Thanksgiving weekend - what plebes do?

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F4EF15

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My DS is preparing the MARSOT Screener test so it sounds like he is pretty busy.

No phone call...a few texts...
For examples, ok, good, fine, some printers were dumped and broken (?), so far so good, no freedom, ran & ran during weekend......

No Thanksgiving break :(

Can parents still visit USNA and plebes? I am just wondering if a plebe may stay with his or her family in hotel near USNA?

Due to COVID-19, I am very hesitant to visit DS during the Thanksgiving weekend but I would like to have a backup plan as more USNA schedules have been cancelled. What would plebes do if no one visits them during the Thanksgiving weekend?

Any recommendations or input would be greatly appreciated.
 
Your mid is in the best position to advise you on liberty and leave policy for that holiday period. Completely different rules this year due to pandemic. Lots of flexibility required, last minute adjustments always possible. For example, the leadership can lock down liberty for any reason at any time, whether for health and safety, or other issues.

Mids will do what they normally do when no one is visiting, homework, work out, enjoy rack time, goof off with friends, eat in King Hall, order food delivery, watch stuff on devices, play games, hit their social media, go off-Yard if they rate liberty. No doubt King Hall will do a Thanksgiving dinner. In an odd way, they are getting training on how to manage their own moods and coach themselves through challenges, a military life skill in preparation for family-free holidays spent at sea or around the world. They will be in the same situation as 17-23 year old enlisted sailors serving around the world this year, who won’t be going home or having family visit.

The media stories in September that came out with the announcement of cancellation of the normal leave period all note specific liberty periods will be determined at a time closer to Thanksgiving. That gives the leadership the ability to tailor the policy as they think best as they get closer to the holiday, coordinating with Big Navy, Governor’s staff, other SAs. There may or may not be overnight liberty granted, and that could be decided at the last minute.

It’s a very fluid situation. Rely on your mid to tell you what the policy is and listen for whether he needs you to come, and figure it out from there.
 
Thank you ma'am!

This is one of the best responses and advices I have ever received in any types of the social media!

I feel much better!. :)

Much appreciated your leadership!

Capt MJ said:
Your mid is in the best position to advise you on liberty and leave policy for that holiday period. Completely different rules this year due to pandemic. Lots of flexibility required, last minute adjustments always possible. For example, the leadership can lock down liberty for any reason at any time, whether for health and safety, or other issues.

Mids will do what they normally do when no one is visiting, homework, work out, enjoy rack time, goof off with friends, eat in King Hall, order food delivery, watch stuff on devices, play games, hit their social media, go off-Yard if they rate liberty. No doubt King Hall will do a Thanksgiving dinner. In an odd way, they are getting training on how to manage their own moods and coach themselves through challenges, a military life skill in preparation for family-free holidays spent at sea or around the world. They will be in the same situation as 17-23 year old enlisted sailors serving around the world this year, who won’t be going home or having family visit.

The media stories in September that came out with the announcement of cancellation of the normal leave period all note specific liberty periods will be determined at a time closer to Thanksgiving. That gives the leadership the ability to tailor the policy as they think best as they get closer to the holiday, coordinating with Big Navy, Governor’s staff, other SAs. There may or may not be overnight liberty granted, and that could be decided at the last minute.

It’s a very fluid situation. Rely on your mid to tell you what the policy is and listen for whether he needs you to come, and figure it out from there.
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This year, all mids, not just plebes, will be in the same boat, so to speak. There are several threads discussing what folks do in the fleet when on deployment over a holiday. It happens a lot. Even on shore duty, someone pulls the duty on holidays. It’s not unlike medical personnel and police officers. Responsibilities don’t stop for holidays.

it’s never as good as being with your family. But individual units do their best to make holidays away from family as good as they can be. There’s also a certain element of “misery loves company.”
 
Some of my best and most memorable holidays have been spent with shipmates far from home.

When I was stationed in Naples, we had a full-on office potluck on Wednesday, a crazy mix of what the Italian civilians brought and the US military and civilians brought. The Italians were non-plussed by carrot cake and zucchini bread, vegetables in a sweet cake or bread, as well as cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, but were quickly won over. I thought eating homemade melanzane parmigiana was pretty darn good. There was much wine and merriment as we talked about various holiday traditions.
The next day the CO had all the officers over for a formal Thanksgiving dinner.
On Saturday I had some of my JO friends over for a baked ham, old-school mac n cheese, and an ice cream sundae bar. On Sunday, a bunch of us took the Circumvesuviana train to a town further around the bay to Pizza à Metri, where we ordered pizza by the half meter and full meter. On Monday, I didn’t eat and went to the gym. I had a great time. Of course I missed my family, but the great thing about the military is you are ALWAYS with family.
 
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Capt MJ said:
Your mid is in the best position to advise you on liberty and leave policy for that holiday period. Completely different rules this year due to pandemic. Lots of flexibility required, last minute adjustments always possible. For example, the leadership can lock down liberty for any reason at any time, whether for health and safety, or other issues.

