.

This is one case where the "good old days" maybe weren't so good . . .
 
Oh and there isn’t breakfast before PEP. From the time you wake up, make the bed, shave, bathroom, etc. your time is very small. It’s pretty hectic. If you are someone who must eat before PEP, then have some protein bars sent by your parents. Your body adapts.
 
Stepping onto soapbox ...

When did we become so thirsty as a nation? My grandmother would turnover in her grave if she knew our society was now buying water - by the cases! She would say, "It comes out of the faucet for FREE! Are you all crazy?"

Everybody seems to be carrying around a plastic bottle of water everywhere they go these days, taking sips of it every 2 minutes as if they had become thirsty again since their last drink. It's almost become a habit - not really a necessity. "Look at me! See how responsible I am with my water bottle. I'm hydrating!" We just have to have that plastic water bottle in our hand or have quick access to one stuck in our backpack in that special pocket that was specifically designed to carry a water bottle.

What if we felt the same way about FOOD? Our nation would be fatter than it already is.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyponatremia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373711

Stepping off soapbox. Thanks for listening - that was very therapeutic for me.
 
Memphis9489 - I'm right up there with you on that soapbox! It just blows my mind what people pay for bottled water. And folks - for the most part, it is a stupid waste of money. If the water coming out of your tap is stinky, that's one thing. The water from my tap is really good - softened at a state-of-the-art lime softening/RO facility. I pay 0.09 cents per liter for it (and that is pretty expensive as tap water goes) and it tastes better than any water from a bottle. One day, I was at a local big-box grocery store and in the back room they had a bottle filling machine that was taking the tap water, putting it in liter bottles, and selling it for 50 cents a bottle (in cases of 24). BTW, FDA regulates bottled water - not EPA or your local health department. The water quality standards for bottled water are much less stringent than for potable tap water.
 
Studies show that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
I think that's why, but it's just a hunch.

I don't buy bottled water, but I drink water all day.
Okay, from 0530 till about 1100 I'm usually drinking water that is black and full of caffeine, but it's mostly water. ;)
 
They ALWAYS have water with them. If they are in PT gear, they carry the canteens. In fact, sometimes you will see a picture with someone carrying several canteens...A lesson in forgetting theirs before.
 

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Memphis9489 said:
Stepping onto soapbox ...

When did we become so thirsty as a nation? My grandmother would turnover in her grave if she knew our society was now buying water - by the cases! She would say, "It comes out of the faucet for FREE! Are you all crazy?"

Everybody seems to be carrying around a plastic bottle of water everywhere they go these days, taking sips of it every 2 minutes as if they had become thirsty again since their last drink. It's almost become a habit - not really a necessity. "Look at me! See how responsible I am with my water bottle. I'm hydrating!" We just have to have that plastic water bottle in our hand or have quick access to one stuck in our backpack in that special pocket that was specifically designed to carry a water bottle.

What if we felt the same way about FOOD? Our nation would be fatter than it already is.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyponatremia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373711

Stepping off soapbox. Thanks for listening - that was very therapeutic for me.
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Good news, I never drink water. I am a Coca Cola man
 
You won't have time to eat anything before PEP. In my company once the clock striked 0530 we had 5 minutes to get dressed, put our bed sheets in our pillow cases, and hit the bulkhead. Then you remake your bed and go straight to PEP. I've heard that they do PEP this early so it's not too hot and so people don't vomit. The food during Plebe Summer isn't great but it gets better during the academic year as there are more options. Mids can still get Gatorade from the soft drink fountain in King's Court.

You can also keep snacks in your room during the Summer, which I recommend.
 
THParent said:
Studies show that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
I think that's why, but it's just a hunch.

I don't buy bottled water, but I drink water all day.
Okay, from 0530 till about 1100 I'm usually drinking water that is black and full of caffeine, but it's mostly water. ;)
Click to expand...
Same with beer. The wet stuff in beer is water.
 
Coffee Stout is the best of both worlds, right there.

Ah, the days when I was bulletproof and beer was a food group. Life was simple, then.
 
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