<p>Overall, the vast majority of plebes lose perhaps on average 10 percent of their body weight over plebe summer due to constant physical exercise including, but not limited to: running, marching, climbing, rowing, sailing, calisthenics, perspiration. Additionally, the food is not too appealing if you’re used to grade A produce/vegetables, and prime meat/poultry. I ate in King Hall six months ago and the food was disgusting–and this was after the food situation had been ‘upgraded!’</p>
<p>Yes, my soon-to-not-be-a-Plebe and one of her roommates agreed during a recent visits that 1)the food is better than at the beginning of the year, but 2)it’s weighted more towards carbs (pasta, etc.), not fresh foods. Our first stop on any visit is for real fruits/veggies, closely followed by a meal with real meat. </p>
<p>Friends of ours who assumed that everything at USNA would be top notch were appalled when we told them that the food was significantly better than USNA at both a private university and a public one that we visited before the appointment letter arrived. Obviously, the choice of a Naval career was more important to my daughter than the food.</p>
<p>Now, to try to avoid the ongoing tirades of a year or so ago: both Plebes said they thought the COC was trying hard to make improvements. Both knew of suggestions that had been made through the COC that had been implemented. Neither was asking for interference on the part of parents or anyone else.</p>
<p>USNAmomBGO, thank you so much for posting the link to that video, I loved it! It got me crying, but I loved it.</p>
<p>3 more months…</p>
<p>pachrian, me, too. If I tear up at a video of people I don’t even know, how on earth am I gonna get through I-Day for my own kiddo?</p>
<p>I am sure I speak for all of us soon-to-be plebe parents when I say thanks for the great suggestions! We will definitely be using the fill-in-the-blank letters! I am not sure I can imagine DS writing even if he had time! </p>
<p>What about sunscreen? I am guessing they are out a lot? Lip balm? Powder for feet? moleskin stuff for blisters? Tiger balm or similar? Vitamins?</p>
<p>Tiger Balm was a big hit. My plebe asked me to send more so he could share it with squadmates. My son isn’t one for writing, but did write a couple of times during plebe summer. The first one is required to let us know that they are indeed alive and well. All he wrote was “I only have 30 seconds to write. I love you” I keep this in my desk and cherish it.</p>
<p>Waterproof sunscreen that doesn’t burn at all (especially when rubbing eyes), doesn’t sweat off, doesn’t rub off easily, and dries very fast (designed for athletes) is at [Mission</a> Product - Skincare](<a href=“http://www.missionskincare.com%5DMission”>http://www.missionskincare.com). I know it’s pretty popular.</p>
<p>Vitamins may or may not be confiscated. From what I heard, most of the time they were.</p>
<p>Boy do those videos bring it all back.</p>
<p>It seems like an eternity ago…and it seems like only yesterday.</p>
<p>Crazy.</p>
<p>USNAMOMBGO what a video! That was very cool and boy did it bring back a lot of memories. So pround and so sad and happy all at once. It is a day as a parent you will never forget.</p>
<p>On my mids I-day she had the pleasure to be on the very end of a row next to the firsties. Just as the oath of office cerimony was ending one of the firsties looked down her row and said in a very loud and clear voice " Enjoy your last few minutes with mom & dad because after that your asses belong to us!" Scared the bejesus out of her.</p>
<p>As future midshipman parents, you are trying to prepare and to some extent you can but you will never be ready for the swing of emotions that will hit you that day and for a few weeks after. Having a midshipman is a real roller coaster ride and plebe summer is only the beginning. Semper Gumby and enjoy the ride, it’s not dull.</p>