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

Rarely27 said:
To many years worrying about grades, school schedules, sports registrations, no more
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I totally agree with this. And I'd also add "worrying about college apps, Navy app, and then after appt getting him off to Plebe Summer". But now that he is there, under guidance of USNA leadership, I can step aside and mentally relax. He's doing great so far which makes it is easy for me to step back and just respond when he reaches out. I'm leaving him to his own and I'm quite sure he'll do great.
 
Huursoldaat said:
I totally agree with this. And I'd also add "worrying about college apps, Navy app, and then after appt getting him off to Plebe Summer". But now that he is there, under guidance of USNA leadership, I can step aside and mentally relax. He's doing great so far which makes it is easy for me to step back and just respond when he reaches out. I'm leaving him to his own and I'm quite sure he'll do great.
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It’s for sure a transition period for parents!! And is different from regular college (I had two regular college, two at USNA). They are already in their ‘internship’ for their career (Big Navy) is how I explain it. And it makes sense that they take ownership, make decisions, working for their employer. Independence is part of the training.

It really is quite freeing, from a parenting perspective!! They are covered, from academic advisement, income, laundry, meals, mentorship, healthcare, dental care, and every single need they have. If they slip up? They are also covered. It’s very hard to ‘fail’.

But you are exactly right. Being their primary advisor for 18 plus years? It’s takes a minute to transition to a new role. Alongside them. But it’s soooooo freeing!!
 
Son is still awaiting his overnight approval. Per him, and his clarifications with his company advisors, a 3-day weekend makes an "overnight" an extended one where they can stay away longer. Hence the reason a lot of people are trying to take it this weekend (or Columbus Day in October) And per him, an overnight does extend the radius out to 150 miles versus the smaller radius of town liberty. **

Plan is for him to text after the game ends, then gets back to mother B, I pick him up, and he enjoys a bit of time away from the yard.

** Take nothing I post as rules/regs/requirements/approval for anything. Your mileage may vary. **

(And he got a 96% on his first Chem quiz, so classes looking good so far! Still early in the game).
 
I think they are 6-week ones now?? Basically two midterms and a final each semester?
 
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I have learned to say what my DS says all the time now - "Sounds like 'not my problem.'" Is this a Navy expression or something he picked up elsewhere? Try it - it's quite liberating (but it doesn't necessarily take overnight)
 
CPonn05 said:
Class act, the Piano Man's wisdom applies everywhere.
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Can you tell me more about the quote you have from 1st LT Manion? My son wears a bracelet that says that. He has worn it during Plebe summer even. What does that mean at USNA? Anything? Or just a great quote?
 
Parent1stTimer said:
Can you tell me more about the quote you have from 1st LT Manion? My son wears a bracelet that says that. He has worn it during Plebe summer even. What does that mean at USNA? Anything? Or just a great quote?
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1st Lt. Travis Manion was a Naval Academy graduate who unfortunately passed going out to retrieve one of his injured soldiers. His story is inspirational and honestly is what swung me to pursue an appointment at the Naval Academy. I'm unsure if I could encapsulate it like his sister Ryan Manion. I have the same bracelet and I've never taken it off. I'll link her explaining the mission of the foundation and his story.


www.travismanion.org

Travis Manion Foundation - "If Not Me, Then Who..."

Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) empowers veterans and the families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. In 2007, 1st Lt Travis Manion.
www.travismanion.org www.travismanion.org

Linked as well is the Travis Manion Foundation.
 
Parent1stTimer said:
Can you tell me more about the quote you have from 1st LT Manion? My son wears a bracelet that says that. He has worn it during Plebe summer even. What does that mean at USNA? Anything? Or just a great quote?
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‘If not me, then who? was something Travis said about why he served and was a guiding motto to his life. It’s actually something we said a lot around USNA and the Marine Corps. There Is a book called ‘Brothers Forever’ about Travis and his USNA room mate, Brendan Looney, SEAL, who was also KIA. They are now buried next to each other in Arlington.
 
Fellow Plebe Parents,
I'm not sure how well the info gets to the Plebes... If you chat with your Plebe let them know to stop by the NJ & South Eastern PA Parent Clubs tailgates after the game for Food at NJ & Desserts 🍰🍪🍮at the SEPA tent 😀😋 All MIDS are welcome and fed!
We'll be right off Taylor Ave near where they enter the stadium. I'll be helping setup the SEPA tent around 9am, should be a great day. Looking forward to catching up with DS Plebe.
 
Parent1stTimer said:
Can you tell me more about the quote you have from 1st LT Manion? My son wears a bracelet that says that. He has worn it during Plebe summer even. What does that mean at USNA? Anything? Or just a great quote?
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This tells you everything you need to know about how USNA people feel about Travis Manion and Brendan Looney.
Hint: grab a tissue.

parade.com

Brothers Forever: How Two Friends Came to Rest Side by Side at Arlington National Cemetery

When best friends Travis Manion and Brendan Looney died defending their country, their families honored their unbreakable bond in the most profound of ways: by
parade.com parade.com
 
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Capt MJ said:
This tells you everything you need to know about how USNA people feel about Travis Manion.
Hint: grab a tissue.

parade.com

Brothers Forever: How Two Friends Came to Rest Side by Side at Arlington National Cemetery

When best friends Travis Manion and Brendan Looney died defending their country, their families honored their unbreakable bond in the most profound of ways: by
parade.com parade.com
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Thank you all for responding. This is amazing and fills my heart up. Maybe that's why my MIDN 4/c is wearing that constantly. Glad they let him keep those words and understanding close to himself during all of the ups and downs of this journey. 💔💞🇺🇸
 
Pre-Covid, visiting Arlington with your classmates was one of the field trips (among others, including the Holocaust museum). And Travis and Brendan are honored (among others), graveside.

Their story gives me goosebumps. Brothers forever. And it touches upon the bonds that are formed with your company mates, that we can never fully understand as civilians. And that bonding begins plebe summer.

Even my boys’ long time BFF’s that they grew up with, are a different kind of bond than their company mates.
 
About a decade ago, I attended a USAFA/ARMY football game watch party at a sports bar in NH for both USMA and USAFA graduates and their guests. One family present had a DD, a Doolie, at USAFA. When I asked the parents how the DD was transitioning, they replied that she now referred to her squadron-mates as her "new family". Such an answer might surprise many parents, but it didn't surprise me. I also told the parents that when she graduates, she will have a closer bond with those classmates than any other peer group with whom she had been associated.

Personally, I bypassed my 50th high school reunion in favor of an event at USAFA to support our legacy class - the USAFA class of 2024. It was a good decision. My association with a class that would graduate 50 years after I did meant more to me than meeting my old high school classmates with whom I had relatively few common experiences.
 
IronmanDaremo said:
Son is still awaiting his overnight approval. Per him, and his clarifications with his company advisors, a 3-day weekend makes an "overnight" an extended one where they can stay away longer. Hence the reason a lot of people are trying to take it this weekend (or Columbus Day in October) And per him, an overnight does extend the radius out to 150 miles versus the smaller radius of town liberty. **

Plan is for him to text after the game ends, then gets back to mother B, I pick him up, and he enjoys a bit of time away from the yard.

** Take nothing I post as rules/regs/requirements/approval for anything. Your mileage may vary. **

(And he got a 96% on his first Chem quiz, so classes looking good so far! Still early in the game).
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Rockin' it! Love it!
 
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