<p>Hey everyone, how's it going? I am a new member on this board (which by the way, is pretty cool...a lot of good info can be found on this forum), and actually received my appointment for the Class of 2009 back in March.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'll get right to the point here...as we all know (especially those of us in '09), there are six weeks until I-Day and the start of plebe summer. I don't know about you, but I am getting pretty excited (and scared), but definately a lot more excited than scared. There are going to a lot of challeneges along the way during those six weeks, both physical and mental, and I really want to be well prepared to take on those challenges.</p>
<p>Obviously, all you can do to prepare yourself for the mental aspect of plebe summer is just keep telling yourself everything is worth it in the end, that its only six weeks, and that it's not worth it to take the things that come your way personally. As my dad keeps telling me, "The academy has been doing this for 150 years. They know EXACTLY what they are doing...so trust them."</p>
<p>On the other hand, as far as preparing physically, there is certainly a lot you could/should do. When I received my appointment back in March, I began to follow their 8-week workout plan. I've finished it now and personally think I can do more...so I made a workout plan for the next five weeks. My question is, if anyone has any experience with physical fitness, etc. and can give me some advice on how effective my plan is, I'd appreciate it if that person could look it over.</p>
<p>If you want to look it over, send me a PM and I'll e-mail you the document. I really appreciate any help on this. I just feel you can't really be OVERprepared for plebe summer; that's why I set out to make this workout plan. </p>
<p>If you get the Naval Academy Work out book and can get to the 6 week workout, you are doing fine. I believe this work out is considerably harder than the initial 8 week one the academy sends you. It also features many of the exact exercises you will be doing in PEP. Running and weight training alone will not necessarily duplicate these enough for you to be on top of your game with these if you have not been practicing them specifically. This at least is the advice my "plebe no more" now youngster son at USNA tells his friends who are preparing.</p>
<p>Any suggestions on how to motivate a kid that has decided that running is good enough prep? Tried pointing out the obvious factors of why he'd better be moving his rear but ZOOOOM! in one ear & out the other. The pull-up bar I mounted hasn't been touched in two weeks. Would love a golden carrot to dangle but alas I'm fresh out. Seriously. Are any of you having this problem and what are you doing about it?</p>
<p>Forget about it. This will be the last relaxing summer he will have for the next nine years at a minimum. UNLESS your son is UNABLE to meet the minimums on the PRT, I would not worry about him. Plus, if he is only going to workout in one way, I think that running is by far the best thing for him to be doing. </p>
<p>I also followed the "sit on your butt" approach, with good bit of "drink beer underage" thrown in for good measure--and I know that I was not the only one! Frankly, I regret what little time I did spend preparing physically. My time would have been better spend on my butt! </p>
<p>I tend to agree with DT.
I expect my son to be solidly in the upper lower third of the group physically; we told him that was just fine as his academics are superior.
There must be some fair number of people that are simply NOT prepared at all; I would worry if he could not run to speed or was not able to at least meet the minimums. Otherwise, I figure he is arguably an adult now and will have to bear to consequences of his decisions himself.</p>
<p>As a frame of reference, when I was a 2/c detailer (or "cadre" as some folks on this site imprecisely refer to them) NINE out of my eleven plebes FAILED the initial PRT. Although this was excessive, I believe 30-40% of the plebes will fail at least one portion of the initial PRT (with the majority of those failures being on the run, followed by the sit-ups). By the end of the summer, almost nobody fails it--the upperclassmen will see to that!</p>
<p>The only physical preparation my son did was track practice. He did just fine during plebe summer. (actually gained weight while others were losing). Don't stress over it. It is part of letting go, and allowing him to make his own decisions and deal with the consequences of them.
CM</p>
<p>You guys are the greatest! What a show of support. I feel so much better about the whole thing. I guess I am more worried for him than he is about himself. I will leave it alone & let him enjoy these last weeks. I keep telling myself that he will come ahead when he gets there. No choice in that! Well, thanks again guys. I'll not badger him about it. But he'd better not pull that beer drinking trick DT! :) BIG GRIN!</p>
<p>DT:
Last summer they changed the names of the upperclass "instructors" from "detailers" to "cadre". If you look at the many online photos of plebe summer 2008 you will see the shirts with "cadre" printed on the back.
CM</p>
<p>I'd forget the beer drinking part. A Firstie was separated 7 weeks before graduation this year for buying alcohol for under age mids at his sponsors. Also, last year (Class of 07) 3 appointees were turned away at I-Day because they'd gotten tattoos after their physicals. Something to think about.</p>
<p>You had to have all your tattoos documented and your physcial. At USNA the current reg is that tattoos may not be visible while wearing swimming gear and for a young man, that means the shoulders. Documented tattoos must be removed at personal expense, no later than the first semester of your 2nd class year. Check what the regs are for the Merchant Marine Academy. They may have be totally different from USNA's. Everyone else who is going to USNA. DO NOT get a tattoo as a graduation present!</p>
<p>Just a quick question....How in depth is the physical on I-Day. Is it just a quick run-down to make sure you're all good to go, or is it a whole additional evaluation (with picky details). I have 20/20 vision, but if they do another eye test at 6am on I-Day, the results might be a little different. Does this physical cause problems, or is it simply to ensure that you're not injured or incapable of making it through plebe summer? Thanks.</p>
<p>USMMA2009---I would check into that.....I remeber reading something about tattoos....I'll see if I can find it again, but I would call the academy.</p>
<p>ugh...
i read that tattoos must not be visible while wearing the summer white uniform. Also, they must not be on the face or neck (it is not) offensive, racist, or sexual in nature (which it is not). This is from USMMA's catalog, so I guess im okay, but im gonna call the academy anyways just to make sure. Midmom, how were those 3 candidates turned away from i-day if they are allowed a certain amount of time to remove it (at their own expense, of course)</p>
<p>my guess would be they were turned away because, if i remember correctly, the form regarding tatoos and piercings that comes with your "you've got an appointment" letter says you're not supposed to get any more between filling it out and showing up on i-day.</p>
<p>I just went to the Summer Seminar at which one of the briefings they said that those who recieve appointments agree to not get anymore tatoos. Also, the tatoos will be inspected on I-Day and the Naval Academy has the right to demand removal if need be.</p>