A Few More Plebe Summer Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>I have derived a “ship load” :smiley: of info from everyone on CC and I thank you all.</p>

<p>Here’s a few more questions for you:</p>

<li><p>Sun screen - spray type. I understand sun screen in general is a very GOOD thing to provide during plebe summer - correct?</p></li>
<li><p>There seems to be some conflict between the parents website and USNA in that one highly recommends vitamins and any OTC meds that can be sent. But, the USNA says NO meds of any kind during plebe summer - clarification by some who truly know the RIGHT answer, please. :)</p></li>
<li><p>Sending stuff like Gold Bond or other anti-chaffing powder - yes/no?</p></li>
<li><p>Small flashlight?</p></li>
<li><p>comforter/sleeping bag - plebe summer or after AC year begins (or NOT recommended).</p></li>
<li><p>Mouse traps. Plebe summer? AC year? Anytime/No time?</p></li>
<li><p>Waterproof boot liners? :confused:</p></li>
<li><p>Sunglasses?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry for extensive list - OCD! (Just think of what my daughter has to put up with!) :rolleyes:</p>

2

<p>I will let you know what I have learned:
1. They will give them sunscreen. But if you have a favorite, mail it after I-Day.
2. Don't bring or send any meds on I-Day. I did send a bottle of ibuprofen in a care package but they would really prefer that they not have any meds during Plebe Summer. They really do take care of them. When my Mid came down with the infamouse "Plebe Hack" he was given a little care package with cold meds, tylenol, etc.
3. By all means send the Gold Bond powder.
4. Flashlight is a good idea.
5. Some companies will not allow the sleeping bags for Plebes. Definitely after Plebe year.<br>
6. They issue mouse traps.
7. Not sure on this one. Personal preference perhaps.
8. Plebes cannot wear sunglasses.</p>

<p>A couple of really useful items: A very hard plastic container or metal tin to store snacks to prevent mice from getting at food items. There are a couple of companies that make pre-moistened deodorant wet wipes for a quick clean up. Often there is very little time for a quick cleanup and they can be a huge help. Also, deodorizers for lockers and a deordorizing spray such as Febreze. These items were particularly useful.</p>

3

<p>The ISSUE mousetraps now? </p>

<p>Good grief! Millions of dollars in renovations and they can't get rid of the mice?</p>

<p>My 2/C year, my roomate and I found a baby one out near the 6th Wing parking lot and took it in as a pet. Named it Marvin. He disappeared a few months later.</p>

<p>Catching mice at USNA was close to a varsity sport, with mids keeping score on their doors.</p>

4

<p>Zaphod----you are too funny! :)
Not sure if they issue everyone mousetraps or they just make them available if needed.</p>

<p>I heard many rather humorous stories from my son about hearing the little creatures running in the ceiling over his bunk. He really went on the war path after they found their way into his baked goods from home. Hence the need for a nice size tin to store his food items. At first I heard his roomies refer to them as "rats" which concerned me a bit but they assured me they were talking about mice and not rats. I have heard rather interesting stories about the disposal of some of the captured little critters.</p>

5

<p>I have a Log Magazine somewhere where one mid killed one. He made a itty-bitty rack for it, with Blue Whore, pillow, and appropriately-scaled folds, and tucked it in. Then he hung said rack on his door.</p>

<p>In our case, my roomie and I had a door plaque made: MARVIN '91. :D</p>

<p>More than once we had a USMC OOW come in and say, "Where is MIDN Marvin?" :rolleyes:</p>

6

<p>i think the waterproof boot liners sound a little extreme-they won't need/have the time for them, and when they do get wet in their boots, itll be because they are jumping into the severn during brigade trials, and the liners won't really help.</p>

7

<p>Most lists suggest that your plebe have a disposable lighter. If my son was going to the University of Wisconsin--Madison, I could see why, if you get my drift. Does anyone know why they suggest having a lighter?</p>

8

<p>A lighter is the best way to get rid of Irish Pennants on uniforms, as well as fusing the ends of web belts so they don't unravel once cut to length.</p>

<p>I did a short writeup on that in another thread.</p>

<p>Here it is: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=177606&page=2&pp=15%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=177606&page=2&pp=15&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

9

<p>Also used to heat up shoe polish.</p>

10

<p>You know, I never got into that heat-the-shoe-polish stuff. Not sure if it works or if I was doing it wrong, but I got better results with shoe polish, a little water (not spit), and lots of patience.</p>

<p>Maybe Wheelah or one of the other resident Mids can chime in and give their thoughts. </p>

<p>I do remember ditching my corframs the first chance I got, and only using leathers. Damned plastic shoes don't breath, and one scuff ruins them forever. :mad:</p>

