Plebe Summer CO 27' (2023)

cbasalt1

cbasalt1

USNA 27'
Joined
Mar 29, 2021
Messages
229
To share an idea from a poster on the West Point feed, I wanted to make a thread regarding all things plebe summer. Basically a hot spot for Plebe Summer discussion, advice and stories. This will keep this kind of clutter out of the Words of Wisdom - for Plebe Summer (Parts I and II) thread. Not that I am overthinking PS or anything, just want to soak up as much info as possible. Some starter questions I have:

  • What do you wish you had known before going to PS?
  • What is something you wish you had brought to PS or something you did bring that proved to be very useful?
  • What is the worst part of PS?
  • What is the best part of PS?
  • How do you get through really tough days?
  • Is there something you wish you had done to prepare before PS? Or did you do something to prepare that made things easier?
  • What does the average day look like in the first half of PS? The second?
  • (Thanks to @newcadet2027 for the question Ideas)
I also dare breach the topic of studying Reef Points before PS. I know some people morally forbid this, some think it is useful, and some advise it. I'd love more thoughts on this.

Ill also link this for any other 27'ers who stumble upon this thread, as I found this link very helpful:

www.usna.edu

Plebe Summer Home

Plebe Summer Home page for Plebe Summer at USNA.edu. Updated Fri Jun 16 11:08:37 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu

Thanks for any advice, knowledge and wisdom.
 
Reef points. Don't do it. They change slightly year to year and if the detailers see you "know" something, they'll just ask you other stuff until you muff it up. No one likes a know-it-all, and it is a great way to draw unwanted attention to yourself.

Find something that will get you through each day. My kid made it his goal to have every one of his detailers laugh. He made it into a game to help get through the suck.

Typical thing he'd do:

Detailer: "C----r, why didn't you do that thing this specific way??!!"
Son: "Sir, because I'm not built that way, sir!"
Detailer: "C----r, is that one of your five basic responses??!!"
Son: "Sir, no sir."
Detailer: "Then why did you respond that way??!!"
Son: "Sir, because I'm not built that way, sir."

And yes, he actually did that ...... This is the same kid who drank the dregs out of the salmon dish in King Hall one time, stood up on a chair in the middle of King Hall and drank an entire 1/2 gallon of cider another, and is always doing food type bets.

If you can't make things fun, but still be able to buckle down and get serious when needed, you are in for a long year ......
 
cbasalt1 said:
To share an idea from a poster on the West Point feed, I wanted to make a thread regarding all things plebe summer. Basically a hot spot for Plebe Summer discussion, advice and stories. This will keep this kind of clutter out of the Words of Wisdom - for Plebe Summer (Parts I and II) thread. Not that I am overthinking PS or anything, just want to soak up as much info as possible. Some starter questions I have:

  • What do you wish you had known before going to PS?
  • What is something you wish you had brought to PS or something you did bring that proved to be very useful?
  • What is the worst part of PS?
  • What is the best part of PS?
  • How do you get through really tough days?
  • Is there something you wish you had done to prepare before PS? Or did you do something to prepare that made things easier?
  • What does the average day look like in the first half of PS? The second?
  • (Thanks to @newcadet2027 for the question Ideas)
I also dare breach the topic of studying Reef Points before PS. I know some people morally forbid this, some think it is useful, and some advise it. I'd love more thoughts on this.

Ill also link this for any other 27'ers who stumble upon this thread, as I found this link very helpful:

www.usna.edu

Plebe Summer Home

Plebe Summer Home page for Plebe Summer at USNA.edu. Updated Fri Jun 16 11:08:37 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu

Thanks for any advice, knowledge and wisdom.
Click to expand...
Are you SURE that you're not overthinking Plebe Summer?

Are you REALLY SURE?

I think that you are overthinking it

Generations have gone through Plebe Summers without ANY of the info that you're seeking and if I can pull back the curtain
a bit here - that is the way it SHOULD be as a big part of plebe summer is dealing with and adapting to the new and different
environment. The more "prepared" you are, the less benefit you'll get.
 
Abide by the Permit To Report and what you are directed to know before reporting. You can’t go wrong with that. Then stop.

The memorization drills are to teach you to onboard information, process it, learn to focus, quickly memorize and recall on demand - all the while doing other things in a chaotic, unfamiliar, high-pressure environment. These skills stand officers in good stead when the cockpit alarms are blaring, a million things demand your attention, you’re physically stressed and adrenaline is pumping, and muscle memory and memorized SOP take over, your brain is calm, and you are capable of focusing on the emergency at hand. If you are learning “Reef Points” in the peace and quiet of your room at home, no one screaming your last name, comfortable, well-fed, relaxed, nothing else demanding your attention - that defeats the point.

The INFORMATION you will be learning in Reef Points is NOT the point. It’s the METHOD - the strong foundation being laid for the sharpening of your ability to function at the highest level in enormously challenging, potentially life-threatening situations where your actions and mental readiness are the catalyst for survival - not only for you, but possibly your people.

