PPW question

Serendipity and HopefulDad - was this last year for you? I'm really curious about this. I had initially thought that getting something just a tad out of town would be preferable for DS - just to kinda get away. Then, reading some posts,. I scrambled to get something downtown. Reading your posts, I find myself backing into first choice - just a tad out of town. He went to Summer Seminar last summer, and I think I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express or something like that, only one exit up on the main highway in.
 
There was some traffic at the gate as the allotted time approached. Mids were bailing out of cars and running for the gate. We had allowed some extra time and were leaving when we saw this. Mine wanted out of the yard. He wanted to lay around the hotel room and get on the laptop and his phone. Then he wanted to go eat and catch a movie. Then when we go to the movie who do we run into? His detailers LOL! They were laughing at how nervous he was and were very nice to him. He was really glad his uniform was all good but they didn't scrutinize him.
 
Serendipity and HopefulDad - was this last year for you? I'm really curious about this. I had initially thought that getting something just a tad out of town would be preferable for DS - just to kinda get away. Then, reading some posts,. I scrambled to get something downtown. Reading your posts, I find myself backing into first choice - just a tad out of town. He went to Summer Seminar last summer, and I think I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express or something like that, only one exit up on the main highway in.

Yes. DS is currently a plebe. He wanted out. We used to live in DC so we drove there and took him to his favorite old haunts, in uniform. Wouldn't you know, we were in a neighborhood (I.e not a tourist spot) and there was a plebe at the next table when we had lunch! There can be no escape sometimes.
 
Yes. DS is currently a plebe. He wanted out. We used to live in DC so we drove there and took him to his favorite old haunts, in uniform. Wouldn't you know, we were in a neighborhood (I.e not a tourist spot) and there was a plebe at the next table when we had lunch! There can be no escape sometimes.

Oh, also on hotels. We stayed in walking distance at the Loews. I strongly recommend being in town but strongly advise against Loews. It was a uniquely bad experience (twice!). Stayed there for I-day and had issues. They begged us to come back for PPW so they could make it right and then they proceeded to fail miserably at it.
 
Rented a condo for PPW. Plebe loved it. She was able to get into her civies and act like a civilian when she was with us. If at a hotel I believe Plebe is expected to be in uniform or blue ringer t etc. If you can I would stay in a condo. She ate her favoite homecooked meals and did not have to be in uniform to go out to eat. Also for eating in King Hall our plebe wanted to get off the yard ASAP. Ask your plebe and let them tell you what they want. It is good for them to make their own decisions as they have been told what to do for the past 6 weeks.
Just my opinion.
 
Actually Plebes are not supposed to wear civilian clothes except when on leave or authorized on case by case exceptions. I honestly could care less what a Plebe does while in a private residence in regards to wearing a uniform or not. I wouldn't advertise it though. And that includes walking around a hotel to get a soda. Do not go out in town in civies. It happens every PPW and they get caught. Honestly most want to be comfortable and a tshirt and USNA shorts work just fine for that.

Detailers and upperclass (unless they to need a leadership lesson) won't be going into detailer mode if they run into your Plebe off the yard. They will be cordial and move on. Trust me, they want the break as bad as your Plebe does. They get less sleep and food as a detailer than a Plebe does. They are tired of yelling and being in Detailer mode. If a Plebe is hosed up off the yard (it happens every PPW) and an upperclass or detailer sees it they will most likely correct them politely and as quietly as possible and move on. And yes, very few Plebes want to eat lunch in King Hall. They want out of there. They can bring guests during the academic year to eat there. Its a fun experience, try it once or twice later on.
 
Inside the hotel room or condo, sure, wear the favorite jeans or sweats and get comfy. If in the public view anywhere outside, no civilian clothes for Plebes unless they are in leave status - which will be Thanksgiving.

Sometimes plebes hear what they want to hear...
 
