From 2014 by David R. Brune pages 1-3
DD's ALO forwarded this to us with the caution that the dates do not apply as they are from a previous year. Nevertheless, we find this information helpful. I think I've seen this posted before. As the following exceeds the limit, I will paste into supplemental posts.
For Plebe Parents Class of 2014 – Useful Things to Know...
Submitted by David R. Brune, Region 8 Vice President and formerly President, Mid-Atlantic Parents' Club (MD, Northern VA, WV and Washington DC) and Suzanne Graboski, Member National Parents Assoc. Executive Advisory Board, President, Mid-Atlantic Parents’ Association
(19 April 2010)
Approved by Commandant of Midshipmen, CDR Fell
Weeks before Indoctrination (hereafter referred to as Indoc)
Class of 2014: You must obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) at a cost of approximately $132.50. I can‟t emphasize enough how important it is to not delay applying for this credential. To obtain a TWIC your son/daughter must go to a Transportation Security Administration enrollment center twice, once for enrollment, the second time to pick up the TWIC. Enrollment and pick-up must be done at the same enrollment center. Once you enroll, there will be a six to eight week wait to pick up the TWIC, so enroll early. There is NO expedited process for an additional fee like passports. Here‟s the website to pre-enroll and schedule an appointment and I highly recommend this procedure:
https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/TWICWebApp/Welcome.do
When pre-enrolling, indicate the purpose for the card is for employment as a Merchant Mariner and that the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is the employer. Consult the Logging In Reporting Instructions add logging in website for procedures if you do not have sufficient time to obtain a TWIC before reporting for Indoc. If the nearest enrollment center is more than 200 miles from your home and/or it is a hardship or a significant burden on the student or family to enroll for a TWIC card prior to reporting you may supply a written statement to Midshipmen Personnel during in-processing that states this. In this case, the Academy will arrange for the student to obtain the TWIC sometime during the academic year at the NYC enrollment center. The student must provide funds to pay for the TWIC card and the transportation to and from the center. The TWIC card must be paid by either credit card or check (no cash).
Make reservations for Indoc and Acceptance Day NOW. Many places are already sold out. The Andrew hotel and the Inn at Great Neck are the closest. Acceptance for 2014 will be the weekend of 3-6 September 2010.
Make your Candidate work out every day, especially running. The workout program is included in the Logging In book. Remember your Candidate may be transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to one where they will be on their feet and active all day. The workout routines work if followed. Indoctrination includes a lot of physical activity, including distance running. Speed is less important than distance/endurance. Physical fitness will be assessed periodically throughout their time at the Academy. The assessment always includes measuring body fat, running, sit-ups, and push-ups.
Candidates can‟t have too much underwear – buy the cheap stuff and replace w/ higher quality during parents weekend. Make sure they are comfortable for running. Some males prefer boxer
Read the Logging-In thoroughly and completely!!
Plebe Parent Tips Class of 2014 -- Page | 1
briefs but they must be white. All cotton underwear will be more comfortable in the hot summer during Indoc. Good athletic socks and good running shoes. Candidates must bring running shoes with them to Indoc. Running shoes must be Asics, white with blue, one of the following models: Gel Nimbus 11, Gel Kushon, Gel, Pulse 2, Gel Equation 3, Gel Striker. Consult the Logging In Reporting Instructions for a complete list of all the other items Candidates are required to bring with them to Indoc.
Teach them how to wash clothes – at times they will do their own laundry. A commercial laundry service will do most of their laundry, including all personal and uniform clothing but not pillows or blankets. There are three self service laundry facilities on campus for student use at no charge.
Female Haircuts – Females are not required to cut their hair prior to Indoc. This is the ONLY time in your life you will go for function over fashion and it WILL grow back. In short, here‟s what it says in the 2014 Logging In: Hair shall be neat, clean, proportionately shaped and arranged in a professional style. When in uniform, hair on the back of the head may touch but not fall below the lower edge of the collar. It must be neatly and inconspicuously fastened, pinned or secured to the head presenting an attractive hairstyle and must not show under the front brim of the headgear. Be sure to have plenty of neutral or same color barrettes as required depending on your hairstyle.
