Sponsor Program

[Capt MJ]

A perfect Annapolis weekend day has begun:
- Weather is sunny, pleasant, low humidity.
- Rolled out with the boxers for a 0600 walk around Farragut Field on the Yard, enjoying the still waters and cool morning.
- Stopped at Naval Bagels.
- Plans for lunch at Cantler’s with a ‘01 sponsor alum and fiancée. This alum is now a kick-a$$ agent with an ABC agency, doing Interesting Work.
- Will hit the Amish Market afterwards.
- Picked up the Eastern Shore white corn at the farmstand for dinner tonight, with whatever is going on the grill.

I only mention this because of the best part of the day - a beloved sponsor alum currently assigned to the West Coast dedicating time to come down and see us. The sponsor family thing often turns out to be a lifelong association, a wonderful part of our lives.

 

[NavyHoops]

Capt MJ is making me envious. A great Annapolis Saturday. I just made plans for a trip to an adjacent state to visit two of my closest buddies who happen to be classmates. They finally live within driving distance. One was my sponsor brother. I am pretty excited for the trip. I type this waiting at the airport for my USNA room mate’s teenage daughter to arrive to go check out a few colleges this weekend and Mom & Dad to get a small summer break. They definitely are lifelong relationships.

 

[justdoit19]

A perfect Annapolis weekend day has begun:
- Weather is sunny, pleasant, low humidity.
- Rolled out with the boxers for a 0600 walk around Farragut Field on the Yard, enjoying the still waters and cool morning.
- Stopped at Naval Bagels.
- Plans for lunch at Cantler’s with a ‘01 sponsor alum and fiancée. This alum is now a kick-a$$ agent with an ABC agency, doing Interesting Work.
- Will hit the Amish Market afterwards.
- Picked up the Eastern Shore white corn at the farmstand for dinner tonight, with whatever is going on the grill.

I only mention this because of the best part of the day - a beloved sponsor alum currently assigned to the West Coast dedicating time to come down and see us. The sponsor family thing often turns out to be a lifelong association, a wonderful part of our lives.

Do you actually get any walking in? With those beautiful puppers? I know my
Mid would want some kisses if he saw them [emoji170]! Altho maybe they are sleeping still there early? Hahahha good one I suspect.

Seriously, beautiful animals you have there. I know DS misses his 120#, four legged spooner a lot. She gets the first hugs (mostly because she has no manners and cannot contain herself and about knocks him over) when he arrives home.

 

[timpaul31]

@Temple17

Glad you have good sponsors, nice post, great gouge from a current mid.

@sophieee

Speaking as a long-time sponsor...

You are in control of where you spend your leave and liberty time. A sponsor family is just another option for you. We have hosted many Thanksgiving “orphans,” for whom travel home was too expensive or too far.

You may find the right fit with your sponsor family, or not. If it doesn’t feel comfortable to you, just be polite and respond to emails with appropriate appreciation. You may find yourself “adopted” by a friend’s sponsor family, where, in the words of Goldilocks, it feels “just right.” We have had many adoptees over the years.

There are different styles of sponsoring. We live 8 miles from Gate 8 and can offer rides, nap-worthy sofas, ears that have heard a lot, upperclass mids and visiting alumni sponsor family who come by the house and are a source of info and support, home-cooked meals, quiet places to be alone, cool sheets, dogs on demand to snuggle with, the famous Cookie Locker and at least 5 flavors of ice cream at all times and most importantly, a tankless hot water heater, which heroically supports non-stop long mid showers and laundry on weekends.

If your sponsor is non-responsive, and sadly, as this is a volunteer program, there are some who sign up and then ghost their mids or seem to think it’s a free baby-sitting or labor service, you can drop by or email the sponsor office to request another. We have taken in plebes later in the year when the sponsor office asks.

As I noted, you are in control of your time and how you spend it. You may find your sponsors become a second family, and you are still visiting them 20 years from now when you are back for a reunion, or having them at your wedding. Or you may occasionally come over, but spend liberty time in other ways and with new friends. You will figure it out, as thousands have before you.

Two weeks from now, a sponsor alumni daughter is visiting with her 4 kids and USAF husband while they take them to DC monuments and museums. This week, we’re going to the Pentagon to the promotion ceremony for a sponsor daughter attaining the rank of Navy Captain, our first to attain that rank. On Mother’s Day, an alumni sponsor son and his wife are taking us out to dinner, as both have lost their mothers. We have 3 weddings to attend this year of alumni sponsor sons and daughters. This is one of the most enriching experiences of our lives, and we so enjoy the expanded family created by our sponsor experience.

Be open to new adults in your life, figure out what feels right to you, be adult in your dealings with sponsors, and all willl be well.

I have a quick about this Capt MJ -- paultimothyd@gmail.com -- Tim Paul USNA '10 -- if you have a second. Thanks!