Plebe Summer USNA 2022 Fun Events to Boost Morale?

northernlights said:
Facts are facts. Simply read the comments in the thread …. Fireworks, games, swimming, donuts, tours… all after the first 4 full days 🤣
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RE: tours…mando company visits to Holocaust museum to learn, so that ‘history never repeats itself’, during plebe AC year. For sure a somber learning moment.

Donuts are served after a certain denominations optional church service.

4th of July fireworks for the City of Annapolis….the 4th is kind of a big deal…one of the perks of being smack dab surrounded by a City (VS remote USAFA campus). Another opportunity to learn about history and stuff.

Swimming….required naval training. It’s the NAVY after all and they have to learn how to ‘survive the ocean’ kind is stuff. Navy learns to swim. Its required to commission actually.
 
justdoit19 said:
No tours…mando company visits to Holocaust museum to learn, so that ‘history never repeats itself’, during plebe AC year. For sure a somber learning moment.

Donuts are served after a certain denominations optional church service.

4th of July fireworks for the City of Annapolis….the 4th is kind of a big deal…one of the perks of being smack dab surrounded by a City (VS USAFA). Another opportunity to learn about history and stuff.

Swimming….required naval training. It’s the NAVY after all and they have to learn how to ‘survive the ocean’ kind is stuff. Navy learns to swim. Required to commission actually.
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There was a USNA Museum tour when I went through PS. It talked a lot about Academy history and John Paul Jones was a key player as well. Pretty cool that his crypt it there and an even cooler story behind it. The Holocaust Museum tour during the Ac Year was honestly one of my favorite experiences as a Mid. I've gone multiple times. It provides perspective on the evil in the world and what you may be called to fight against.
 
justdoit19 said:
RE: tours…mando company visits to Holocaust museum to learn, so that ‘history never repeats itself’, during plebe AC year. For sure a somber learning moment.

Donuts are served after a certain denominations optional church service.

4th of July fireworks for the City of Annapolis….the 4th is kind of a big deal…one of the perks of being smack dab surrounded by a City (VS remote USAFA campus). Another opportunity to learn about history and stuff.

Swimming….required naval training. It’s the NAVY after all and they have to learn how to ‘survive the ocean’ kind is stuff. Navy learns to swim. Its required to commission actually.
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Now I understand and I’m with you in all of your comments. Simply wasn’t the way this thread started out. Swimming is also mandatory in the AF.
 
northernlights said:
Swimming is also mandatory in the AF.
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I'm fairly confident that it is not as intense. We looked it up when we had an issue on my first ship and the
full four year USNA swimming quals exceeded the Navy's First Class Swimmer requirements which is what is the entry point
for Rescue Swimmers. The result was that two USNA grads were assigned as the ship's Rescue Swimmers pending
return of our Actual swimmers from the school and the (legendarily strict) GITMO Inspectors accepted it.
 
northernlights said:
Now I understand and I’m with you in all of your comments. Simply wasn’t the way this thread started out. Swimming is also mandatory in the AF.
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On Induction Day, USNA plebes are also dropped off in the AM starting at oh-dark-thirty and later staggered times the guest few hours. Parents do not see them again until the oath-taking late in the day, if they can even pick their son or daughter out, and get a brief window to hug them before they form up and march into Bancroft Hall, and the very big doors slam shut behind them.

4th of July fireworks, hard to avoid in Annapolis, given the water surrounding the Yard adjacent to downtown waterfront Annapolis. Might as well get the plebes outside to celebrate the nation’s birthday. Plebes sit in formation, uttering oohs and aahs on command, no fun mingling with each other or the public.

The various museum tours - naval heritage and history, as well as “freedom is not free” themes of the Holocaust Museum.

Swimming - part of every USNA midshipman’s existence at USNA, with various mandatory tests along the way. For some strong swimmers, yes, a blessed cooling break, for others, an introduction to what lies ahead, a long and arduous path. Midshipmen who cannot successfully pass these tests are in danger of not commissioning.

The 8th and I parade at the Marine Barracks - solemn, professional, a gleaming example of Marine Corps precision and attention to professional detail. When Taps is played by the spotlit lone bugler at the top of a building, there is not a dry eye in the house.

