What to bring on a CVW

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I am going next week (confirmed with my regional director) but I have not received any mailings or anything on what to bring. Does anyone have helpful insights?
 
I just did a CVW this past weekend, and I brought way more than I needed.

Basically, bring a pair of gym shorts, about two pairs of sweatpants, three or so t-shirts, and I found that my North Face was my savior. Being winter and walking around a lot with my plebe, a nice zip up coat or jacket truly is needed.

The gym shorts and the t-shirts are for you when you do Saturday Morning Training with them. Depending on your plebe, you may also have to wake up on Friday with the company to do training as well. This training is outside and it is REALLY cold at 5:30 in the morning. This is where the sweatshirt and sweatpants come in. A lot of plebes during this training had hat and gloves, and I wish I had them too..so maybe bring those. I brought two pairs of shoes. One pair of normal, casual shoes to wear around.. and then one pair of running shoes for the training.

I wore jeans and a sweatshirt to class, so a pair of jeans is cool if you want.

In addition, your basic toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and shower stuff, deodorant is of course needed.

Bring your wallet because the mid-store has some sick stuff, and if you guys end up going to the restaurant on campus which has really good sandwiches, it'll cost a bit. It's all really affordable though.
 
I took Khaki pants and polo shirts to wear during the day for classes. They said that jeans were acceptable on the sheet but my counselor said something a bit nicer was better if I had it. I also took workout clothes and a swim suit. I used the workout clothes but not the swimsuit, though there were some that I met who did. It will all depend on the company you are put with.

I would also suggest to bring a snack for the first night since they won't be serving dinner. A willingness to participate and questions are welcomed as well.
 
DS wore khakis and polo to class. He took workout clothes which he did not use due to the cancellation of morning workouts for parade practice (home football game). He also took a sleeping bag, pillow, and a book to read. He had a couple of hours to read since his hosts were busy with homework on Thursday night.
 
DS also took homemade cookies to give to the Mids he stayed with. I had read about that on this forum. DS was embarassed to do it at first. But afterwards he said he was glad he did because the Mids he stayed with were very appreciative!
 
DO NOT WEAR JEANS!!!! Button up ans slacks are the best even a tie!! I specifically talked with many of the plebes and upperclassmen. "If you are seriouse on going here, dress like it!"

The mids all have ties on:rolleyes:

Dont for get home baked goods they love those too!:thumb:
 
the last 2 postings were right on the money.......remember these "host Plebes" have been at the Academy for 7 months now.....they haven't seen "real clothes" in months and it's so much easier to blend in - fly under the radar with similar attire - bring a great attitude with you, that helps on Thursday night when your host is up doing homework and you both know that your "wake up call" comes very early in the morning.......for those assigned a host who has early morning sports practice be prepared to "join in"......make each moment count as you've been given one of the greatest opportunities of your lifetime and one you will always remember......
 
What not to bring to CVW

Don't wear a HS Letter Jacket....or anything resembling parts of a military uniform...that would severely embarrass your plebe host :thumbdown:
 
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Although I am at USCGA, we have Cadet for a Day programs similar to CVWs so I thought I could contribute.

To go with greeneagle...do not wear your JROTC uniform or a suit (if you're a guy). Those are the people that cadets tend to talk about. We still talk about this kid back in October who showed up in a full tailored suit with a blackberry and pager on his hip. With the JROTC uniform...you're just asking for attention.

Honestly, the most impressive prospective cadets from this year just wore khakis and a polo or slacks and a button up shirt. A tie is nice as well but don't feel as though it is required. Girls...dress slacks and a nice shirt or blouse is good as well.
 
ditto the HS varsity coat and JROTC dress. During recent visit a candidate wore varsity coat with sports medals and JROTC ribbons, along with military issue JROTC clothing. DS said candidate was the "talk" of the plebes. Keep in mind your host plebe submits a review of your visit. Not sure how it affects appointment, but I am sure it is better to have a positive review rather than a normal or negative one.

With that said wear comfortable clothing. Nice pants, shirt/sweater and shoes. Like any situation, you want to to be remembered for you and not what you wear. Your one thought in attending CWV is to learn as much as you can to make the decision if USNA is right choice for YOUR future.
 
