Preparing for the plebe year?

Ok I'll ask.... what is Plebe Hack? We live in Florida... there's pretty much no way Maryland could beat our humidity. D/d has had summer club soccer and summer high school cross country practice for years. We basically breathe water down here year round.

I'm going to pass on the stairs and shin split info... excellent advice!
 
WonderGirl1965 said:
Ok I'll ask.... what is Plebe Hack? We live in Florida... there's pretty much no way Maryland could beat our humidity. D/d has had summer club soccer and summer high school cross country practice for years. We basically breathe water down here year round.

I'm going to pass on the stairs and shin split info... excellent advice!
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Same humidity in terms of % water, but mostly late June - mid-September. East Coast, Southern and most Midwest mids handle it well. It used to be more of a problem when Bancroft mid rooms did not have AC. Now they do - great divide among alumni on that one!

I grew up in coastal GA, but came to USNA for duty after years on the West Coast. Quite a shock getting used to the continually sweaty feeling again. The Chesapeake Bay's cooler temps and the cooler mountains in the west of PA-MD-VA tend to hold the hot humid air jammed into the Balt-DC corridor, including all the human-generated stuff from a densely populated area, causing Black Flag Days with bad air quality.

Plebe Hack is a general upper respiratory illness that goes around the class a couple of times a year. They sound awful, hack and spew. The detailers are on the lookout for it.
 
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This may sound facetious, but male Plebes should streamline their shaving routine to race speed. They are expected to be clean-shaven, and it's 3-4 guys, 1 shower, 1 sink, and it's go-go-go.
 
WonderGirl1965 said:
Ok I'll ask.... what is Plebe Hack? We live in Florida... there's pretty much no way Maryland could beat our humidity. D/d has had summer club soccer and summer high school cross country practice for years. We basically breathe water down here year round.

I'm going to pass on the stairs and shin split info... excellent advice![/QUOT

We are from south Louisiana, and it's really humid here. Don't be fooled, Annapolis can be really humid too. The difference is that there may be an occasional break. The other difference is in the shade. For I Day, Plebes will find themselves in and out of the sun, and the swearing in at T Court was pretty hot. In one of the calls over Plebe Summer, mine said he could not stop sweating. South Louisiana a/c works great, not so great in Annapolis. Also, White Works over a blue rim t-shirt, mesh shorts, and compression shorts are hot.
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Humidity is no joke. Being from NC our summers can be very brutal. The humidity can sometimes take your breath away. Walk outside at 7 am and your clothes stick to you. Stay hydrated! We have been to Annapolis in the summer and it gets pretty hot there too in the summer. My DD is a also a competitive swimmer and has gotten use to drinking water. Not her favorite but she does it.
 
Madzmom21 said:
Humidity is no joke. Being from NC our summers can be very brutal. The humidity can sometimes take your breath away. Walk outside at 7 am and your clothes stick to you. Stay hydrated! We have been to Annapolis in the summer and it gets pretty hot there too in the summer. My DD is a also a competitive swimmer and has gotten use to drinking water. Not her favorite but she does it.
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Does your DD swim on the USNA woman's team?
 
On the theory that there are no "dumb" questions: Being from California and not having excessive time off from work, (nor an overflowing bank account) how do "most" parents handle I-Day v. Parents' weekend? I will be out of the country on I-Day and knew this going into it that this might be a possibility. I had thought I'd go to Parents' weekend only, but everyone keeps saying, "See you on I-Day". I realize the struggle will be like this for the next 4 years, but just looking for ideas from other long-distance parents. Thanks in advance. (If this should go on another thread, please feel free to re-route me).
 
Happy2BaNavyMom said:
On the theory that there are no "dumb" questions: Being from California and not having excessive time off from work, (nor an overflowing bank account) how do "most" parents handle I-Day v. Parents' weekend? I will be out of the country on I-Day and knew this going into it that this might be a possibility. I had thought I'd go to Parents' weekend only, but everyone keeps saying, "See you on I-Day". I realize the struggle will be like this for the next 4 years, but just looking for ideas from other long-distance parents. Thanks in advance. (If this should go on another thread, please feel free to re-route me).
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You can see many, many threads on this...search I-Day and PPW. From what I've seen, if you can only go to one, many families choose PPW, as PPW offers way more time with your Plebe off-Yard, and is a welcome respite for them near the end of a long summer. No overnights, but long periods on Fri, Sat, Sun off-Yard. There is much to talk about, and your plebe can finally relax.

