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

[HopefulDad2026]

Son is looking decent so far for grades. Not where he wants, but is still doing alright after the 6 weeks.

Said this week is all about the buddy system. Can't even go to the head in the middle of the night without taking your buddy. And they have to carry their ProKnow books everywhere. Not sure if it is company-specific, or if it is all Plebes.

Blues , I think service dress and double covers all week for my DS’s company for lack of progress on signatures.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Uhhhhhh, how often are there "ground fighting" competitions between rival companies??

I just picture a West Side Story style rumble.

I think I've told the story before...but Army week (1981) , my Plebe year, we challenged our firsties to a "rumble" in one of the back shafts at the end of study hours. Said challenge was by way of a note, slipped under the door of First class Company Commander, and all of us Plebes were in on it.

Come the appointed hour, our entire Plebe Class (company) charged the appointed room (it was a first class room at the end of the shaft), and engaged the Firsties. Picture about 40-50 Midshipman "rumbling" in a 12x12 room, grappling, pink bellies and wedgies... Room got very hot and steamy with sweat in minutes,. All of a sudden, somewhat shouted STOP - one of my classmates was having convulsions on the floor. We cleared out, medical was called... he was taken to Sick Bay, He was okay, but of course, the involvement of Medical brought the OOD, who wasn't impressed with our judgment and we all went on restriction for the rest of Army week (I don't recall if was just the First Class and Plebes , or the rest of the Company as well -- the 3/C were pretty innocent, but I suspect that the rumble was "suggested" and encouraged by the Second Class.

I can't imagine what hand wringing went on behind closed doors between the Company Officer, Batt(0) and 'Dant's staff. On one hand is safety and judgment (by the way, it turns out the convulsions were not directly caused by the rumble, hitting head, choking out ,etc., but classmate had some other medical issues that were discovered), but on the other hand, this was truly a bonding experience and one of those things that make USNA N*T College. This rumble is still brought up at every Reunion ... and one of the memories I have when I often say here that the Midshipman sense of what's fun may be different than State U.

 

[george44]

this was truly a bonding experience and one of those things that make USNA N*T College. This rumble is still brought up at every Reunion ... and one of the memories I have when I often say here that the Midshipman sense of what's fun may be different than State U.

What a good memory and bonding for your mates.

Since this topic was brought up, I asked my DS how often does he ground fights (yes, I saw posts and look the other way). He replied all the time last year (plebe) but not anymore this year! And I couldn't help myself and asked did you get hurt? ... I could feel his eyes roll back into his head when he replied we are ground fighting.

 

[Usnavy2019]

For those curious on ground fighting:

Ground fighting is done throughout Plebe Year to introduce Plebes to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) and also foster esprit de corps amongst companies and Battalions. Battalions will have FEXs (Field Exercises... a bunch of physical/combat oriented evolutions to foster teamwork, confidence, and endurance). This is all in preparation for Sea Trials. Some Battalions will also do a spring FEX called Ice Trials. Sea Trials staff starts preparing early in second semester and Ice Trials allows staff to test out different evolutions. It also gives company training staffs leadership experience in motivating plebes through hours of field evolutions.

Anyway, back on topic:
Ground fighting goes away mostly after plebe year. Upperclass will experience it again in their martial arts classes for PE. 3/C has basic martial arts and 2/C has advanced. Up until 1/C year, the PE split is one semester of swimming and one semester of combat fitness (boxing, wrestling, martial arts, and personal conditioning). 1/C year is focused on lifetime activities such as kayaking, golf, rock climbing, tennis, etc. First aid and more advanced MCMAP classes are also available to meet the requirement. The extra MCMAP classes allow Marine aspirants/selects to begin working on their belts. Like other martial arts, the USMC has different color rigger belts that Marines wear with their cammies to show skill level.

 

[KB7801]

Saw my plebe last weekend. Asked him why he had a sore / scab on his neck the size of a quarter… groundfighting! Says they groundfight every Wednesday and he loves it…
Now he has a chit for light activity due to a possible rib fracture… but that was from boxing

 

[Dr. Strange Love]

Saw my plebe last weekend. Asked him why he had a sore / scab on his neck the size of a quarter… groundfighting! Says they groundfight every Wednesday and he loves it…
Now he has a chit for light activity due to a possible rib fracture… but that was from boxing

.
Really cool

My two older brothers put boxing gloves on me then knocked me down … it taught me to appreciate the sport.
.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Nice visit from the dude this weekend. He spent most of it with his girlfriend, but heard a few fun stories.