If you’re one of the ones who decides to go ahead and study Reef Points in advance (think about exactly why you feel driven to do this), please be sure to be “that plebe” who immediately gets a good reputation for immediately helping others who struggle in any way instead of “that plebe” looking to shine individually during PS.
 
Capt MJ said:
If you’re one of the ones who decides to go ahead and study Reef Points in advance (think about exactly why you feel driven to do this), please be sure to be “that plebe” who immediately gets a good reputation for immediately helping others who struggle in any way instead of “that plebe” looking to shine individually during PS
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
^THIS is spot on!!! Plebe Summer isn't about individuals!
 
Show up in excellent shape with humility and a positive attitude. If you want to study some of the rates beforehand you can, but as mentioned already, that’s not the end all be all. Be a good teammate. Be hard on yourself and gentle on others. Take things one day at a time and it will be over before you know it.
 
Plebe summer is NOT an individual competition.

Also, according to both of my guys….don’t get a reputation for being ‘that guy’. It’s hard to overcome, once you have.
 
I just went out to the mailbox and got DH’s Jan-Feb SHIPMATE alumni magazine.

Feature stories on USNA Alumni who are former Vietnam POWs - moving words, many noting how their Plebe Summer and USNA experience enabled them wIth coping skills. The 50-year anniversary of their “Return With Honor” is coming up.
 
One of the major goals of plebe summer is how you go through it with your shipmates. No one should get a head start. Our keynote speaker at our All Academy ball in 2021 was Charlie Plumb, USNA alumnus, and one incredible man. He survived 2,103 days as a POW in Vietnam. His speech was incredibly moving, and having a picture of my son in his dress uniform side by side with Charlie Plumb, in his dress uniform is one of my most prized possessions. My son said he was a guest speaker at USNA just a few days ago and he felt lucky to hear him speak twice. The impact was not lessened by hearing it a second time.

I mention him because he said that what he learned about himself and others during plebe summer helped him survive. Enduring the suck side by side with your shipmates IS the benefit of plebe summer.

Fill out your Permit to Report, get your records and docs in order, spend time with family, prepare physically, write a letter to yourself reminding you of your 'why' (why did I choose this not-so-easy path), and seal it. Leave it with your loved one and when you need it, write home and ask for it.

Show up on IDay as wide-eyed and 'lost' as your 1200 new shipmates and experience it all together as a 'first', that is what bonds you.
 
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OldRetSWO said:
Are you SURE that you're not overthinking Plebe Summer?

Are you REALLY SURE?

I think that you are overthinking it

Generations have gone through Plebe Summers without ANY of the info that you're seeking and if I can pull back the curtain
a bit here - that is the way it SHOULD be as a big part of plebe summer is dealing with and adapting to the new and different
environment. The more "prepared" you are, the less benefit you'll get.
Click to expand...
Let me add this:

I was a TERRIBLE plebe and my plebe summer troubles would have been a LOT easier if I'd been fully prepared with lots
of the things you're asking about.
.
My life would have been MUCH easier.
.
But, I would have gotten much less out of the rigors of what I went through. I know that I was a better OFFICER and LEADER
as a result of what I endured during Plebe Summer.
.
Shortcuts or even just knowing what came next would have been a comfort to me but NOT having that comfort turned out
to be the real benefit for my development.
.
In 2007, my son was getting ready for I Day and I'll be totally honest here. I did not give him ANY info or assistance
in getting through nor did he ask for it. No advance copy of Reef Points or advice to study any of the stuff that I know
would be required of him. I did that NOT because I didn't love him or want him to succeed but instead because I
DID love him and wanted him to succeed.
 
cbasalt1 said:
To share an idea from a poster on the West Point feed, I wanted to make a thread regarding all things plebe summer. Basically a hot spot for Plebe Summer discussion, advice and stories. This will keep this kind of clutter out of the Words of Wisdom - for Plebe Summer (Parts I and II) thread. Not that I am overthinking PS or anything, just want to soak up as much info as possible. Some starter questions I have:

  • What do you wish you had known before going to PS?
  • What is something you wish you had brought to PS or something you did bring that proved to be very useful?
  • What is the worst part of PS?
  • What is the best part of PS?
  • How do you get through really tough days?
  • Is there something you wish you had done to prepare before PS? Or did you do something to prepare that made things easier?
  • What does the average day look like in the first half of PS? The second?
  • (Thanks to @newcadet2027 for the question Ideas)
I also dare breach the topic of studying Reef Points before PS. I know some people morally forbid this, some think it is useful, and some advise it. I'd love more thoughts on this.

Ill also link this for any other 27'ers who stumble upon this thread, as I found this link very helpful:

www.usna.edu

Plebe Summer Home

Plebe Summer Home page for Plebe Summer at USNA.edu. Updated Fri Jun 16 11:08:37 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu

Thanks for any advice, knowledge and wisdom.
Click to expand...
I think you actually are over thinking :rolleyes: My advice if you have an appointment, enjoy the rest of Sr year HS. Just show up in shape (running, pushups etc...) and be ready to learn. As the plebes and Detailers & weather is different every year, I expect every PS is unique in many ways.
 