I-Day offers the opportunity to join thousands of other parents seeing their son or daughter disappear into Alumni Hall in the AM, to be glimpsed shorn and dressed all alike, taking the oath in T-Court many hours later, and a final 15 minutes for a fast good-bye. If you cannot make it on I-Day, chaplains and others will be with your DS or DD during the 15 minute period, offering a cell phone for a call. Or perhaps another family from your area is going and can keep an eye out. The oath-taking will likely be on YouTube

Many plebes, especially college applicants and prior enlisted (who actually report the day before) arrive solo. That used to be the norm many years ago, before the day expanded into what it is now. My DH took the train from Philly to Baltimore, took a taxi to Gate 1, and walked in. No parent events at all. Different parenting times.

Suggest googling USNA Induction Day Class of 2020 and USNA Plebe Parents Weekend Class of 2020, to get a feel for the schedules. Those are usually still up until the May time-frame, when 2021 will go up.

Discuss with your DS or DD what feels right for them. There are many families for whom two Annapolis trips with airfare, hotels, meals at a time when the town is jammed - and high season rates - is a stretch too far. Feel no guilt. If you have raised your DS or DD to handle tough situations solo, they can handle reporting in by themselves. The day will go by in a blur for them anyway.
 
hthp37 said:
MY mid validated over 20 credits, all from AP scores. They will take academic tests first week of Plebe summer also to see where they are.
I've lived on the east coast most of my life and I'm still not acclimated to the humidity so I don't think there's much you can do to prepare for that. It's just part of the experience and you know, that whole misery loves company thing might help you through it. Bancroft has AC and the plebes are encouraged to stay hydrated. On the most blistering days, activities are limited to indoors.
Running is good. Break in a couple pairs of running shoes as you get closer to IDay and bring them with you. It seems every summer there are Plebes who are hampered by shinsplints or stress fracture syndrome. You don't want to be a chit surfer so advise your daughter, who sounds like she has no cardio conditioning issues, to run, if for no other reason than getting the legs ready.
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He can bring his own running shoes? I thought they had to wear Navy provided everything. That is great news!
 
Done both because we were in driving distance. I-Day for parents is a long day without your DD/DS after you drop them off, but a good chance to raid the MidStore. Good times with other parents but a long hot day (Visit the Navy Museum and check out the carved ships) . If you have to choose do PPW and rent a house for the weekend. They will come out on Stribling for minutes with family on I-Day. A whole weekend is a lot better. They can bring their own broken in running shoes.
 
The Navy will provide running shoes. USNA used to make all Plebes wear New Balance running shoes for PEP. USNA finally realized if they let everyone wear what shoe is best for them it cuts down on shin splits and stress fractures. Sort of like when heat injuries were dramatically reduced by serving Gatorade at meals. They drink plenty of water, but the electrolytes make a huge difference. USNA has done this a long time, luckily they get smarter as time passes (most of the time).

If you can't do I Day and PPW, definitely PPW. My family didn't come for I Day and I preferred it that way. But, may of us didn't have family come and we all survived fine. USNA will provide a room in Bancroft the night before. All the kids who do that usually make a few friends and head out in town for a last meal. They do fine with it all. From a former Plebe's perspective... you want your family there on PPW. I Day is great, but you survive it fine without them. The famous first photos in horrible white works and a bad haircut are key for that day. The alumni assoc has us old grads out there to provide encouragement, snap photos and send them off to waiting parents who couldn't make it and a phone to call home for a few minutes and encouraging words. If you have another local family going for I Day I am sure they will step up and provide a cold drink, photos and a phone call home too. USNA truly is a family and you will see it that day forward. We take care of our own and mean it.
 