Male Haircuts – regardless of the length of your son's hair when they report for Indoc, it may be cut to conform to regulations within minutes of leaving O‟Hara Hall. So as long as it is reasonably short, neat and clean – don‟t worry about making sure it is exactly 3⁄4 inches long before reporting.
NOTE: (For both Male and Female) REGARDLESS OF THE STANDARDS, SHORTER HAIR THAN THE MINIMUM STANDARDS IS ENCOURAGED AS IT IS EASIER TO CARE FOR IN GENERAL AT THE ACADEMY, WHERE TIME MANAGEMENT IS CRITICAL.
Get high speed internet (cable/FIOS/DSL), install an Instant Messenger (IM) program. One popular form of communication is via SKYPE. This is a free program which allows voice and video communication. Whichever form of internet messaging you use, make sure to learn how to use it. If you have a data capable cell phone you might also want to learn how to set up/use AOL IM/SKYPE on your cell phone. IM/SKYPE is the primary form of communication once computers are issued. Lean how to use it at home as well as on your data capable phone.
- You will really appreciate the high speed connection during Indoc to view all the pictures posted daily on the academy website. Dial up is simply too slow.
- IM is the best way to “talk” to your son/daughter when they get their computers. Computers are normally issued towards the end of Indoc, and, once issued, IM and e-mail will be the best forms of communication with your Candidate. The exact date of issue was not determined at this writing, but you will know when they are issued because you will begin to get email and IM‟s from your Candidate.
- Cell phones will be allowed only on Sundays and during emergencies during Indoc up until acceptance in September.
Calculator: They will need a graphing calculator – the school standard is any TI-80 series with the most common being the TI-86. Most students already have one from their high school days. If the functions are similar to the TI-80 series - it will probably be ok to use in lieu of buying
Plebe Parent Tips Class of 2014 -- Page | 2
another calculator now. If the graphing calculator they bring is not acceptable, they can always buy the appropriate calculator at the Navy Exchange on campus, order online (see credit card discussion below), or have one shipped from home.
Combination Locks – will need at least one – also will need another for athletic team lockers – consider buying in sets w/ same combination.
Fans are a must during Indoc – you should bring it w/ you or your Candidate can purchase one from the Navy Exchange. Candidates will be allowed to frequent the Navy Exchange during Indoc but at this writing it is not certain when during Indoc this will occur. If you bring one, leave it in the box and make a sturdy handle – they will have to run w/ it across campus. Put an extension cord in the box. Four of the five companies of Candidates will be housed in the newly rebuilt Jones, Barry, Palmer and Murphy Halls, which are air conditioned. (The assignments are totally random and not made until the Candidates are actually on board.) Window fans will not be needed or allowed in Jones, Barry, Palmer or Murphy Halls, but smaller desk top or floor models are allowed and recommended.
Camera: Consider taking a hand me down during the first year then upgrading before they go to sea. Any type will work, but a digital will allow them to show/share photos instantly.
Get them a credit card for school supplies & travel home and an ATM card from your local bank. The Navy Federal Credit Union is on campus and all are eligible for membership after Indoc. Discuss now how you will handle spending money for your son/daughter. Traveler‟s checks might be needed if you choose not to use a credit card. Figure out how to send money electronically to their accounts – a home based bank ATM card might be easier if you are computer challenged but the Navy FCU works fine also.
Give them pre-addressed / stamped envelopes (not postcards), if you want any mail from them, especially during Indoc. If you really want mail from your son/daughter – fill each pre- addressed/stamped envelope with a form letter like this (personalize as you desire):
DEAR MOM & DAD: Today is _________ and I‟m feeling (circle appropriate) Check all that apply:
I LOVE THIS PLACE! I HATE THIS PLACE! I MISS YOU I LOVE YOU
THE FOOD IS GOOD (but not as good as yours mom) I LOVE MY DI‟S THE FOOD IS NOT SO GOOD I‟M GETTING LOTS OF SLEEP
I‟M NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP I‟M HAVING FUN