Roller coaster II: Get Me (The Parent) Through Plebe Year Class of ‘25 🎢

Had a great time with DS over spring break, not sure in the future how many more spring breaks he'll be coming home for- we are grateful for the time together. DS elected USNA NOLS Alaska this summer over leave block, so it may be a while before he comes home again. We're looking at going to visit him during zero block, looking forward to that. Very excited for all the opportunities for all the Mids- Go Navy!
 
Parent1stTimer said:
Hi, I checked the acronym list and couldn't find what "MO" means. Could you translate?;)
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Movement Order. That is when midshipmen are away from USNA, usually as a team or for group training or for an event, on official business.

Usage: “Yeah, I’m gonna sign up for the MO to go to the Navy@Notre Dame game.”

Here’s the reg:
(This may not be the latest update, but the definition is sound enough.)

Here’s an example:
www.usna.edu

Movement Orders

Movement Orders page for YP Squadron at USNA.edu. Updated Wed Oct 18 13:05:44 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu
 
Don't Give Up the Ship said:
PRT= Physical Readiness Test. Everyone in the Navy does this. Midshipman do it twice per year, unless they Max out, then they are typically exempted from the next PST (and wear a gold wreath on their uniform). The few that max out the entire four years get a special award/recognition (I believe). Does anyone have info on what those that max the PRT for all four years earn?
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LOL…I thought the gold wreath on DS’s uniform was a USNA Christmas Season pin.
 
DS called home last night confirming his arrival back at Mother B. He had a long day after getting back to his room at 0215 and then wakeup at 0530. I did not ask how his roommates felt about him getting in at 0215.

He was very excited as he got his requested major. Also 2 other company mates will be in the same major so he is excited about that prospect as well. He is already looking at next semester classes and putting in his requests. The ship is definitely moving.

He has another busy week with MO for a trip Wed-Fri for a special event. While he does not look forward to making up missed work and lectures the event should be memory making.

Let the ride continue.

Go Navy
 
brewmeist said:
Mine isn't! He said he will be taking the PCA (?) on Thursday. He'll be doing the two day cram session tommorow and Wednesday. While I'm happy he shares these things with me, all I really wanted to know was if he saw any pretty girls on the beach during spring break.
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My son actually called and spoke to me for a few minutes last night. It is the PCA (Professional Competency Assessment). It's the upper class version of PROKNOW. Most cram for it because it is stuff they should already know. One more acronym for me to add to my list.
 
brewmeist said:
My son actually called and spoke to me for a few minutes last night. It is the PCA (Professional Competency Assessment). It's the upper class version of PROKNOW. Most cram for it because it is stuff they should already know. One more acronym for me to add to my list.
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How many times a year is PCA done for the upperclass?
 
brewmeist said:
My son actually called and spoke to me for a few minutes last night. It is the PCA (Professional Competency Assessment). It's the upper class version of PROKNOW. Most cram for it because it is stuff they should already know. One more acronym for me to add to my list.
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Do youngsters take it? DS hasn't mentioned that but he's got a lot going on right now.
 
justme said:
Definitely sounds like something they should avoid failing.
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Yowsers. Nice of ’25 to stop the roller coaster and allow ’24 an ’23 to hop on for a ride. Spring break has got to be a distant memory now that the midshipmen are back in the hopper. The PCA is yet another hurdle on the way to graduation and commissioning. I wish them luck after having read the notice.
 
I talked to my son today. His enitire company passed the 2/C PCA. Lots of happy Mids because they were told the test was made harder this year and the expectation was a 50% failure rate. So they were fed a line, or they were really prepared. Either way, they passed. That's all they care about!
 
DS made similar comments about the 3/C one. Supposedly around 90% passed, but they were expecting only 60% or so.

This means that more 2/C and 3/C have their normal allotted time back to harass plebes instead of studying for retest. So win/win.
 
12 weeks this week and 7 weeks till Herndon. The train is chugging along.

DS was struggling to figure out classes for next semester. He is Tier 3 major and validated a bunch of classes so he is ahead particularly in math. He was hoping to knock his last math class out next semester by taking Stats but the schedule is not working out. Someone suggested he take Diff EQ and he firmly responded "I am a Tier 3 major, Diff EQ would be the last path taken" :). I cant disagree with him, as a Mech Eng myself I have found zero use for my Diff EQ class, of course I only spent 5 years in engineering before making the jump to program management and leadership roles.
 
DS was informed last night that his company Plebes are changing rooms TODAY. His company typically had the Plebes rotate rooms and roommates four times-- after PS, halfway thru first semester, beginning of 2 semester and halfway through 2nd semester. Due to RoM conditions in Nov-Jan they did not move rooms so it was expected to occur after spring Alpha inspection but that move did not happen either.

DS figured with the recently announced Plebe company shuffle that perhaps they were in the clear. Not so and is working to move today! He did indicate his new roommate is a "great guy" so DS is good.

Just another reminder that this is N*ot College and embrace Semper Gumby.
 
So, DD has PROTRAMID in San Diego - being all new and interested in info before she apparently gets told. Where do they stay? Navy pays for it all? Flight there and back is paid but not to their home airport? Any info would be great! TIA
 
LS1988 said:
So, DD has PROTRAMID in San Diego - being all new and interested in info before she apparently gets told. Where do they stay? Navy pays for it all? Flight there and back is paid but not to their home airport? Any info would be great! TIA
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I am not sure the deadline to request alternative travel from or two hometown. But if already passed, your DD would be required to fly on Navy's schedule from Annapolis and back to Annapolis. Then would (assuming next block is leave) have private arrangements home. Last year, DS' flight to SD was delayed 6 days, causing 150 Mids to miss the first week. Flight back could be scattered over various days as well, so book flights home as flexible as possible,

They have to pay for extras (trip to zoo, ubers, etc) but general lodging was covered.
 
LS1988 said:
So, DD has PROTRAMID in San Diego - being all new and interested in info before she apparently gets told. Where do they stay? Navy pays for it all? Flight there and back is paid but not to their home airport? Any info would be great! TIA
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As with all things USNA, anything “official” is covered one way or another.

If your DD is like my DD, she’ll need to cover the cost of that trip to In-N-Out Burger immediately after disembarking from a weeklong training cruise up the coast. 🤗
 
Also San Diego Zoo is free for those with CAC (their USNA military ID).
Other places may offer this as well.
They may have time for themselves many times throughout the time they are there so spending money is needed.

Navy pays for all flights. They stay at the 32nd street naval base in provided barracks. They are fed while on base or when at Pendleton or on ships.

Prepare for any component of summer training to change up to the day of.

Also in the return to USNA our son’s group of 98 mids had a delayed flight and arrived at BWI at 2 am. Not enough USNA travel was present for all so Uber was needed for the final 6 ( DS was XO of his group so went with the last group and the gear) and he paid the $200 (plus generous tip for the driver who helped with huge gear bags) and filed for reimbursement which he received.
 
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