What do I bring for plebe summer?

Kierkegaard said:
Knives are considered contraband for Plebe Summer and would be confiscated. I don’t recommend it. There’s nothing they’d need to use it for anyway.
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Wow - times change.

Back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and Bancroft Hall was not Air Conditioned, we were issued these as part of our I-Day issue:

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I am just fascinated by @justdoit19 picture of the handcarts toting Plebe issued gear. Pics I saw from IDay for our DS definitely didn't have those. He must not have rated them, 😂 He just had it slung over his shoulder.

Some of the plebes were smaller than their issued bags!!!!
 
Heatherg21 said:
I am just fascinated by @justdoit19 picture of the handcarts toting Plebe issued gear. Pics I saw from IDay for our DS definitely didn't have those. He must not have rated them, 😂 He just had it slung over his shoulder.

Some of the plebes were smaller than their issued bags!!!!
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Our ‘24’s didn’t get “everything” thats normally issued day. They also didn’t have a normal Iday. They got some stuff, a few stations, and went to ROM. Big difference from normal, where they go through every station, day 1, and get it all. THEN go to their room.

My older didn’t make it to his room until close to 6? Missed dinner. And hauled it all. Our ‘24’s didnt have near the experience the plebes in that picture did. Nor the amount of stuff. ‘24 is an anomaly.
 
justdoit19 said:
Our ‘24’s didn’t get “everything” thats normally issued day. They also didn’t have a normal Iday. They got some stuff, a few stations, and went to ROM. Big difference from normal, where they go through every station, day 1, and get it all. THEN go to their room.

My older didn’t make it to his room until close to 6? Missed dinner. And hauled it all. Our ‘24’s didnt have near the experience the plebes in that picture did. Nor the amount of stuff. ‘24 is an anomaly
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An anomaly, that's putting it mildly! At least they are back to pretty close to normal now. Even summer school is going well so fingers crossed it keeps going in a positive direction.
And here's hoping for a normal plebe summer for 2025.
 
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eaab08 said:
I think I saw a video where plebes were being fitted with running shoes by Brooks on I-Day. Has this changed?
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I can't speak for what will happen this summer, but the class of '24 got two pair of Brooks - Ghost 12 and Adrenaline I believe, but don't quote me. I'm sure this changes from year to year based on contracts and availability. DS loves the Brooks - said he didn't need to break them in at all.
 
whataluckymom said:
I can't speak for what will happen this summer, but the class of '24 got two pair of Brooks - Ghost 12 and Adrenaline I believe, but don't quote me. I'm sure this changes from year to year based on contracts and availability. DS loves the Brooks - said he didn't need to break them in at all.
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DS wears Brooks Adrenaline for track and general running - super hope they get those again this year! But just went out and got 2 in case they don't....
 
One heads up to the future Plebes… you will get a chance to try on everything. If they do a normal I Day you will be in full white works before you leave Alumni. Speak up if something doesn’t fit right. You will have some of this gear for 4 years. Don’t hurry it along because you feel the stress. Trust me, the Ensigns/2ndLts on I Day and your Detailers want you to have proper fitting gear.
 
More important than broken-in running shoes are well-fitted running shoes. Running shoes these days are made to be broken in from day one. But everyone’s feet are different. Some have flat feet, some have high arches, some are in between. This is known as pronation — the degree to which your feet turn inward with each step. It has significant impact on your ability to go long, hard and uninjured.

As stores open up again, find a reputable running shop. They have knowledgeable people and tools to determine your pronation. Then try a few pairs that they recommend. The best running shops have a treadmill or allow you to take the shoes outside for a short jog.

Brand name and aesthetic design be damned — this is about comfort and effectiveness! (And yes, good running shoes are expensive. So is sitting out PEP or being assigned to aqua PEO because you’re injured.) Once you’ve found the right model, buy a couple pairs for plebe summer. You may not avoid falling behind in the pack, but you should go a long way toward avoiding shin splints, stress fractures and soft-tissue injuries.
 
NextGen89x2 said:
There is a list in the Permit to Report packet that tells you what you can/should bring. It starts on page 14. It states that candidates "SHALL bring their own broken in running shoes." You will be issued running shoes (DS says that last year's look like Brooks "Adrenaline"), but should wear your broken in pair to reduce injuries. I don't think you would want to bring everything on the list - as your bag would actually start to get a bit big, but there are a few things you might want. The list also says what you are NOT allowed to bring. Check out the list - it might be helpful!
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While you are breaking in the pair you will wear, break in ANOTHER pair you will leave at home for your parents to send in a care package or bring with them when they visit. My son refused to do this and regretted it.
 
ThereseInDenver said:
While you are breaking in the pair you will wear, break in ANOTHER pair you will leave at home for your parents to send in a care package or bring with them when they visit. My son refused to do this and regretted it.
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This is great advice.
 
eaab08 said:
Is there any problem with these items? I'd like to bring them but wouldn't want them confiscated.
-Electric toothbrush
-Chapstick
-Sunscreen
-Moisturizer
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Don't bring them. Have it sent in your first package. I sent my redhead lots of SPF 70 and SPF 100 spray sunscreen and they were fine with it.
 
eaab08 said:
Is there any problem with these items? I'd like to bring them but wouldn't want them confiscated.
-Electric toothbrush
-Chapstick
-Sunscreen
-Moisturizer
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You'll get chapstick, sunscreen and moisturizer in the big kit you get on I-day. Unless you have allergies, you don't need anything. Have your parents send your favorite brands in care packages.

You can have electric toothbrush after Plebe summer. Right as you finish Plebe summer, you'll ask parents for what you need: Noise cancelling headphones, watches, wireless earbuds, sunglasses, electric toothbrushes--all come flooding in from parents all over the country. Since the $$ total for that package can be pretty high, many parents opted to ship to the sponsor rather than risk the black hole that was USNA PO COVID year.
 
AKmid said:
I know that the USNA issues everything that will be needed, but I was wondering if there was anything at all that I am allowed to bring that would be useful to me. Also any tips for surviving plebe summer would be appreciated.
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Pick out some favorite pictures for your parents to put in the first care package. You will have a bulletin board in your desk area where you can tack up pictures. Go through the photos on your phone and pick out a few that will make you smile. Upload them to Walgreens, Target or CVS and pick them up in an hour. Or, enlist your mom's help....I pulled up a bunch I thought he would in our digital folders and he winnowed down to about 15. I had them printed and sent a couple in every letter.

Can't believe this needs to be said....Apparently, every Plebe summer, somebody becomes infamous for having an absurdly sexy photo or a photo of best buddies and self shooting Tequila, or an offensive Halloween costume. Plebe summer is not the time to become famous for ANYTHING. Only post photos of your pets, family, friends, sports team, your favorite mountain or beach, sweetly adoring GF/BF fully clothed.
 
LT360 said:
Does the underwear have to white? I have read on other "what to bring posts" grey/gray(?) or even black would work. I recall that the white would never get truly white again and the grey or black will not show through pants.
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Black shows through summer whites. According to my son, it really doesn't matter that white underwear and compression shorts get dingy in laundry...no matter how "grey" they look, nobody cares. They still won't show through summer whites.
 
Parents - send your plebe letters and postcards as often as possible during plebe summer. My DS has always been a “I don’t need any help” guy and internationally non-sentimental. But he saved everything card and letter from PS - every one. It might be the only time in their Snapchat lives that they depend on the US Postal Service. The first week is going to be the toughest mentally.
 
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