<p>Do you have any suggestions on how I will be able to know Jake's address since I won't be there on I Day?</p>
<p>I think I read on one of the usnaparent.com (or something like that) sites that they have phones for unaccompanied mids to call home during I-Day...I wonder if he could give you his address then?</p>
<p>You will get a letter with address information before I-day.</p>
<p>I sure hope so because it would be the biggest bummer if we can't mail stuff to him immediately.</p>
<p>The first night, your Plebe may very well be ordered to write you a letter to let you know he is OK. My company did that. They also specifically had us put our address in there.</p>
<p>MIDN 4/C Zaphod, USN
H-23, USNA
Annapolis, MD 21412</p>
<p>Still remember! :D</p>
<p>We got our mid's address prior to leaving for I-day. We made up address labels, and stuck them to 3 x 5 cards which he handed out at graduation parties to anyone who wanted to write. (What a concept! Most only know how to IM or text message!)</p>
<p>His West Point bound classmate did the same with the admonition that all letters be in plain white envelopes.</p>
<p>Worked well.
CM</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it appears they are doing it differently this year. The orders to report state "Plebes will receive a PO Box number and their company and platoon assignments on I Day. Friends and family members are requested to not send mail until they have received the full and correct address from their midshipman." It doesn't say how parents who aren't there will get the information.</p>
<p>hbc025, I know how I'm getting it. I've already discussed with my daughter that the FIRST thing out of her mouth on that ever so brief phone call on I-Day afternoon, no matter what , is to give us her address. Even if I'm not home, that's the first thing to say to anyone.</p>
<p>I read on some parents websites that you should bring your first care package with you to Annapolis and mail it there so you get it right away. Do a lot of people do this/plan to do this?</p>
<p>...and what would be the most prominent things needed?</p>
<p>Sports drink powder, energy bars, extra socks (laundry does not always return on time), extra underwear, a desk size American Flag and stand, and words of encouragement.</p>
<p>CM</p>
<p>If their cell phones are taken away, how can they make the call home on I day?</p>
<p>Well, unless they ripped them out, there are phone rooms in the Hall.</p>
<p>I've heard that the rooms now have phones, but I doubt Plebes will have them during Plebe Summer (if at all).</p>
<p>I can assure you, they'll be able to call. The Academy is well aware of just how important contact with home is. They won't withhold that from them. They may not be able to call more than once a week, but they'll have chances.</p>
<p>Be patient. You'll hear from them.</p>
<p>ETA: I should add that you will most likely NOT hear from them on I-Day. The first opportunity to call will be in a week (or the first Sunday), and if the tradition holds, they'll be required to write to you on the evening of I-Day.</p>
<p>Again, relax. They'll be able to contact you, but you have to remember that one of the first things they're trying to do is to get these kids into the mindset that they have to rely on themselves and their classmates now, not their parents.</p>
<p>My plebe host at my CVW had a phone in his room, but I didn't ask how often he used it during the summer.</p>
<p>Wow. Cool!</p>
<p>Man, chopping down to that phone room was a PITA. Long lines sometimes, and upperclass always went first.</p>
<p>How do they charge long distance calls? :confused:</p>
<p>OM-
Just tell your son, he WILL ask to use a parent's cell phone to call you at the end of I-day during the family goodbye time. No excuses accepted! ;)</p>
<p>You got that right Dad2B'2010, we WILL have cell phones at there ready (cameras too). </p>
<p>A little disappointing to here that no addresses until I-Day. We had planned on the post card trick, also.</p>
<p>My husband and I will have our cell phones ready and waiting for any unaccompanied plebes to phone home!!! If they need anything we will help!!!</p>
<p>Local parents clubs assist unaccompanied plebes at the end of I-day with refreshments and cell phones to make that last call home. I have no regrets about not attending I-day because my mid's sponsor mom took fabulous pictures and I got a phone call at the end of the day from my plebe. Arrange for someone to take your plebe's picture if you won't be there. If plebes take cell phones along on I-day, they will be taken away and stored until the first phone call home as well as subsequent calls. Families will receive a letter around I-day from the company officer with the plebe summer call schedule and approximate calling times. Personally I think they should abandon the calling and make everyone write short letters occasionally. At least in the letters, the plebes can attempt to finish a complete thought. The phone calls are unnatural, abrupt, cadre are yelling in the background, and parents often get a distorted picture of what actually is going on. Then they fret and worry until they get the next phone call if their plebe complained about anything. I hated the summer phone calls and found them completely unsettling.<br>
PPW was delightful, but unbelievably hot and humid. I also went back over Columbus Day weekend for the sailboat show/Navy-AirForce football and enjoyed spending time with my mid over the holiday weekend. Buy Avery address labels, download the Go Navy, Beat Army signal flag address template from usna.org, and print out address labels for your plebe and return address labels for yourself after you get their summer mailing address. The preprinted address labels are such a timesaver.</p>
<p>First phone call: Trembling voices, emotion, uncertainty. Quick. Confusion. About six and half minutes.</p>
<p>Second phone call: Better, but still uncertain. Less emotion. Things are okay.</p>
<p>Third phone call: Things are okay. Tired. Can't wait to see you next week.</p>
<p>Cell phones are returned for eachof the three phone calls.<br>
Room phones are installed after plebe summer but I don't think he has ever used it to call us.</p>
<p>Arrange to record the telephone calls if at all possible.</p>
<p>Make sure the batteries are fully charged before arriving, and turn the phones OFF when you turn them in!</p>