Roller coaster I: Get You (The Parents) Through Plebe Year - Class of ‘29 🎢

ADF said:
Will the Alumni Association Photo Program be able to capture those moments that Thornton can't?
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Yes. But, they do not photograph every plebe, every company, every evolution (think ropes course. Sailing). It’s run a bit differently (lots of ‘independent’ photographers who capture different things and provide photos for the program). Vs Thornton who is set up to do every company, every plebe.

Different ways of doing things. Thats why subscribing to both programs is the best way to get photos.
 
Parents/guardians/family/friends: enjoy your calls tomorrow. Answer unidentified numbers. Sometimes there is an issue and detailers provide their own phones for a plebe to use.

Don’t be alarmed if the call comes late. It happens.

I personally recommend putting your plebe on speaker, and record the call. You will be emotional, and most likely won’t remember what’s actually said.

Your plebe may also be emotional!! It’s their first contact with the “outside world”. Hang in there. It’ll be ok. Listen. Encourage. If they are struggling ask them to visit with the chaplains. One of mine went that route and they are amazing.

Also know that whatever they say to you tm will most likely be resolved by the next letter or call home.

This call may be one of the most prideful, or most difficult you’ll have. Hang in there. Tell them they can do this if they are struggling. It’s an emotionally charged time. I still recall both of my guys first calls home!! All these years later.

It’s a great call. It goes fast. Thinking of y’all. Be strong, and lean on your other class parents or the SAF. Yall got this!! It’s amazing 🫶🏻
 
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justdoit19 said:
Also know that whatever they say to you tm will most likely be resolved by the next letter or call home.
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Got letter #1 today from DS and was actually two letters. The one from IDay+1 was less than positive. Then, another in the envelope from 2 days later was glowing and excited. It feels like the pressure cooker of PS can change emotions on a dime…
 
Acunaalbies said:
Got letter #1 today from DS and was actually two letters. The one from IDay+1 was less than positive. Then, another in the envelope from 2 days later was glowing and excited. It feels like the pressure cooker of PS can change emotions on a dime…
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Yep. This is a great example.

Seriously, some may get phone calls that when the parent hangs up, they are certain their plebe is leaving. And mom and dad are frantic.

BUT….

Moments later, the crisis has passed for the plebe. But unfortunately mom/dad are left with that last contact. So, parents, don’t worry or fret. They have their mates and will work through their stuff.

Listen. Say “I understand”. “ You are so brave”. “ I have faith in you!” “Hang in there, you are MY HERO”. Then commiserate with your partner after the call.

Others will have fantastic calls.

Both are normal. Neither are indicative of their 4 yrs at USNA. And all make for good stories and memories ♥️
 
Just got a phone call from DS. He didn’t sound well, he said he has been SIQ for a couple of days from problem with his foot. He talked about he might not make it. My heart is overwhelmed with concern, he was so excited and motivated on I-day. I’m just at lost and really don’t know if he will make it through plebe summer. Not a phone call I expected. It’s really hard and depressing 😢
 
Sorry to hear that @SJLOFTH , I know it's tough but try to "trust the process". Not down playing his concern or stress one bit...but do know that they truly want them all to make it through to academic year and will do everything they can for him. Hopefully things turn around and you'll have a letter in a week with a different emphasis. It's very very hard to not be there and help them...we feel that over here too.
 
SJLOFTH said:
Just got a phone call from DS. He didn’t sound well, he said he has been SIQ for a couple of days from problem with his foot. He talked about he might not make it. My heart is overwhelmed with concern, he was so excited and motivated on I-day. I’m just at lost and really don’t know if he will make it through plebe summer. Not a phone call I expected. It’s really hard and depressing 😢
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Sorry to hear. Hang in there. Send him a care package, it will make you feel better. Injuries happen, he certainly isn't alone. I hope you hear better news soon.
 
SJLOFTH said:
Just got a phone call from DS. He didn’t sound well, he said he has been SIQ for a couple of days from problem with his foot. He talked about he might not make it. My heart is overwhelmed with concern, he was so excited and motivated on I-day. I’m just at lost and really don’t know if he will make it through plebe summer. Not a phone call I expected. It’s really hard and depressing 😢
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You are the only safe place he can voice that. Most often, these are transitory feelings. It’s up and down all day long.

