Roller coaster I: Get Us (The Parents) Through Plebe Year - Class of ‘26 🎢

She may change her mind after the sail to Boston. There are a few things better than taking a Navy 44 out in the Chesapeake, but I can't think of too many off hand. ;)
 
THParent said:
She may change her mind after the sail to Boston. There are a few things better than taking a Navy 44 out in the Chesapeake, but I can't think of too many off hand. ;)
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Starry skies overhead. The sense of accomplishment of actually navigating and sailing a sailboat as a team up the Bay, through the Canal and beyond to an historic city. People waving at you, happy to see Navy boats every summer. Finally having the Rules of the Road make sense in your head as you navigate water traffic. Standing a quiet night watch, hearing the susurration of the water along the bow and the creak of the rigging overhead, thinking “I’m tired, dirty, smelly, but this is unforgettable.”
 
For SOME weird reason, sailing block seems to have a bad rap. My Mid said the same thing. So did his friends on their rising youngster training block.

Guess what? He had the BEST time. One of his favorite memories as a now Firstie. We are land locked Midwesterners. And this was an amazing adventure for him. The pictures he sent were ahhhhhhmazingggg. And, he has some serious envy from his friends back home as a certified sailor.

Parent hack: we made a Facebook group for our fellow sailing parents. And shared photos we received, etc (with Mids permission, of course). Some parents were local to their ports, and would meet the boats and video, and share with our group.

Another interesting thing, was that they were treated quite well when in port. My Mids lunch tab was picked up, and he met and chatted with Curt Russell and Goldie Hawn during a meal in Marthas Vinyard.

It was a super neat experience, sailing ⛵️ up the ocean, past the Statue of Liberty, and other points of interest.

She will have a great time, and bring home awesome memories. And y’all can track them on the Marine Tracker app. Just make sure and turn off notifications, so the fog horn ALERT doesn’t shoot you out of bed (🤦‍♀️) unexpectedly 🫨
 
Our 24 wasn't really looking to his summer sailing block after a bad breakup. But, guess what? Best summer training ever. Sure, cramped, smelly, and close quarters, but amazing experience.

Sailing offshore with the stars, fishing, and eating freshly caught fish (he hates seafood, but said it was awesome). They sailed to Bristol, RI, and were hosted by local alumnus. They were the guests of honor at the Bristol Yacht Club for dinner. Did some bicycling around Block Island, and slept on the boat in the harbor.

Took turns making meals and coffee. Had some rough seas, roped in, and kept sailing North. On the return trip, sailed past the Statue of Liberty and under the Brooklyn Bridge. Incredible for a kid from a landlocked state. I tracked them on Marine Tracker, it always looked like they were going within 10 feet of massive container ships, but in reality, he assured me they maintained safe distances.

There was also a healthy competition to see which of the boats would reach various waypoints first.

The following summer, DS was invited out on a private good-sized sail boat by an alumnus. He was surprised at how much he had retained and the guy ended up saying DS showed him things he didn't know, gave him the helm and off they went.

Those kinds of memories are irreplaceable.
 
Also @Galwaygal, +1 to your DD for taking summer courses. DS took two first summer Block 1, and two, second block summer #2. Made lots of options available to him for a difficult major and a foreign language minor. He also enjoyed being on the yard over the summer and had some fun in DTA with friends.
 
I read somewhere that there is a rule or custom that if 3 (don't remember the exact number) or more MIDNS are in a dorm room they need an American flag displayed or it is considered "mutiny" and they can be punished. Is this true?
 
Alchemist said:
I read somewhere that there is a rule or custom that if 3 (don't remember the exact number) or more MIDNS are in a dorm room they need an American flag displayed or it is considered "mutiny" and they can be punished. Is this true?
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Longtime midshipman lore.

Supposedly, Instead of the flag, if everybody in the room takes off their shoes, it is also OK.
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There are many more out there if you look a bit.
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PS: I experienced MANY more than 3 in a room on a LOT of occasions and nobody was ever punished in any way. Heck,
Most of my 3/C year I was in a "double sized room" which could easily fit 4 or 5 living in it and the 3 of us who lived there
often had other mids in so 6 or more were a common occurrence.
 
Alchemist said:
Good idea. So the custom is true?
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I guess if someone enforces the myth, then it’s a reality for you.

You will learn, there is so much tradition/myth/legend/custom/ritual that will be part of your Navy life going forward, to embrace it. IOW, no harm in tossing in a little flag.

I do know they also sell them at the Mid Store.
 
justdoit19 said:
I guess if someone enforces the myth, then it’s a reality for you.

You will learn, there is so much tradition/myth/legend/custom/ritual that will be part of your Navy life going forward, to embrace it. IOW, no harm in tossing in a little flag.

I do know they also sell them at the Mid Store.
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I assumed if a tradition or custom it would give the detailers and upperclassmen the right to "punish" the ignorant plebes.
 
Capt MJ said:
The mids actually have to work to make the boat go; it’s not like getting on a bus and being ferried to PROTRAMID events or observing things, it’s DOING. You don’t do, you don’t move.
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My water-polo playing DS ('21) had never sailed before. After Plebe Summer he was hooked on sailing. He had Sailing Block 1 too, as a brand new Youngster. He took part in a RACE to Bermuda and it was the first time ONLY MIDSHIPMAN (no adult coaches on board) sailed! Incidentally, his ship WON that race and he STILL talks about all the amazing experiences during the race there, the fun times in Bermuda and the ride back. He ended up being on the Intervarsity Sailing Team for 2 years, even doing some instruction as well. ** I believe this race is held every other year. He raced in 2018. That would mean there will most likely be Navy 44's racing in 2024!
 
Alchemist said:
I assumed if a tradition or custom it would give the detailers and upperclassmen the right to "punish" the ignorant plebes.
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Yes. My point, was that they don’t HAVE to. But they could. And if they don’t, they will find something else to “punish” for.

It’s impossible to prepare for everything. Also fruitless. Bc it will happen no matter.

It’s getting close! So excited for everyone!
 
justdoit19 said:
Yes. My point, was that they don’t HAVE to. But they could. And if they don’t, they will find something else to “punish” for.

It’s impossible to prepare for everything. Also fruitless. Bc it will happen no matter.

It’s getting close! So excited for everyone!
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Detailers are masters at finding something. I made it through, so will they. We found a way to break down every Plebe at some point. They will spring back and be better every day.
 
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