USNA VISIT

Old Navy BGO said:
NJROTC-CC said:
It was impressive, but it was a very hot day (between 93 and 96) and I felt sorry for the plebes in formation
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This statement just caused a traumatic flashback...complete with the smell of new whiteworks soaked in sweat ! After graduation I swore that I would never visit Annapolis/DC again during the summer months, but have broken that vow a few times over the years.

It's funny, last week one of my classmates made a post on social media commemorating the 38th anniversary of our I day. I was on vacation in New England at the time, and just coincidentally had decided to wear a Plebe issue , blue ring t shirt that day. (Many of my tshirts are Navy/USNA related!). It was a hot and humid day, and I quickly realized that those blue ring tshirts are simply sweat generators , and had another Plebe summer flashback !

As an aside, I don't feel sorry for the Plebes at all .... it's great to see that some things don't change !
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I am thinking of a Roofer right now, someone who makes a living outside in these conditions .... Day starts at sun up (5am) and ends well before noon time.
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When do the Plebes start and finish strenuous work outside in these conditions?
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Dr. Strange Love said:
When do the Plebes start and finish strenuous work outside in these conditions?
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CAPT MJ posted a copy of the Plebe Summer Operations manual a few weeks ago. I saw a section dealing with extreme weather procedures, which would include extreme heat. You can rest assured that USNA (and rest of the military) is very aware of heat related injuries, and takes reasonable precautions to avoid them...including scheduling events to avoid the heat of the afternoon (for example, sunrise PEP) and even modifying the schedule if things get to bad. That said, except for swimming evolutions (which are welcome respites from the heat), being hot and sticky is a fact of life in Annapolis in the summer, and its even worse as a Midshipman when you don't have any choice in attire.
 
[QUOTE="Old Navy BGO, post: 681222, member: 14409You can rest assured that USNA (and rest of the military) is very aware of heat related injuries, and takes reasonable precautions to avoid them...including scheduling events to avoid the heat of the afternoon (for example, sunrise PEP) and even modifying the schedule if things get to bad.[/QUOTE]

In fact, the tour guide told us he thought noon formation was cancelled due to the weather. He said they raise a black flag somewhere that indicates a weather cancellation and he thought he saw it. So, we were not planning to go to formation and we were cooling off for a few minutes in the crypt of John Paul Jones after the tour and as we left to start walking to the museum, we heard the commotion of the plebes forming up in front of Bancroft. So, DS and I ran over and got there in plenty of time to watch formation. The forecast is that it will reach near 100 degrees later this week. We did see a detail of about half a dozen plebes on sick call being marched off some where. One was on crutches, another had an arm in a sling. All the Plebes had canteens with them wherever they went and, I have no doubt, that they are very well cared for.
 
NJROTC-CC said:
O.K. We just finished our visit to USNA and we are at BWI waiting for our flight home. We were not disappointed. The beauty of the grounds and the architecture lived up to and exceeded my expectations. We went on the public walking tour. We caught the noon formation just after the guided tour ended. It was impressive, but it was a very hot day (between 93 and 96) and I felt sorry for the plebes in formation. We visited the museum. There was a funeral for a flag officer when we arrived and we heard the cannon salute. I was very impressed with the 15 minute video overview of the Academy that we watched in the visitors center. We also go a chance to chat with a young Marine Major from Arizona in the visitors center. We did not stay for the admissions briefing because our schedule did not allow for it. However, I feel that we have learned just about all we need to know about the admissions process from this forum (thank you all) as well as the USNA web site.
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Thanks for your input! Are the walking tours free? If so what times are they? I tried looking online but it only says there are walking tours available, I wasn't able to find anything about them such as price or time.
 
The walking tours are all day. I think they start at 9:30. There is a charge.
 
NJROTC-CC said:
The walking tours are all day. I think they start at 9:30. There is a charge.
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Thanks for the info! How much are they? Also is there a schedule for them such as certain times? Sorry for the questions lol, I couldn't find much about the tours on the site.
 