I agree that khakis/nice shirt are a good idea, but if you've already attended a CVW and wore jeans don't freak and think you've ruined your chances. At our son's CVW last year he wore khakis/polo the first day. On the second day it was pouring rain, and when he put the khakis on again his plebe said "Are you crazy? Wear jeans!" They outfitted him with rain gear, but he was still soaked from the knees down. Just go with the flow, and be prepared to be flexible - "semper gumby"! :thumb:

My advice: Be Humble. Our son (now a plebe) said some drags came in with an attitude that they were God's gift to the Academy, telling everyone what their SAT scores were, how many pull ups they could do, how many nominations they had, etc... There will be a certain amount of comparing of stats going on, but bragging is not attractive!
 
To reiterate what a previous poster said...you will be evaluated by your host plebe. This evaluation will be about whether you would be a good fit at USNA, not about your qualifications. I don't know how much weight the evaluation carries, but DS had an admissions counselor mention that he had read his evaluation. Be yourself, take part in activities, ask questions, be curious...if you get in, you'll be spending the next four years at the Academy, so there must be something you want to know, even if you've done extensive research.
 
I'm not sure you will be evaluated by others. This is purely a recruitment exercise, not an evaluation procedure. The one exception: If you persuade your Mid-hosts that you are one of the world's great meat-heads. Remember, no matter how impressive your past might be, there are 40 or so plebes just in your immediate company with equal or better quals. And even those who may not have one thing you need and dream of ...appointment. Humility, reserve, no self-promotion might be good thoughts for making a good impression that will not nurture a black mark on your record.

Research reveals a phenomenon in which lowly Japanese POW guards would inordinately, brutally lord over their prisoners, far more than higher-ups. Japanese historians refer to this as "transfer of oppression." So, while plebes are not allowed or inclined to figuratively brutalize drags, consider there may be some of this same phenomenon ... drags are the first people "lower" than plebes that the plebes have had any "control" over.

Now, offered tongue in cheek ...there may be some insight to glean in terms of relationship between Plebe/Guards and drag/prisoners.:eek: :rolleyes::wink::cool:
 
My son just went this past weekend, and almost everyone wore jeans. Don't forget to bring either a sleeping bag or sheets/pillow. My son found that the swim suit was necessary as he did swiming PT with his plebe.
 
I suggest khakis and button down for dragging during class attendance. As someone else wrote, all mids wear 'work blues' that include slacks, black shoes, collared shirt and ties, so appearance does count. As for an evaluation, yes, your Plebe does submit an eval to Admissions, so do your best humble pie impression. Also, besides sleep, care packages, sleep and prior enlisted Plebes, Youngsters (sophomores) are a Plebe's best friend because they've 'been there, done that'. So, if you do get an appointment and go, the Plebe you dragged this year may be a Youngster that you can turn to for help next year on those Friday nights when only Plebes and Youngsters are confined to Bancroft.
 
I have been worned not to wear anything that looks "military," but how about for the workout. I went to Summer Seminar so those sweat pants and sweat shirts seem ideal to wear for the morning workout, but then I think I do not want to look like a tool. Any thoughts on if that is okay to wear or if I should wear stuff completely different?
 
Of course it is "ok." Desirable? Not if you have other sweats. Remember, you ain't one of 'em yet. This is not the time to pretend. And wearing the "red badge" of NASS won't impress real Midshipmen. Defer to them in humble confidence. If you've other gear, consider wearing it. You don't want be seen as "joe" if you don't have to be. Save that great NASS gear to impress your homies.

And don't take anything that is warn out!:confused::shake:
 
WP is absolutely right. DS is a plebe who attended NASS and also did an official visit as a recruited athlete. The last thing you want to do is wear any NASS gear or, for that matter, anything that screams of your high school, e.g, letter jackets (do they still have those?) or sweats imprinted with your school logo. He stuck with the generic N*** or U*****A***** stuff, along with the aforementioned khakis and polo/buttondown shirt, and was fine. Best of luck!
 
Good deal guys and gals. Thank you all very much for the time you have taken to help me and other candidates.
 
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