My DD at another academy stressed that attitude was paramount: if you expect it to be awful it certainly can be, but if you spend your time watching for the absurd, the inspiring, the good and bad leadership (or followership) examples then you'll find those too. The long days are made up of moments and sifting through those for the good stuff while you grind through the calendar can leave you with some fine takeaways. She was also big on finding rewarding moments or mere distractions in helping out her company mates. Even if you're having a bad day you can get a boost by helping someone else keep their head together. It's just a matter of watching for the chances for good stuff to appear.
 
  • What do you wish you had known before going to PS?
It is not summer camp. It is not fun 90% of the time, nor is it meant to be. When I went through I was under the impression it would be maybe a week or so of indoctrination and then we start just learning stuff, maybe with some “military flair”. From start to finish, plebe summer is a relentless test of your ability to handle stress, handle physical challenges, and suppress the urge to curse out your detailers for making you feel like dirt. Also, you are going to get unbelievably sick and asked to perform through it. If you can’t, don’t force yourself. The detailers aren’t doctors, ask them to take you to them.
  • What is something you wish you had brought to PS or something you did bring that proved to be very useful?
Everything you need will be provided. I can’t recall a single thing I wished I had.
  • What is the worst part of PS?
“Grey space”, the time in between scheduled evolutions when you will be taken into a musty hallway and rated on your knowledge for potentially hours and dropped until the room temperature is unbearable and you are slipping on your sweat trying to exercise.
  • What is the best part of PS?
The last 30 minutes of each day are typically yours to prepare for the next day, and share stories with your roommates/talk **** about your detailers.
  • How do you get through really tough days?
One meal at a time. It sounds cheesy, but there are evolutions that REALLY make you question why you are at the academy and make you realize what you are giving up by signing that dotted line, but looking forward to something small, like your favorite king hall meal can make it a little more bearable.
  • Is there something you wish you had done to prepare before PS? Or did you do something to prepare that made things easier?
Run. If you dont, you will end up with shin splints.
  • What does the average day look like in the first half of PS? The second?
Harder than the last.
 
Every detailer has gone through what you are about to go through. They’ve seen it all. To be prepared, be in the best shape possible (meaning RUN!). None that other stuff matters. It’s not a game. Their job is to begin the process of making you into a midshipman 4/C that will have a high likelihood of making it through the rest of the year. There are standards-they will hold you accountable to meeting them.

Oh, btw, Run, Run Run, Run and Run. And maybe hit the pool.
 
The most important thing as far as PS IMO for a pleb——-don’t quit. Let them send you home but refuse to DOR.

The most important thing as far as PS and being a parent of a pleb——

let them cry during their phone calls, let them say they want to quit——just ignore the comments, don’t give in, don’t make it easy——and say——see you at Christmas leave——you are not coming home before that.

some of you will be having these calls.
 
DD held a plebe summer leadership billet that gave her unparalleled view of the process. Her most interesting comment, referring to the ubiquitous “hints” and “secrets” and YouTube videos found online: “It a shame that a lot of the mystique of plebe summer is gone.”

DD is “old school” that way. Don’t know if she’s right, but I’m guessing others might agree. Maybe tied to that oft-heard sentiment: “Mine was the last real plebe summer.”
 
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Thanks all for the great advice. I probably am overthinking and agree that it is probably in some way harmful to my development to try and dig out to much information. Noted and will move forward in a way more geared to ¨Preparation¨ rather than ¨Investigation¨.

Noted about RP. I'll refrain from studying it since if I have time for that I should probably be running anyway (or maybe spending time with friends and family).

Thanks again for the advice and sentiments.
 
Stay in shape, out of trouble, and spend time with your family. One of the first things you will learn over the summer is to turn your brain off, don’t overthink things.
 
What I've gathered from this thread:

1. Run.
2. PS contains "surprises" which help you become proficient in uncomfortable/ stressful circumstances.
3. Having a vast knowledge of the ongoings of plebe summer before you experience it shouldn't be your goal; generations of midshipmen survived without a "How ~slay~ plebe summer by your favorite YouTuber" video.
4. Run.
5. No really, run.
 
If you’re not comfortable in the pool, take some swimming lessons. You don’t need to but it helps.

Best advice came from a chaplain first week of PS (in the days when attrition was >25%). He said, take it one day at a time. “I’m going to get through today.” That’s it. Just today. Do the next thing tomorrow. Pretty soon, 4 years have passed.

On Reef Points . . . Just don’t. Instead, focus on being in the best physical shape of your life.

No matter what anyone tells ypu, no matter what you do to prep, it’s a shock. Not in a bad way, just a sea change. You likely will no longer be the smartest person in the room. Embrace that. Embrace that you’re now surrounded by a bunch of incredibly talented, diverse classmates.
 
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