PS — Words of Wisdom & Advice on What to Bring

DD found compression shorts to be a huge asset through PS. When graduating up to summer whites, note that the best color for compression shorts underneath is light gray, not white. White will show through — those unsightly lines. Light gray will not. Ah, the things you learn along the way.
 
usna1985 said:
Women might want to bring a few white (or very light nude in color) sports bras.
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How do you bring extras like this when they take your backpack? Do you carry a separate ziplock bag with these items in it that are separate from the bag they take?
 
That's a good question. I have no idea and am interested in the answer.
 
They can bring them in a backpack. The detailers should let them grab them out of the backpack. The backpacks make their way back to the company area. Just ask to get the stuff in there if there isn’t a chance to get it. They will let you. The other option is to leave them with you and have you mail them in the first care package. Many appointees bring extra compressions shorts, bras for ladies, socks, t shirts. Many candidates will have backpacks with a wallet, cell phone, paperwork and a few of the items above. I think more kids will be traveling solo this year and arriving a day early for wear coasters so a clean shirt, socks, underwear, toothbrush and razor.
 
Hoops is spot on. Normally you forfeit your backpack in Alumni Hall, but that’s just because it gets hauled to your company space so you can focus on carrying all the gear that’s issued. Once you get to Bancroft you get it back and have the contents inspected by the detailers, and they’ll let you keep anything that’s allowed with you, while the rest is stored until Plebe Parents Weekend.

Of course it’s an entirely different induction procedure this year (detailers will not be involved in initial reception whatsoever), but I’m fairly certain the Plebes will still be able to keep that kind of stuff.
 
Looking to confirm no watch allowed for PS correct? Saw on prior years this was the case. Our P2B flies out 2 weeks from today!
 
Not sure on the current day but watches are usually not allowed. It forces them to work together. Sometimes they are allowed for only the 4/C squad leader. Some will need them for sports like running and monitoring splits. They can put it in their con locker and lock it up.
 
What do y’all think that long, dark thing is in the picture next to the body glide?

Fanny pack comes to mind...but that can’t be right 😂🤷‍♀️
 
In the PTR Info Booklet, it states, " Wrist watches will NOT be authorized for use over Plebe Summer." It then says you are welcome to bring them but it will be kept in the company area until the end of the summer.
 
Wrist watches are in the same category as flashlights—You don’t wanna get caught stashing one during Plebe Summer. In fact the clocks in Bancroft will be disabled, it adds to the disorientation.
 
Current youngster ('23) confirming that at least as of last year -- absolutely ***no*** watches or flashlights permitted during plebe summer up and until Reform.

If you do want to bring a watch with you, it can of course be kept your backpack that gets stored.

But in my case (as well as overwhelmingly with most of my friends and company mates,) their parents simply brought their watches with them to PPW (mine gave me mine then, but I still couldn't use it until after Reform (of the Brigade) and the Academic Year started. With PPW up in the air at this point, the other option, which was also popular last year, was for parents to mail/ship the watch to their Plebe right as the Academic Year began.

For parents who don't know, having a watch at the Academy when the Academic Year begins is important for students -- for a multitude of reasons. Like most kids my age (just turned 19,) I never wore a watch day-to-day before this past year. Up until the Academy, I only wore a watch for running and timing intervals, distance and tracking my heart rate when working out. For the rest of the day, I simply used my cell phone as a watch. At the Academy, because of rules around cell phone use -- when and where you can use/not use them - having a watch on can make a potentially big difference. I bring this up because I distinctly remember telling my parents that I didn't want or need a watch before I left for I-Day; that I wasn't interested in getting a new watch for a graduation present etc. Thankfully, my parents didn't listen to me and brought my watch with them for PPW :)

This summer is likely to be different (in terms of time disorientation, clocks covered in Bancroft) because laptops are likely scheduled to be being issued on/near I-Day (versus just a few days before Reform) so that they can be used by the Plebes for the ROM-centric, in-room briefings and book work they'll be doing for the first two weeks.

Since this year's 2024 Plebes will have immediate access to the internet and laptops, the whole "disorienting" time thing won't be the same which is strange to even think about compared to last year's Plebe Summer.

Please let your incoming plebes know that the class ahead of them (2023) is empathetic to their situation -- in so many ways, their experience will be just different and unique from all those that have come before. That said, they will get through it, thrive and the resiliency that they develop and refine because of it, will help make them even better leaders in the years to come! Finally, tell them that the youngsters genuinely can't wait to meet them at Hello Night!
 
ok, a confused parent here.
What is this "Disorienting" thing talked about?
 
During normal Plebe summer, Plebes are not allowed and don't have access to phones, computers, media. In addition, clocks within Bancroft Hall (our dorm) are covered or disabled. We have literally no idea what exact time it is at any given moment. We often don't know during Plebe Summer -- and are not told -- what the daily activity or lineup of events are going to be -- except for meals. We don't know exactly what time we will be woken up and because we don't have phones, clocks etc we can't set alarm clocks for example. Why would you want to set an alarm clock? Because an extra few minutes to go to the bathroom or shave or brush your teeth, or study your rates would be nice. During plebe summer -- you simply don't know what time it is or when things are scheduled for -- you simply go and do what you are told to do when you do it. That's the disorientation folks are referring to. Hope that helps :)
 
txfwindian said:
ok, a confused parent here.
What is this "Disorienting" thing talked about?
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Not knowing what time it is. No visual cues. Living from one moment to the next, do this, do that, pressure, pressure, no “Ah, we have about an hour to lunch, they have got to stop this soon.”
Same as no clocks in Vegas casinos, but for different reasons.
 
Capt MJ said:
Not knowing what time it is. No visual cues. Living from one moment to the next, do this, do that, pressure, pressure, no “Ah, we have about an hour to lunch, they have got to stop this soon.”
Same as no clocks in Vegas casinos, but for different reasons.
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so it's pressure for both plebes and their instructors ( detailers)
 
I wish :) The detailers know exactly what time it is and what the daily schedule is (so many moving parts, events, evolutions etc.) -- they just don't share that information with the plebes.
 
txfwindian said:
so it's pressure for both plebes and their instructors ( detailers)
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Detailers are under their own packload of pressure. They are just as exhausted each night from the responsibility of looking after the plebes. Voices are gone, a million admin things to do, meetings to attend, adjustments to make, keeping their own uniforms in tip-top shape, etc.
 
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