Please Post something about Plebe Summer that is Positive

At this - the 16th day of Plebe Summer - the ratio of "Wow, this really sucks!" to "Okay, this isn't bad" moments, should have already started to improve for most of them.
> Sorry to be the downer in the flurry of motivational Marine speak and talk about cake and doughnuts..., and no intent to scare Parents, but this is probably where the heat turns up a bit.. The first week or so is kinda a blur, expectations are low and the Detailers kinda expect the Plebes to be lost and do dump (sometimes funny ) things. After a couple weeks, the plebe class should be starting to work together and get it, so its time to turn up the heat and push harder. The shock and awe of I-Day is over, PPW is still a ways off, and there is still fear of the unknown when the Second Set detailers arive -- time to embrace the suck and live one day , one evolution, and one moment at a time. Of course, there will be some "this isn't bad", and "this is great" moments . As I recall, many of the day to day evolutions like pistol quals, sailing, swimming, seamanship, damage control, were interesting and lots of fun. A lot of those evolutions are run by stash Ensigns/2d Lts and USNA staff, so outside the watchful eye of the detailers.

Funny thought came to mind when I was typing this .... this is probably Hurricane or Tornado season in Bancroft Hall, when some small item left adrift becomes a close emptying, rack flipping, lesson in attention to detail. :(
 
when some small item left adrift becomes a close emptying, rack flipping, lesson in attention to detail

I guess some things are a universal part of military training.

My fellow "candidates" and I spent an entire day making and unmaking our racks during OCS during a particularly hot/ humid Quantico day. The Sergeant Instructor came in for an inspection, read us the riot act and directed everyone to report outside with their top sheet. After some "motivational" discussion around attention to detail, He gave us 5 minutes to get our racks ready for inspection. Then the rinse and repeat started where we would have to report with our blanket, then our pillow, then all of our sheets, etc. We failed inspection each time. Even in the midst of the event, there were comical events occurring that caused me to stifle a laugh while embracing the suck. The best was when we were ordered to report outside with our mattresses. You should have seen a squad bay of guys ripping the mattresses off the rack and trying to run outside to get into formation. Guys were getting knocked down, falling over each other, etc. It was hilarious.

The crazy thing is how smart those darn Sergeant Instructors were. By the end of the day, rather than a squad bay of individuals focused on their own hide, we were helping each other get our racks made in the proper manner and focused on passing the inspection as a group. How did they know that was going to happen?? ;) I guess there is a method to the madness!
 
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Sgt's Know Everything you have thought or ever think you have thought of. They have probably done it all.
 
I guess some things are a universal part of military training.
By the end of the day, rather than a squad bay of individuals focused on their own hide, we were helping each other get our racks made in the proper manner and focused on passing the inspection as a group.

There is a method to the madness... The uniniated look at it as hazing, or being mean..but Plebe Summer is actually a very well choreographed process.

When I was in high school, my Civil Air Patrol unit had an adult leader who was fresh out of stint as a Marine DI. He would tell great stories about running recruits, but always with a lesson learned or moral to the story. Between that and NAPS, I was well prepared for Plebe Summer and some of the games played. If you can look beyond the suck, it is actually kind of an interesting process.
 
I got a letter today from an "Any Plebe" asking me to write a mate in his squad. As he put it, I can't accept your gifts and encouragement knowing they are having trouble maintaining a positive attitude with no mail from home. I immediately put a package together and wrote an encouraging note to this Mid. I hope it helps.

I can't believe how moved I was by one Mid asking for help for another. Shows how much comradery there is during Plebe summer.
 
Second letter from DS Plebe... Many positive things to say about the process... Also said he gets down at times. His words were - “when I get down, I just think of the 15,000 kids who would give anything to be where I am right now - its my responsibility to make them proud and be proud of myself for what we are doing and achieving”.

Dang, nice perspective to have when focusing on just getting to the next meal!
 
Second letter from DS Plebe... Many positive things to say about the process... Also said he gets down at times. His words were - “when I get down, I just think of the 15,000 kids who would give anything to be where I am right now - its my responsibility to make them proud and be proud of myself for what we are doing and achieving”.

Dang, nice perspective to have when focusing on just getting to the next meal!
that statement right there proves he is where he is supposed to be- be proud ussaX2
 
Second letter from DS Plebe... Many positive things to say about the process... Also said he gets down at times. His words were - “when I get down, I just think of the 15,000 kids who would give anything to be where I am right now - its my responsibility to make them proud and be proud of myself for what we are doing and achieving”.

Dang, nice perspective to have when focusing on just getting to the next meal!
This is such a testament of the quality of your DS. USNA made an excellent choice!
 
The letters, smiles in pictures, posts from parents in the parent groups also reporting good letters and smiles are all such great news! They are doing some really cool stuff, and hearing amazing speakers. This so far is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Feeling very blessed.

And that’s something positive about plebe summer....
 
Today marks the 1/2 way point of Plebe summer.
They have been there 22 days (including I-Day and today), and Friday August 10th is 22 days away.

I was assured of this by Mrs. THParent this morning.
She is apparently counting.
 
Thanks for the marker, THParent. Remember, though, that Plebe Summer doesn’t end with PPW. It goes on a few more days, until Brigade Reform. And my understanding is, with the “false summit” of PPW, the last few days of Plebe Summer can be quite difficult still.

Nonetheless, your point is well taken. PPW will be a joyous time for Mids and families alike, and should provide the mental, physical and emotional recharge to get our plebes to the end.
 
There are also the joys of meeting and satisfying a completely new second set of detailers, all freshly rested and ready to tackle bringing PS to a close and integrating plebes into their ac year companies.
 
There are also the joys of meeting and satisfying a completely new second set of detailers, all freshly rested and ready to tackle bringing PS to a close and integrating plebes into their ac year companies.
What is the actual date of the changeover?
 
There are also the joys of meeting and satisfying a completely new second set of detailers, all freshly rested and ready to tackle bringing PS to a close and integrating plebes into their ac year companies.
Here is a picture of the next set of detailers
1104WolfPackAttack.jpg
 
Fall term begins on Monday, August 20th.
This is according to the online academic calendar.
 
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