Questions for a Current Plebe

Do you know how many prior enlisted Marines are in this years class of plebes?

The 2018 class profile states 10 total USMC. 1 direct and 9 from NAPS. If it helps, this year's NAPS class (future 2019 class) only has 6 USMC.
 
The 2018 class profile states 10 total USMC. 1 direct and 9 from NAPS. If it helps, this year's NAPS class (future 2019 class) only has 6 USMC.

To be fair, the vast majority of Navy priors are coming from nuke school. So the numbers between Navy and Marine Corps priors who came from the fleet are close (also taking into account the size difference between the services).
 
What ECs and sports did you do in highschool? Community service? Do your class mates have similar or different ones? Did you take AP classes (if so, which)? Any other comments or advice would be helpful, thanks for doing this, really awesome, you don't have to answer all the questions as you're probably really busy! Thank You, once again!!!!
 
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Six week exams this week so forgive the plebes if they don't answer right away. My plebe played 2 varsity sports, earned national recognition in an ECA, took many AP classes and dual enrollment classes. It sounds like his classmates are all well accomplished in similar ways.
 
What ECs and sports did you do in highschool? Community service? Do your class mates have similar or different ones? Did you take AP classes (if so, which)? Any other comments or advice would be helpful, thanks for doing this, really awesome, you don't have to answer all the questions as you're probably really busy! Thank You, once again!!!!

I played two varsity sports, was the head of a ECA, lots of AP and duel credit courses, ect... This is standard of most of the plebes I've met.

Just try to do as much as you can while still keeping your grades up. A ton of activities won't offset low ACT/SAT scores or low grades.
 
There is a good point about six week exams. You should have strong time management skills and the ability to roll with the punches (and not get overly stressed about it) before I-day, and definitely before the AC year. For example, I had four of my exams today, the first of which was at 0655. Every week will have its ups and downs, and life here (so far) has been about coping with those rapid changes.
 
They fix you unless it is something that can't be fixed and is completely incompatible with military service (ex new onset seizures). You may become one who can only hold a "restricted line" or not deployable desk job but if they can retain you they generally do.

If you are sick you get medicine. Plebes this year have had pneumonia, broken bones, surgeries, torn tendons, etc. VERY few have been separated medically.
 
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^^^true to a point. There have been medical separations in the class of 2018 but those were pretty extreme cases.
 
Question for any plebe or parents of a plebe: how often do you call home? Are you allowed your personal cell? Also, how many hours of sleep do you get on an average week night?
 
This was our experience in 2014

Question for any plebe or parents of a plebe: how often do you call home? Are you allowed your personal cell? Also, how many hours of sleep do you get on an average week night?

My son (Class of 2018) did not have access to his cell phone during plebe summer except for the 3 designated phone call times. The phone calls were scheduled in 2 week intervals and the plebes had phone priviledges for 30 - 45 minutes (cant remember how long). Once the academic year began, his company allowed him full access to his phone with some restrictions about when and how he used it. Some companies are stricter than others so someone else may have had a different experience
 
After Plebe summer you are given your cell phone back and can use it pretty much whenever. During Plebe summer, it's locked up and given back to you during the 2 designated times you are given to call home. I speak to my parents at least 1x per week, texting more frequently.

Sleep? Never enough for my liking. Usually 7 hours max per night. I participate in a sport and sometimes get permission to turn in 30 minutes early. Everybody here is sleep-deprived.
 
My son (Class of 2018) did not have access to his cell phone during plebe summer except for the 3 designated phone call times. The phone calls were scheduled in 2 week intervals and the plebes had phone priviledges for 30 - 45 minutes (cant remember how long). Once the academic year began, his company allowed him full access to his phone with some restrictions about when and how he used it. Some companies are stricter than others so someone else may have had a different experience

My experience with my DS has been the same as Goldtrim. Honestly we text more than talk on the phone and the texting is pretty regular. I never call him, he calls me. I think only once did I send a text saying "nothing urgent, but call when you get a chance" and he did.

A current Plebe/Mid would have to speak to the number of hours of sleep. He has not actually spoken of lack of sleep, but he has most certainly taken advantage of the Saturday mornings that he had no obligations to sleep "late". His definition of "late" has changed, though! :wink:
 
As others have said, phone restriction varies somewhat between companies, as does whether or not you're allowed to have a facebook or other social media.

The bigger issue is probably whether or not you'll even be physically able to use your phone in your room. Personally, I can only receive text messages if I put my phone up to the windowsill in my room - I can't get any calls. If I want to talk I have to go outside. Other rooms have like 3 or 4 bars. It all depends on where you live.
 
I find myself leaning against a window to use my phone. As for sleep, you should try to go to sleep at 11. Although you can get a chit to stay up later, it only makes you less productive the next day. I generally aim for 6 hours of sleep a night, but it tends to decrease as your class load increases.
 
I get almost no service in my room, so I've been using google hangouts to call home. I try to call home most days, but sometimes I'm just to busy.

On sleep, I've been getting about 6 and a half hours a night when I'm lucky. You get used to being constantly exhausted.
 
Our experiences has been similar...primary mode of communication is text. He wasn't big on phone calls before going in so I wouldn't expect it now. We discussed with him at PPW that we are always here for him and thrilled to hear from him when he can but completely understand how busy he will be so have no expectations. I typically text a greeting early morning with something motivational/inspirational/scripture. I expect no response it's just my way of sending encouragement. Now and then I do get a "thanks" or love you too. Dad usually gets a text when something cool or exciting had happened usually late at night towards bed time. He reaches out to us for logistical things as needed, but not too often. There is never enough sleep but you learn to manage. Time management and juggling the volume of work on top of all the plebe requirements is challenging.


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Our experiences has been similar...primary mode of communication is text. He wasn't big on phone calls before going in so I wouldn't expect it now. We discussed with him at PPW that we are always here for him and thrilled to hear from him when he can but completely understand how busy he will be so have no expectations. I typically text a greeting early morning with something motivational/inspirational/scripture. I expect no response it's just my way of sending encouragement. Now and then I do get a "thanks" or love you too. Dad usually gets a text when something cool or exciting had happened usually late at night towards bed time. He reaches out to us for logistical things as needed, but not too often. There is never enough sleep but you learn to manage. Time management and juggling the volume of work on top of all the plebe requirements is challenging.


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My son isn't big on phone calls either! I may not ever hear from him lol! I am thankful for all of these responses. I have a competitive candidate to USNA and thinking about him possibly leaving the nest next July hurts this mom's heart!
 
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