I think I may change my username to BulletPoints after this message...
  • Yes, you can bring your own running shoes. We usually just got a cheap pair at the outlet mall. Before I-Day, though, spent the time and $ to go to a running store and get DS stride and feet looked at, and the 'right'pair of shoes. And inserts! Definitely get inserts like these ones.
  • Plebe Hack Formula: ((Humidity + Exhaustion + Close Quarters + Diminished Hygine) - (Parental Supervision + Common Sense)) X Stress = Plebe Hack. It happened to just about everyone in 2020, so really no sense worrying about it. Detailers have all had it , too, and know what to look out for. Just get ready for a raspy voice on the calls home.
  • Parent club has been an amazing resource for us. Have met great people. Here's the link for the one in NorCal.
  • Travelling to I Day and PPW. We did both, and it taxed our resources for sure. But the experience is pretty amazing. Being surrounded by the plebes and their parents reminds you of a lot of what's right about this country, and makes you hopeful for the future. (There, I hope you're happy: I made myself cry...)
 
Happy2BaNavyMom said:
On the theory that there are no "dumb" questions: Being from California and not having excessive time off from work, (nor an overflowing bank account) how do "most" parents handle I-Day v. Parents' weekend? I will be out of the country on I-Day and knew this going into it that this might be a possibility. I had thought I'd go to Parents' weekend only, but everyone keeps saying, "See you on I-Day". I realize the struggle will be like this for the next 4 years, but just looking for ideas from other long-distance parents. Thanks in advance. (If this should go on another thread, please feel free to re-route me).
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We had the same concerns about non-overflowing bank account; it's not cheap to fly the whole family from NorCal to BWI. However, looking at the USNA website, there seems to be only 4 "real" visits in 4 years: I-day, plebe parents weekend, 2/C parents weekend and graduation. Considering that DD won't put us in the poor house by going to some expensive private school (she was choosing between MIT, U Chicago and USNA) we'll do everything possible to make all the visits possible.
 
CA_USNA_Dad said:
We had the same concerns about non-overflowing bank account; it's not cheap to fly the whole family from NorCal to BWI. However, looking at the USNA website, there seems to be only 4 "real" visits in 4 years: I-day, plebe parents weekend, 2/C parents weekend and graduation. Considering that DD won't put us in the poor house by going to some expensive private school (she was choosing between MIT, U Chicago and USNA) we'll do everything possible to make all the visits possible.
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For any lurkers and newbies, you can visit any time of the year, with your ability to see your mid determined by class year privileges, duty status and with luck, is not restricted by conduct, performance or academic reasons. Off-Yard privileges (town liberty) on the weekend are determined by class and the factors above. Yard liberty periods, you can visit with your Mid on the Yard. Your mid will earn weekends, with the three-day holiday weekends being especially prized. There may be a game or athletic event your mid is in, a concert or just family time to enjoy. Your mid wants to get off the Yard, so the big visit opportunities are more for parents to see inner workings such as classroom time or a King Hall meal.

Visiting when air fares are cheaper, the town isn't crowded, the restaurants aren't jammed, has its own pleasures.
 
With all the great running advice make sure she is getting adequate Vitamin D and Calcium. There were a lot of plebes in a boot for stress fractures from shin splints gone bad my DD's year. Most teens, unless they drink a lot of milk or are a lifeguard have low D.
 
Don't forget at least one Army/Navy game visit. It should be on your bucket list. Easter ceremony in the Chapel is a good week to visit. Although never been there they say All Hollows Eve show is fantastic. Graduation is a given. As for running and humidity try to find some Body Glide. DD said it worked well.
 
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AF6872 said:
Don't forget at least one Army/Navy game visit. It should be on your bucket list.
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I know that I have 10 months to plan this out, but how does the Army/Navy game work? I know that it's usually in Philly or Baltimore. Do parents just buy tickets by going on Stubhub? If so, are there plenty of tickets? Are they usually very expensive? Many people probably are not concerned with ticket prices but when you add flights from the west coast, it adds up fast.
 
CA_USNA_Dad said:
I know that I have 10 months to plan this out, but how does the Army/Navy game work? I know that it's usually in Philly or Baltimore. Do parents just buy tickets by going on Stubhub? If so, are there plenty of tickets? Are they usually very expensive? Many people probably are not concerned with ticket prices but when you add flights from the west coast, it adds up fast.
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Your plebe/mid should have the opportunity to purchase tickets for you during the early part of the fall semester. It is difficult for a lot of west coast parents to make the Army/Navy game because it is scheduled right before Christmas break.
 
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