Just mm-hhmmm and say all the recommended things involving love, trust, confidence, etc.
 
Sorry for the difficult call. Stress type injuries are common. They will be well cared for. Beyond the injury, there is often the feeling of ‘letting your mates down’ bc that camaraderie to work as a team is that strong!! Additionally, there is the disappointment of not being able to ‘do the cool stuff’ like ropes courses, etc, if restricted.

One of mine dealt with all of that, having covid and being sick the whole summer. He felt like he was a drain in his company. And everything g else I mentioned above.

The physical struggle was real. Them mental was even tougher. And it was so hard for mom and dad I get it!!

But, guess what? He powered through. And the mental grit he developed has helped him face other challenges and overcome them.

So as much as this is difficult, it’s also a blessing. It’s sharpening him into an even better Officer.

His physical health will be managed. And they won’t kick him out just bc he is injured. Hold tight, stay strong, look forward and wait for the next letter.

Praying for him to heal up ASAP!! You are not alone 🫶🏻
 
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Got off the phone with DD🥺😢. Other than overtly emotional because she hasn’t received any of our letters and the 2 care packages we sent last week, she is hanging in there. We’ve had a hard time with USPS because they say upon receiving packages, “That is not an address” but they send them anyway. I was able to check tracking and one of the packages says “delivered to facility” in Annapolis, and it was sent last Monday priority.

I read in a different post that there is a lot of mail being delivered and detailers are trying their very best and I believe it. Any tips on how to explain to USPS or ensure I am doing the right thing so my letters and packages arrive?

My DD said everyone in her squad had received their mailing except for her.

For reference this is the format I am using

MIDN 4/C First and Last Name
USNA CLASS 2029
(Letter) Company, (Number) Platoon
Annapolis, MD 21412

Thanks!
 
YES, YES, YES! and you are your son’s "Safe Place".

SJOFTH, I am sure are close to your son. He finds himself in a “Scary Place” where he feels like he is "alway being watched” and he “can’t show any weakness”……these are the words of my own DD in 2015. 75% of his buddies feel the same way; as your son, and he has an injury to-boot.

Now, your son gets a chance to talk to the people he knows love him most and HE CAN LET GO to express some of the fear he feels…..that most of a plebe class feels at this point in PS.
NOTE, this is a dynamic that will survive PS. Expect to hear from your Mid when he/she is scared, angry, tired, lonely and needs to vent to their core support people………..they don’t stop laughing with their buddies to call and tell your they are having fun,

I’m sure frustration and pain associated with a foot injury played into his need to let some feelings out to you. To that point, the USNA is already invested in your son’s success. They have ZERO interest in “weeding out plebes”, and they have vast experience dealing with Plebe Summer injuries.

My suggestion: Pen a short snail mail note that says if he needs to bail;….. some time life goes that way, you will still be proud of him and back him 100% in the next mountain he chooses to climb. But, you are betting that he makes it through Pebe Summer and you're doing some preliminary planning for PPW………which is only X weeks away.

Please let the board know how your DS does. Best to you.

BTW: 10 years ago in her first letter home from PS my DD wrote: “ I will make it through this year, but in the summer I want to re-think this whole NAVY thing”. Today and she says USNA was the single best decision she ever made.
 
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ADF said:
Got off the phone with DD🥺😢. Other than overtly emotional because she hasn’t received any of our letters and the 2 care packages we sent last week, she is hanging in there. We’ve had a hard time with USPS because they say upon receiving packages, “That is not an address” but they send them anyway. I was able to check tracking and one of the packages says “delivered to facility” in Annapolis, and it was sent last Monday priority.

I read in a different post that there is a lot of mail being delivered and detailers are trying their very best and I believe it. Any tips on how to explain to USPS or ensure I am doing the right thing so my letters and packages arrive?

My DD said everyone in her squad had received their mailing except for her.

For reference this is the format I am using

MIDN 4/C First and Last Name
USNA CLASS 2029
(Letter) Company, (Number) Platoon
Annapolis, MD 21412

Thanks!
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If that is her correct platoon and company, she will get them.

