<p>It's awfully hot and humid here in Philly - which means the same is probably true for Long Island. Will they take it easy on them in light of the weather and health risks? Are they outside most of the day? I see on the long-range forecast that there is no relief until Thursday or so!</p>
<p>lots of water and gatoraide...</p>
<p>What's in the little blue book they are holding up in the photos? Why are they holding it up? Are they memorizing something?</p>
<p>MMAMom2011: I'm afraid I saw a lot of mids with special patches on their arms. EMT.</p>
<p>Not being negative or anything, but I suspect that they're going to be exercising these kids pretty hard, until the EMTs have something to do, or all the water and gatorade has been drunk + 20 minutes.</p>
<p>Thanks, is2day4him. It is really nice of you and the other mids to share information. A little bit of fact goes a long way.</p>
<p>The little blue book is called the bearings book and it has all sorts of information that they will have to memorize in order to be recognized sometime in the future</p>
<p>Due to the potential hazards of indoc, yes there are a lot of EMTs. From what I remember there are a lot of kids on crutches by the end of the two weeks....basically they slip, trip, fall, bang into something. As far as the heat goes...they have them drinking a lot of water from their canteens. Actually for some wierd reason the DI's say "push water" (drink) and call the belts that hold the canteens, war belts...</p>
<p>Still trying to figure those ones out.</p>
<p>you do see a lot of EMTs and with good reason. most injuries are because of stress, lowered resistance to injury and lack of attention to where you step etc...
i was drafted to be an EMT for this indoc but because of family obligations was allowed to opt out and serve next year. i heard during our indoc at one point they ran 50-something calls in one day. most of them are just bandaide and ice packs, but some are serious. either way, the EMTs are always busy and do a good job of keeping everyone safe. as i said, most injuries are from the kid not paying attention to where they step, or things of that nature. that little blue book, as was said, is the Bearings Book. basically by the end of plebedom you have to have every page committed to memory. it has everything from enlisted insignia to academy traditions, types of ships to a glossary of common academy lingo. they make you hold it straight out (your arm must be parallel to the deck at all times, no sagging) to make it where it's painful and not fun. it isn't bad for the first 3-5 minutes, but after an hour or so it really hurts. it's a test of willpower and determination, at least that's what they say...
all in all, your kids are in good hands, they might get a little banged up, but they'll be tough as nails when they're done
; )</p>
<p>OUCH. How do parents become tough as nails as well? </p>
<p>Thanks so much, is2day4him. Good info; there is so much to learn and I appreciate your guidance.</p>
<p>I am planning on sending a care package today. No food just things he did not take to try and reduce the weight in his bag. Things like a larger bottle of body wash, eyeglass cleaner, a writing tablet, extra pens, etc. </p>
<p>Will they be ok getting items like this during Indoc?</p>
<p>We have the New York news stations as our "local" network news here in VA with DirectTV, and I was watching the weather for today (Mon 7/9) and they said the heat today will be record breaking. Last time they had this heat was in 2001. They also have advisory out because of air inversion with big time pollution! Geeze, I sure hope they don't have the candidates running around too much in this junk!</p>
<p>Don't worry. They are very aware of the dangers and though they want to "toughen up" the Plebes, they will not do anything to endanger their lives (remember the Academy has been doing this for MANY MANY years)! That is one of the reasons they do PT while it's still dark out! It's much cooler.</p>
<p>Thanks KT2010mom, I know that to be true but sometimes have to be reminded. I needed a little perspective right about now!</p>
<p>Day 3 & 4 Photos Up At 11:45 Eastern!!</p>
<p>you can send that stuff, all they care about is food really...and something like an iPod might be frowned upon....anything they don't think they should have they will just hold on to until indoc is over and then give it to them...most likely.</p>
<p>Did they have a "red flag" day today with the heat? Or is it black? Whatever! If so, what do they do in the place of exercise?</p>
<p>FYI - Just got an email from my DI daughter. She said it was 96 at lunchtime and they have had a Black Flag today. That basically means they are not to be outside at all. (If they are going to another building they have to enter by the closest door.)</p>
<p>Hope they get relief from this soon!</p>
<p>Yep, the NY TV station said Air Quality is extremely dangerous, and the temps are very high! UGH!</p>
<p>My son's company has air. I hope the ones without air are allowed to come to get relief with other companies. I am sure they would even sleep on the floors of the air dorms.</p>
<p>I believe we should keep this whole event in perspective. Folks, there's a great many more 17, 18 and 19 year olds going thru boot camp at Camp Pendleton or Fort Sill than there are Plebe Candidates. In a few months many of them will be going to a place that is much wamer than Kings Point and without a waterfront. Our sons and daughters are dealing with 21/2 weeks. My M/N went thru last year and he says its not very physically demanding and it should actually be longer (of course he said this after INDOC). The point is that having chosen to go to to a Service Academy our sons and daughters need this experience. Do not feel sorry for them. They are a fortunate few.</p>
<p>spoken like a tru yut yut</p>