PS First Letter vs. First Call (Same or Different?)

USNA 19 DAD

USNA 19 DAD

5-Year Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2015
Messages
184
When we received our DS's first (only) letter we were very happy to hear that all was well, and that he was really having a great time. He himself added the caveat that it was "only 3 days in" at the time of the letter so we were wondering if he would be singing a different tune when he called home for the first time. Needless to say when the phone rang at 1:20 and his name came up on the caller ID we took a deep breath. What a relief! He advised he is still having in a great time, learning so many new things, and making some great friends. He complained about the heat, and that he is soaking wet in sweat all day every day. Said his Detailers "are not the nicest", but thinks other companies have it worse. He said that his actually back off a bit at lunch, which he liked.

I could go on, but was wondering if anyone's DS/DD's letter vs. call was vastly different? Good luck to all of your families/ Plebes. PPW will soon be upon us.
 
Glad you got the first call! And just think it was around 10 years ago they got AC in another B!

I actually think the next week or 2 of PS tend to be the hardest. Not quite seeing the light at the tunnel, tired really sets in, some of the nicer things like validation tests that take hours are now done which means more detailer time, and the unknown of second set detail. The beginning of second set is nerve wracking. They have gotten to know how to perform for first set and the expectations. Second set is a total unknown. But second sets job is to now build them back and get them ready to integrate into the Brigade.

Oh and for folks who start to hear about Plebe Hack in the coming weeks, don't worry, it happens every year. Your kids may lose their voice or sound pretty bad on the phone. Medical knows how to handle it and Detailers will get them to medical if it advances beyond anything more than the hack. Part of the deal with putting 1200 people from all the country in one large barracks, constantly sweating and going in and out of AC.

Glad you got the first calls! I am sure it was relief.
 
Thanks Navy Hoops. Perhaps I will not look to PPW just yet, and concentrate on the next phone call ;).
 
My Plebe has some kind of Plebe virus. He called it a "cold", but he's spent three days resting and been running temps near 104 degrees. That's a pretty mean Plebe Hack. I think his platoon is going to the "confidence course" today. I hate thinking he will either miss that or be rather weak while there. It looks like something he would have enjoyed. Navyhoops, will they have multiple chances to go to the confidence course?
 
He has the hack SDMom. They will all get it. Fever won't last too long, but the coughing, hoarse voice and congestion will last awhile. Half of them will sound horrible Parents Weekend. Don't worry, we all had it. Confidence course is usually only done once during the summer. If I remember right they will do the Obstacle Course (O Course), Endurance (E Course) and Confidence Course each once during the summer. It is over at the Naval Station across the river so logistically it takes a little bit to get them there and back. Confidence Course if I remember right is alot of ropes and heights. We actually didn't have this when I was there, but I did it several times in the USMC. It isn't that cardio demanding. Detailers know if a Plebe is really sick and will watch them. Remember its their job to. This is part of their leadership and training as an upperclass. They know the kids who are just looking for an out and those who are legitimately sick. Hopefully he is on the up swing and getting past the fever. Once that is over is with it is just dealing with the coughing that seems to never end.
 
So far so good from my plebe- we have had three letters and phone call- all positive- very happy; making new friends- platoon is great.
DS says composition of his platoon is helping as 1/3 are NAPS, prior enlisted, or prior college NROTC (my DS was re-applicant)- so it is creating lower maintenance needs for the detailers. He reports he is getting "detailer-light" but is not complaining, and his experienced platoon mates, himself included, are helping out their newbies. Thankfully DS passed first fitness test but he had been hard at work on that for some time.

When he was in basic training in NROTC in college, I texted him a quote every day for 6 weeks. something about perseverance, patriotism ,bravery, naval history etc. I was like- all over this for plebe summer! He said- mom, if you send me quotes in the mail every day- I am going to be targeted by the detailers for being a "momma's boy" . I said- OK :frown:. Second letter, he was writing "Mom- where are my quotes?" I just sent him a calendar of them (see below). The stained glass window was one of my quotes from last year- and when I found it at the USNA chapel- I took a picture and used it!

All's well!

315[/ATTACH]Slide1.jpg
 
Last edited:
How did your Plebe's second phone call home go? DS has the hack and had a bad reaction to a immunization shot. Members of his platoon/company said he looked like the walking dead! Other than that, he's upbeat and fine! Said he's looking forward to PPW! We are too!
 
Everything was positive from my Mid. He says the incoming detailers are not only coming down on them when they make a mistake but praising them when they do something well. The only thing he mentioned that concerned me was that there were bedbugs, not in his room but somewhere close to him...yikes
 
Second sets job is to build them back up. So they will get more praise this set. After parents weekend they real focus on moving rooms, text book issue, school inform prep, class schedules, computer issue. Second set focuses on preparing them to be a member of the Brigade. First sets job was to break them down, make them learn how to work as a team, and take away old habits essentially.

I hate to say it but bed bug outbreaks have happened the last few years at USNA. Actually this happens at plenty of other schools too. Have thousand of kids who go all over for a few months and on weekends and they bring them back. We had an out break a few times when I was there. Every few years them seem to pop up. I used to travel extensively for work and know they were on the rise in general across the country so no surprise a dorm with over 4000 people get them too. Detailers will work with the staff to get rid of them.
 
We also had DS' second call today- he was upbeat- although his new detailers are tough, he feels he is doing well. 100% happy he is there rather than getting ready to start sophomore year of college- so that was great-
He warned me 1) not to send anymore food, he is giving it away and still has more than he can eat- so no more Costco runs for now! 2) not to expect many letters in the last two weeks- new detailers are tough and he will have little time.

I am OK with trickle of letter as long as I know he is on track and things are well.
 
Call from DS went great. All is well, and still thrilled to be there. When DW asked DS where her letters are (we only got 1 so far), DS replied "They are coming mom, but it takes me like 4 days to finish a letter sometimes." Guess he is a little busy or something. ;)
 
jsmom: I remember all the beautiful stained glass at the Chapel but just can't remember where that one is. The four years goes by pretty fast. DD is now Marine Captain and Husband is a deployed Marine Aviator. They were married in the Chapel last year and everyone was amazed at how beautiful it was and how well run by the volunteers. Like they do about ten a day! I think they will see each other for about fifteen days this year. It's not great but they knew what they had in front of them.
 
I only visited the Chapel on the day prior to I-day- it was my first time through= and when I saw that panel-well, it was like a sign that all was well.. and I had to take a photo on my phone. It was the first text quote of my son's NROTC basic training last year. I used it for my whole quote calendar (but modified it at times to fit the quote! see below:rolleyes2:)

Slide1.jpg
 
I tried to make some quotes to lift his spirits hence the movie reference, which was one of his favorites:)
 
The books are all favorites of my children and myself. We used to fight over who got to read each new one when they first came out. Since they were in school I got the first issue for myself. Aragorn was a philosopher. Easter Service at the Chapel is something not to be missed. Good luck to you and yours. Also try Halloween night if you get the chance. Tickets go fast but they say it is a great show.
 
Last edited:
The day we visited the Chapel, there was also a Catholic mass we were able to attend in the small chapel. The chaplain's sermon was something special, which also made me feel DS was in good hands all around.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top