Mids will do what they normally do when no one is visiting, homework, work out, enjoy rack time, goof off with friends, eat in King Hall, order food delivery, watch stuff on devices, play games, hit their social media, go off-Yard if they rate liberty. No doubt King Hall will do a Thanksgiving dinner. In an odd way, they are getting training on how to manage their own moods and coach themselves through challenges, a military life skill in preparation for family-free holidays spent at sea or around the world. They will be in the same situation as 17-23 year old enlisted sailors serving around the world this year, who won’t be going home or having family visit.

The media stories in September that came out with the announcement of cancellation of the normal leave period all note specific liberty periods will be determined at a time closer to Thanksgiving. That gives the leadership the ability to tailor the policy as they think best as they get closer to the holiday, coordinating with Big Navy, Governor’s staff, other SAs. There may or may not be overnight liberty granted, and that could be decided at the last minute.

It’s a very fluid situation. Rely on your mid to tell you what the policy is and listen for whether he needs you to come, and figure it out from there.
Click to expand...
More solid advice from Capt MJ!
 
Capt MJ said:

"Your mid is in the best position to advise you on liberty and leave policy for that holiday period".

This made me smile. I remember these same words from Capt. MJ in response to at least 4-5 of my questions between 2016-20; and thinking, "But She dosen't tell me _ _ _ _ !!"

My best to all you COVIDmid parents. I think your road is harder than ours was. That said, WoW what an education your kid is getting.

I have one DD still in school here in Wa. She'spaying full tuition for prerecorded lectures and phone-in office hours (what a waste).

Best to you all. "Keep your stick on the ice; you're all in this together."
 
Finally got to talk to mine. He would love for us to come but also said he would have his thanksgiving meal with his buddies. I asked ‘what about us?’, and he said he will have pie with us.

And that’s a GOOD thing.

So we shall see. It’s only a few more weeks until Xmas break. A trip for us is a substantial investment. But I’m not concerned that people will be sad locked on the yard. More so I envision time with their Navy sponsors, buddies, and/or friends families.
 
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We’re fairly close, 85 miles to Gate 1 .... DW goes down there every other Saturday or Sunday, at least, to drop off care products and other requests.

I have all CC Charges sent to one of my email accounts, and when she has Liberty during those times that DW is bringing things, I have seen Nail and Hair Salon charge email messages show up too from salons within walking distance of the visitors gate in town.
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When I dropped my 3/C off on the Yard at the end of September to rejoin his people, one of his classmates remarked sadly “but we don’t get Thanksgiving.” I was never so proud when he answered “I have been thinking about it and planning. We are going to have a great time. First the whole company will get up early and start the football game.....” and it went on. I was surprised to hear not only the positive planning he had obviously thought long and hard about but also his genuine enthusiasm for the new USNA holiday. His friends immediately flipped their tone and fell right in with how great their day will be.
Whatever the Thanksgiving looks like for the mids, I think it will be as positive, albeit different, as families allow it to be.
 
RAI923 said:
When I dropped my 3/C off on the Yard at the end of September to rejoin his people, one of his classmates remarked sadly “but we don’t get Thanksgiving.” I was never so proud when he answered “I have been thinking about it and planning. We are going to have a great time. First the whole company will get up early and start the football game.....” and it went on. I was surprised to hear not only the positive planning he had obviously thought long and hard about but also his genuine enthusiasm for the new USNA holiday. His friends immediately flipped their tone and fell right in with how great their day will be.
Whatever the Thanksgiving looks like for the mids, I think it will be as positive, albeit different, as families allow it to be.
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Years from now they will look back “you remember when” and hopefully view this as another special and unique experience
 
Those green things are the key lime pies, with a slice of fresh lime on top.
I want to have half of one of those, with Double D coffee.
 
For almost every mid, this will be the first of many important family activities that will be missed in the name of national security. Even when on shore duty, someone has to stand watch at most commands. One year while on shore rotation, I worked every single holiday. Every one from New Year's Day through Christmas. My XO felt that single folks should work holidays so that folks with kids could be home. It was what it was.

People in the military miss weddings, birthdays (including sometimes the birth of their child), graduations, and funerals. They are away on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Halloween (and other important days based on one's religion or other circumstances). No one likes it, but it comes with the job. Those who give a cheery aye-aye and make the best of it will be much better off in the long run than those who moan and groan. That goes for both the mids and their families.

Sounds like there are some mids with great attitudes. Parents and families -- you can help best by being supportive. Encourage them to enjoy the time with their classmates. Assure them that, while you'll miss their physical presence, you're glad they're in a good place and are happy. And plan to have a great dinner of thanksgiving when they come home for winter break!
 
THParent said:
Those green things are the key lime pies, with a slice of fresh lime on top.
Click to expand...

Ah, Key lime pie — such an amazing treat. Whenever I’m at a restaurant that serves it, I always ask the server what color it is. If they say green, I pass. That means they don’t use real Key limes but rely on food coloring. If they say yellow, I go for it. (Now, there may be some restaurant fakery going on there, not using either food coloring or Key limes, but I’m willing to take the chance.)

Am I a Key lime pie snob? Why, yes, I am. 😉
 
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