BTW USPS will show delivered in the tracking, when they are received at USNA sorting facility (who receives all packages). The bottleneck is getting stuff sorted and out to detailers to pick up.

I would bet money she has stuff by the next correspondence. A hack: number you letters on the outside, sequentially, so she knows which is 1st, etc when she get a bunch.

I also am confident her roominess are sharing their care packages with her, if they are receiving theirs.

Detailers look out for this stuff. There will be kids who get nothing from home. For various reasons. Which is mentally taxing. There are programs for these plebes. Formal and informal. They won’t be left out.

Kinks will be unkinked by nexts comms, I bet. And at some point most will tell their families to stop sending stuff as they have no room ♥️

Great stuff today. Thinking of all of our forum families and their people. There is nothing like a plebe summer!!
 
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SJLOFTH said:
Just got a phone call from DS. He didn’t sound well, he said he has been SIQ for a couple of days from problem with his foot. He talked about he might not make it. My heart is overwhelmed with concern, he was so excited and motivated on I-day. I’m just at lost and really don’t know if he will make it through plebe summer. Not a phone call I expected. It’s really hard and depressing 😢
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For what it’s worth, I told my son before he left not to be shy about leaning on his roommates, squad, platoon etc. if he needed to. I also told him to succeed, but to help others while doing so. So many of these plebes will hit a wall at some point. They have a new family there, a family that won’t leave them behind, a family that will stick together. There’s no way my son is going to let your son give up without one hell of a fight. I’m sure tons of parents have instructed their plebe to help out anyone who seems to be struggling with the environment. In short, my kid has your kid’s back and I’m assuming that is mutual, even universal. Hang in there. My call here went pretty well, but my DS conceded that his feelings about the experience have been riding a see-saw from minute to minute, hour to hour. Teamwork wins, and we all know he is on a pretty amazing team. Best of luck, but with those 1200 gifted plebes supporting your son, I don’t think you’ll need any luck at all.
 
Sending hugs for those whose call was an emotional unload from their Plebe 😑. That's really hard, but they did it and they got through today and hearing your voice probably gave them a huge uplift, you just don't get to see it!

They will bond and work as a team, just takes time. Our daughter said the Napsters & prior enlisted in her company are amazing, they've done this before and help show them the way.

Our daughter was telling us that the fireworks on 4th of July were so much fun....when a detailer yelled ".....Fun (insert last name) there is no fun in Plebe Summer! (insert last name) you are going down when you get off that phone." You could almost hear the tongue in check smirk, because they all had a good time at fireworks....Response "Sir Yes Sir". 😝

Older Sibs on the call were horrified...she was like yeah, but they are really good detailers...then "Hey Sports start tomorrow (Monday) that will mean less 'Gray Space' Yeah! "

Hang in there everyone, it's one day at a time!
 
This is why this thread gets created. No one knows what it's like as a parent unless you've been there or experienced it (or, been a Mid, or cadre/officer/enlisted associated with the Academy). So many emotions you have to wrestle with each and every week.

I'm right there with you in spirit as I got the phone call from younger Mid-sib on Thursday which consisted of exactly these words, " Hi, it's A----. I've successfully arrived at basic training. Goodbye." We'd been used to getting a call on Sunday afternoon while he was still in "reception" for the last few weeks. No call today. 😭
 
Our DS called us today. He’s sounded good but is injured and afraid that he will get rolled. He said he was doing great but got a stress fracture in his ankle and cant drill. Hes been on a boot for a week and will be in one until the end of July.
He’s and accomplished swimmer so they have him doing PEP with the SEALs in the water every morning instead of with his platoon. He said it’s hard but fun. It told him that is a great sign. Not everyone gets to train with the SEALS. It may not be what he imagined but it may end up making him more resilient and a better leader if he makes it through.

I know he has to pass a few milestones in order to graduate and most of the items I saw were academic which shouldnt hold him up. He’s already passed initially PRT so I’m assuming that will count and he can do most of the martial arts training minus the contact. He might be healed enough before the end of PS to do the E course ans O course.

I know he’s not the first plebe in this situation. Although it’s not the picture perfect plebe summer he imagined, my gut tells me he may be able to grit out the setbacks and can still graduate assuming he shows the right attitude and that he wants it. Is this wishful thinking on my part?
 
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