<p>Next year one of my best friends will be in the Naval Academy and I will be at Georgetown. We are both from Southern California, so I will be be his closest friend on the outside not part of his sponsership family. I know very little about the academies and how they work. How can I help? What are the rules with visiting? Any advice would be aperciated. He is giving up so much this is the least I can do, but I don't know where to start.</p>
<p>What a good friend you are!!!!</p>
<p>Some suggestions on "how to help:"</p>
<p>During Plebe Summer:
-write letters, send funny cards, send a few words of encouragement.
-slip in a funny picture or two (caution: keep them clean- anything but can get him in a whole heap of trouble!)
-write about what you are up to..... and what is happening in the world outside the gates.
-and most importantly- do it often!!!! </p>
<p>After Plebe Summer:
-visiting is possible, usually on a saturday (noon-curfew) or sunday (noon -6pm, but restricted to the yard). Things may change from year to year, and you never know when your "mid" will "have duty" that will put further restrictions on visiting.... so always "call first." Just keep in mind- you will most likely have to visit the yard (as opposed to the mid coming to you).
-once plebe summer is over, access becomes easier thanks to cell phones, the internet- IM's, web cams, etc.... all make keeping in touch easier. The exact "timing" of when your friend will earn this "privilage" will depend on his company- but figure around the end of August-early Sept.
-perhaps consider coming to annapolis for the football games--- usually a bit more time to see each other. Your friend will have to sit with the brigade, however there is always the concession stands to "touch base" until after the game.... and usually some time afforded to attend the tailgates afterwards.</p>
<p>Just remember...where there is a will, there is a way! </p>
<p>one final note: he is not giving up as much as he will gain, and this is something he obviously wants. It is in the "giving up" that makes the "getting back" that much sweeter!!!!</p>
<p>in addition to all of navy10's great ideas...</p>
<p>send cookies or other baked goods once in a while! Since you too will be a student it may be hard for you to bake on your own - but a small batch of homemade cookies would, I bet, happily be much received.</p>
<p>I also made sure to stock my Plebe mid with lots of snack foods that could be shared....jerkey,peanuts, bottled juices, microwave soups, powdered stuff to put in bottles of water, individual tuna cans w/crackers...etc. My mid and her roommate actually dedicated one small closet in their room to the 'pantry' and they got alot of their company-mates to stop by when they were free to pick out a food item. For Plebes at first this isn't always easy - so this may have to wait until you find out about your friend's individual Company rules - but an occasional stored food item YOU provide either in the mail or in person ( let's admit - GeorgeTown isn't that far away from USNA) will go a long way in cheering up a Plebe!</p>
<p>Ok good. I wasn't sure if he needed special permission for me to come visit or if they get harssed for girls visiting (it is a purly platonic relationship I swear. we have been friends since we were babies). I know they don't get a lot of free time, but the football games sound like a great idea. Georgetown's team isn't the best (but getting better :) ) so that should be a fun change of pace. I also have a friend in NROTC at Georgetown I bet she would love to come with me. O and baking is for sure. I already told my roommate that we were adopting a mid (or they plebes freshman year? sorry I'm not really in with the terminology) or two and suppling them with food. Thankfully there is a full kitchen on my floor and carmel brownies are my speciality. Do you know how far DC is from annapolis and if there is ever a shuttle or bus?</p>
<p>The students are called Mids. The freshman Mids are Plebes. It is 32 miles from Georgetown to USNA. Public transportation is much better than anything you have seen in CA. I'm not sure what trains or buses you would have to take, but I'm sure it could be done.
It sounds like the beginning of some fun times. Congrats on Georgetown and congrats to your Navy friends.</p>
<p>It's not that easy to get from Georgetown to USNA via public transit; especially on Weekends..
Nearest metro station is New Carrollton [I think] Buses from there run on irregular schedules during the weekend.
Plus, that train line runs through some dicey areas of the DC area; I would be concerned about that.</p>
<p>Having said that, when son was Plebe he had a friend at Georgetown and she--along w/ cute friends--seemed to find a way to the Academy. Especially for the dances. I think she went out there two or three times. I took him to DC once or twice that year.
It helped to have a friend around.</p>
<p>Georgetown to Annapolis -
Go to Union Station. Take the MARC Train to BWI Airport.
Take Annapolis transit to Annapolis.
Not the most direct route but it works. It will be an adventure.</p>
<p>Now - to get to Union Station from Georgetown......the metro doesn't go there but maybe there are busses?</p>
<p>I have a good female friend who is going to GWU next year.</p>
<p>So I gather from this thread that getting from DC to Annapolis proper via public transportation is very easy?</p>
<p>I don't think this has been mentioned. Plebes are not allowed outside a 22 mile radius from the chapel dome at USNA. This means that unless a plebe has a chit or is on leave, they cannot visit you. You may visit them, of course.</p>
<p>I don't think you should gather that at all. Especially on weekends. Without a car.</p>
<p>Union station to BWI. Straight shot. BWI to Annapolis: a choice of expnsive taxis, private van services, and/or erratic bus service. [Weekends] I betthis wold take every bit of two - three hours on aweekend. Each way. Not to mention the overal cost of proably $20 - 30</p>
<p>Metro to New Carrolton. Easy enough. New Carroltonto Annapolis. Taxi and/or erratic bus service. [Weekends] Same thing; the ride to NC is cheap enough and fast enough but the Annapolis leg will be very frustrating.</p>
<p>I don't think I know of any student or mid that uses much public trans to get back/forth to DC/Annapolis.
Bribe your girlfriends who have a car w/ a chance to meet cute mids.
