Phone Calls

Well, I dropped my 3rd class daughter off yesterday. It was strange to see the new plebes behaving the way she did every time I saw her last year. I know it was an adjustment for her to be "greeted." Hand sanitizer dispensers have appeared in the hallways. There were a number of plebes still in Indoc uniforms rather than khakis. So it looks like some of those who were isolated are coming back. There are enough of them that no one will stand out for being the one needing the uniform fitted late.

Last year plebes were not permitted sweet snacks. Healthy snacks like trail mix, nuts, jerky and sports drinks (powdered) were allowed. My daughter did take her boxes to the sports building to open them and kept sweets in her sports locker. Cookie cafe will be up and running again soon, I'm sure. She asks the various state parents associations to sponsor weeks. So stay in touch with your parents group and prepare to bake LOTS of cookies for your turn. If you include something special for your PC in the package, she'll get it to them - probably with a hug too.

My daughter hated dealing with me via email because of the number of official emails she has to wade through every day. We only used email when necessary. Skype was not permitted until recognition. That's not to say Skype is never used. :wink: I learned to use IM. When I go on the computer, I automatically open the IM program. Then I let her decide whether to contact me. The few times I initiated contact just to chat were inevitably times when she was trying to finish a Physics lab or get something else done. I learned to let her initiate and not be offended if she didn't want to chat. I also got used to her chatting while doing 3 other things at once and sometimes being pulled away unexpectedly, with no explanation.

It's hard to send your kid to KP. It wasn't a whole lot easier dropping her off this year. But I watched her interact with her friends and could see the ties. I watched her with KP alums over the summer where she could have a long conversation with a perfect stranger - instant camaraderie. She is so confident and carries herself so differently that people who have known her for years didn't recognize her!

No one here will lie to you. Plebe year is HARD. But it can be done. They think Indoc was hard. It was just the beginning. The academics can be a killer. But help is there. Each room has a team leader, an upperclassman who is there not only to inspect, but to help. They can not afford to wait to get help if they need it. They will be extremely busy. They will not get enough sleep. But they will learn SOOO much. It's a wild ride. Indoc was a speed bump on that parental roller coaster. Hang on tight! Wish I could be at Parents weekend to meet you all and encourage you.
 
I can't speak for this year but I can say the following with regard to last year and 1978 (Classes of 2012 and Class of 1982).

Basically Indoc is indoc then comes the period between Indoc and Acceptance Day; Acceptance Day and the Day the B-Splits Return and that day and Recognition and then between Recognition and Liscence Exams and then the period from Liscence and graduation. From the day I started 3rd class year myself in 1979 and through last year I've always looked at the year at the Academy as having these 6 "phases"/tempos.

Basically -
1) Indoc is Indoc because there is nothing but the Regimental Aspect of Life at KP for everyone to focus on.
2) Indoc - Acceptance: The Academic year and Extracurriculars/Athletics start but Class Rates are still very heavily emphasized and pretty uniformaly enforced.
3) Acceptace - B/Split returning: At this point everyone seems to settle in and get into a routine that takes folks through the rest of the first Trimester, because of sports and other things there are opportunities for "legal frat" and because of the Academics the Plebe Class will see classmates who may have excelled duirng indoc start to struggle. The Plebes will bond and folks within each academic section will start to help each other, etc. Class rates will continue to be a factor in conversations and some disciplinary issues.
4) B Split Returns and Recognition: Once the B Splits return, every one of the upperclass on campus have been to sea at least once. All feel they now "really know" why they are at KP and what they want to get out of it - this varies by individual midshipman don't get me wrong. This fact along with the fact that a feww will be struggling to get the Sea projects complete and feeling that even though they got through plebe year and one or two sea years they are on the edge of disaster will change the attitude and demeanor of the regiment. Or it might just be that everone has a routine and you have a lot of holidays and breaks in the Second Trimester and that makes the focus on academics a little more important. Not really sure but this is a period where things get a different feel. Class rates really stop being too much of an issue as folks have that all but totally sorted out.
5) Post Recognition - Liscence: For the Fourth Class they can see light at the end of the tunnel, for each fourth classman, they now pretty much understand what is easy and what is hard as far as KP for them as individuals. For the first class they start looking towards "Liscence" at this point. For the Second Class they start looking towards the day when KP will be theirs to run. The Tird Classmen just want to "get it done" and get back to finishing their required second sea year. Also again at this point everyone pretty much understands what's expected of them and except for the occassional "totally stupid bonehead thing" life is a routine, oh and the bitter cold wind coming off the Long Island Sound subsides and that helps brighten spirits too.
6) Liscence to Graduation: The first class is generally in good moods and that permeates through the Regiment. The fourth class is still the fourth class and has cleaning stations but they can see the day coming when they'll either go to sea for the first time (B-Splits) or get to start leading plebes (A-Splits) and that once again changes the mood of the place a little.

I call it the 6 seasons of KP... I'm sure others have their views this is just mine and keeping them in mind helps me temper my reactions or response when I talk to myu son - regardless as to whether he is up or down in mood.:biggrin:
 
2013Parent said:
Class Rates?