Donuts. I bet the USAFA chaplains have donuts too. Many plebes, doolies, swabs, etc., find a renewed interest in religion during their first summer.

There is no Doolie Day Out for USNA plebes at sponsor family homes. There is usually a baseball game outing. It used to be the Orioles in Baltimore but is now the Bowie Baysox minor league team.

USNA plebes don’t get “recognized” until late in May, finally losing their plebe status. USAFA does that in March, I think. The key thing, though, is all the service academy summer induction programs are comparable, with the focus on bringing in a class, breaking them down, building them back up, soaking them in their new culture, and readying them for the academic year. The differences don’t matter; it’s what works for that particular service academy.
 
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Capt MJ said:
On Induction Day, USNA plebes are also dropped off in the AM starting at oh-dark-thirty and later staggered times the guest few hours. Parents do not see them again until the oath-taking late in the day, if they can even pick their son or daughter out, and get a brief window to hug them before they form up and march into Bancroft Hall, and the very big doors slam shut behind them.

4th of July fireworks, hard to avoid in Annapolis, given the water surrounding the Yard adjacent to downtown waterfront Annapolis. Might as well get the plebes outside to celebrate the nation’s birthday. Plebes sit in formation, uttering oohs and aahs on command, no fun mingling with each other or the public.

The various museum tours - naval heritage and history, as well as “freedom is not free” themes of the Holocaust Museum.

Swimming - part of every USNA midshipman’s existence at USNA, with various mandatory tests along the way. For some strong swimmers, yes, a blessed cooling break, for others, an introduction to what lies ahead, a long and arduous path. Midshipmen who cannot successfully pass these tests are in danger of not commissioning.

The 8th and I parade at the Marine Barracks - solemn, professional, a gleaming example of Marine Corps precision and attention to professional detail. When Taps is played by the spotlit lone bugler at the top of a building, there is not a dry eye in the house.

Donuts. I bet the USAFA chaplains have donuts too. Many plebes, doolies, swabs, etc., find a renewed interest in religion during their first summer.

There is no Doolie Day Out for USNA plebes at sponsor family homes. There is usually a baseball game outing. It used to be the Orioles in Baltimore but is now the Bowie Baysox minor league team.

USNA plebes don’t get “recognized” until late in May, finally losing their plebe status. USAFA does that in March, I think. The key thing, though, is all the service academy summer induction programs are comparable, with the focus on bringing in a class, breaking them down, building them back up, soaking them in their new culture, and readying them for the academic year. The differences don’t matter; it’s what works for that particular service academy.
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On point as always. Thank you
 
Capt MJ said:
On Induction Day, USNA plebes are also dropped off in the AM starting at oh-dark-thirty and later staggered times the guest few hours. Parents do not see them again until the oath-taking late in the day, if they can even pick their son or daughter out, and get a brief window to hug them before they form up and march into Bancroft Hall, and the very big doors slam shut behind them.

4th of July fireworks, hard to avoid in Annapolis, given the water surrounding the Yard adjacent to downtown waterfront Annapolis. Might as well get the plebes outside to celebrate the nation’s birthday. Plebes sit in formation, uttering oohs and aahs on command, no fun mingling with each other or the public.

The various museum tours - naval heritage and history, as well as “freedom is not free” themes of the Holocaust Museum.

Swimming - part of every USNA midshipman’s existence at USNA, with various mandatory tests along the way. For some strong swimmers, yes, a blessed cooling break, for others, an introduction to what lies ahead, a long and arduous path. Midshipmen who cannot successfully pass these tests are in danger of not commissioning.

The 8th and I parade at the Marine Barracks - solemn, professional, a gleaming example of Marine Corps precision and attention to professional detail. When Taps is played by the spotlit lone bugler at the top of a building, there is not a dry eye in the house.

Donuts. I bet the USAFA chaplains have donuts too. Many plebes, doolies, swabs, etc., find a renewed interest in religion during their first summer.

