<p>You really can't bring anything but what is on the list that you will receive in the Permit to Report packet which will arrive early next month. You could probably mail it though after I-Day. As far as money goes, they will really not need anything before PPW at the end of Plebe Summer. At that point, you can get information on how to make a deposit into their account at the credit union. They will all open an account at the credit union during Plebe Summer and they will also receive a debit card. Their pay is directly deposited into that account every month. So, I would advise that you bring a check with you to PPW with the money that they receive and your Plebe can deposit those funds into their account to use as needed. They don't get a chance to spend anything before that point. :( Care packages were a key part of Plebe Summer and we kept our Mid and his roomates well stocked with individually wrapped energy bars and snacks to satisfy their need for food.</p>
<p>For those going to West Point the Plebes cannot receive care packages during Beast. Also, as it gets cold on the Hudson River silk long underwear (tops, bottoms, and socks) are welcome once winter comes. It might not be their favorite gift when received but they will appreciate it when it gets colder. It is a little better insulator than the Underarmor and also wicks water away from the body. If you have a son/daughter going to West Point you may consider looking for sales on some of the outdoor gear websites.</p>
<p>GEB has touch on a great idea! Now that spring is around the corner, you sould check the clearance racks/tables for winter gear/silk underwear. </p>
<p>Has anyone tried the off brands of underarmour (Target & Walmart carry some)?</p>
<p>I have tried the off brands from Target in the past- the quality is not the same, and they do not hold up over a season of sports- but then again, in our house this stuff gets worn 6 days/week for several months at a time when sports practices are outside, and also ski season- the under armour, while more pricey, looks just as good year after year, and the kids have used most pieces until they grow out of them- </p>
<p>also, for those interested in silk leggings/shirts, check out LL Bean catalogue- the stuff wears like iron-</p>
<p>Another gift idea, these socks have been very popular in my house. You can get them in white for sports and in black to wear with boots: <a href="http://www.oxysox.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.oxysox.com/</a></p>
<p>These have been very helpful with shin pain flares up.</p>
<p>At LFWB's send off party we got a replica of a WWII Merchant Marine recruiting poster and had everyone sign it. Its now framed in his room. </p>
<p>As for something for someone going to USAFA. Tough call country clubs usually have everything you can think of. :-)</p>
<p>While I know everyone has everyone's email address, etc. in their cellphones and computers, an excellent present is a real "little black book" (or pick a color). Somehow, everyone's ADDRESS and PHONE plus email should actually be written somewhere - for emergencies if nothing else! We filled in a little black book with relatives and friends and that, plus cellphone were carried around at graduation and following weeks. Since cellphone was not available for weeks, and new computer needed everything entered, the LBB was quite handy. Also suggest setting up hotmail, yahoo or gmail account as an alternative for official school account. You can add emails and addresses there too. Much easier to access when computer and system not handy or the system is down...and for things you don't want going through the school system. For those at USMMA, when away at sea, the web-based email was the only easy way to communicate.</p>
<p>usna laundry ruins nice underwear, so save the good stuff for post Plebe summer. We bought cheap underwear at Target that was thrown away at the end of the summer. My mid loves fine clothes/shoes/purses/jewelry, etc. We spent about $1,000 on beautiful lingere that I sent in the fall after the uniform changed to WWBs. Patagonia makes the best long underwear and Nordstrom sells black cashmere socks that feel delicious in those Bates uniform shoes. Delicates are laundered at the sponsor family home. (She's still looking for Ferragamos that match the uniform pumps...don't laugh it's not easy being a girly girl at usna ;))</p>
<p>shaking my head...</p>
<p>usna09mom, after reading your post about your shopping budget, I am a little glad I don't have any girls to shop for. But then again....I can bet your auto insurance bill did not go up as much as mine did when your daughter was added to your policy. :) I get to look forward to another rate hike this June when driver #2 puts more grey hairs on my head.</p>
<p>Cashmere socks? WOW My kid begs for food. He only got new Target underwear just now with Spring Break. ;)</p>
<p>usna09mom,</p>
<p>You cracked me up with that. Here's my similar story. My best friend from high school is a Chicago police officer and quite the fashionplate when not in uniform. One day I was reading an article in a local paper that described how difficult it is to be a policewoman on this largely male force. One of the officers interviewed said that her biggest problem was getting uniforms to fit properly. She went so far as to have the leather jacket custom made so that it would fit and look good. Naturally I called my friend that afternoon. Yup, it was her. And I'll bet she wears her Ferragamo and Magli shoes for work, too.</p>
<p>Now I'm going to order some cashmere socks for myself.</p>
<p>no cashmere- the moths just put holes in the stuff anyway- and who needs their big toe sticking out where it's not supposed to!</p>
<p>it's a cashmere blend and they are more resilient than the junky navy socks that do get holes quickly. Moths are banned from Bancroft (midregs), but Stuart Little and his family moved in long ago!</p>
<p>usna09mom: LOL- you are too funny! Very good! I was hoping the flood waters from Isabelle a few years back would have washed out all those little critters...... is it true they are alive and well and all over Mother B???</p>
<p>Back to graduation/send off parties...</p>
<p>I think I read somewhere in this forum that we don't get the actual company assignment and mailing address for our mids until sometime in June, so we don't have addresses to give out to friends and family until just very shortly before I Day. Is that true? For those of you who have been through this, when did you get that information? I'd like to have a send off party after we get the address if that is possible.</p>
<p>The PO Box number availability was mentioned about WP, not sure about USNA. For WP, parents can pick up the box number on R Day in Ike Hall after the "90 seconds". They will have post office folks there so families can sit right down, write a card/letter and put it directly in a box for delivery.</p>
<p>Just wondering....</p>
<p>Has anyone bothered to ask THE NEW MID what THEY want?</p>
<p>
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shaking my head...
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</p>
<p>You're not the only one. In my day we were thrilled to pieces just to get a letter. Now it's cashmere and lingerie.</p>
<p>Didn't know USNA had become a Victoria Secret runway training camp.</p>
<p>The KP Parents Association had the address protocol for us. We had stamped pre-addressed envelopes for everybody who came to his party. It turned out LFWB got a ton of mail during Indoc and it helped a lot.</p>