USNA uses a flag system... yellow, red and black flags. PEP is done in the early morning usually before conditions get too hot. They take readings throughout the day that combine heat and humidity and as it increases so do the flags with more precautions in place with each flag. The flag is actually in T Court on the right hand side near the bell. When you start seeing pictures of them carrying their white works tops and not really marching, but more a loose formation then it’s black flag. They won’t PT, chop, etc in that heat. A lot of the outdoor activities get cancelled with black flag. They ensure they drink plenty of water and Gatorade is provided at all meals. Your kids will be tired of water by Parents Weekend. They drink more water than they ever have in their lives They don’t want heat injuries and take every precaution to ensure it doesn’t happen.
 
I am not sure if there is a better thread I should have already researched or asked within...
Taking DS for an unofficial visit this weekend and have all day Friday and most of Saturday available.
There is an indoor track meet he wants to watch for a while. We plan on doing the admission brief and the tour.

Is there any particular order to get the most out of the trip? Is there anything we dont want to miss at X time during a typical winter Friday (or Sat?)
His app is CPR and little else he can do to boost his chances, so this is more to make sure his eyes are as open as they can be if he is afforded the opportunity.


Thanks in advance
 
justme said:
I am not sure if there is a better thread I should have already researched or asked within...
Taking DS for an unofficial visit this weekend and have all day Friday and most of Saturday available.
There is an indoor track meet he wants to watch for a while. We plan on doing the admission brief and the tour.

Is there any particular order to get the most out of the trip? Is there anything we dont want to miss at X time during a typical winter Friday (or Sat?)
His app is CPR and little else he can do to boost his chances, so this is more to make sure his eyes are as open as they can be if he is afforded the opportunity.


Thanks in advance
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During the winter months there will be no outdoors formation for you to view :(. Something cool to see that most people do not usually recommend is all of the midshipman coming from and going to class all at the same time. It is like 4400 ants all coming out of their nest.

USNA Museum is a popular and worth it trip. It is located in Preble Hall.

Make sure to thoroughly check out downtown Annapolis. Many great places to eat and explore.
 
- In Bancroft Hall, Memorial Hall and the model midshipman room. You’ll also glimpse mids standing watch in Main O. (Main Office)
- Chapel
- Visitor Center exhibits and short film
- Museum

Map here:
www.usna.edu

Maps and Directions

Maps and Directions page for Leaders to Serve the Nation at USNA.edu. Updated Wed Dec 06 12:28:56 EST 2023.
www.usna.edu
 
The museum is fantastic. Largest collection of model ships anywhere. Some built by POW’s. Very cool. And the crypt of John Paul Jones under the chapel.

I also enjoyed walking the perimeter of the pool/wrestling area, upper deck interior perimeter of Lejeune Hall. Lots of displays of athletic history. Old army navy game balls. Gymnastic stuff. Very neat.
 
Wagmore said:
A must see in my opinion is the Plebe noon meal formation in front of Bancroft.
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Outdoor Noon Meal Formation is not a thing from early November until after Spring Break. But, if you’re on the yard outside of that time frame I would highly recommend it!
 
Thanks all.
I have a cheap rental, but is it easier to uber from hotel (4-5 miles away) or park nearby? the website shows Noah Hillman garage? Any idea the all-day cost on a Friday? Or the football stadium, which looking at sat might be free due to non-use but not much closer than walking from hotel...

Also, if there was one local establishment to take him for crabcakes (assuming that is a must in MD?) which local place would be good to get the non-touristy feel?
 
justme said:
Thanks all.
I have a cheap rental, but is it easier to uber from hotel (4-5 miles away) or park nearby? the website shows Noah Hillman garage? Any idea the all-day cost on a Friday? Or the football stadium, which looking at sat might be free due to non-use but not much closer than walking from hotel...

Also, if there was one local establishment to take him for crabcakes (assuming that is a must in MD?) which local place would be good to get the non-touristy feel?
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Chick and Ruth’s
 
I second Chick & Ruth's Delly. Breakfast is served all day. They have bacon, but (dare I say it) the corned beef hash is way better.

#104 (AKA: the "Nathaniel J. McFadden" special) is as close to Heaven as you can get, in Annapolis. My DS has tried the Chicken & Waffles, and says that's pretty spectacular, as well.
 
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