There is no Doolie Day Out for USNA plebes at sponsor family homes. There is usually a baseball game outing. It used to be the Orioles in Baltimore but is now the Bowie Baysox minor league team.

USNA plebes don’t get “recognized” until late in May, finally losing their plebe status. USAFA does that in March, I think. The key thing, though, is all the service academy summer induction programs are comparable, with the focus on bringing in a class, breaking them down, building them back up, soaking them in their new culture, and readying them for the academic year. The differences don’t matter; it’s what works for that particular service academy.
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All academies are different. As a parent I was jealous of the USNA drop off. Our drop off was a car line with no chance to see or hug our cadet again until August 5th which is A-Day. We get to see them for 2 hours then not again until Parent’s Weekend in September. The swearing in happened behind close doors then again for ceremonial purposes the next day on the parade grounds. Parents were kept far away from the cadets with zero access or a hug. They are not allowed care packages. So yes, I’m a bit envious the Navy allowed even a chance at a hug after the swearing in ceremony. And being more remote there are no opportunities for any tours.
 
northernlights said:
All academies are different. As a parent I was jealous of the USNA drop off. Our drop off was a car line with no chance to see or hug our cadet again until August 5th which is A-Day. We get to see them for 2 hours then not again until Parent’s Weekend in September. The swearing in happened behind close doors then again for ceremonial purposes the next day on the parade grounds. Parents were kept far away from the cadets with zero access or a hug. They are not allowed care packages. So yes, I’m a bit envious the Navy allowed even a chance at a hug after the swearing in ceremony. And being more remote there are no opportunities for any tours.
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I do have to say, my DS is army and always mentions the great things the Air Force offers once active in the field, from food to uniforms to housing. He has the opportunity of combine trainings so was able to see this first hand. At the end of the day is not an easy transition for us parents, but every academy works to an ideal end, our kids are special and are blessed with this opportunity
 
The military is like any family with multiple children. They are all raised with and possess the same underlying values, but they also have different interests, strengths, weaknesses, personalities, and needs. The grass isn't always greener on the other side... usually the sun is just hitting it at a different angle since you're on the opposite side of the fence.
 
If you are feeling sorry for yourself and that your son or daughter has a tough “boot camp” at USNA, USAFA, or USMA…just think if your son or daughter was off to Marine Corps Recruit Depot…talk about not getting a break until the very end for the recruit and family. Bottom line, as most things in the military…when you think you have it bad…certainly someone has it worse!
 
Huursoldaat said:
thought you would appreciate this picture of the Plebes at dinner! Living high the life at USNA
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Is this for real ? When was that taken ? Round tables ? No upperclass ? Smile on Plebes faces ?

Capt MJ said:
Birth control glasses, a military tradition, no matter how they update the shape, it’s always out of sync with current trends. Black plastic is always in style.
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Omg..they've changed the BCG (aka Geekers). In fact, the modern version isn't that much different then what I wear now !
 
This looks like etiquette training. We go through it a few times while there, starting during PS. Use the nice china and learn all the correct utensils, how to introduce guests/dates of different ranks/status, etc. Wardrooms on Navy ships are still very formal, plus there are formal events in the military. It’s all about learning to eventually handle yourself in these formal occasions or even dining in a wardroom on summer cruise.

I work for a large company and recently did a 2 year executive program there. The West Point grad and myself got a 100 on the etiquette training. The 5 course meal we got at a fancy restaurant was pretty dang phenomenal too, much better than King Hall food on nice dishes!
 
NavyHoops said:
This looks like etiquette training. We go through it a few times while there, starting during PS. Use the nice china and learn all the correct utensils, how to introduce guests/dates of different ranks/status, etc. Wardrooms on Navy ships are still very formal, plus there are formal events in the military. It’s all about learning to eventually handle yourself in these formal occasions or even dining in a wardroom on summer cruise.

I work for a large company and recently did a 2 year executive program there. The West Point grad and myself got a 100 on the etiquette training. The 5 course meal we got at a fancy restaurant was pretty dang phenomenal too, much better than King Hall food on nice dishes!
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Yes the best I could tell from other pictures that captured the TV on the wall - it said something about etiquette.
 
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