Does anyone have an English to KP dictionary :biggrin:
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You will learn an entirely new language in the next year. Wait until they start spouting acronyms at you - talking about their CTO and the RTOA (company training officer and regimental training officers assistant who is in charge of the plebes).

Class rates are the various things each class is allowed. I have been corrected by my mid that they are NOT privileges. Rates are what you are entitled to based on your class. For example, as a 3rd class this year, she rates "non-standard bedding", translation - personal quilt and pillow that don't have to be hidden in a drawer every day.

So what jasperdog is saying is that the rankings will be emphasized more heavily during that time period. Upperclass will be careful to ensure that PCs behave as PCs and will enforce rules more carefully.
 
I completely agree with my son (2012) home he uses the acronyms constantly. I have learned some, but there are new ones all the time.

:yllol:
 
Class Rates

I don't suppose there is a published listing of class rates for those of us who are woefully uninformed??:confused:
 
The class rates would most likely be in their bearing's book.
 
We parents really don't need to know about class rates. This is stuff that matters to and impacts the Mids. I know that there are many many new KP parents on the boards, which is great, but you need not understand every single aspect of what happens there. Don't obsess - I know it may be hard, as you were all very likely very much involved in your child's high school doings, and very much involved in the process that got your child nominated and appointed to a service academy. You have done your job; now you need to back off a bit. As parents, we just need to be supportive. Don't try to know all the acronyms, don't worry about class rates, don't be concerned with when they may get an overnight liberty, don't start posting messages in January urging that the class be recognized (yes, it happens on some message boards - you see parents lobbying for recognition for the class). Be happy for them when they do get recognized, but don't lose sleep over it before it happens. Listen to them when they call and continue to urge them to do their best. Love them, but they are sailing solo at this point.
 
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I will admit to a couple of tongue in cheek posts on the other site for recognition. But I doubt that any of us actually were looking to influence the process. It was all in fun, more an expression of hope to other parents. Now, the parents who sent emails to the 1st class, that's a different story. :thumbdown:

But 2KPsons is exactly right. We can never understand everything. And we shouldn't. We have done our job as parents, and done it well if they were accepted to KP. I don't know what all of the rates are, only ones my daughter tells me. I know about the bedding because she's looking forward to having the quilt I've made for her on display. I found out she had overnight lib when she told me what she'd done in NYC. She's handling it. She's determined to make it. And she is quite capable of taking care of herself. That's all I need know. I just send chocolate periodically.:biggrin:
 
Oh wise parents of the Upperclass Midshipmen, please know we value your sage advice. Us newbies are and will still be, asking questions that seem silly, and fraught with anxiety......... aahh , have no fear, we are just trying to gain more insight so that the we comprehend! Please be patient with us as we crawl before we walk before we can run with you. And, sometimes our comments will be posted as sarcasm and not stressing (hence my post about; " is there an English to KP dictionary" )

You bet, I have asked a lot of questions here, on the informal center of competence, and the responses have been appreciated. Hopefully, you all will bear with us as Cold Turkey does not work for everyone.......that's why all the stop smoking products are on the shelves!

This board is my outlet, (no calls to the Academy EVER!) .......it has been valuable to me and I respect everyone's opinion.
 
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Poksman, I sent a package of cookies and swedish fish last week. I also got an email from a friend and her son had just skyped her. So now I'm completely confused about the skyping thing. Well, perhaps some companies or some part of some companies didn't do a good enough job working together that the privilege is/was taken away.??

poksman said:
No call here from 1st company.
I understood earlier no IM but they could use skype- now no skype and no care packages with food?? I hope somebody besides me has already sent a care package with treats in it! Don't want my PC to be the only one paying the price.
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Just because someone used skype does not mean they are following the rules about using skype. :shake:
 
What is it and is it the same as aim or windows instant messenger?
 
We've been using courier pigeons - takes a little longer but very reliable. Every now and then on the stalker cams you can even see one go by. Just look at their ankles an you will see the notes. As for the larger items like cookies and snacks, not to mention the school supplies, we have deal worked out with the garbage man.
 
The GF just got a message on facebook from PC. It was sent mid afternoon.
Some of them have to learn the hard way I am thinking about the rules!!
No email or AIM or Skype for mom and dad :confused:
 
Maxmom, but first CPASteve, you could be right about that! But on the other hand, from what I've been reading on the forum, privileges for the PC have been all over the board...some talking 30 min. to some no talking at all.
Maxmom. skype is a free downloadable program which allows 2 people to talkand see each other for free over the internet. We've been skypin our daughter in germany for 5 months now. My computer didn't come wiht a camera and mike, so I went to best buy and bought a camer and mike. Best buy people know all about it. Be patient with your self when you try to download. I'm no techno wizard, but I found this to be very user friendly. a person can also have a 3 way call. and you can also just talk instead of having people see you or vice versa. Just look thru the skype.com site get comfortable with it, then download it. You can skype me at deborah.ridley.kern if you want to do a dry run. just email me at home sjkern@sbcglobal.net if you decide to do it. You must let me "friend" you (correct work? I had to do this with Shirley Anthony, who works at USMMA alumni office) Happy skyping!!
 
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