Plebe care packages

Colleges and Universities A-Z Service Academy Parents
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ya know whats sad.. I took them off ignore to do a lil test of the "spy" and sure enough.. I got another PM telling me the rules and regulations! I feel like my mom is on here watching me. You have been outed sister! But thank you for giving all of us something to chuckle at. HA HA HA

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<p>are you on drugs? </p>

<p>I don't need to be "outed."
But you have clearly been "found."
And you have distinguished yourself in another way- as you are the first one I have ever put on an "ignore" list of any kind.
And this is NOT A TEST. </p>

<p>I don't play games MOMTOLOLA2011.</p>

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<p>and there it is again... can't seem to get that bee from trying to sting... </p>

<p>back to the ignore list for that one. </p>

<p>Give it a rest ole wise queen bumble bee! We are bowing to you as fast as we can!</p>

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They really do have to open their boxes/packages in front of the cadre? I had no idea. Not that I sent anything wrong/bad, I just didn't know.

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<p>some companies have the plebes open their boxes in a group...and then they are "instructed" to turn over anything "not allowed"....</p>

<p>It becomes a small test of the whole honor thing- to do what is "honorable"... as long as they do what is right, there is really no issue with what parents try to send.... (we have all tried, lets face it!)....</p>

<p>so don't worry- your plebe will know what he can do and what he can't - trust and have faith!</p>

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<p>But thank you for giving "all of us" something to chuckle at. HA HA HA - as stated by mom2lola2011</p>

<p>I am not chuckling. Please keep me out of this.</p>

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<p>This thread is really amusing^^^^Can't you feel the love. Is this a Navy thing or what?</p>

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<p>GC-we aim to please! ;)</p>

<p>mdlrnc.... young grasshopper, you are very wise indeed! Now tell me, aren't you in the middle of doing plebe-summer-class-of-2011-stuff???</p>

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<p>Feel The Love!</p>

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<p><<<< oh dear god>>>>>></p>

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I prefaced my comments by admitting i didn't have a dog in the fight but liked to throw my 2 cents in on controversial topics.

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i kind of felt sorry for the guy and decided to start a little controversy. It was a slow saturday.

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hmmmm, sounds like we could go over to that list serv site and have a lot of fun with them by stirring things up !!!!!

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Let the rebellion begin!

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<p>Sounds like y'all have the wrong idea about the listserve. It doesn't exist as an online sparring partner for people who are bored & want to "stir things up". I've found it to be most helpful for getting info & answers to questions. I've never had a problem with any of the moderators, in fact, I think they're awesome for the service they provide. Of course I'm not one to start controversy just because it's a "slow day".</p>

<p>I want to make the point here that USNA is ALL about teamwork, supporting your shipmates, and not "bilging" the other guy. I think bilging is pretty much what's been done here on this thread. I hope the current class of plebes at USNA has gotten the idea about that by now - some parents certainly haven't.</p>

<p>Further, I can't imagine why anyone would willingly surrender listserve priveledges. In a situation where information may be slow-coming, or hard to obatain at all, why would anyone give up such a valuable source of info? To each his own, I guess, but that would not be my choice. I like to get as much info as possible, then use discernment or verification to know what is correct. Besides, I just might want Navy-Army tickets!</p>

<p>We have a saying here in the South - "Don't skin your ignorance!".<br>
That little expression might be applicable here.</p>

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<p>BZ,
Glad you enjoy the list serv. Knock yourself out. They do provide a good service for those that want to put up with the holier than thou attitude of the moderator. As long as you are a good little boy or girl you can play. If you have the audacity to question something you are immediately held up to ridicule. There are other places that provide info as well besides that list serv. That is why I don't see it as a necessity. I am not in the Navy so I don't worry about bilging anyone. I think for myself and question anyone or anything that I feel is in need of questioning. I won't speak for anyone else but I feel like I have the right idea about that sight. I have my Army / Navy tickets already. Four of them are club level and 4 are out amongst the rabid fans. If you don't care for the content of my post then it is your right not to read it. Now, as Forrest Gump said.." That's all I have to say about that".</p>

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<p>I think it's not so much about the "asking," but more often than not, about "how" the "asking" is done. There are ways that are clearly inquisitive, and ways that are meant to inflame and challenge. </p>

<p>Disagreement makes us all stop and "rethink" our positions.... perhaps even changing our view or, at the very least, broadening our insight to look at things from another perspective.....so in and of itself, discussion is a good thing.....but the key is not about "winning the other person over" to "one's own idea," but rather keeping in the forefront that there are respectful ways to "agree to disagree" without attacking the character, motivation, etc of the other party. </p>

<p>While I have no knowledge of the sight blackhawk is referring to (I limit myself to this one and the official parent listserve)... I would venture to say that if asked "correctly," almost any question can be asked. </p>

<p>but heck, I've been wrong before, and no doubt I will be wrong again.... and if you ask my kids, I "never" get it right! :o</p>

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<p>Blackhawk - You indicated that it was your objective to start a little controversy. I was merely asserting that "controversy' isn't really the purpose of the list-serve. </p>

<p>Also, I wanted to point out that the moderators have never, in my experience, been difficult at all.</p>

<p>I just don't want anyone on this PUBLIC forum to get the wrong idea about any of the USNA parents' groups. In the time we've been associated w/ USNA, I've never seen ANY parents conflict with other parents - it's been a pretty congenial group. There may have been conflicts, but I never saw 'em...</p>

<p>Just please stop & think before you bad-mouth someone who isn't even present to defend himself, especially someone associated w/ USNA & providing a much-appreciated service to the parents. That's all I'm asking.</p>

<p>Cheers!</p>

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<p>^^^^ One of the listservs in NOT associated with USNA or the Alumni Association and even if he was I would not ask people here to sensor their posts in this a public forum. After all, isn’t Freedom of Speech a basic right in America? It is our duty as citizens to question our officials; if we do not then we have given up on our republic.</p>

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In the time we've been associated w/ USNA, I've never seen ANY parents conflict with other parents - it's been a pretty congenial group. There may have been conflicts, but I never saw 'em...