11

<p>My son swears by it...seems to work good I saw him do it once when he was home on libo. But the ol spit and polish works too! :D</p>

12

<p>We were only allowed to wear leathers Plebe Summer to foster our ability to shine shoes and to fill any dead time. Corframs were allowed during AC year; however, I didn't buy any Plebe year and just kept shinning. In the entire year I only had one upperclass get on me because my shoes didn't shine like my classmates next to me. He had on corframs. The guy upperclass who came down the line, told me to ignore him and just keep up strain with the leathers as he appreciated the amount of effort it took to keep them up. Many times during Thursday noon inspection I received kudo's for my shoes, not because they always looked better but because everyone knew it took more effort especially during AC year. I always used water also, didn't light any fires of wax. Just a tight cloth, over and over. Now once a year I shine all our shoes just before the New Year and let it last.</p>

13

<p>I never had to have a serious spit shine until I was the Missile Officer aboard my first ship, and all my Gunner's Mates made it a point to keep their boondockers and combat shoes as black mirrors.</p>

<p>A decent shine with no scuffs was enough up until that point. I learned REALLY quick, though! ;)</p>

14

<p>Pantyhose.....works like a charm to get the final shine on shoes after you get the polish spread on evenly.</p>

15

<p>Zaphod-</p>

<p>With the uniforms being made mostly of polyester, do you think it's wise to hold a lighter to get rid of IPs? I've always been afraid of doing that...especially after I melted a hole about 4in x 2in in the back of my CNT shirt.(I didn't check the iron before using it....apparently it had been left on the hottest setting). I've always used a set of nail clippers in my IP searches.</p>

<p>As for the lighter on the wax...I tried it when I got a new pair of shoes. Put a relatively thick coat of wax on, and touched the lighter to it. Maybe I did it wrong, but I didn't notice any difference from the old water and patience method.</p>

16

<p>Quick note on the Gold bond... My company wouldn't let us have anything of the sort during the summer. They told us that it would hide/cover up injuries that they would need to know about. They definitely take good care of the injured over the summer. I would recommend sending it and if they take it up, it'll only be a few weeks before they get it back.</p>

17

<p>
[quote]
They told us that it would hide/cover up injuries that they would need to know about.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Huh? Like what? It's not like Gold Bond will address shin splints or fractures. :confused:</p>

18

<p>
[quote]
With the uniforms being made mostly of polyester, do you think it's wise to hold a lighter to get rid of IPs? I've always been afraid of doing that...especially after I melted a hole about 4in x 2in in the back of my CNT shirt.(I didn't check the iron before using it....apparently it had been left on the hottest setting). I've always used a set of nail clippers in my IP searches.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You simply have to watch what you're doing. It is true that you have to be extra-careful with CNT since it is made of pure Hefty Bag, er..... polyester. What you do is trim the IP so there is only about 1/4" left, then hit it with the lighter. JUST LIGHT THE TIP OF THE IP. The IP will burn down and melt, fusing the end into the uniform and preventing it from coming out again. Just be careful to ensure that any area you are burning can be covered by a flap or fold.</p>

<p>Cotton-Poly uniforms are far more forgiving, and even clumps of IP's can be taken out with minimal clipping. Just follow the rule of thumb that if it looks like you're lighting a fuse, the IP is too long. ;)</p>

<p>
[quote]
As for the lighter on the wax...I tried it when I got a new pair of shoes. Put a relatively thick coat of wax on, and touched the lighter to it. Maybe I did it wrong, but I didn't notice any difference from the old water and patience method.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yeah, that's my take. It's not worth it, IMO.</p>

<p>I knew guys at NAPS who would buy this brand of butcher's wax to do their decks with, and would light fire to the wax and pour it out onto the deck, then hit it with the buffer. "Hot Wax" is what they called it. Looked great, but not so great considering the effort and the risk. Regular waxing looked just fine.</p>

<p>At USNA, you're limited to Mop n' Glow and that other cheap brand they (used to?) sell. Mn'G wins ever time, and no lighter is required. Just be sure you STRIP THE DECK COMPLETELY before applying, and you will have a floor that will thrill the toughest upperclassman.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Pantyhose.....works like a charm to get the final shine on shoes after you get the polish spread on evenly.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Never thought of that, but then again, pantyhose isn't something the average male has floating around his room, no matter how much of a stud he fancies himself to be. ;)</p>

19

<p>I used the lighter on the wax can itself (top), not on the shoes. Seemed to thin it out nicely. To me, the trick was to put on several thin coats instead a thick one. The lighter helped with that.</p>

20

<p>Zaph- We're talking more like blisters and rashes (of all variety) that Gold Bond will cover up. You'd definitely need a whole lot of Gold Bond to cover up a shin splint... well that and some tape. :)</p>