PS — Words of Wisdom & Advice on What to Bring

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a.lo1021

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Hey everyone! I hope you are all doing well.

As everyone knows, we’re two weeks out from Plebe Summer! So, I wanted to start a thread to compile words of wisdom, encouragement, and other tid-bits of advice from parents, graduates, current Midshipmen, etc.

Please share any advice you have — what to bring, what to look out for, and other sources of knowledge/encouragement. Anything offered is greatly appreciated! :)

Thank you in advance to everyone who contributes.
 
You don't need to bring a single thing. You could show up with the clothes on your back and be fine. They will issue you everything you will need.

With that said,
1. Most arrive with a phone and charger. They will take it from you on I-Day and give it back for (3 or 4) scheduled call-home events during Plebe Summer.
2. Extra compression shorts are good, but those can be sent in a package from home.
3. Arrive wearing your already-broken-in running shoes. They will issue running shoes - but if you have a preference for running shoes - the issued ones will not be what you would want to run in.
4. Have another identical pair of running shoes at home, that can be mailed to you later. You will wear the first pair out.
5. Since you're female, get extra "regular" bras (again, to be sent later in the mail). Most women like a particular brand/type, which I can guarantee that you will not get issued. For Plebe Summer, you will live in a sports bra.
6. A sports watch. My DS is still very fond of his inexpensive waterproof Casio sports watch with vibration alarm.

Don't arrive at I-Day with a bunch of stuff. Most extra stuff you can arrange in boxes at home to be sent later, when you need it.

My advice would to be to bring a phone, running shoes, a watch, and the clothes on your back. That's it.

Everything else will be issued, and you should get used to using what's issued.
 
There is tons — tons! — of advice on this topic all over this forum. Use the search function to see the tons — tons! — of threads about this. As a plebe, learn to take the path of least resistance, to lean on others, to not reinvent the wheel, to use the resources already there. Oh, and have fun! Because while plebe summer is hard, plebe ac year is even harder. Best wishes to you all.
 
Laugh at yourself. You will mess up. Humor helps get through the good and bad. Remember all of us who came before made it through... so can you. Take it one meal at a time and one day at a time. You learn how to break it up. Just make it lunch. Just make it Sunday. Enjoy the last few weeks of freedom. Sleep late, don’t make your bed (sorry parents), eat pizza, go to dinner, play video games. Stay in shape though. You guys got this, best of luck and welcome to the club!
 
NavyHoops said:
Laugh at yourself. You will mess up. Humor helps get through the good and bad
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Remember your Detailers and Upperclass are really not a whole lot different you..they went through the same thing 3 years ago, and they are really human !

And as Hoops says..laugh ! I will always remember one of my classmates breaking out in laughter during one "back shaft" training session. I suspect that isn't even permitted now, but we were in one of the backshaft's of Bancroft (outside the view of Company Officers), doing a little extra training in holding pieces at Present Arms (for an extended period :() and pushups). This was pretty late in Plebe Summer, so we knew the Detailers pretty well, and one of my Classmate kinda smirked at a Detailer, and when the rest of the Detailers pounced, it kinda turned into full laughter, and all sense of decorum was lost and the session ended with all of us doing the Time Warp (from Rocky Horror picture show) in the back shaft.

** BTW, laughing at your Detailer's is not recommended...it worked for us, but might not for you !
 
I received some sound advice from an ex-Marine about military training.

"They're going to get in your face and yell at you, but DO NOT take it personally. If they're yelling at you, chances are you have something to learn from it. But if you take it personally, you won't get the opportunity to learn what has to be learned in that situation."
 
Can we bring our own calculator for validation tests and academic year or are we issued one? Kinda weird, but id honestly be pretty sad to part with my current TI-84 :)
 
Do Plebes bring the basic toiletry items for the summer - toothbrush / toothpaste, deodorant and a razor?
 
illesq said:
Do Plebes bring the basic toiletry items for the summer - toothbrush / toothpaste, deodorant and a razor?
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You’ll be given everything you need. Everything. Bring as little as you absolutely can. You’ll be glad you did.
 
Do Plebes keep their wallet and passport in their rooms over Plebe Summer or are they secured elsewhere?
 
zekin said:
Can we bring our own calculator for validation tests and academic year or are we issued one? Kinda weird, but id honestly be pretty sad to part with my current TI-84 :)
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Also wondering about this. The PTR says to bring a “basic scientific calculator,” so considering a TI-84 is upwards of $100 I’m not sure it’s considered basic. I’ve used a graphing calculator my whole life, so should I just bring a cheap calculator with very basic functions?
 
THParent said:
You don't need to bring a single thing. You could show up with the clothes on your back and be fine. They will issue you everything you will need.
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Hallelujah .... How do I get there?
.
 
23Lt said:
We have to bring our passport? That wasn't on the PTR list
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My DS does not have a Real ID compatible drivers license and needs to carry a passport for those situations that require Real ID.
 
THParent said:
You don't need to bring a single thing. You could show up with the clothes on your back and be fine. They will issue you everything you will need.
Click to expand...

It's interesting to peruse the USMA and USAFA forums ..obviously a different philosophy there, as there are numerous threads about what to bring to their I day. I get the whole boots thing,..they need to be broken in, but socks, underwear, multi-tools. Life is simply at USNA ...show up and adapt to what they give you.
 
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