Said he has it where his squad leader has a hard time keeping a straight face when she looks at him. But he's still having a challenge cracking up the platoon commander.

They did a room change, and he's back with one of his roomies from the summer. Brought some stuff home that he doesn't need anymore to save some storage space in his room.

He definitely appreciates the year of "normal" college and NROTC before coming to the Academy. He was surprised by the amount of people who are overwhelmed by the time management challenges. He said last year really made a difference in his ability to juggle things. It certainly isn't all easy, but the skills he picked up last year have really helped.

 

[JudgeGuy]

A certain other company stole the company croquet mallets from the Clubbers. Reciprocity commenced with the Clubbers winning. They got "carry on" for the day today as a result.

(My son was out of it because of a stomach bug, so couldn't join in the festivities).

He's taking a weekend to come home for the littlest dude's (his now 4-year old brother) birthday party. Should be fun!!

Yeah something creeping through the halls... Son & a roommate were semi-quarantined yesterday due to 3rd roommate having the Flu. Said he was hoping to be cleared this morning.

 

[Huursoldaat]

Yeah something creeping through the halls... Son & a roommate were semi-quarantined yesterday due to 3rd roommate having the Flu. Said he was hoping to be cleared this morning.

Yesterday was the first day since Plebe summer that DS didn't cough while we were talking to him. Hopefully the bridage is getting used to each other's germs and healthy times are ahead.

 

[justme]

Yeah something creeping through the halls... Son & a roommate were semi-quarantined yesterday due to 3rd roommate having the Flu. Said he was hoping to be cleared this morning.

It seems something is creeping around everywhere. Not quite flu, not covid. just some virus that is annoying and easily spread apparently.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Yeah, our whole house is sick (4 of us, not including plebe). Tested a few people, and not COVID.

Another topic .... son said 12 week exams are coming up at the end of the month, which is only two weeks away! He said time is flying.

 

[Huursoldaat]

He said time is flying.

My son said the same thing. There is so much going on they have no time to be bored.

 

[Parent1stTimer]

Yeah, our whole house is sick (4 of us, not including plebe). Tested a few people, and not COVID.

Another topic .... son said 12 week exams are coming up at the end of the month, which is only two weeks away! He said time is flying.

I think my son is finally over chits. He is trying to work through anything without going on one again. (injury, bronchitis, pneumonia, Covid, injury etc) I get it - pressure from company. I just hope that he continues safely. Seems like the purpose is to wear them down and have them get sick and see how much they can get done that way! Ugh! But time keeps flying by for them - fall colors in full spectrum! Hopefully they can get out and enjoy some fresh air and sun before the dark ages!

 

[ProudPapa26_28]

What could be going around is the fallout from the mandatory flu shots.

 

[dav1y]

Roommate had the flu last week, I just got it today Definitely something going around since there's always been been someone SIQ in all of my classes. Definitely could be the flu shots + the colder weather

 

[Usnavy2019]

SIQs also tend to increase coming back from leave periods. Most go out and bring back germs new to Bancroft with them. With Bancroft's propensity to spread illnesses, you hear a lot of sneezing/coughing during Reform.

 

[Capt MJ]

I diagnose it as Three-Day Weekenditis. Imported bugs.

 

[justdoit19]

4,400 people sharing the same HVAC system? It happens.

My (now) Ensign coughed for 4 years. Healthy as a horse, now.

It’s all good. Builds character. Actually builds immunity….but character, too.

 

[LT360]

4,400 people sharing the same HVAC system? It happens.

My (now) Ensign coughed for 4 years. Healthy as a horse, now.

It’s all good. Builds character. Actually builds immunity….but character, too.

Good to hear. During our visit, DS just seemed to have a slight nagging cough. I asked about him taking OTC for his indoor/seasonal allergies and he swore was taking them. I wanted to debate him on that but he shut me down and said the cough was not slowing him down and was not unusual.

Too bad we cant get a a few bucks from Congress to get the air cleaner in old Mother B.

 

[ders_dad]

4,400 people sharing the same HVAC system? It happens.

Inevitable, I suppose, with that many people in a single building, swapping air - but USNA is not alone. My DS is doing a semester at a NATO country's naval academy this fall. Almost everyone there was SIQ a couple weeks ago because the water supply was contaminated by bacteria. He said there was a long line for the head (and not everyone made it). Another character building experience.