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<p>Where were you the past year that you did not see some of the hurtful slams that were posted on the listServ? Which one do you belong to?</p>

<p>I name a few of the incidents I recall: Drop Shops vs the usna-parents.org photo gallery (that one has resurfaced again this year for the usna.org gallery) Ms Mallory's lookouts when parents got all up in arms about what was she doing in Bancroft Hall, or her choice of topics and language. Chastising parents who went outside the 22 mile for PPW when the message from the Supe was clear that the Boundary was 11/2 hours... there were many more that have been less than congenial.</p>

<p>I got my hands slapped by a moderator, after offering advice that was a bit shall I say not in the mainstream as to it is our Mids jobs to know the rules and we needed to trust them and if they are willing to break the rules and bear the consequences then it was not really our job anymore to be their enforcer - conscience yes but not the enforcer - he reamed me out to the effect that was just an unacceptable post and if I was not going to support the "party line" then I need not post. Which I never have again but he also doesn't seem to want to solve my problem of getting off his Pollyanna site.</p>

<p>My biggest complaint is the posts that are there to either stroke an ego or to insight fear. What is the purpose of that? Also, you have to admit that it gets funny when posts are contradicted back to back! Here again what was true when some posters were either there or had kids there 5- 10 years ago just really doesn't hold water and they don't bother to find out before posting or the parent who just thinks they know all of the answers and posts them in a fashion indication they are the "voice" when in fact it is not true for my Mids Company - oh you know that company thing will get us all as no two companies operate in the same fashion or have the exact same rules.</p>

<p>As for USNA being a humbling experience…for both the Mids and their parents…can’t say that I agree with that, but then each to their own. Has he humbled any, definitely not, if anything I see a young man who is much more aggressive than he ever was before – personally I don’t necessarily find it a good trait but I am sure it will get him far in the Military. Has his views, political and socially, changed? Most definitely yes and you would be surprised as he leans even farther to the left than he did in HS. Have I been humbled – no, not sure what exactly was supposed to humble me. If anything, like my Mid, I question things probably more than had he gone to University maybe because I pay attention to public policy now more than I used to. I am Proud but then I would have been proud where ever he had decided to attend college. I am more proud that he did so well academically and did not let the plebe year get in the way of fantastic grades!</p>

<p>Each family has to figure out what works for them and what does not. I am not sure that the list serv allows for much diversity in thought. What I have seen is that it is the party line with alternative suggestions chastised. There are more ways than one to parent just like there are many more ways than one to succeed at the Academy. I personally think asking your Midshipman, someone maybe from your own parents club or another parent you have met through your Mids company or sports team is more reliable than the same old line on the listserv which may or may not be “correct”</p>

<p>For those who have had good experiences go for it and use it, I am glad it does work for you. For those that are thinking about using it, decide for yourself just be aware that you may not find it the “end all” that other's will indicate it is.</p>

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<p>^^^^^Yeah, What he said. hey, Texas, You got another one on the Nav. Acad. thread. I thought I would give you first shot to defend yourself.</p>

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<p>Hey navy2010. I am his Dad. He used my email address to register on this forum and now I do not know how to get my own "sign on" without a different email address. My son is doing the plebe summer thing and is doing quite well. My wife and I are looking forward to PPW, so is his girlfriend. The previous was the first post I had put on here as me and being retired Navy I just hope that you parents learn what your young men and women have come to realize by this point in plebe summer, take it as it comes. Semper gumby might be getting old to some of you. But it is what the military lives by. I shall go back to my hole and wait for my son's next letter and phone call. Keep things in perspective. We have raised such a fine group of young people. But they did all the work and made their choice. Fair winds</p>

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<p>Sooooo, according to navy2010 I have to have posted stuff over 2,000 times before having an opinion......sorry doesn't work that way for me and I am NOT in the military......</p>

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<p>Can we get back to the Plebe Care Package issue? </p>

<p>Do they (the cadre, upperclassmen, squad leaders, whomever) make you open your package in front of them and they check contents? </p>

<p>As I said, I don't think I send anything "contraband," I'm just curious.</p>

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<p>NP, last year in my son's company boxes were opened in front of the Cadre and they would remove things or worse yet make fun of plebes for items contained in the box. </p>

<p>Letters were opened in private, although his squad leader took note of names (female to be exact) in the return address. Said GF took to signing the return as "None of Your Business" to kind of stick it back. - When she went up for a weekend she introduced herself to this firstie as I'm really none of your business. He turned out to be one of my son's favorite firsties!</p>

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<p>Wow. </p>

<p>Is there a list somewhere of things they are not to have. I sent some REALLY important information to the boy, in a sealed envelope within the box. I sincerely hope they do not open it, end up losing the contents.</p>

<p>Wow.</p>

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<p>NP I would not worry about a private letter within the box being opened. The boxes were opened by the plebe with the cadre right there, cadre looked and maybe took a few things out but never any of the personal items and never asked for letters to be opened and read. My Plebe for some odd reason found opening and reading letters in the bathroom gave him the most privacy. He also had a flashlight that his grandmother sent in a box, (maybe smuggled is a better word :) )to him so he read letters under the bed covers. We could tell letters written under the covers too - handwriting so bad I felt like I was breaking some sort of code.</p>