Mids seem to find friends who are going to DC. [Assuming they are authorized to go as Jadler states.]</p>
<p>thanks so much I'll keep all of this in mind. I think that will be one of the biggest transitions for me. At home everyone drives everywhere. This whole not having a car thing should be interesting, but I think public transportation sounds like an adventure :) Plus it should all be worth it, espeically with a friend going into NROTC. I think she would get a lot out of seeing the yard (i'm catching on already) and I doubt it would be hard to convince other friends to visit cadets. this probably sounds random but do I wear anything different?</p>
<p>Just don't call them cadets. They are mids. I'm sure you will find a way to get to Annapolis. The idea of bribing a friend with a car sounds like the best idea. Oh to be young again.</p>
<p>hec-
you should wear modest clothing. don't reveal too much skin. when i visit the yard, i try to avoid denim. i choose khaki instead. the mids have to be in the uniform of the day and i don't want to look like a slob standing next to one.</p>
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Bribe your girlfriends who have a car w/ a chance to meet cute mids.
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<p>Bill is serious here - do not discount this advice! I think it would be easy to convince other friends to go visit mids! Annapolis is a great town in it own right - lots of little shops and fun place to walk around.</p>
<p>Kathie also gives good advice - our Military academies are rather "formal" or "conservative". You want to dress nice and conservatively.</p>
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you should wear modest clothing. don't reveal too much skin. when i visit the yard, i try to avoid denim. i choose khaki instead.
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<p>You must be kidding! There is nothing wrong with a college student visiting a Mid and wearing what she would to class etc. Khaki give me a break. Hec - your jeans will be just fine! Even though as plebes and youngsters we have to wear the uniform of the day when going off the yard we still like to feel like college students, (at least I did, although for me it is on to civies !!!) To have friends come visit all prepped out does not help. I have friends come visit from GW all the time - it was great and a lot of fun to get off the yard and not be traveling in a pack of plebes. I can't imagine telling them that they had to get dressed up to see me</p>
<p>NEWS FLASH - Not everyone at an Academy is "conservative". I get real tired that view.</p>
<p>Hec2008, you're a wonderful friend -- I love that you're researching your plan to visit. It will mean the world to your plebe pal to see a familiar face so far from home. Is he playing a sport? That might provide another opportunity to see him in less restrictive circumstances. </p>
<p>Here's one more bit of advice: be sure you (and any friends) take photo ID, since you'll be checked @ the gate. And I echo the congrat's on Georgetown.</p>
<p>Our mid has a few friends on GT's lax team that have come to visit him a few times in Annapolis--- not sure where they get the ride, but they come by car. </p>
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I know they don't get a lot of free time, but the football games sound like a great idea. Georgetown's team isn't the best (but getting better)
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<p>don't worry- GT creams us at Basketball.... :(</p>
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I doubt it would be hard to convince other friends to visit cadets.
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<p>LOL!!!! Well, "kay-det" is not something said around Annapolis too much unless it is associated with "Beat Army!" ;)</p>
<p>Cadets- are up at West Point at the Military Academy. They wear gray.
Mids-(Midshipmen)- are at the Naval Academy. They wear white, and then blue, and then white again! Oh- and sometimes khaki.</p>
<p>you are a sweatheart!
just remember.... when in uniform, there is no "PDA's" allowed.... (public displays of affection.) Unless, of course, you are a meddling mom- we kiss our mids all the time. :rolleyes:</p>
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carmel brownies are my speciality
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<p>Now that is one recepie I would love to have!<br>
(ps... peskemom's cookies are famous.... perhaps she will share her secret with the both of us as well!!!! :) )</p>
<p>As for "what to wear"....
just be neat. There is a time and place for everything. But when choosing your outfit, keep in mind the plebes are trying to fly UNDER the radar, if you get my drift.</p>
<p>Mass transpo to and from Annapolis is a royal pain. My sons (2nd and 3rd class now) get rides to and from the New Carrollton Metro from friends of theirs and friends of ours (unofficial sponsors).</p>
<p>The "find a friend with a car" advice is the best advice. We spent a lot of time at G-Town visiting classmates' sisters and GF's who were at G-Town. What a great place! I hope you take advantage of DC while you're here.</p>
<p>You can't drive on to the academy unless you have a pass or a DOD decal, but parking in town at the Noah Hillman garage on Main Street is typically not a problem unless it's a tourist weekend - like this one.</p>
<p>Letters, letters, letters during Pebe Summer. Nothing like a letter to make you smile during the summer. If you send cookies, pack 'em tight. They sometimes turn into crumbs with the not so gentle "handling" they get in the mailroom. Mom sent brownies, but kids reported that they were rock hard by the time they arrived. Hand delivery is still the best method, and you won't be able to do that until after Plebe Summer.</p>
<p>lots of good information!
Sorry about the mix up with the cadet and mids. At least I learned my lesson here and not some place where I could get myself in trouble. I come from a family far removed from the miltary. I have to admit it all blends together. The first time I probably will just try public transportation as unconvient as it may be just for fun, but a ride sounds way easier.
He might to try to play football so again that would be awesome to see. Does georgetown play navy in basketball? I think someone mentioned something about that.
Food is also a big check. I'm gald I can send him stuff over the summer. I know they show up to I-Day with just a couple of pairs of socks. I didn't know is outside food would be frowned upon.
O and clothes. I promise I would never wear anything that would cause an problems for my friend, but I didn't know if certain things weren't allowed on campus. it would be sad to drive all the way there to learn that you can't wear filp flops or something.
Thanks for all your help and any future advice. Trying to learn as much as possible when I am excited is just in my nature and you guys seem to have such a great community.</p>
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<p>It's not that far, only about 35 miles. It will take you about an 45 minutes on a good day, 1 hour on a normal day, and 2 hours on a sunny Friday afternoon.</p>