PS Questions for '27

Capt MJ is always on point! I recommend validating as much as you can because that just opens up opportunities for higher level classes or for you to start your major early. Also, you don't have to accept a validation if you don't want to.
The only caution is that if you feel you do not have a strong foundation in Calc or Physics, I recommend not validating. Both of those courses of study require solid foundations, and you will only hurt yourself if you do not have the fundamentals down before moving to advanced topics.
 
Love this thread and Panda's enthusiasm and attitude! Sounds A LOT like my DS. He's a 21' grad a SNA in Primary Flight School. We talk 2-3 times a week. MANY times, it starts with, "Now, Mom. You might think this is a bad thing...." but he stresses the lessons learned and the value of gaining knowledge. He grew up always hearing me say, "If you do your best, you can never be disappointed in yourself." Now I hear back, "I know I did my best. That's all I can do and whatever the outcome, it is going to work for me!"
 
Hello soon-to-be Plebes!

I'm a current plebe here at USNA (and almost a youngster!). Anyways, if you have ANY questions regarding plebe summer, plebe life, USNA life, etc. Please let me know! I do a bunch of ECAs here on the yard and am involved in my company. Ask away :) No question is a stupid one.
Can you test out of the swimming requirements?
 
Can you test out of the swimming requirements?
yes you can test out of the swim class each year. not sure what the time to get is though. my ds hasn't taken any semester swim class since he was a swimmer in high school.
 
yes you can test out of the swim class each year. not sure what the time to get is though. my ds hasn't taken any semester swim class since he was a swimmer in high school.
Do you just get an open block or do you have to take a different pe class?
 
@ParachutePanda During CVW my plebe advised to try and validate plebe boxing by doing boxing during the sports part of plebe summer. What do you think of this recommendation? Does this make sense to you?
 
@ParachutePanda During CVW my plebe advised to try and validate plebe boxing by doing boxing during the sports part of plebe summer. What do you think of this recommendation? Does this make sense to you?
I mean, you can totally. Boxing is a great way to stay in shape and I also think that's a good idea. Only 4 weeks of boxing instead of 8? Sounds like a good deal.

If you want to do another sport, go do that. You don't have to do boxing. During PS, sports period is your fun time during the day. If you don't like boxing or would prefer to not get punched in the face on top of being in PS, then don't. Again, up to you.
 
The thought process behind this, is that you will have LOT of pressure/usage/mileage on your feet. Constant. And not everyone’s foot is a good fit for the issued shoe.

A realllllllllly good idea, before PS, is to go to a professional running shoe store, and get professionally fit (they will take measurements, assess your stride, consider your foot structure (ie: high arches), and help find the best shoe for your specific foot. Vs a big box store that’s self service and you pick your own.

One of the best things you can do for your body is to have properly fitted shoes. And break them in before you report. Wear them in, and you will have them. Some people mail a second pair of the exact shoe, right away, so you will have another pair.

Alternating shoes daily will allow them to dry out properly. Yes, you can wear your own tennis shoes for PT. Other times, too.

One hint, is if the price at the shoe store is too high, get the info, and search online. Or maybe your store will price match. But it’s worth it to have good shoes.

Not to hijack the thread, but I take any opportunity to spread the word about proper shoes 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🏃🏻‍♂️
I can’t emphasize this point enough. I did not attend a SA, but I was issued ASICS in boot (no choice of course) and they destroyed my knees. It took the better part of 20 years to finally get my knees right.
 
@ParachutePanda During CVW my plebe advised to try and validate plebe boxing by doing boxing during the sports part of plebe summer. What do you think of this recommendation? Does this make sense to you?
Regular plebe boxing is like an hour or two per week for 8 or so weeks and while it is not everyone's cup of tea, it really isn't THAT BAD.
Personally, I think for someone who wants to avoid boxing, doing plebe summer boxing would be a step in the wrong direction as
it can get pretty competitive. Remember, these are people doing it as a sport, not just a class because you have to.
 
Regular plebe boxing is like an hour or two per week for 8 or so weeks and while it is not everyone's cup of tea, it really isn't THAT BAD.
Personally, I think for someone who wants to avoid boxing, doing plebe summer boxing would be a step in the wrong direction as
it can get pretty competitive. Remember, these are people doing it as a sport, not just a class because you have to.
Thank you for the advice. If I could trouble you for a little bit more; I have an interest in boxing, but no real experience to speak of, would doing it during plebe summer be unwise because of the people doing it for serious competition? Are these plebe summer sports beginner oriented or are they meant for people who are doing it as a sport outside of plebe summer?
 
Thank you for the advice. If I could trouble you for a little bit more; I have an interest in boxing, but no real experience to speak of, would doing it during plebe summer be unwise because of the people doing it for serious competition? Are these plebe summer sports beginner oriented or are they meant for people who are doing it as a sport outside of plebe summer?
I have a company mate who wanted to do it for fun during the summer, realized he liked it and ended up making it to the brigade boxing finals last week. Regardless of when you decide to take it, they will teach you the basics. Don't worry about the competition, you don't have to compete if you don't want to.
 
I have a company mate who wanted to do it for fun during the summer, realized he liked it and ended up making it to the brigade boxing finals last week. Regardless of when you decide to take it, they will teach you the basics. Don't worry about the competition, you don't have to compete if you don't want to.
But if you're doing Boxing-as-a-sport, you'll be boxing with many folks who aren't just there for a look-see.
You can also wait until regular plebe boxing class and then go out for boxing as a sport in later years. I good sailing friend who was a
2/C when I was a plebe decided to enter the Brigade competition as a Firstie and ended up in the finals going up someone who had
won the Brigade championship during their 4/C, 3/C and 2/C year. And he WON which denied someone winning the 4 time champ
award back when there had only been a very small number of them.
.
Bottom Line - you can go out for boxing any time - regardless of what you do plebe summer.
 
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