Serendipity and HopefulDad - was this last year for you? I'm really curious about this. I had initially thought that getting something just a tad out of town would be preferable for DS - just to kinda get away. Then, reading some posts,. I scrambled to get something downtown. Reading your posts, I find myself backing into first choice - just a tad out of town. He went to Summer Seminar last summer, and I think I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express or something like that, only one exit up on the main highway in.
For PPW, we stayed at a suites hotel a few miles from USNA, because my son said he preferred to put some breathing space between himself and the Yard. We had 2 bedrooms/2 baths for 4 folks, so plenty of room, plus a kitchen and a pool. The only time we had any difficulty getting our plebe back on time was the evening we came back early, parked on the Yard and exited through Gate 1 to stroll around town. When we got back to Gate 1 about 30 minutes before time to report, there was a looooong line. My son and other plebes were panicking until they finally opened a line for the plebes only, with just minutes to spare! The other two evenings, we drove onto the Yard about an hour or so before time to report, and there was hardly a line at Gate 8. My son took advantage of the time to show us some of his favorite spots on the Yard and share some pretty lively tales of PS -- some of my best memories from the weekend. I know so many people weigh in on the side of staying in DTA, but our experience staying further out couldn't have gone better. And it appeared to us that -- whether you stayed further out and drove or stayed close and walked -- there could be lines to deal with and panicked plebes either way. So, just give yourself some extra time to get your plebe back, and all should be well.
 
They get less sleep and food as a detailer than a Plebe does..

Thanks for the heads up Hoops....kiddo will be one of those detailers this summer....I'll give him some "end of Plebe summer" seafood money so he can indulge himself at O'Leary's for some great chow.
 
Thanks for the heads up Hoops....kiddo will be one of those detailers this summer....I'll give him some "end of Plebe summer" seafood money so he can indulge himself at O'Leary's for some great chow.

Throat lozenges and gel inserts... barking voice, barking dogs.
 
Gate 3 is a very, very good option. We used it on PPW and it was never mobbed. Maryland Ave dumps you right at it and you will enter near the Chapel. You still have to get across the yard to Bancroft, however, we didn't fight any lines.
 
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Serendipity and HopefulDad - was this last year for you? QUOTE]

My son is a plebe so yes, this was just last summer. The Doubletree worked out well for us and there were lots of plebe families there. It is by the mall which was convenient for movies and food. We spent some time each evening walking around the yard and/or downtown Annapolis (yes, stopping at one of the many ice cream places is a must) but mainly stayed at the hotel or nearby. The drive was very quick.
 
Inside the hotel room or condo, sure, wear the favorite jeans or sweats and get comfy. If in the public view anywhere outside, no civilian clothes for Plebes unless they are in leave status - which will be Thanksgiving.

Sometimes plebes hear what they want to hear...

Even in the hotel room, ds wore his PT gear. He's a rule follower though and would have felt like he was cheating in same way if he had done otherwise. Of course a tee shirt and shorts isn't really a hardship to have to wear any way!
 
We're still waiting to hear but have reservations at 2 places for I day and one for ppw... if we aren't going (wah!) I'll offer them up here for anyone first before I just cancel them.
 
Gate 3 "the back door" although the street is very narrow. Patriot Games. Gate 8 is good and not as crowded as many do not know where it is. Youngest Daughter is still wearing sisters USNA gear after six years. It does last. Good Luck to all.
 
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Thanks you all for input! Really helpful! I'm a USMA grad, and they did not have these sort of PPW weekends when I was at USMA (at least as I recall), and these sort of insights - lines at gate and such - are really invaluable. Thank you to you all for your insights and experiences!
 
Thanks you all for input! Really helpful! I'm a USMA grad, and they did not have these sort of PPW weekends when I was at USMA (at least as I recall), and these sort of insights - lines at gate and such - are really invaluable. Thank you to you all for your insights and experiences!
Has DS decided to follow your path or to pave his way via USNA? Or is he taking the ROTC route?
 
Thanks you all for input! Really helpful! I'm a USMA grad, and they did not have these sort of PPW weekends when I was at USMA (at least as I recall), and these sort of insights - lines at gate and such - are really invaluable. Thank you to you all for your insights and experiences!
Has DS decided to follow your path or to pave his way via USNA? Or is he taking the ROTC route?
He's been fortunate - has been appointed to both academies and has ROTC options. Doing a overnight at USMA in a couple of weeks and a CVW at Navy the week after - that should help. For him anyhow, it has been a lot of activity - he plays three sports in HS, and with that and school work, etc - not a lot of time for refection - I think he will have some time to reflect over next few weeks - just finished basketball and baseball does not start in earnest till early April... We are just being supportive, and keep telling him there is no pressure - just think it all through. It was a bit different in my day, but some similarities - it all kind of snowballs and once you are accepted, there is some sense of pressure - expectations of others, etc. Exciting times for sure, but its been a bit of a whirlwind for him I think.
 
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